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Paris disillusionment... we've seen it here on this forum.. from Margie. to Ziana's rant, and more recently mdtravel - - now with "Mitsuko" it's a syndrome!

Paris disillusionment... we've seen it here on this forum.. from Margie. to Ziana's rant, and more recently mdtravel - - now with "Mitsuko" it's a syndrome!

Old Dec 22nd, 2004, 05:35 PM
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Oh have fun in Portland!! We were there in Sept for 10 days and every day was sunny and warm
I Paris
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Old Dec 22nd, 2004, 05:36 PM
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I am smack dab in the Michigan, Louisville, Floyd Knobs triangle. We are snowed in in Cincy! They closed the office down at 3pm today (GASP!) with a full day's pay (WHAT!?!?) and it took 2 hours to get home on what is normally a 23 minute drive. Joy.

We will be THRILLED to send at LEAST 3/4 of this snow to Montana & to Maryland & whoever & wherever would like it (for Christmas).

mdtravel, my congratulations to you!

cheers!
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Old Dec 22nd, 2004, 05:40 PM
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Today in sunny texas is very cold and windy..I dont mind the cold but i hate the wind, could never live in Chicago..brrr...
However, I do dream of a White Christmas, unfortunately here in South Texas is just a Dream..
Have a Happy White Holidays ,and Merry Christmas to ALL...Buon Natale a TUTTI..
Ciao,
AMC
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Old Dec 22nd, 2004, 05:43 PM
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Kismet, You know you have a standing invitation to share my white stuff. And there's no wind. Just cold. It's supposed to get to -24 tonight. Tomorrow's high is predicted to be zero.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2004, 05:50 PM
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So, when stuck in the P-Club in San Antonio waiting for a flight delayed due to incoming plane out of Cleveland (that weather you all have been dissing) what else to do but log on to check on fellow Fodorites?
When we left Paris yesterday morning (see jaunt report elsewhere) it was just starting to snow. Place de Republique was begining to resemble a movie set. Even though I prayed, visualized, crossed fingers and toes, and would have lit a candle if it weren't a nonsmoking taxi, there was not sufficient accumulation to warrant a weather cancellation causing an additional day in Paris. And, for the record, despite the dismal exchange rate, Paris remains a wonderful destination.
Adios, y'all, and feliz whatever you celebrate!
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Old Dec 22nd, 2004, 05:51 PM
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Hi Neil,

Sorry to hear you are having a cold snap in Canberra. The Christmas forecast for here in Perth is for 35 degrees CENTIGRADE (well over 100 F) Chef has decided to do the turkey outside in the kettle barbecue to avoid heating up the house.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2004, 06:14 PM
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What was the question?
Oh yes, rex's list of Paris-trashing
threads
here's the 'Paris is a dump' thread

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34453527

Now if all the Paris-haters would just read these threads and stay home, there will be more Angelina's hot chocolate and Laduree's macarons for the rest of us!

Merry and Happy to all
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Old Dec 22nd, 2004, 06:20 PM
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PS
earlier this week here in New York, the temperature was 12 Fahrenheit (-11C) and tomorrow it's going to be at least 55F
(13C)
Forecast for Xmas day is 30F (-1C) and dry
So, we're all over the weather chart---there will not be a white Christmas, neither will anyone be cooking outdoors
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Old Dec 22nd, 2004, 06:22 PM
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Personally, I could NEVER hate Paris! We're old chums now!!

Oui, Elaine, more Ladurée macarons & Angélina le Africain for US!
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Old Dec 22nd, 2004, 06:34 PM
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<<Rex, I never thought I'd see you going over to the Dark Side. LOL>>

Dark side? Moi?

Jamais. I am just passing on the story about the despair <i>des Japonaises</i> (who are ex-pats there).

And just a bit of geography clarification - - I really am south of Enansville, Indiana this week (i.e., I'm in Henderson, Kentucky, not in Floyds Knobs) - - <i><b>supposed</b></i> to go home Friday morning, but now the forecasts are even worse - - and there are rumors that the interestate (I-64 east-west St. Louis-Louisville) may even get closed!

Waaaahhh!!

But I have to smile at the thought of a &quot;Michigan-Louisville/Floyds Knobs triangle&quot; - - presumably Cincy or someplace in Ohio is the other corner of this triangle - - otherwise it's a pretty skinny little piece of pie!
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Old Dec 22nd, 2004, 06:43 PM
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47 degrees above on the way home from Anchorage (according to the car). Yadda, yadda. For those who think 'so what', last January it was 27 below one night when I walked the Scottish Terrier!
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Old Dec 22nd, 2004, 06:53 PM
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Rex,
You just may just have to hitch a ride with Santa to get home on Christmas Eve.

Judy
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Old Dec 22nd, 2004, 07:29 PM
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Thanks, mai tai. Seasons Greetings to you and Tracy as well.

How 'bout them Chargers?
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Old Dec 23rd, 2004, 03:06 AM
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Are Rudolph and the others wearing chains on their hooves?
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Old Dec 23rd, 2004, 03:11 AM
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Rex, care to explain why you felt it necessary to mention me in the title of your post?

Best Wishes,
Margie
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Old Dec 23rd, 2004, 04:01 AM
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This was such an odd post. Was it supposed to be a funny post or a poke in the eye with a sharp stick post?

and why did the author feel compelled to mention people by name? Are those that like Paris supposed to be superior to those who do not?
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Old Dec 23rd, 2004, 04:10 AM
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hansikday, I don't know why Rex posted this, I used to think he was a credible poster and had a lot to offer, but this is just bizarre. Also, I seem to be listed in the title as a &quot;Paris Hater&quot; which could not be further from the truth.
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Old Dec 23rd, 2004, 04:49 AM
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In a way, I'm not surprised about disillusion with Paris. I think that I'm beginning to suffer from some of this, but that's after a couple of visits.

I don't understand disillusion for a first-timer though, but I can certainly understand the disillusion of the Japanese who end up living there for an extended period of time. Life as a tourist is very different from life as a Parisian.

Anyway, disappointment comes about when your expectations are too high, or are unrealistic. And, no matter how good something is, it's going to seem less dazzling or wonderful after familiarity -- as people put it, &quot;familiarity breeds contempt.&quot;

But certainly, I can't really understand how people who're visiting Paris for the first time can think that it's awful -- ditto London, New York, Berlin, etc., and all the great cities in the world. There's the history, the culture, the architecture, the fashion. And you get bored, there're interesting people to look at. Anywhere you look, it's interesting, if you've the imagination and are in the right frame of mind.
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Old Dec 23rd, 2004, 05:01 AM
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&gt;...more Angelina's hot chocolate and Laduree's macarons for the rest of us!&lt;

Well, if you want disillusionment...

I was just beginning to believe that my little hamlet in GA was becoming the center of sophistication in South.

You may recall that we have a gelato shop in Watkinsville. A &quot;Tuscan market&quot; has opened in Athens and it is also offering gelato made in house.

Yesterday, at a local supermarket outside Greensboro I espied a display of macarons.

You can imagine my delight as I purchased 6 of these little imported-from-France marvels in strawberry, vanilla, lemon, chocolate, coffee and raspberry.

Worst junk food I have ever eaten!!!!!

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Old Dec 23rd, 2004, 05:07 AM
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Well, ira, you can always investigate if Laduree ships its macarons. Or try ordering from Fauchon in NYC.

That's the thing about globalization -- and, I think, partly why these cities can disillusion. We're all so familiar with the images, and whatever is available in Paris is almost just as easily available in the US, with mail/net ordering. You can't see the real paintings unless you go in person, but you can easily search for a reproduction in a book or on the web.
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