grndmas "training" for Paris

[grndma]

:)87 days to go to my next Paris trip and I've started my "training".
This consists of
1) Walking for at least an hour a day up the hills near my home. This serves three purposes.
a) Gets my leg muscles fit for all the walking I will do in Paris.
b)Helps me loose weight so I can fit into last years largely unworn (due to bad summer) summer clothes. And look chic in Paris.
c) Helps assuage my guilt when I get to Paris and eat all those yummy pastries and rich foods
.
2) Started reading "Almost French" by Sarah Turnbull. So far very interesting and readable novel/biography part love story part insight into French culture. To get me in the mood.

3) Try to spend at least half an hour each day on the on line French lesson Mocha.

4)Bought some euros from the travel agent Althams which seem to have the best exchange rate. Much against hubby's (he who knows best!) advice. He is convinced the rate will go up.
In February when we went to Ireland we bought euros at 1.27 to the pound, which seemed to be a bad rate at the time. I wanted to buy more THEN but oh no "they will go up". So WHAT does HE know?

All this planning, training and anticipation is part of the enjoyment of my holiday.

I hope I am posting this in the right place.
Denise
Love from England.

[Roniece]

wow!! that is some training Denise!! Keep it up my lovely and you will be up for walking those streets of Paris in 87 days!!!

I think perhaps you will have to do some training on how to 'dodge the dog doo doo' in Paris!! I just read about our lovely Gitte's unfortunate 'splatt' problem!!

I have just finished Sarah Turnbull's book myself, I loved it!!

[mez]

An excellent training plan! You'll be in top form when you hit Paris - just make sure you don't leave your hubby behind eating your dust

[kenandpaul]

We too have started our walking regimine ---plan to do like you alot of walking and guiltily eat what we want

[joan1]

Ah so I am not alone, I too go on a training program,, and for all the same reasons as you Denise!!
I love to walk, but have let myself go a bit, plus , quitting smoking this year piled on about 12-13 extra pounds.

So I started walking hills around my house about a month and a half ago, and now go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week .

I want to fit, and thinner,, and when I get to Paris I am going to eat like a pig and drink like fish!! Cheese plates,, why yes,, creme brulee,, of course,, more bread dear,, hee hee, can't wait!

[grndma]

Thanks for your positive and encouraging comments. I wasn't sure wether I was posting in the right place, and actually posting in "trip reports" was a bit of an error. But when I think about it the pre trip preparations are as much a part of the trip as the trip itself to me.
I think most of you know me from TA but here is a bit of background to our forthcoming trip.
We have booked for 8 days in October, our annual visit and for which our budget allows a "splurge", but hubby saw how much time I was spending in TA and how I was nearly BURSTING to go to Paris, so he took pity on me and suggested a "quick, cheap, few days in the summer".
As you can imagine I didn't need asking twice. I was on the internet researching places to stay and flights. In the event I booked a further 8 nights because the flights were cheaper that way(!!!!!) and found a (highly recommended) shoebox of a studio in the 2nd arrondisement, on rue Aboukir, near rue Montorgueil for 65 euros per night . I decided that finding budget activities was going to be the fun challenge of the trip.
Reading Sarah Turnbulls "Almost French today I discovered that her apartment in central Paris sounds like it is in the same place! I am not put off by the rather scruffy description of the street and she does describe it as "le vrais Paris" she also says the advantages of the location outweigh any disadvantages. Besides it look Ok on photos de ville and eight years have gone by since.
Anyway today, as I visiting my son and his family in the midlands for the weekend I have only been able to go for a walk in the park, and I've not done any of my French course,(becouse it would seem rude) but I have been able to read the book which is getting me in the mood. I read quick so I need another book to read after this one to keep me going.
Denise
Love from England
I've just noticed I've typed all this in the quick reply box does it make a difference?I will soon find out. Her goes pressing the "post reply" box now...........

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Hi grndma - I think "quick reply" just means you don't have access to the smilies, underlining, colors, ability to add photos, etc., so no problem!

I enjoyed "Almost French" as well - I liked having a little insight into the culture from the perspective of someone who's trying to understand it all. Someone recently (Anne266?) mentioned "Talk to the Snail" which is good for the same things (and also exceptionally funny).

[annettecinca]

I just finished reading "Talk to the Snail" today and really enjoyed it.

[Jody]

You've all made me realize that I really must get away from this computer and get to the podiatrist so I can get some training in. I do keep a sit and stroll machine under the desk though!

[grndma]

:)Next on the agenda then will be to go to waterstones tomorrow and buy or order," talk to the snail".
Reading about French women attitude to grooming in Sarah's book I think I also will book a session with a podiatrist and a schedule for manicures, pedicures and general pre holiday pampering.
I know there is alot of rubbish talked about how French women look but I like to look like I've made an effort when I'm in Paris or else I feel a bit like a mumpty.
You never know it MAY begin to become a habit I can keep up at home.
Denise
Love from England

[grndma]

:)Ok, the walking is going well, thanks to the beautiful spring weather, makes a change from the biting cold we have had recently. The online French lessons are not so good, dont seem to have the time.
Yesterday I was in the town centre in the sunshine and all the lovely summer clothes were in the shops. It's very tempting but as Grandpa said "you usually want to buy clothes in Paris".
Well I try to buy some clothes in Paris for the "season" from Camaeiu, a low price chain, a bit like the British New look or Top shop, but much more chic, but I don't think I will be able to resist.
I've not had a reply to my two emails asking for free tickets for fashion shows at Galleries Lafayette. Maybe I've left it too late for July 18th. Has anyone had this experience?
I also read that they have classical concerts at the Armenian cathedral on rue Perche in the 3rd arrondisement for 10euros. So I also emailed them to check if this information is current, and got a reply from someone in Armenian church Lebanon who said he would pass my enquiry on, but so far no answer.
After a slight dip to 1.21 euros to the pound the euro went up again yesterday, so I bought another £102 worth. Maybe this is the turnaround.
Podiatry is booked for tomorrow. Must get on to that online French lesson (live Mocha).
Denise
Love from England

[grndma]

inspired by Gittes photograpic trip report i am learning to download pictures. Here goes........

Hope that works
fingers crossed

[grndma]

Alleluyah!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
( don't I look FAT!!!!!)
Now you know why I have to do all that walking.
Denise
Love from England

[Jody]

Good for you!

And you do not look fat and I love your dress!

[ShirlinTN]

[[ I've not had a reply to my two emails asking for free tickets for fashion shows at Galleries Lafayette. Maybe I've left it too late for July 18th. Has anyone had this experience? ]]


Grandma, like you I've sent two emails to Galeries Lafayette for tickets to their Friday afternoon fashion show. So far I haven't heard from them at all. So you're not alone. I asked for tickets to the May 16 show. Perhaps you're right and we're too late. But it would be nice to receive a reply one way or the other.

Love your photo! I agree with Demarais, you are not too fat.

[annettecinca]

Congrats on digging right in and learning how to post photos!!! Great job! You are just darling. Why are us women always so hard on ourselves?!

[Shoesy]

Congratulations to the very attractive grandma wearing the lovely dress! You have successfully posted a picture. Now I need to learn how to do it too. So far, the only thing I've done is post my avatar pic using a photo that I have on photobucket. It's time that I figure out how to download (or is it "upload"? ) new photos into my photobucket account.

[Shoesy]

Experimenting with Cinnamon...

[geordy]

Though I can not see the photo...or your avatar on the work computer...I did see the beautiful Cinnamon earlier at home!

Success!

[Truffaut]

Please, ladies, this thread is getting REALLY far afield! The category is "Trip Reports"!!