The More The Merrier

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Dep, you will find (I think we all find) that no matter how many times you go there is always much more to discover. I have learned in the last two months, on this forum, about many places that I absolutely want to see on future trips and that I had no idea even existed (not just restaurants, but museums, chateaux, parks, etc.). Don't be shy, just jump in!

[sistereurope]

Dep, I've only been twice, just like Shoesy. I'll give my opinion when I feel that I can add something based on that admittedly limited experience (like a restaurant review or my impression of a Paris site or my experience taking our 3 teens!)
But mostly, I really am happy to be here surrounded by so many Paris "pros". I'm thrilled to be able to learn from their vast and broad experiences so that I can make every trip to Paris better than the last!!

[Truffaut]

Dep, one of the most important aspects of a forum like this (and frankly, an aspect that we're missing, so far) is to have posters with lots of questions. There are some things that those of us who know Paris very well might never think of mentioning with the newbies reminding us that we're a bit jaded! The constant influx of new people with new questions is one of the strengths of TA. Although, please God (the real one, not Shoesy), don't let there be too many "how do I get from the airport" questions....

[dep0515]

I think people will see that everyone on this site is very friendly and that nobody gets yelled at for asking questions (like what happens somewhere else we all know...). Then the newcomers will start opening up. Threads like this one help...speaking for myself, at least!

[thehatlady]

I've actually been to Paris four times, but three of those were on business so I didn't get to spend a lot of "quality time" wandering around (except with the really nice French waiter I met! But that's a whole other post.) This last trip in April was my first vacation there and I took my two teenage boys and my teenage niece, so for me, chasing 3 teenagers around Paris wasn't quite a vacation either, but I got to do a lot more stuff and I love it more every time I go!

I'm like Andi - I'm so proud of myself when I actually know the answer to someone's question and I can jump in! Otherwise I'm in awe of people like Les who know so much!

I haven't gotten to read the "Who we are" post yet, or add my info (darn it all, there's work getting in my way again), so the answer to my question may already be there - but where is IrishRovr? Is he or she already on this board, but with a different name? I do miss learning so much from Irish!

[Truffaut]

Hatlady,
As the Omnipotent One, I have power to create all boards and categories for posting. Given your repeated mention of "the French waiter", I'm thinking about opening a password-protected "Over 21" thread. I'm dying to find out what happened!

[Shoesy]

Hi, the hatlady! (I'd like to know where that name came from.)

Welcome to the forum! We all miss Irish, and wish he'd pop in to pay us a visit. Maybe he'll suprise us when he feels the time is right. (I believe in Santa, even though I'm Jewish. )

[thehatlady]

Ah but Truffaut, I would only continue to tease you with vague references to how handsome and charming he is and tell you he came through on his promise to "take me on a private tour of Paris, wherever I want to go."

Or perhaps I should tell you his name is Anthony, and send everyone out on a treasure hunt of Paris restaurants to see if you can find him? I know everyone here would love a treasure hunt through Paris restaurants!!

Shoesy, I'm halfway through the "Who's who" post (read long enough to find out you and I graduated from the same college - and your sisters too!) I will finish reading the other entries and then I will post my own story, including how I came to be known as the hat lady!

[grunblack]

Happygoin & Becky - thanks for the comments re October in Paris! I look forward to that mushroom shopping.... I'll let you know if I have any luck in the stylish yet comfortable shoe department, I have a feeling it's going to be slightly more comfortable than stylish for the days of endless walking.

[Happygoin]

Good for you, grunblack. Comfort over style is the right way to go. Also remember the two pair tip. They'll prove a lifesaver. Or is that footsaver??

[sistereurope]

BUMP!!

[Happygoin]

SE!! That was the first BUMP we've needed...yippeee!!

[aude]

Thanks for the encouragement, Shoesy. I love to be entertained and informed by the rest of you, but I don't chime in very often. I'll resolve to contribute more.

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Aude -- don't worry about what you post, most of what I say is pretty silly stuff (and sometimes it's even wrong )! Just let us hear from you and get to know you, and if you have questions there will be at least six different answer to each of them (with a few exceptions, of course).

[aude]

Thanks, Becky. I'm feeling pretty good, because today i got my first karma! Woo hoo!

[thehatlady]

There's another one for you!

[yoginla]

Thanks for this post, Shoesy!

I'll admit I've been a bit "shy" about posting since I have such little knowledge of Paris (at least by comparison to the rest of you!). Nonetheless, I have REALLY enjoyed participating, even tho' I've been more of an observer than anything else at this point.

I've taken only one trip to Paris and it changed my life! I went there solo in December of 2006 and had the most magical time. My hope is to return next summer or fall.....until then I lurk here almost daily......it has become my little Parisian escape. ;-)

[yoginla]

I just noticed I have my first Karma. Woohoo!! Thank you! ;D

[redtutu]

Hi Shoesy and thank you for the welcome message. Thank you to Truffaut, as well for the welcome message and to Andi for inviting me to come here.

I am a fairly new member of TA and as I love to read about Paris I will continue to read and interact there (at least for now) but am happy to have this new resource. I had been wondering where Ms. GitteK went and see she is here (you don't know me, Gitte, I just enjoyed reading some of your postings on TA and noticed you were gone). So I am happy to have another resource for sharing information about Paris.

My husband and I will be visiting Paris this August for the first time. We are staying in an apartment in the 11th arr. and look forward to what we think will be a cool neighborhood near Pere LeChaise.

My husband speaks French, thank God. I, however, do not. I purchased and have been listening to a series of CDs that are designed to teach you French in your car. I have actually surprised myself by learning and REMEMBERING a few things (which is the trick for a languages challenged person like me). I am having a problem with some of the pronunciations (get all tongue tied) but I am excited about learning more. My husband has been teasing me about it because (and he has a point) even if I can manage to speak to someone in French I will have a hard time understanding their response! ;D I am not letting that stop me, though.

I have quite a list of things I want to see and do in Paris and before we've even gotten there I am dreaming of another trip in the future (would love to go for my 50th B-Day in Sept 2008). My husband really is a sweetheart (this trip was his idea) and has told me that everything is up to me--he will merely be going along as my "bodyguard" as he says. He is a beach lover/swimmer and soccer fan/player and I don't think he will be getting much of that in Paris in August so he really is being a good sport.

Anyway, enough about me. I just wanted to say hi to everyone!

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Bonjour red, and welcome to Our Paris (now your Paris as well)! Thanks for letting us get to know you a bit (you will find some bio info about many of us on the "who's who" thread). We all love hearing from people who are going to Paris for the first time -- if you ask, we could give you a collective "must see" list that would take you at least three months! In fact, we may do that even if you don't ask . . . .

Many of us also still keep tabs on the TA Paris forum (as well as others) and use that resource as well this one, so you're not alone there. It definitely does have its purposes, but this forum will let you do a bit more personal chatting, which you may enjoy (plus, the "best experts" who used to be at TA now are here!).

Again -- welcome, and we hope we can help with questions and also learn from you as we go along. (What a great husband -- a one-man support system and a translator, to boot!)