Who's who in "Our Paris"?

[jazz]

Bonjour mes amis,

Here I am, 'a day late and a dollar short'. I stumbled upon your intriguing forum when I read a post by LuckyLuc on Fodor's about 6 months ago. Since that day I have been consumed by a desire to live one week in his lovely garden Bastille apartment and one week in Truffaut's 'Beauty in Batignolles".

I share your love of Paris and am delighted to read your posts of joy, small daily moments, beauty and passion. You are an exceptional and generous group. I have visited Paris 4 times in the last 6 years. The first, a 10 day tour of great value, we stayed in a modest hotel in the 8th Arr. (I usually travel alone). The second, I rented an apartment just off the rue Mouffetarde, 5th Arr., for 2 weeks. The third, I rented an apartment for a glorious month, September/05 on rue de la Roquette, 11th Arr.,close to the metro Bastille. Most recently I rented a modest studio on rue Maitre Albert, 5th Arr. for the month of June/07...beautiful...a 3 minute walk from the Seine, just opposite Notre Dame and the Ile Saint Louis. And, a 3 minute walk from Place Maubert with its luscious market on Tues, Thurs, and Sat. Yum!

Then, after the month in Paris I spent 9 days in Provence, my first journey to 'the rest of France'. There I spent a glorious week at www.lamagnanerie.com I stayed in 'Sunflower'. Each day the wonderful owner took me on a beautiful day trip...Arles, Avignon, the market at Nyons, le Poet-Laval etc....all of it was inexpressibly beautiful. After that, I spent 2 days at this beautiful place in Oppede le Vieux www.belle2nuit.fr
And, here is an exquisite short film of Oppede le Vieux and Belle de Nuit www.dailymotion.com/thierry95300val/video/x6mlqn_belle-de-nuit-

Thus far, on OurParis, I have read each thread of the branches I love the most...(I am also working my way through everything else)

1. Paris: Quartier by Quartier..Laidback, your tour of the Caulaincourt area is superb!
2. Paris: Insider Secrets...love it all!..the books, websites...
3. Paris: Apartments
...Gitte, you are my soulmate in how you choose your 'Paris homes' and your exploration in my most loved way, walking. To be boringly repetitive, at minimum you could print out all of your threads and publish a book. mmm...you could take it to Shakespeare and Co. and also, the Abbey Bookshop at 29, rue de la Parcheminerie, 5th Arr....Brian, the Canadian who owns the Abbey was responsible for beginning Stephen Clarke of 'A Year in the Merde'. Originally Stephen went to Brian with 50 copies..and then...!

I am 59, single (by choice) and have no children. I have travelled alone most of my life. For the last 25 years I have worked as a costumer in the film business in Toronto Canada. But, I am tired of this (emotionally and physically-those 18 hour days!). For the last year I have not worked and am trying to focus on my next career. Oh my god. This is chaotic, confusing, frightening and exciting.

I DO know that I am in love with Paris...there I feel at home, stimulated, alive and 'authentic'. In Paris, I live in beauty and art and history. There, I live in the moment...one's life really is a tapestry of the small things...a walk, un cafe, un verre de vin, the sound and sight of a gracious willow tree as experienced from the batobus in the middle of the Seine, lunch in the garden of the tiny Musee de la Vie Romantique...listening to the children playing in the schoolyard next door...Paris, je t'aime.

Thank you for your generous sharing of your private special moments.

'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.'...Ernest Hemingway.

[leslie]

Hello everyone! I am brand new to this forum, just joined up Dec 30th. I have heard good things about OPF and I am glad to become part of it. I think this “Who’s who” is a super idea. I have taken some time to go over some posts to get a feel for this forum and I really like it! Very positive and upbeat and loaded with great info.

My name is Leslie. I am 52, live in Vancouver, BC with my husband and two children (17 & 20). I have a family I love, a job I really like, and everyone has their health. So that’s good. Ever since I was a young girl, I have dreamed of going to Paris. Back then, I wanted to go to Paris and fall in love. (The falling in love part was from reading lots of love stories based in Paris) I would envision myself kissing a handsome man on a romantic Paris bridge. My Great Grandparents were born in Paris. A small amount of French blood runs through my veins. I grew up in Montreal, moved to Vancouver in my 20’s. Got married when I was 30, had kids, acquired a heavy mortgage along with bills etc., so there was never enough money left to go to Paris and my dream trip was always put on the back burner. Well, I am happy to report that my dream finally came true last October when I made my first visit to Paris. There I was in Paris, on Pont Neuf, kissing a fabulous man and falling in love all over again. The fabulous man was and is my husband of 24 years who I already love. The falling in love part was with the city of Paris, the people, the food, the craziness, the culture, the simple fact of being there. The beauty of Paris exceeded my imaginary expectations just as I knew it would. I kept saying to myself “I’m in Paris”! I enjoyed and will treasure every single minute of that trip. Needles to say, I am hooked, addicted. I can honestly say that Paris is in my soul and that I must return. Not sure when, but I have an opportunity that just might come forth and I’m working on it. It will have to be done on a completely strict budget if it is to work. I will be posting some questions soon looking forward to your help. If I can offer any knowledge I have gained from my experience I will gladly pass it on. Thanks everyone. I look forward to getting to know some of you.

[patestore]

Hello lovers of Paris
I'm a newbie too--a retired professor of music and still an active cello teacher and performer. I'm trying to remember all my trips to France beginning in 1972 but can't. It's got to be 12 or so, and have plans for May this year.

My most memorable time in Paris was when I had a sabbatical and spent 3 months there "researching", among other things, the life and works of Michel Corrette (composer, teacher, entrepreneur, etc.).

But then there was the month I rented a car and traveled Paris to Nice via the route Napoleon. Don't. The autoroute is better and you can still stop at many towns en route.

Thanks to those who lured me here from TA!!

[candytree]

Hi everybody,

I've been here a while but never did the "who's who", so I thought I'd write one now before I turn into a lurker! I'm probably the only one here who has never been to Paris (gasp!), so I am unfortunately not able to contribute much at the moment. Thank you for being so kind and helpful - I feel like a bit of a parasite, taking so much information and not giving any in return!

A bit about me: I'm from Cape Town in South Africa, am turning 28 this week, married, with no children on the horizon. I have a degree in Fine Arts with graphic design, and have a small home business (just me!). I used to be a textile designer but found it way too stressful, so I was very happy to stop working about a year ago and start doing my own thing. It did mean cutting our income in half, but I'd rather have happiness than money!

My husband is a cello teacher (I agree with previous comments regarding the sexiness of cellists! ) and studying part-time to be a psychologist. I think he is going to be a wonderful traveling companion in Paris because he loves galleries, museums, walks and picnics, even window-shopping doesn't bother him!

We are going for our first-ever trip to Europe together this June/July (I have previously only traveled to the UK). We will start in London, then off to Paris where my parents and 17y/o brother will be meeting up with us for a road trip down to the Dordogne (Sarlat), with one night in Provence (Gordes) on my mom's request, a stay in the Pyrenees and, finally, Barcelona. The entire trip is only 3 weeks so our stays will be short, but I already know that we are going to fall in love with Paris!

We are going on a very tight budget and still have a lot of money to save, but the tickets have been bought so we are going for sure! Maybe afterwards I will be able to contribute here with some budget Paris tips. We won't be able to afford eating out or shopping, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun, right? We are looking forward to all that Paris has to offer for free and cheap. And oh, we are very much looking forward to the cheeses and baked goods!! ;D

[redqueen]

Hello, this is the first time I have contributed anything to this forum, although I've been reading it for a while now. I came across it after wondering where all the regular TA forum people had gone.
My name is Janet and I'm 58 years old, married with a grown up son & daughter. We all live in Manchetser, England.
I first visited Paris on a young librarians trip about 30 years ago, I came back 7 years ago when I treated my daughter for her 16th birthday, and became hooked!
All four of us visited for the centenary of the Tour de France and I returned with my OH for our silver wedding anniversary. The hotel room was so small we had to crawl across the bed to reach the bathroom! I think it was then we decided that in future we would stay in apartment.
We've been back three times since then, staying in the Marais twice, and St Germain area once. Next time we want to try a different area, hopefully later this year to celebrate our 30th anniversary.
People who live the other side of the world to Europe often think that it must be really easy living in England to visit Paris as often as we'd like, and if I lived in the south I think I'd always be popping across the Channel. It's a bit harder from the north but we go as often as money and work and other commitments permit.

Janet

[kristens022]

Hello everyone, I have been a lurker on this forum for quite awhile now. I attempted to join before my trip to Paris in October but I was having problems activating, I think the security on my old computer was too much. About me, I am 26 and I live in San Diego, CA finally after a few years away I am back living in my hometown. I am currently studying to get my teaching credential after graduating college and a few years testing the job market I have realized teaching may not be so bad after all, so eventually I plan to teach History. I just got married about 6 months ago and Paris was our honeymoon. My Husband wanted to go to Italy, but I have been dreaming of going to Paris my entire life so he was overruled but now he's in trouble because all I think about is going back. I have suffered severe PPD as you all like to call it and until this week I have been unable to visit this great forum because it would make me sad, you all are so lucky to go so frequently. I would love to thank you all for the great ideas and inspiration that aided in my amazing trip, I so enjoy reading you trip reports and seeing all your great pictures. Now that I have overcome my PPD I plan on reading all of you great posts and reports in the future.

[mattsf]

Hi all - I posted about hostels, but due to your advice, I'm springing for a hotel! I leave for London with a friend on March 17, and will spend four nights the following week (Sun-Thurs) in Paris by myself. I am very excited!

I haven't been to France since I was 17. I had a 3-day crash course in Paris before I took the train to Vitre in Bretagne/Brittany. I stayed with a really nice French family and it was amazing! My French host mother had this incredible produce and wine shop -- I can still see it. I also saw the town celebrate winning the Europe Cup, fireworks on Bastille Day in the park, and even Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France. Then I spent a week traveling around the region with other the other American students (and I still keep in contact with a couple of them!). St. Malo was by far my favorite city, and Mont-St-Michel was also gorgeous.

Now for the bio... I'm 25 years old and live in San Francisco. I grew up 20 mins away from the city, and I'm gay, so it's a pretty natural fit... but I keep thinking I might want to live somewhere else (Paris, perhaps?). I'm single and share an apartment with one of my best friends, but he's off to med school next year. I feel like this chapter will close soon, and that I have another adventure waiting ahead!

[Michael]

;D

Hello,

my name is Michael and I like Paris very much. I live on Braunschweig (near Hannover) in Germany, federal state Lower Saxony, and I´m 42 years old.

My hobbies are travelling, listening to music and walking through the nature.

I like to gain nice new freinds with similar interests here.

Bye


Michael

[dunnthat]

I guess I should introduce myself.

43 years old - married 22 years to my high school sweetheart - (actually, SHE was in HS, I had graduated 3 years earlier!)

I build web pages - she runs a brick-mortar travel agency.

2 kiddies - but we're only a couple months from being empty nesters as they'll both be away at college. woo hoo

LOVE to travel - been to Paris once - going back for New years at the end of '09.

Thats about it.....love to chat and share thoughts as I'm online ALL DAY LONG!

dunnthat

[janetnj]

Hi. I've been reading posts on this forum for months and finally decided to join in.

My name's Janet, as you can tell from my user name. Like everyone on this forum, I'm drawn to Paris. My next trip is for an entire month, and I'm very excited about it. I'm renting an apartment in the 17th from April 15-May 15.

Thanks to everyone who posts on this forum. The information has been so useful to me, and I love reading trip reports from people who have been to Paris many times. My list of things to see and do keeps getting longer & longer!

[tod]

Hi Everyone,
I am so thrilled to be invited to join this forum from a fellow Fodorite named Avalon.
I am in South Africa and this trip will be my 11th to Paris.
My DH and I are Ireland bound on 6th May - for 2 weeks and then as always we round off our holiday with a week or so in Paris!
This trip we are meeting up with follow Fodorites on 23rd May for dinner. This will be my third GTG with folks from Canada, USA & South America.
I love hearing about new places to explore and little mentioned restaurants to find a great cheap meal.

[athena]

Greetings to all. I have been a lurker for quite sometime, always reading up on everyone's trip, but have never reported my own. I am off to Paris again this October. I try to return each year and especially on my birthday, if possible. Paris fills a void like no other.

[Katharine]

Welcome to OPF, Athena. Your name is beautiful; I love it! You will find us a generally amiable bunch with one big thing in common. The more, the merrier.

Check out the post in, I believe, off-topic postings (??) about who will be there in October. You should try to make a GTG (get together).

Cheers.

Katharine

[geordy]

Hi Athena..nice to meet another "Birthday in Paris" person! I've spent mine there since 1993!

[Shoesy]

And a HI from me too, Athena. I agree that your name is very beautiful.
October seems to be a very popular month among OPF posters. Looking forward to hearing about your travel plans.

[Happygoin]

Hi Athena and welcome to the forum. Yup, you get the top vote for beautiful screen names

Also, congratulations for being one of us special people born in October. When is your trip? There is one and possibly two OPF get-togethers in Paris in October.

[athena]

Thank you all so much for the tremendous welcome. I am a 47 year old woman born in the states to Greek immigrants. I am first born American. Through the support of my dearest friend I applied and received my Greek citizenship early this year, retro from my birth. I was also able to gift my 2 daughters this wonderful opportunity and birthright.

One of my goals in life is to bike the world so every opportunity I can while in Europe I return to my beloved Paris. It is the most amazing place on earth. This October I will be staying in the 3rd arrondissement. I travel alone and love having only my own itinerary to meet.

I would love to join you for the October get together. I arrive in Paris on my birthday 9 October and return to the States on the morning of the 16th.

Thank you for the warm invite.

Athena

[Jody]

And hi from Florida, Athena. I try to celebrate either my Nov birthday or Oct wedding anniversary in Paris,. This year the anniversary won.

You must try to get to one of the 2 Oct. Get Togethers

There is a thread " Who Will Be In Paris In Oct" I think it's in Off Topic postings.

Sign up!!

Lucky you to be able to get dual citizenship. I have to rememebrto check the UK website to see if they have changed the law yet for my husband. His mother was English but it had to be your father to get the DC. I think they are changing it, I hope!

[Megan]

Jul 14, 2009 10:14:33 GMT -5 Jody said:

Lucky you to be able to get dual citizenship. I have to rememebrto check the UK website to see if they have changed the law yet for my husband. His mother was English but it had to be your father to get the DC. I think they are changing it, I hope!

It can be either parent now Jody, so he can get one, you will get one because you are married to him, and yoy too can go live the paris Dream

When are you back here - we need to scehdule the long overdue get together,

[fro4600]

;D Hi all!
Someone referred me here - I'm so happy to have found it! My name is Madonna (no, not that Madonna and I don't wear a pointed bra (that is the most asked question I get!) ).

I live in Durham, NC - originally Buffalo, NY. 50 years old, never been married, no kids, two Goldendoodles - Euro and Kroner (think I love travelling in Europe? LOL)

I love Paris - just got back May 7th - went with my 88 year old mom and sisters and nephew - stayed in an apt in the 7th. In 2005 22 member of my family were there for Christmas and I have been 2 other times.

I can't wait to go back - no plans however but I live vicariously thru all of you going and your trip reports!

Looking forward to reading more!