Advice

[GitteK]

Chacun à son goût ! BTW, bistrots and cafés are indoors also, in case of lousy weather .......

You don't necessarily have to go to Le Musée de la Poste (or similar !), just to escape the rain ;D!
No offense meant to la Poste Française, naturellement !

So you never went to St. Denis ? Now THERE's a major flaw in your upbringing ! When are we going ?

[Happygoin]

Auberge des Pyrenées-Cevennes was the wonderful restaurant that Sistereurope, Velreid, the gorgeous Italians, geordy and I ate at in December. It was wonderful.

If you're particularly hungry, get the cassoulet. It was incredible. But it was enough to feed deGaulle's army and all their families...beware (Right, geordy??)

[Anne]

Gitte, I have a feeling that my September week-end schedule is already full !

But then St Denis may make a very adequate plan B in case the weather is too lousy for us to enjoy the vendanges in Charonne : a bit of holiness before our depraved evening would kind of ... compensate for it, wouldn't it ;D ?

Talking about depravation, do you really think that Willow's parents would like you to turn their beloved little daughter into a "pilier de bistrot" (bistrot pillars is how we call the vinos who hang around bars for most of the days) ?

[Jody]

Willow, I found the Vaux article online for you

www.francetoday.com/features/vaux-lumieres.php

[geordy]

A bit late getting to this..haven't had much time on line lately as I was training my replacement at work!

Yes Happy..I remember we remarked at the time after tucking into our cassoulet for quite a while that they didn't look much different than when we began! The Kir Royales, however , seemed to empty and need to be replaced quite often! ;D

I understand the need to plan the days, esp. since you want the newbie to get a balanced "feel". Agree with Gitte about leaving the City the first day...I just want to get re-acquainted, smell , see ,otherwise fill up the senses, get into the flow!

Sacre Couer is a good choice for New Year's Day as a lot of places will be closed. WE were staying in the 17th and saw very few folks until we exited the Metro to climb up there. And indeed we had a lovely NY's Day lunch in the area as well!

We were blessed with good weather last year. You may want to revise your plans a bit as you get closer and hear about new events/exhibitions for your dates.

Good luck with the parents....I've got to break September to my new boss next week!

[joan1]

Willow, I am with Anne, I wouldn't skip the Louvre I love it!! Just don't rush through it , and don't feel obliged to go and find the Mona, it isn't "all that" to me.

How about the Cluny, you will be in the area when you do Luxembourg Gardens( which may be a bust if weather is foul anyways) , never any lines there and its a very interesting museum to me as I love seeing the Roman time ruins and the Unicorn tapestry. Its so peaceful there, its a great " pondering " museum.

Willow, will your parents be angry at you? I am confused, won't they be proud that you have saved enough money for another trip instead of spending it on flashy clothes and bar or club nights out like many youngters seem to do ?? They are lucky to have such an organized and hard working daughter, there are worse things then having a daughter who enjoys touring such a historically and culturally rich city such as Paris, I mean its not like you are off on a spring break drinking party in Cancun right??

[willow]

Thanks once again!!!
I just got back from a nice vacation to Door County (for which I did no planning!).
But now I get revise my Paris itinerary, which to me is like a fun game!!

Joan-
My parents are uber-strict and uber-paranoid. They think traveling to Paris is a waste (!) and they would prefer I take short vacations nearby or travel to natural landmarks on crazy roadtrips (like the time they sent us on a trip to California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, South Dakota, and Wyoming in 12 days!).
We have very different vacation styles. Also my Paris trips are different from any trip the other siblings have taken. I am not afraid to go abroad to a foreign country, by myself or with just a friend. They worry something will happen, or that I am spending a fortune to take the trip. I don't understand their logic, all I know is that they are having a hard time accepting me as an adult who can make her own decisions, financial and otherwise.

[Happygoin]

Willow, I wonder...are you the youngest? It sounds like a classic case of not wanting to let their baby go.

They'll come around. Every time you prove that you are an accomplished, responsible young woman, they'll lighten up a bit.

[GitteK]

Stand your ground, willow - but in a sweet, loving way. Their daughter is studying to become an accountant, I mean: how much more responsible can a daughter be ?! Let them wring their hands and heave their sighs in despair; you can't change them anyway. But respectfully show them that you disagree - which may take a number of iterations ! - and then OFF you go to see the world.

We love you you are our forum pet & mascot !

[willow]

Thanks Aunties!!

I am no.5 of 6, but my younger sister and I were always considered to be the babies.
So it definitly is a part of it.

I am pretty stubborn though, so once I get something in my head and I can plan it and budget time and money for it, I am not easily dissuaded. I definitly don't plan on cancelling the trip even if they disapprove. I am a bean counter for goodness sakes! How much trouble could I get into it!?

[joan1]

Willow, a roadtrip, ,have your parents any idea how very DANGEROUS that is ,, I am serious, all that time on the road increases your risk of death or bodily harm greatly, have they ever looked at the death rate from automobile accidents!!!!!!!( LOL)

Stick to your guns Willow, you are a young woman, not a child( although of course you will always be their child) and you are entitled to walk this earth only ONCE, so do it on your own path, there is no other way to happiness , if happiness means no regrets.

You will never regret the things you do ( as long as they are safe and legal, both of which Paris is...LOL ) but you will live to regret chances you missed to follow your own path.

[geordy]

Very well said Joan..I exalt you!

Yes Willow....no dress rehearsal here. one time around! And I know you realize that! And know what(where) is important to you!

Your parents are very lucky to have such a responsible, caring daughter! And you lucky to have your parents....may you all be happy!
You all want the best for one another!

[cigalechanta]

I think strict planning is not good; Serindipity is one of life's gifts. I had strict parents like you and as result, I could not travel til I left home.
here's an article with some places t consider.

www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/06/04/paris.see/index.html

[willow]

Joan,

That was wonderfully put! I wish I can translate into Polish and see how well my parents take it. Though I can already here them saying that I've already had the opportunity to go to Paris something they couldn't do because of that five mile hike up the hill to school and back in Poland. (which they literally did, because I went back to visit family and we drove down that path which is now a road!).

[Darcy]

I have had too much champagne tonight, but..............

GO TO ST DENIS!!!

You won't regret it!!

[mez]

Jun 13, 2008 8:50:07 GMT -5 willow said:

...because of that five mile hike up the hill to school and back in Poland.

You forgot to add the part about the snow being waist deep and them only having one set of clothes, so in winter, they never really dried out.

In all seriousness, tell them sooner rahter than later. That way all the protestations occur now and by the time your trip comes around, they will only be murmurs of discontent.

[joan1]

Willow, , I moved out early, not quite 18, and my grandparents on both sides were baffled. In their worlds you only moved out when you got married! Now, this was back in 1979-80. My mom and dad were both more independent people( my mom moved from a town so small on the prairies it only had a one room school) to go and work in Paris( she was a secretary for a international insurance company, and she lied and said she spoke french on her application,when in fact she had only textbook high school french) and my dad also made a decision to move with my mother back to Canada( he was Parisiene) after I was born. So both my parents understood about making huge life choices that usaully did not please their families!

I think it is really important for you to remember one thing( and to remind your parents) , your love for your family has nothing to do with independent choices you may make. Maybe your siblings are content to stick around home, and yes, your parents do worry about you, but you still have to do what you think is best for you.

You wouldn't agree to an arranged marriage, so no need to agree to an arranged life. And you know, you are still young, give them time, you are just starting out and setting your boundaries. Eventually you will just be " that crazy adventurous Willow, " LOL

Tell your parents. They may fuss, but so what. They will not stop loving you. They will not dismiss you from their lives. And they can only nag you and drive you crazy if you stay in the room, leave the room it they go on and on... but smile when you do it so they know you are not mad at them, but, you are just not going to be swayed.

[joan1]

Oh and Willow, remember, ( this is important) ...

anger and fear are closely related.

Your parents may come across as angry at you for your choices, but, I bet alot of it is motivated by fear.
Fear of losing you.
Fear of you getting into a bad situation where they can't help you.
Fear that you may eventually leave them for a long time( move out of country, scary for most parents)
Fear that you are making a huge mistake.

And the reason they fear is because they love you so much. Hope that helps you put up with a certain amount of ranting and raving on their part.

My daughter is only 12, and I have trouble letting her go to the park alone, not because of her, but I am afraid for her. Sometimes I find myself getting almost angry at her when she asks for looser limits then I am comfortable with,, but I am trying to compromise. It is hard for some parents and I understand that.