Fodorite018

LOL!!!! Yes, I was definitely limping that day

Efoss3

I loved going to Paris with you Canada_V! Your last photo under the tour Eiffel with your kids is beautiful, also enjoyed seeing the boys and dh with their t shirts- their faces are radiant.

Scootoir

. . . because an economy flight to Paris
is a flight to Paris,
but an economy flight back is just an economy flight

So true, so true.

Thank you Canada_V for allowing us to join you and your family on this trip. It was a delight. May you have many return trips to Paris and be able to greet her as an old friend.

Canada_V

Thanks again mms, Efoss, Scootair, and to everyone who posted as part of this process! I was sad the trip was over, and now I'm sort of sad the trip report is over too!

<b>I would definitely say to anyone who is hesitating about writing a trip report to do it!</b>

Don't worry about whether or not people will 'like it' or not; don't worry if you not sure what style to use, or if you have an interesting 'content' - just write what is interesting to you! The only people who are going to post replies are going to be people who have something nice to say (anyone who doesn't like the style or content just won't read it, and you will never know so who cares! ) And SOMEBODY is going to read it - and it made a huge difference to me in actually being able to finish fleshing out my notes (I know I would have run out of steam all by myself!) knowing that there was at least someone who was going to notice if I stopped ;-)

And I also had thought that some things were too 'specific to us... who would care?' (like the scarf story) but I included them anyway because I had decided to do the trip report to make sure I actually completed the 'story' for myself. So I would say that there is always going to be someone who will be happy to read it - because even if the story itself isn't 'interesting', it will probably help someone recall <u>their</u> trip to wherever, and they are going to be genuinely glad that your trip report helped them do that! (or that's how I am interpreting it...)

By writing the trip report, I got to enjoy my week in Paris for an extra 2 weeks! So again... if you are hesitating for whatever reason... go for it!
I will also renew my vow to always comment on the reports I read, because it was always encouraging to know someone was reading (even if it was just a note saying 'hey, I'm reading your report!).

So thanks to everyone... and I am so excited to have now 'graduated' through Fodor's lurker to question asker to trip reporter to now be fully qualified to be a question responder!
"well, in answer to your question about taking the RER from the CDG, when we went last June, this is what we did..."

decee

I am so glad you wrote this report, personal anecdotes and all. Everyday I would make certain to tune in to the latest installment (the laundry and housework got done eventually). Your writing style is lovely and I wonder if you have done any writing professionally. We could never afford to travel when our boys were young but three years ago we took the youngest (at that time he was 27 and had just graduated from the U of A--finally!!) with us to Singapore to witness his older brother graduating from grad school. We had the most wonderful 2 weeks ever and it is something that we all will remember. Your scarf story reminded me of going shopping with both boys, the oldest ones girlfriend, and my husband--at times frustrating because of their 4 different opinions but for the most part so much fun. Thanks for taking us along on your journey!

Canada_V

Thanks so much decee (and no professional writing by me - unless performance reviews and project proposals count :-? but thanks!)
I'm glad you got to travel with your boys eventually (better to be able to do it with him at 27 then not at all!). Unless our life changes dramatically, there won't be more European vacations in our <u>near</u> future, so I am very appreciate of the fact we had this chance (and am therefore being extra diligent about making sure I record it 'properly'!) Thanks again for reading, and commenting!!
V

JayMazz

...awwwww. It had to end.

Every few days I would log on and check to see if you had written something new.

So true about the "end of a trip" blues/blahs! It happens to me every trip, even when it isn't Paris.

Great TR, and I still think it is the best I have read for 2009 on any site!

Many thx,
~Jay

Canada_V

Thanks Jay
DH and I were just talking about the 'end of the trip' blues part last night. The night time bike tour had been such a fun 'high' we were saying whether it would have been better to have been going home the next day - but we concluded that it had been nice to have a sort of low key day on that last Sunday to sort of 'reflect' and wind down!

lilaki

hey canada_v,

i'm sad your trip report has ended ... it was nice to start my work days off with an uplifting read!

but i also share you downer of leaving paris ... normally, DH and i are READY to come home from a trip ... but not from paris! one of the rare places in the world where i feel like i belong (other than my home town)...

thanks for sharing your report.

Canada_V

Thanks lilaki!

I think of myself as a "why would I go back somewhere I've already been... I don't get to travel that much" kind of gal, but I honestly left Paris going "this could be the only place I travel back to and I would be happy!".

My car antennae broke off... so my commute now consists of dream-planning various return trip itineraries - day dreams in the form of imaginary Fodor's trip reports... '<b><i>Our family of 4 returns to Paris'</b></i>

or how about <b><i>'My week of solo dining in Paris</b></i>'

or if I decide to bring DH along...
<b><i>'What better place for a 2nd honeymoon then Paris'</b></i>

or inspired by mms and abranz and others
<b><i>'My son has graduated... So I took him to Paris!'</b></i>

or my personal favourite...
<b><i>'How I put my lottery winnings to good use travelling through France' </b></i>



And lilaki - are you planning to go to the T.O. GTG? We can talk Vimy trip itineraries!

Scootoir

All good reasons to return to Paris. I am looking ahead to my "I have retired and am spending a few weeks in a Paris flat" trip. Unfortunately the "SYMB" account (also known as Save Your Money Buster) took a real dive in the past year.

I hope to one day read your return trip report Canada_V.

Cathinjoetown

What a wonderful trip report! I had put it aside for about 12 days because I've been on my own adventure (moving permanently to a house in SW France). It's a rainy, drippy morning here so I've enjoyed catching up with your family; I feel as if I know you after your report.

Great photos as well--highlights for me were the Canadian WWI memorial, Cluny/Unicorn Lady as I love them both and the scarf story (reminded me that I have too many which I don't wear often enough). Years ago, when the franc was 10 to the US dollar, I bought a Hermes scarf--that purchase was an adventure in itself.

You've also made me realize I need to start a report about our move--it has been and will be an on-going adventure.

Thanks again.

kerouac

Cathinjoetown, that is a great idea. So many people don't realize what it's really like to move and reading those funny British books is not much help.

Canada_V

Scootoir - I look forward to writing that report too

Cathinjoe - I hope you do write that report about your move... I will read it!!

kerouac

It's a shame that we can't post pictures here directly. My latest report about Avignon (finally finished, except for the theatre reviews) can still be found here: http://tinyurl.com/n97qbt

jangel49

Thank you for sharing your wonderful adventures in Paris. I especially appreciated the photos, historical content and detail.

I will celebrate my 60th in Paris in September. You have encouraged me to do MORE preparation,especially historical and find a way to preplan some bus routes. Unfortunately will not have immediate internet/computer access.

Still trying to decide about the purchase of a smaller digital camera. Your photos are great and I wonder if you would be willing to share the make etc. of camera. I may not have your skill, but a good camera will be a good start.

Warm thanks from Vancouver.

Jan

Canada_V

Hey Jan - Sounds great! Is it your first visit to Paris, or a return visit?

For the bus information you should go to Robespierre's post
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nte-b-cest.cfm

He includes specific instructions about looking up the bus routes, and finding and printing the pdf for the routes you want to use.
http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan...=pdf&nompdf=67
On the link above the 67 is the bus route - you can either look up the routes based on Robespierres instructions, or randomly replace the 67 with different numbers to see what shows up (like I did!)
The following link shows the schedule
http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_hora...artenaire=ratp
Again, replace the 67 with another bus route number to get its schedule.


For the camera - we bought a Canon Rebel SLR with a telephoto especially for the trip (I will post the exact model later tonight!). DH really wanted the additional telephoto lens (and made good use of it) but if it were just me, I would have been fine with the 'non-SLR' Canon model (again I have my notes at home, and will post them tonight!)

One key thing though was DH got a camera bag called a "Lowepro OffTrail" which was absolutely perfect.
It connected using a waist strap, so he didn't have to wear the 'camera necklace'. It was a waist strap, not a 'belt connector' (i.e. a bag that connected to your own belt) so it meant that we could easily transfer it between us if we needed. And it had detachable side pouches, so he could put the extra lens in one, other stuff in the other, but most days he just brought the camera with the single central pouch. It was secure and kept his hands free. He loved it!
http://products.lowepro.com/product/...l-1,1980,7.htm

jangel49

A sunny hello from Vancouver,

Thanks so much for your prompt reply! Regarding cameras, I was afraid that a telephoto would be involved.

As I am walking the Camino Primitivo, then the Camino Ingles to Santiago de Compostela after leaving Paris (yes, my first time to explore Paris; did have an overnight there in 2006), I am loath to add any more weight - should be walking with 10% of body weight. This is the prime reason I want to "lighten" my camera from my older Nikon version that was really too heavy on my waist belt. Great suggestion about the camera pouch - I agree about the ready access. Perhaps I will have to choose a non-SLR model. O'but I do miss the wonderful close ups I used to achieve with my aged 35mm. As in all things, will have to choose - for me, it comes down to weight.

I love that you are a minimalist - with 2 sets of clothes, raingear, first aid stuff etc. for my Camino journey, I have pared down "need" to necessity. I do include a scarf, tho'.

I appreciate the bus information, will sift and sort and print off some stuff. Without ready computer access in Paris, will need to do this ahead of time.

Warm thanks,
Jan

moolyn

Wow! I finally had a chance to finish your wonderful Paris report and am totally overwhelmed. You write so well and your family did such interesting things. Even though we were there the same rainy week as you and went to many of the same places, we had quite different experiences.

I loved the scarf story and the museum visits and your culinary experiences as we ate oput rarely too. We have been to emergency departments all over the world with our son when he was young so I can relate to the blood adventure. My almost 11 year old grandson is growing his hair long too, like hockey players, he says, so it might be a hockey thing with your son too.

I am inspired to put my notes together to describe our trip but also intimidated because you report was so wonderful.

I hope you plan to come to the Toronto GTG in September. Please check out the GTG thread on the Canada forum and contact me if you can. I'd love to meet you and DH and A and B are welcome too!

Canada_V

Hi Moolyn -
Thanks so much for your comments I would highly reccommend you going through the exercise of doing a trip report from your notes - I had planned this trip for so long that I really fear "post-partum depression" when I returned, but the act of doing the trip report helped extend my trip and eased the transition to real life! And don't be intimidated by the process (though I know and empathize with exactly what you mean!) - just write it however you want to, and look at is as writing it for yourself. If anyone wants to tag along they can, but you are under no obligation to make it 'entertaining' for anyone else in particular - and the only people who will comment are people who are enjoying it!

I am definitely planning to go to the Toronto GTG - though right now I am working to juggle 2 other big things scheduled for that day (isn't that always how it goes!) which means the rest of my posse definitely won't be able to go - but I am pretty sure I will be able to (I will follow-up via the Canada thread...)

Looking forward to reading your report (I really liked reading the ones that take place at the same time as we were there!)

V