Paris, I am happy to be home !

Old Apr 13th, 2004, 09:45 AM
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I realize that not every single aspect of every single trip is spectacular, and I am always interested in people's experiences (good or bad) but your rambling observations with a recipe stuck in the middle was a little hard to decipher. You might have had a rotten time, but you did notice several cultural difference and that is a huge part of traveling.

Glad you like the Batobus, I thought it was fun too, did you get a chance to ride it at night too? Kind of neat with all the buildings lit.

I have been all over Paris on the Metro and have never seen "urine streaming down steps", who exactly had been peeing - an elephant? And unless you slipped and ended up sitting in it, how did seeing urine ruin your morning? I am sure that people do pee in public in Paris (just like SF, NYC, London etc.), but I can honestly say that I haven't seen "people making those puddles everywhere" was there some type of bladder infection epidemic running rampant while you were visiting?

The "sucky service" you experienced is actually just a culture difference, and one that I prefer to the service in America. In France you will be seated at a table, your order will be taken, the food is delivered. The wait staff will not ask you 10 times during the meal if "everything is ok" and they will not slap the check down on the table while you are still eating your entree. The table is yours for as long as you want it, and you will not be rushed or bothered. When you are ready for the check, you politely signal the waiter and ask for it.

The gloomy faces were not intentional. The French are friendly people, they just show it differently. Parisians are well mannered, quiet and reserved. They don't ask perfect strangers "how are you?" etc.

I'm glad you had the opportunity to go to Paris, and at least now you know that you really do not care for it and you can concentrate on planning another adventure. Not going at all is worse than going and not enjoying it! Keep traveling & keep posting.
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 09:46 AM
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elle,
try typing your question into web search ... you will be impress !
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 09:51 AM
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I did try--nothing came up.

Sounds like a hotel for queens, noble and otherwise!

BTW, my grandmother made the world's most fabulous blintzes, and they are nothing like crepes. Big difference if you do it right.
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 09:52 AM
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WTF ?!!!?
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 09:57 AM
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Yes, the Applebee's comment is hysterical. Hey, sometimes you get food cravings (even while in Paris) for some good old Southern style cooking. I think the cravings especially kick in when your chances of NOT getting that style of food increase... FYI - the best TGI Fridays I have ever been in was in Bratislava. Very tasty food with super attentive service!!
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 09:58 AM
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Ziana,
Loved your style and honesty! Some ppl are more sensitive to the atmosphere and attitudes of ppl than to the place itself - we are the same way... Edinburgh almost spoiled our trip to the UK last time, we only saw rude, unpleasant ppl who NEVER smiled, never said sorry when stepped on you or brushed against you and b/c of that, it was hard to enjoy the architecture of the city... thank god we only stayed there for two days. Next time, you should plan a more diverse experience: differnet cities+nature... in a happier warm-blooded place. I also found Americans to be happier in general and more polite than the ppl I met in the UK, and I'm from NY... go figure.
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 10:04 AM
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I think your next trip should be to NYC - you need to see & taste a blintz!

Glad you're back safely, sorry to hear that you didn't like much, but that's ok, at least you got to go. Applebee's????? hmmmm, huge portions loaded with lots of fat, empty calories, chemicals and sodium, oh well, to each their own!

Thanks for posting, I hope you next trip will be better!
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 10:04 AM
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"I live in Philly suburb where people know each other's names and do not lock their cars at night." And you obviously like it there. Good for you.

I've observed that many who don't like European cities do not reside in or spend any amount of time in large American cities. I'm not sure they would like New York, San Francisco, or Chicago any better.

Cities are by their very nature comparatively noisy, crowded, and dirty. There are homeless people, so there is public urination. This is an unfortunate truth worldwide.

Some people are just not city people, and that's fine. But the great "sights," in both Europe and the US, are located in big cities. The drawbracks are more than outweighed by the cultural offerings.

If you spent time in European suburbs, you might find them surprisingly similar to your own. But that is not usually the purpose behind foreign travel.
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 10:08 AM
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Different strokes for different folks! Don't get me wrong. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and Paris is not my favorite city in the world either. BUT... I was there at or about the same time as you and had a COMPLETELY different experience. That is not suprising, since it appears your major concerns (before, during and after) were toilet paper, toilets, bathrooms, and human and canine excrement. My focus was to experience Paris, including the good and the bad.

When dealing with other human beings, whether American, French or otherwise, it has always been my belief, for the most part, you get what you give. While in Paris for 8 days, I found all Parisian people I came in contact with (with the exception of one old woman) most pleasant. Could it possibly have been your attitude that drew the service you recieved? Food for thought...

I have read your posts here for months in advance of your trip and am aware that you do not take disagreement well. I fully expect you to lash out at me, and the others here who disagree with you.
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 10:17 AM
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Hi ziana,

Glad you liked the Batobus. Anything else in Paris that you liked?

How about Hamburg?
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 10:21 AM
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Any trip report (and I use the term loosely in this case) that begins and sustains the first 20% of writing, yapping about bodily excrement and its accessories commands only one solution...FLUSH!

What an insult to people looking for quality travel information. Trolls begone.
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 10:21 AM
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Ziana, oh dear, I do hope you had some contact with art, architecture, and a few of the other charming things Paris is known for. Our visit to Paris last spring could not have been more different than yours.

We did not notice any large amounts of dog poop.

We had perfectly decent service in most places, when cultural differences are factored in.

We found people in general to be very kind, friendly, and helpful -- they might not have smiled at strangers, but once involved in an interaction, we couldn't have asked for more.

We loved the crepes. Even if they are identical to blintzes, the fun of buying them on every street corner and looking for "the best," was difference enough for us.

You might have been happier with a cafe creme instead of capuccino.

Eating well with kids in an expensive city is always somewhat difficult. It's too bad the adults couldn't have had one "splurge" dinner out so you could have had a true Parisian dining experience. I would rather buy picnics from the food court at Bon Marche for my daily lunch and have at least one great meal. Because if it is true that you can eat badly in Paris, it is also true that you can eat exceptionally well, and not for a king's ransom.
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 10:23 AM
  #33  
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hilarious that someone in Philly, with its std. of living, would complain about Paris! talk about your center city!
 
Old Apr 13th, 2004, 10:26 AM
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Good for you, Ira! Always seeing the glass 1/2 full!
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 10:28 AM
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Lesli, you are so right about visiting cities. What made me a bit weary about being in Paris was the crowded city part...living in an urban area is just a lot of WORK...I admit that when I returned to Texas I was glad to get in my car to drive to the supermarket instead of taking the metro and shopping at tiny stores. Public transportion is wearing if you're not used to it, be it in New York or Paris. Some people are stimulated by dense crowds of people; others hate it.
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 10:37 AM
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Thanks, Missy.

I am a city girl here in the States, and ride public transit to work on a daily basis, so don't experience much of the "culture shock" that I think for a lot of people is really "city shock." For me, cities are vibrant and exciting, but I realize that for others they are overwhelming and as you say, exhausting.
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 10:42 AM
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Ziana:

First, welcome back! I have been travelling but am in for a few days.

I think if your report would have been different I would have been surprised.

I say that because IMO you spent a LOT of time seeking the opinion, direction, guidance and approval of some posters on this board. That in it self is not the issue...
Your process of posting and posting and posting and responding to the various and every changing posting personalities and perspectives possibly left you more "jaded" than you might have been otherwise...

Just my cyber guess...nothing more and nothing less.

I have not ever taken a trip, travel or packed a luchbox based SOLELY on the advice, input or suggestions of posters on this board.

I am not suggesting that you did but, your report topics certainly answer back to some things previously discussed.

10% of my travel may be directly because of something posted but you have to remember that I am the oddball
traveler on this board.

Remember, I am the gal with the pink shoes...actually have several pairs and styles.

I am the travel gal who does, see and goes to waaaayyyy TOO MUCH when I travel...packs all 4 pieces of her matching luggage set and more.

I am the travel gal who owns a flask, wears manolos, jimmys, St.Johns, Converse, Timberlands and so on.

I am the travel gal who has very little in common with many of the women who post here...I wear two different outfit per travel day, I do not wear the same thing twice, I wear make-up, bring bubble baths, shower gels, sexy nighties, loads of colorful underwear, I get regular pedicure, manicures, facials and the like...at home and while I travel...

I have been on these boards for years and this is who I am...I do not like Rick Steves and I do not FF and I don't save to travel...I just go...LOTS and I thank God that I can.

What I do have in common is my passion to travel and to read and to post about travel whenever I want to as monitored by the Fodor employees...

I weigh who I am with numerous travel books, magazines, and with the input of people who know me and my independent travel will. That is how I solidify my travels.

If you read my trip reports you will see full and living proof of these travel facts.

Ziana:

I have been to FRANCE many times and what I have to say is no contest or challange to your trip to Paris. You had your trip and by golly good on ya for even going!

I did see massive amounts of dog poop all over France especially in the various cities. In my reports back I probably mentioned it to maybe one other person as I did not want to convey that in my top 30 things about France or Paris spcifically. The poop in all is probably down there at number 500 on the list of things that I would say or report about Paris or France as a country...that's just my style.
You did give me pause when you just put it out there on "front street" so to speak.

The urine, I have to say, as one who has traveled extensively throughtout FRANCE, it is an issue...at about number 300 for me. This is ONLY because we are avid wine tasters and collectors and while in France MANY folks simply pee in the caves at will...I found this to be shockingly dispictable but chuckled because I had the "one" ill-mannered thing "on" the French!
Who cared if it was just the men...now, that knowledge of the peeing thing was secured well over 15 years ago and does not do for me now what it did for me then...
I never bothered to ask the nationality of the peeing person so the pee-rs could have been from anywhere...

Hippopatamus(sp) is the hit! My hubby and I loved it because of the price, environment and mostly because I could have TWO plates of capparcio beef for the price of ONE!
Now, those who "know" me know that I am none too eager to do much with other folks kids...Hippopayamus is FILLED with screaming kids and all that nonsense but Oaktown could care less!
Another thing about Hippopatumus is that it is a break from all of the absolutely wonderful food served in France.

Ihave no other points to address from your OP...your trip, your report, your narrative....THANKS for sharing.

Ziana, did your hubby really have that mini-cam out like you say? Maybe that is a partial reason why folks did not smile at you...and I bet if you would have not been looking at all that dog and cat poop and urine you may have just caught someone looking at you...smiling at you. GRIN!!!!

Oh, What did you miss, you ask?

You missed the same ole bickering about the same ole topics involving the same ole posters...I THINK "they" "have"
M_Kingdom!

I will start a "Free M_Kingdom Campaign" when I return from my travels if she does not post soon...and if "they" let me stick around...

For more of what you missed here just scroll and scroll and scroll...and the USA boards have taken up fashion(roll eyes) and the have some simply NASTY threads over there...someone called the Latin Boards Boring and there you have it...takes less than 10 minutes to catch up but, you will probably have your hands full of un-packing or typing responses...

So, where do you go next?

My Best,
Oaktown Traveler
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 10:46 AM
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I have to admit i had a hard time following your trip report. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but you do remind me of my parents who visit me in new york city and all they do is comment on how dirty and expensive it is. I couldn't care less if you love or hate paris, but it sounds like you missed the best of it by focussing on dog doo and pee. Live a little!
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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 10:47 AM
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I want to go on the record and say that I own (and love) pink shoes. And sky blue shoes and carmine red mules and purple suede pumps. . . I could go on. . .

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Old Apr 13th, 2004, 10:50 AM
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I tried to be objective but you totally lost me (and any hint of credibility) at Applebee's!
JoeG
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