|
Post by Belladonna on May 17, 2011 16:33:00 GMT -5
Reading your reports Mez is as close as a person can get to being there! And I am in awe of your bravery with driving in Paris - a grand exalt from me.
|
|
|
Post by jo on May 17, 2011 17:45:45 GMT -5
Oh Mez, I'm loving your reports! I'm also in awe of you driving in Paris ~ I learnt to drive in Montreal, home of the scariest drivers in North America, lol and I wouldn't dare to drive in Paris. You go, girl!!
Can't wait to see what you get up to in Paris. Have a blast,
Jo
|
|
|
Post by Shoesy on May 17, 2011 23:10:36 GMT -5
We loved La Fringale in Bayeux. Very friendly and accommodating. Very good food too.
|
|
|
Post by sistereurope on May 18, 2011 21:37:55 GMT -5
Mez, those stairs are the payment for that fabulous view! ;D I can picture you sitting on the lounge chair by the window...take it all in for me, and then go to the boulangerie/patisserie on the corner for me. They are nice and all is yummy!! Enjoy
|
|
|
Post by PariS on May 19, 2011 9:31:36 GMT -5
What a great time you are having driving around France! Enjoy your last week and keep us posted.
|
|
|
Post by mez on May 22, 2011 18:26:39 GMT -5
It’s been a busy week. I need to keep up these reports as it will all disappear from my memory! Hopefully I will catch up soon! May 18 Today was my first full day in Paris. The sun was shining and it remained that way for the entire day. In fact, it get quite hot. First stop was the Eiffel Tour where I was taking a behind the scenes tour. I should have investigated this a bit further as I thought it would be more physically active and I therefore decided to dress in jeans. This proved to be a bad move as I was cooking in them during the day. I got off at Trocadero and made my to the ET. Here are some sculptures I spied along the way... you can jus see the ET through the haze in this first one. Go on...have a drink... Oh, no. I couldn't... The tour was the English/French combo. The guide would speak in one language followed by the other. I found this worked well as the guide spent a significant time talking in one language, which allowed me to move off and take a few photos. Part of the visit takes you to the communications bunker (entry is close to Avenue Joseph Bouvard), which is not so exciting (think white walls and a few photos) but you do get to see the tunnel where the cables went from the ET all the way through to the Ecole Militaire. We then headed up the ET, bypassing all the people waiting in line. And yes, I will admit I felt very special doing this. ;D Before we headed up to the second level, we were taken behind the scenes to see the cables, pulleys etc that make the elevators go up and down. I am still undecided if this makes me feel safer or not. Afterwards, we headed up to the 2nd level where the tour ended and we were free to do what we wanted. I chose to walk around for a while and stop on the first level to have a drink. We had a bit of excitement as a woman started shrieking at some point about a pickpocket trying to get into her bag. He slipped through the crowd but no one really did anything as it was over in seconds. The next few photos are from some information boards. I suppose we should have nothing to complain about these days safety wise. Here's a photo of some kids playing with the viewing telescope - I love the shadow that's been created. I stopped on the first level for a drink and to just take Paris in before walking all the way down to the ground. I made my way through all the souvenir sellers all the while wondering if they ever make any money. There are just so many of them! Next, I decided to go for a walk in the neighbourhood. I passed the Musée du quai Branly and saw the garden wall. It’s been a place I’ve wanted to see for ages and I could not believe how close it was! There is definitely something to be said for just walking around. I made my way to Ave Rapp to take a photo of number 29, which has also been on my list for a long time. Don't you just hate it when scaffolding ruins a photo? I then walked directly across the road to have lunch at Sancerre. What a fabulous lunch. Unfortunately, I have no photos so you will have to believe me when I say that my quiche was divine. A simple green salad on the side and it was all washed down with wine , water and later, coffee. The weather was divine. I was sitting outside but in the shade, so I was feeling very mellow. I am staying true to my desire to have a relaxed Paris trip, so there is no clock watching. In fact, I lost my watch just before I left home and have not yet replaced it. Travelling without one has been liberating because I am not constantly looking at my wrist. Instead, a look at my mobile a few times a day is all I need. After lunch I walked around the streets. I stumbled upon Rue Cler, which everyone seems to go to (except me). I did not go down it but at least I now know where it is. I continued on eventually making my way to the Rodin Museum. I was going to buy the Rodin/D’Orsay combo ticket but apparently they need to be used on the same day. I didn’t think this was the case. I walked around the garden. All the wooden lounges at the bottom of the garden were taken and the people using them looked like they were there for the duration. I then walked back towards the house and went inside to take a look. I made my way home and was racing to get ready for the opera. I decided to take the bus which would have been great but I caught it going in the wrong direction. Oops! I was really running late now and decided to jump off at the next stop because I saw there was also a metro station there. Luckily, the train went straight to the Bastille, so I was able to race straight out of the station (guessing which of the multiple exits would be best) and into the building. I had just sat down and was turning my phone off when the opera started – that’s how late I was! I didn’t really get a chance to see the exterior but I do like the Bastille as a venue. The seating (view points and comfort) were excellent. I saw Tosca – sung in Italian with surtitles in French. The good thing about opera is that you can usually get the gist of the storyline when you don’t understand the language(s). Because of all my rushing around, dinner ended up being a pot of yoghurt when I got home. It’s a long day tomorrow, so I was off to get some beauty sleep.
|
|
|
Post by Shoesy on May 22, 2011 22:51:58 GMT -5
I admire your energy, Mez. Always on the go. And lucky you for getting to see an opera!
|
|
|
Post by denise on May 23, 2011 14:05:49 GMT -5
:)Oh! Oh! OH! another exalt for you.
Lovely trip report, great pictures. Just what I need today.
Thanks for the info re behind the scenes at the ET. I enjoyed your report, but for some reason I do not want to do the tour. Spoil the mystique for me somehow.
Denise Love from England.
|
|
|
Post by mez on May 23, 2011 18:00:13 GMT -5
I am going to jump ahead a few days so I can tell you all about my day at the French Open tennis today. In summary, I had a fabulous day and I am really pleased that I decided to come. I can't wait to do it all again tomorrow. By luck, there is a bus that starts at Gare de l'est (just up the road) and finishes at Porte de d'Auteuil, where the tennis is. I jumped on and took the ride across Paris while gazing at the city. The bus route number 32 is familiar to me but I could not think why until later in the trip. It's the same one that takes you out to the Marmottan Museum. I knew we would be going through the Trocadero and I would get a view of the ET. I am craning my neck to see it while the locals on the bus do not even raise their heads! I get off at the end of the line and start following the crowds. In the event you are unsure where to go, you follow the tennis racquets. There are ticket touts along the route but I don't know how that would work given you need to show your ID to get into the complex. It must be a French thing to create a lot of red tape. I still don't understand why all of this is necessary. I had my printed eticket which you scan when you get to the barrier. A machine attached to the barrier spits out a ticket which you must take (and keep!) before allowing you through the barrier. You then need to show your tickets AND ID to a security guard before they let you in. It's all so bizarre. In case you have a hankering to go to the other Grand Slam events (that would be me), you are given loose directions... Some interesting things include:- Stations where you can charge your phones An "Easy Order" terminal where you make your food selections, pay and then take the receipt to the counter for collection. I'd only seen one of these for the first time the other day at McDonalds (yes, I did go into one. I am not hiding the fact. I just haven't written about that day yet ) Perrier drink machines that also double as water misters. A great way to cool down, and yes, it was definitely warm enough to be popular. Talking of Perrier, I am now a huge fan of the Perrier with Citron. It's got the slightest hint of lemon that is just divine! I also managed to get a photo of this Perrier "plant". I've seen them in one other place in ton but I was on the bus and could not take a picture. Isn't it great? On the menu we have... and look! Macarons especially for the French Open. ;D I had my petit dejeuner at the Open where your coffee comes in these cute reusable cups. This is the view from my seat - that's Roger Federer on court after his win - and I was lucky to be sitting in the shade for most of the day. Even so, I still have some interesting patches of red skin due to sun exposure. People who had no hats got a bit creative... we have a paper hat and a hat made from using the bottom of the bags given to you when you buy food items. I have bought reserved seating tickets and today, I got 4 matches for my money, which I think is great value. I know that there are plans to expand the complex and they do need it. It got incredibly crowded in spots and overall, the complex seems to be a lot smaller than at the Aust Open (my only other point of reference). Souvenirs are for the most part, incredibly overpriced - towels ranging from €25 to €70, a paper fan €15 - but the food and drinks are reasonable given you are a captive audience. They have the most amazing Italian ice creams and about the only thing I do not recall seeing was wine. It may be served in the sit down restaurants but I didn't see any in the take away places. And there you have it. A first time visitors insight into the Open. I now need to get to Wimbledon and the US Open to complete my own 'grand slam'. *** By the time the bus got back to l'Est, I was tired and felt hot and sticky but still felt like eating out. I chose a restaurant that I have passed daily on my way to/from the metro. It's called Le Chansonnier and it always full every time I walk past. I was a total pig - 3 courses plus a cocktail, wine and coffee. Oink, oink! I ordered the white asparagus as a starter. I was imagining those thick ones I've seen other people post but as you can see I got the skinny relations. They tasted great but were not what I expected. ;D My main was a beef fillet with rocquefort sauce and fried potato slices. Meat, potatoes and cheese. Delicious! Dessert was a creme brulee which I was determined to finish but it was a struggle. I managed to waddle home and somehow made it up the 59 - yes I have counted - steps to the apartment. There is nothing to complain about though, when this is the view you have...
|
|
|
Post by Belladonna on May 23, 2011 20:40:19 GMT -5
Great photos Mez, you take my kind of pictures . And what a fantastic seat you had for the Open. I have to say 15 Euros for a fan is stunning - unless it comes with some cute young thing to wave it for you ;D
|
|
|
Post by Shoesy on May 24, 2011 0:22:04 GMT -5
I'm not into tennis, but I can definitely understand how enjoyable that experience must have been. Great pics for telling your story. An exalt to you, my dear!
|
|
mattsf
Junior Member
Posts: 79
|
Post by mattsf on May 24, 2011 1:37:39 GMT -5
mez - loving your trip reports. I even sent your post on the French Open to a friend of mine. (He's obsessed but has yet to go.) Your reports are getting me through the week
|
|
|
Post by janetnj on May 24, 2011 1:51:46 GMT -5
Thank you, thank you, thank you for jumping ahead to write about the French Open. I was thinking about you during the day wondering how it was going.
Can't wait to hear about Tuesday. Maybe you'll get to see Rafa!
An exalt to you!
|
|
|
Post by mossie on May 24, 2011 3:05:53 GMT -5
And another exalt from me..................and I'm not even into tennis ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by geordy on May 24, 2011 6:11:42 GMT -5
Looks like a great day! What other matches did you get to see?
The food prices seem reasonable indeed compared to the US Open!! Every year the local news stations do stories on the variety of foods but also the sky high prices!!
You'll actually be here for the finals weekend of the French...which will be on TV...of course you'll be out enjoying NYC!!!!
Sometime you'll have to make an early B'day trip and include the US Open...and bring buckets of $$$$$! ;D
|
|
|
Post by mez on May 24, 2011 18:59:18 GMT -5
May 24 - Tennis, Day 2 I was heading off to the tennis again today. Much wiser than yesterday but still as excited. ;D I bought a ticket to sit on the Suzanne Lenglen court today. I was sitting much closer. Here is a photo from my seat. I have not used the zoom function. I was very impressed! Today I saw four matches again. I got to watch Andy Murray. He won but he is painful to watch - I cannot think of another player currently that is as much of a drama queen as he is. I also saw Ana Ivanovic (she lost but this is not surprising), Soderling (he won) and Clijsters (she won but there will be no awards for the fashion stakes with a horrid pink and purple number). I forgot to add in yesterday's entry about the court maintenance. At the end of every set there are 2 men (one each side of the net) who drag this net along the ground to even up the surface. They are followed by men with brooms who brush the clay off the white lines. Between each match they also water the court - again to keep the dust from flying around. Given Paris is known as a mecca for fashion, I thought I'd give ou a look at what the French Open powers that be have provided for their employees. We have the linespeople and ballkids... Here are the linespeople again with their jumpers on. Uniforms are courtesy of Lacoste. Not sure about the ballkids. Then we have the seat ushers... I only noticed now that the girl on the right is wearing black shoes. This is not the standard uniform. The white shoes are. Don't they looked fabulous? They also have long-sleeved cardigans that fall past the hips in the same shade as the dresses. I think these outfits are also by Lacoste. Here is a sporty version of the seat usher. Uniform by Adidas. The guys have a grey/green combo. The woman in white, seated, is part of a group looking after the sponsors. This is one of several uniforms but this one was my favourite. Ane let's not forget that security must also dress well... Now these people were guests but they definitely stood out. It's like they walked straight out of the pages of history. I assume it's some part of the military. Now all this fashion has made you all hungry, I am sure. Here is the menu of the sit down restaurant. Again, the prices seem OK to me. I did not eat here. Instead I seemed to subsist today on Perrier Citron (which I have since bought at the supermarket so I have some at 'home'), ice cream and coffee. In the end I caved and bought the macarons. They were really good. Yummo! When the last match finished, I was actually sad to go. Sure, I will be In Paris again but I don't know when I'll be here for the tennis again. But let's not dwell on the sad stuff... Would I do it again? You bet! About the only thing I would change is I would come later on during the week - ideally Round 3 or 4. The downside of coming so early in the week is there is a marked difference in talent so some matches are a walk in the park for players. À Bientôt, Roland Garros.
|
|
|
Post by denise on May 25, 2011 1:37:39 GMT -5
I echo Mossies post. I am not that interested in Tennis, (or any sport!) but your reports are REALLY interesting.
Love the emphasis on fashion of the uniforms. only in Paris ! LOL!
Denise Love from England
|
|
|
Post by geordy on May 25, 2011 6:01:57 GMT -5
That didn't look like Perrier with the macarons! ;D
Felt like I was there with you! Glad Kim is playing and surprised at her fashion choice..she is usually very basic in blues or blue and red/black.
Ralph Lauren has been doing the staff outfits at US Open recently.
I guess clay is rather high maitenence........
And Rafa had a tough match!!!
|
|
|
Post by Happygoin on May 25, 2011 11:12:02 GMT -5
What fun, Mez! No one who knows me understands, but I'm into tennis too. In fact I'll watch a lot of the later matches on tv, so I really enjoyed your report. I read in last week's newspaper that Kim Clijsters hurt her ankle dancing at a friend's wedding, so I wasn't sure if she'd be playing. Good to know I can watch for her.
Those guys in their military uniforms must have been dying of the heat in those hats! Thanks for a fun report!
|
|
|
Post by Sandy M on May 25, 2011 13:12:58 GMT -5
Great reports, Mez! How fun for you to go to some games of the French Open. In the early 80's, I was really into tennis when all the "biggies" of that time were playing - used to have a party every year for the finals of all the big opens - I had always wished that I could attend one of them but never got to so now I am seeing it through your eyes - thanks for posting.
|
|