grndmas "training" for Paris

[grndma]

Fantastic!! ;D ;D ;D I had just read the "who will be in Paris in September." thread. You are even better because you are going to Italy too. I also am VERY lucky girl with two visits. 13th july for 8 days and 30th Sept for 10 days. We couldn't go anywhere in May and June because new babies are due. So I will be ready fro a holiday.
Where are you staying? apartment or hotel?
Love Denise

[ShirlinTN]

Welcome to the board, Ouiparis!

I'm a newbie here myself, and finding it a wonderful place to be. Everyone is very helpful and friendly. What a great crew! I "lurked" on this board for a couple of weeks...as well as TA...before deciding to join. This one wins hands down!

Denise - my training program consists of walking on my treadmill for a minimum of 30 minutes each day, trying to get my legs and feet in shape for all that strolling I'm planning on doing in Paris.

I also have 10 stubborn pounds I've been trying to lose before leaving for my first ever trip to Paris in 10 days. It's not looking promising.

OMG, I'm actually going to be in PARIS in 10 days!
Yee Haw! I can hardly believe it!

Shirl

[andi]

Denise, we will be staying at the hotel LeCourbe in the 15th. This is a different hotel to the one we normally stay at (Europe Hotel) but we usually stay in the 15th anyway. It is nearer to the Saxe Breteuil market, normally we stay on Blvd de Grenelle, just around the corner from the tower. I am a little apprehensive as its a new place for us but excited to explore the surroundings. As for being organized, we have not planned one single bit of itinerary this time, just talked about areas we would like to see.

[grndma]

Shirl.....How wonderful only 9 days to go now. Have you started YOUR packing?
I bought "I can make you thin" by Paul Mckenna the Hypnotherapist, it's a book and a CD. It worked for me and I now eat much smaller portions just like the French women, which I think is the secret to why they are so slim. Apart from anything else I think the CD is so relaxing and makes you feel so good about yourself you are not bothered about a few pounds.
Andi.....Is the Saxe Breteuil market the one near the Grenelle/Motte Piquet metro? we think it is fantastic. I like the area too. It's not too expoited and there is plenty going on. We love markets more than museums and art galleries. Grndpa is inspired by the produce and he is a good cook. Consequently we don't do many restaurants. We can't really afford the swish places and he can produce just as good food. I have never taken notice of the names of the places we have eaten in before, but I will this time so I can report back.
Denise

[Jody]

Saxe Breteuil market is really closer to the Vaneau metro stop or Sevres-Lacourse. It's directly behind Invalides at pl de Breteuil.

It's my second favorite market in Paris after Richard Lenoir.

Grndpa might be interested in the book "Paris in a Basket". It details all the markets, has recipes and notes on the various seller and great pictures.

www.amazon.com/Paris-Basket-Markets-People-Cookery/dp/3829046243

[kenandpaul]

Hello Grndma ---I am glad to hear that "I can make you thin" by Paul Mckenna the Hypnotherapist is working for you. I have watch the short series by him on our learning station and it was very helpful. I have almost lost those 10 pounds that never seem to want to go away!
What does the CD involve??? I would be interested in that....

I too believe that is why not only french women are slender but also french men

[grndma]

Good morning everyone.
;DThanks for the book recommendation demarais, it will be good for grndpas birthday on 1st June.

Kenandpaul.....The CD comes with the book and you listen to it along with reading the book. It puts you into a lovely state of relaxation (which I also use to help me sleep at night). The messages on the CD are the same as the book, take regular excercise,, eat only when hungry, eat slowly, enjoy your food, stop when you are full.
He also gives you positive messages about yourself and encourages you to think in positive ways. He also uses visualization techniques. As it's a hypnotherapy tape I can't remember alot of it.
One excercise I do remember, because it always makes me feel good, is to imagine someone who loves you stood in front of you, see the good things about you they see, and feel what they feel.
Anyway it works for me, the picture above was taken on the 20th March, my birthday. I had put on half a stone because I had been ill for 3 weeks and unable to move. Today I weighed myself and I've lost it. So I am really pleased and I will now get my summer clothes out of the loft and sort them out ready for PARIS.....
Also the weather here is lovely at the moment. 18 degrees and sunny. As it seem to be in Paris. 23 degrees in Paris.
As the theme of my forthcoming trip is to take advantage of as many free activities as we can I am thrilled with Gittes list of free concerts over the summer in the current events section. I am now going to start to put together an itinerary as all these bits of information are all over the place on bits of paper. I am not very organised!!
Bought more euros on Friday at 1.22 euros to the £. In England you just go into a shop, travel agent or post office and just buy them over the counter, like groceries.. You can also get them from special ATM's at major supermarkets but I've never done that because I can't figure out the exchange rate, has anyone else? Althams seems to offer the best rate. The American sytem seems complicated!
Lots of love.
Denise.

[Darcy]

"The American sytem seems complicated! "

Americans go to the first ATM they see at CDG, insert bank cash card, withdraw euros. Not too complicated.

[grndma]

Sorry Darcy, I have misinformation, I thought buying currency in the US to take with you involved, registering, ordering, fees, and delivery charges or something.
We in the Uk used to be able to withdraw cash from ATM's abroad free, until the UK banks decided to slap charges on for foreign transactions. This varies from bank to bank but my bank, Lloyds TSB, now charges a 2.99% foreign transaction fee and a 1,5% charge for withdrawals. they also charge £1 for purchases with a debit card. (this is a pretty good deal compared to some other banks!)
This really annoys me as it is MY MONEY. which I very kindly allow to be paid in as salary/pension, and they earn interest on it while it's sitting there waiting to be used. They are then CHARGING me to take it out!
Sorry for the rant, it's one of my "things".
Denise
Love from England

[Jody]

Denise, getting Euros in the US can involve all of that depending on where you are trying to get them. My bank has a foreign currency window in one of their branches so all I do is go in and get what I want. The rate is not that great , it usually costs me about $6.00 more than using an ATM but I prefer the convenience of not looking for an ATM at the airport.Fortunately my bank also has an agreement with Barclay's and BNP Parabis so I pay nothing extra for withdrawals and get the interbank rate with no additional fees.

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Denise - I see the confusion/problem, Darcy is I think talking about making withdrawals of euros in Europe, using the US card, and you are (I think) talking about making withdrawals of euros in the UK (where it's a different currency) but using the ATM card for a UK bank (right)? No, we can't just go to an ATM in the US and withdraw in euros - it's necessary to go to a currency seller or a bank with an international division (or that can order the euros from somewhere), in order to get them before leaving.

So, many people who make trips regularly just keep some at the end of a trip in order to have a small stash on arrival the next time (plus, the way the dollar is deteriorating it's probably a savings device!) Otherwise, it's off the plane at CDG and straight to an ATM!

[grndma]

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Good news my friends, I have received two tickets for the fashion show at Galleries Lafayette for the 18th July. So it really DOES work Thanks Shirl I didn't loose faith.(Or have you had a word with them?)
No I've just checked you have ONLY four days to go, you must be busy packing, writing letters to loved ones, hiding anything embarrasing from your house sitters etc.
As summer has suddenly arrived in England and it has been 23 degrees these last few days I have bought two new pairs of comfortable sandals

These are "foxgloves from Marks and Spencer. A VERY comfy range I have had before. Do you think they look a bit like those gladiator sandals? but of course without the killer heels and S&M leg thongs. We don't want to give Grndpa a heart attack do we?
The second pair I can't find a picture to post but they are chocolate brown leather with cork soles and some sort of air type layer to cushion the impact.
The other good news is that I have got my summer clothes down from the loft and they are LOOSE!!!!!
So dear Paul Mckenna is obviously working his magic.
Denise
Love from England

[Jody]

WHO is Paul Mc Kenna and do I need to know him?

[Shoesy]

Nice sandals, Grnma! They look stylish and comfy too. Wear them and the other pair in good health.
And congratulations for the weight loss. Hey......you're not planning to disappear on us, are you? ;D We're just beginning to really get to know you, and we're not prepared to lose such a cute forum member.

[Megan]

Grnma I tried the Paul McKenna book and CD but could not get into it - I had a hard time believing it would work. But now that there is proof out there I will dig it out again and give it a go . I promised myself I would be less curvy by the time I get to paris in december so this is very much a well timed kick in the pants to "get into it "

[ShirlinTN]

Great news about your fashion show tickets, grndma!

And also that your summer clothes feel loose on you. Terrific. I wish I could say the same.

I like your new sandals. Very nice.
I still have to buy a pair before I leave for Paris.

Only 3 days to go!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[grndma]

:)Good morning everyone
: ;DShirl,..... you will have to report back from your fashion show on the 16th.
I' sooo excited for you.only 3 days. Yippee. :
Demarais.... Paul Mckenna is a well known hypnotherapist. He writes books to help with weight loss, smoking, self esteem, improve your life etc. They work in conjunction with the CD that comes with the book. This particular book "I can make you thin" and CD is the one I use. I got interested in him after he cured my friend of a lifelong fear of heights, live on TV. She says she doesn't know how he did it but it works! She is now able to fly to Paris and go up the Eiffel tower!
Unfortunatly the chocolate sandals, which were the very expensive ones, rubbed a blister on my foot last night. What is this moleskin you all talk about? Better to find out now before I wear them in Paris.

[grndma]

[glow=red,2,300]Not long now Shirl![/glow]I'm so excited for you!
I'm very pleased this morning because the Easyjet flights for winter are out and I've been able to book our flights for our OCTOBER trip. I've been waiting and checking every day for availability.
It's cosing £112. 50p for Two return flights including tax and card fees. (218 $ US or 141.5 euros) Sorry to you North Americans who pay so much, but if anyone is travelling from England to Paris NOW is the time to book if you want to go EasyJet..
Denise
Love from England.
PS I have just returned from my daily walk, 6 miles today, in the "gladiator" sandals. Great! no blisters, no rubbing, just very comfy feet. Good old Marks and Spencer! I wonder if they do them in black?

[gracejoan]

Demarais,

That's great that your bank has a foreign currency window.

I don't expect to see that any time soon in Ashevlle! I don't use ATM's at all. I take foreign funds with me, along with credit cards. Really only use the Capital One, as it is the only one that does not charge transaction fees. I have a bank card with me that I could use at ATM's, but prefer taking funds with me, for the convenience. I pay a bit more, but that is for the convenience of not having to use the ATM machines.

[ShirlinTN]

;DNot long at all now, Denise!
I'm on my way out the door in about five minutes!

Scheduled to arrive in Paris at 6:20 AM tomorrow morning.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D