Why Paris?
Mar 7th, 2006, 04:55 AM
#41
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paris is a wonderful city. however, it seems like many of you are using it as an antidote for things that you don't like about home. elevating it to utopia...quite sad in some ways and mostly unrealistic and naive. if you were to spend a lot of time really living there, you would most likely have a more balanced view.
i guess it's not bad to have a dreamland to remind you that there is beauty, etc in the world but i think that this clouded view can prevent you from really learning about the culture of the city. sort of like if someone visited the US a few times and refused to see reality behind all the myths.
i guess it's not bad to have a dreamland to remind you that there is beauty, etc in the world but i think that this clouded view can prevent you from really learning about the culture of the city. sort of like if someone visited the US a few times and refused to see reality behind all the myths.
Mar 7th, 2006, 04:56 AM
#42
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Parisnow - on my last visit to Paris I was with my niece. She had lived there for a month and knew her way around. We basically had breakfast together and the met again at the hotel for a glass of wine before going to dinner. We coordinated a bit and things we wanted to do together got done; and we met for a picnic lunch in a park one day. But we were basically doing our own thing. Would that work with your friend? You'll still get some of the freedom of being solo in Paris.
Mar 7th, 2006, 05:04 AM
#43
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walkinaround - I respectfully disagree with you. I love where I live and don't leave to find some utopia in Paris. I live in an area rich in history and culture. From my house I see one of the most beautiful cathedrals I've ever seen- and each day I am thankful that I get to see this. I don't take it for granted in the least. I have traveled many places and would gladly revisit most of them. I love learning about the similarities and differences in daily life all over the world. But Paris is different for me, it has a strange pull that keeps me going back.
Mar 7th, 2006, 05:12 AM
#44
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walkinaround,
I can only speak for myself, but I don't think I "fail to see the reality behind all the myths"...I am not THAT naive..I read the papers, I watch the news..I spoke of a feeling of "connection" in my post...who can explain that??? I have been fortunate in my life to visit and live in many beautiful, wonderful places...I enjoyed and admired all of them, BUT, none of them touched me the way Paris has...that has to mean something...in the end, the "daily grind" is the "daily grind", where ever you are...why not grind away someplace palatable and uplifting???
I can only speak for myself, but I don't think I "fail to see the reality behind all the myths"...I am not THAT naive..I read the papers, I watch the news..I spoke of a feeling of "connection" in my post...who can explain that??? I have been fortunate in my life to visit and live in many beautiful, wonderful places...I enjoyed and admired all of them, BUT, none of them touched me the way Paris has...that has to mean something...in the end, the "daily grind" is the "daily grind", where ever you are...why not grind away someplace palatable and uplifting???
Mar 7th, 2006, 05:13 AM
#45
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HI all,
For me, Paris will always be associated with a girl named Ilsa. Too long a story to tell here.
The city was transformed, under Louis Napoleon, by Baron Georges Haussman.
It was intended to be a place that would make the visiting Rubens stop and stare with their mouths agape.
It was very successful.
The plan has changed very little because, fortunately, it is almost impossible to build skyscrapers inside the city.
See http://gallery.sjsu.edu/paris/archit.../Haussman.html
Ilsa: Here's lookin' at you, kid.
For me, Paris will always be associated with a girl named Ilsa. Too long a story to tell here.
The city was transformed, under Louis Napoleon, by Baron Georges Haussman.
It was intended to be a place that would make the visiting Rubens stop and stare with their mouths agape.
It was very successful.
The plan has changed very little because, fortunately, it is almost impossible to build skyscrapers inside the city.
See http://gallery.sjsu.edu/paris/archit.../Haussman.html
Ilsa: Here's lookin' at you, kid.
Mar 7th, 2006, 08:05 AM
#46
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Cigalechanta: If that post was meant for me, I do not have children. I do travel with my mother and we went to Europe recently. Maybe this is what you meant. And side note, my friend invited herself along on that trip as well.
Scarlett: That idea has already been done and failed. My mother is from Holland and we had scheduled a vacation because my aunt was ill. We were staying with relatives. When my friend from work found out where I was going on my vacation, she booked a flight and hotel room in A-dam for the same week that I was staying with my relatives. Then she got upset that I only took the train into A-dam twice to do the tourist thing around town with her. I thought it was rude of her to expect me to take time away from my family, on a vacation that I did not invite her on. Apparently I was too polite when I tried to explain this to her because it went right over her head. Which leads me to ...
cls2paris: Actually this is normally what we do when we travel to Paris. I love to just grab a train and take a day trip out of Paris or just stroll around Paris on my own. But my mid afternoon, my friend is text messaging me about where I am and lets meet up here and do this ect... ect.. and I spend 1/2 the day responding to her text messages. Defeats the purpose of going off on my own.
Scarlett: That idea has already been done and failed. My mother is from Holland and we had scheduled a vacation because my aunt was ill. We were staying with relatives. When my friend from work found out where I was going on my vacation, she booked a flight and hotel room in A-dam for the same week that I was staying with my relatives. Then she got upset that I only took the train into A-dam twice to do the tourist thing around town with her. I thought it was rude of her to expect me to take time away from my family, on a vacation that I did not invite her on. Apparently I was too polite when I tried to explain this to her because it went right over her head. Which leads me to ...
cls2paris: Actually this is normally what we do when we travel to Paris. I love to just grab a train and take a day trip out of Paris or just stroll around Paris on my own. But my mid afternoon, my friend is text messaging me about where I am and lets meet up here and do this ect... ect.. and I spend 1/2 the day responding to her text messages. Defeats the purpose of going off on my own.
Mar 7th, 2006, 08:17 AM
#47
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Walkinaround,
I don't understand how you reached your conclusions. Many travelers find a place that feels special to them and I think it's a gift. This thread happens to be about Paris. I have a close friend who feels a "connection" in London, but I don't.
I don't see any post that indicates people are using it as an antidote to what they don't like at home. I'm very happy where I live, but still feel drawn back to Paris. I did live and work there for nearly two years and am aware it isn't perfect, nothing is.I've never thought of it as "Utopia."
Sad? I think it's wonderful that so many people have found a place where they feel a connection. It's sad when they don't.
Cls2paris,
Love your response to your friends and relate. A man named Paco is waiting for me in Madrid.
Traveling solo is rewarding when you're going to a place that you're drawn to. Go with others when your goal is sightseeing.
cchottel, My second place is the Southwest high desert too. My third is Marseille. I loved that city at first sight and felt a thrill as soon as I got off the train on my second visit.
I don't understand how you reached your conclusions. Many travelers find a place that feels special to them and I think it's a gift. This thread happens to be about Paris. I have a close friend who feels a "connection" in London, but I don't.
I don't see any post that indicates people are using it as an antidote to what they don't like at home. I'm very happy where I live, but still feel drawn back to Paris. I did live and work there for nearly two years and am aware it isn't perfect, nothing is.I've never thought of it as "Utopia."
Sad? I think it's wonderful that so many people have found a place where they feel a connection. It's sad when they don't.
Cls2paris,
Love your response to your friends and relate. A man named Paco is waiting for me in Madrid.
Traveling solo is rewarding when you're going to a place that you're drawn to. Go with others when your goal is sightseeing.
cchottel, My second place is the Southwest high desert too. My third is Marseille. I loved that city at first sight and felt a thrill as soon as I got off the train on my second visit.
Mar 7th, 2006, 08:32 AM
#48
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walkinaround
On the contrary, I do not find it unrealistic or naive to recognize a good quality about something when I see it. Antidote? More like Appreciation! The less you have of something the more you appreciate it when you do have it. Hence, if you overindulge in steak everyday, you won't appreciate that pricey Filet Mignon as much when you order it in that five star restaurant.
Again on the contrary, if you truely appreciate the city then you are more likely to learn the culture of the place. Hence the stereotype of the French being rude. Those of us who appreciate the culture know this is not true and the things we are doing are in fact rude. Picking up merchandise, not saying Hello or goodbye when entering and leaving an establishment ect., ect.
On the contrary, I do not find it unrealistic or naive to recognize a good quality about something when I see it. Antidote? More like Appreciation! The less you have of something the more you appreciate it when you do have it. Hence, if you overindulge in steak everyday, you won't appreciate that pricey Filet Mignon as much when you order it in that five star restaurant.
Again on the contrary, if you truely appreciate the city then you are more likely to learn the culture of the place. Hence the stereotype of the French being rude. Those of us who appreciate the culture know this is not true and the things we are doing are in fact rude. Picking up merchandise, not saying Hello or goodbye when entering and leaving an establishment ect., ect.
Mar 7th, 2006, 09:33 AM
#49
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Why Paris? Because Paris appears not to change. The French governemnt devotes a huge part of its national budget to preserving Paris.
For example, we have visited there seven or eight times. When we seek out a bistro we liked five years ago more likely than not it will still be there and, as good as we remembered it.
The beautiful and symetrical buildings, the lovely bridges over the Seine, St. Chapelle, Notre Dame, Musee D'Orsay on and on demonstrate the glory that is Paris. Even the Nazis would not blow it up.
Person for person the French are among the most polite people in the world. The language is wonderful. The art, the Impressionists are unsurpassed.
America is the best. France, Paris and Provence in particular, a close second.
For example, we have visited there seven or eight times. When we seek out a bistro we liked five years ago more likely than not it will still be there and, as good as we remembered it.
The beautiful and symetrical buildings, the lovely bridges over the Seine, St. Chapelle, Notre Dame, Musee D'Orsay on and on demonstrate the glory that is Paris. Even the Nazis would not blow it up.
Person for person the French are among the most polite people in the world. The language is wonderful. The art, the Impressionists are unsurpassed.
America is the best. France, Paris and Provence in particular, a close second.
Mar 7th, 2006, 12:09 PM
#50
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A native New Yorker, I have been in love with Paris for the past 16 years. Since my junior year abroad, I have been dividing my time as best as possible between the two. Nothing sums up my feelings better than the old Josephine Baker song "J'ai deux amours" which had been nicely reinterpreted by Madeline Peyroux in her CD "Careless Love" My other favorite Paris quote is by Hemmingway "If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast." But whether young or old, the inexplicable magic of Paris casts its spell and enchants us time and time again.
Mar 7th, 2006, 12:41 PM
#51
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Parisnow - I too have friends that want to travel to Paris with me, but I say to them, in all honesty, it's a place I enjoy going to by myself. I feel if I share it with someone I will come back feeling cheated somehow. I work such long hours and I am around so many people day in and day out I need that time to myself.
Now don't get me wrong, if Mr. Right were to come into the picture I would be more than happy to share Paris with him.
Follow your heart.
Now don't get me wrong, if Mr. Right were to come into the picture I would be more than happy to share Paris with him.
Follow your heart.
Mar 7th, 2006, 01:11 PM
#52
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Madison -- Hearing you. This is exactly why I want to do a solo trip to Paris. I have been fortunate enough to travel to many countries and to almost all the states in the USA. But I am the most relaxed when I am in France.
As for the friend. I have tried saying those exact words. "In all honesty I want to go to Paris alone next time."
My friend still insist on going with.
As for the friend. I have tried saying those exact words. "In all honesty I want to go to Paris alone next time."
My friend still insist on going with.
Mar 8th, 2006, 07:11 AM
#53
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<<But my mid afternoon, my friend is text messaging me about where I am and lets meet up here and do this ect... ect.. and I spend 1/2 the day responding to her text messages. Defeats the purpose of going off on my own.>>
Why do you spend your time responding? If your friend insists on going to Paris with you, decide before you go off on your own where and when you'll meet and turn off, or leave your Blackberry or whatever you carry in the hotel. Get off on your own and enjoy the solitude without an unwelcome interruption.
Why do you spend your time responding? If your friend insists on going to Paris with you, decide before you go off on your own where and when you'll meet and turn off, or leave your Blackberry or whatever you carry in the hotel. Get off on your own and enjoy the solitude without an unwelcome interruption.
Mar 8th, 2006, 07:50 AM
#54
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Luisah, from the sounds of it I have a feeling she wouldn't be able to do that as her friend would berate her upon meeting up once again, "where WERE you, I text messaged you all afternoon!"
I went with a friend my 2nd trip. I knew we'd be looking for different things from our trips. We agreed implicitly that we wouldn't be joined at the hip the whole time. But we were. When I reminded her of our promise, she got petulant and said she felt uncomfortable because she couldn't speak the language. My heretofor super-independent NYer friend was now clingy. She got upset if I ventured out in the morning while she did her makeup & hair, she got upset if I left her for 15 minutes to run to the ATM, insisted I go with her to exchange US dollars into francs (even though I asasured her that taking money out of the ATM was very safe). No matter what I did she was unhappy despite my every effort to please her, she hated Paris, made every motion to show me, and I ended up miserable. Small wonder I never wrote a trip report about it.
I went with a friend my 2nd trip. I knew we'd be looking for different things from our trips. We agreed implicitly that we wouldn't be joined at the hip the whole time. But we were. When I reminded her of our promise, she got petulant and said she felt uncomfortable because she couldn't speak the language. My heretofor super-independent NYer friend was now clingy. She got upset if I ventured out in the morning while she did her makeup & hair, she got upset if I left her for 15 minutes to run to the ATM, insisted I go with her to exchange US dollars into francs (even though I asasured her that taking money out of the ATM was very safe). No matter what I did she was unhappy despite my every effort to please her, she hated Paris, made every motion to show me, and I ended up miserable. Small wonder I never wrote a trip report about it.
Mar 8th, 2006, 04:04 PM
#58
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Luisah,
In a normal situation your suggestion would make sense. BUT... My friend will not make specific plans. If I suggested something the response is "Oh lets just see what happens today and decide later". I carry a cell in Europe for family emergency purposes. I am a sick family member's medical and financial P.O.A. so if something happens I can still be reached to make decisions.
Beatchick -- Did your friend move to the Chicago area? Sounds like your friend and my friend are one in the same!
In a normal situation your suggestion would make sense. BUT... My friend will not make specific plans. If I suggested something the response is "Oh lets just see what happens today and decide later". I carry a cell in Europe for family emergency purposes. I am a sick family member's medical and financial P.O.A. so if something happens I can still be reached to make decisions.
Beatchick -- Did your friend move to the Chicago area? Sounds like your friend and my friend are one in the same!
Mar 8th, 2006, 04:18 PM
#59
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There are several memorials to American soldiers in France (and for the many other nations that assisted in the effort).I am sure the French are happy that the Americans own interests eventually spurred them to help out with the war effort.
Your comments as in previous posts, lack usefulness.
Your comments as in previous posts, lack usefulness.
Mar 8th, 2006, 08:19 PM
#60
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Walkinaround: I believe I am using Paris as an antidote to my everyday life. Isn't that the object of a vacation? I don't take a vacation to get up at the same time everyday. In fact, I never take a vacation day like some people to stay home. I don't take my laptop and I don't do work. I don't take my checkbook and pay my bills. I usually stay in a hotel and let someone else cook my meals and make my bed. In fact, I also often take a vacation in a remote cabin in the mountains for a week without TV or telephone. If I don't have a week (or the funds), for a weekend.
Travel, for me, is a curative for stress and the pressures of responsibility. The perfect glass of Burgundy at a sidewalk cafe, the majesty of the Eiffel Tower, or the purity of Bertillon's mango sorbet are the moments -- and the memories -- that lowers my blood pressure and keeps me healthy and centered.
My life isn't an illness, but never living ones dreams, or getting away from everyday stresses, can end up affecting a person's health. It just so happens that I prefer to take my "medicine" in Paris than anywhere else.
I posted the original question asking why we go back to Paris again and again. Not why don't we all move there? I agree, it would probably lose some of it's alure. But I have loved cities where I have lived, flaws and all. Suppose though, if I had to, I could love Paris, too.
Travel, for me, is a curative for stress and the pressures of responsibility. The perfect glass of Burgundy at a sidewalk cafe, the majesty of the Eiffel Tower, or the purity of Bertillon's mango sorbet are the moments -- and the memories -- that lowers my blood pressure and keeps me healthy and centered.
My life isn't an illness, but never living ones dreams, or getting away from everyday stresses, can end up affecting a person's health. It just so happens that I prefer to take my "medicine" in Paris than anywhere else.
I posted the original question asking why we go back to Paris again and again. Not why don't we all move there? I agree, it would probably lose some of it's alure. But I have loved cities where I have lived, flaws and all. Suppose though, if I had to, I could love Paris, too.
