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Post by geordy on Nov 23, 2011 18:50:41 GMT -5
I know some of us have been there/are there...I need a fix! ;D
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Post by Belladonna on Nov 23, 2011 21:07:35 GMT -5
I'm desperate to hear some Paris traveler's tales - I second Geordy's motion
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Post by mossie on Nov 24, 2011 3:13:37 GMT -5
Patience mes amies. In an hour I am off to the station to start my trip, when I am home and recovered there will be something for you to get your teeth into, as they say ;D
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Post by Jody on Nov 24, 2011 3:37:15 GMT -5
I'm working on it. So far I just have us as far as Southampton on a bus going into London after 7 days at sea!!
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Post by sunshine817 on Nov 24, 2011 4:15:20 GMT -5
Jody, I used to work just outside Southampton -- so I know there's a decent train service from Southampton to London (Paddington or Waterloo, IIRC) Easy connection, about an hour's ride, and about 35 pounds, so not horrendously expensive.
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Post by jo on Nov 24, 2011 6:53:54 GMT -5
Mossie, have a great trip and a wonderful walk with the lucky OPFers who get to join you! ;D Jody, I can't wait to read about your adventures on the transatlantic crossing. You know you can let us read what you have so far, hint, hint Hope Paris was as wonderful as it always is. Jo
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Post by Jody on Nov 24, 2011 9:10:21 GMT -5
I looked into the train but is was a bit more that the Cunard direct bus service and we did not have to casrt they luggage around it Was delivered right to the bus at the docks.I booked the bus ahead of time from home. 39 dollars versus 89 dollars if booked onboard the ship!!
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Post by denise on Nov 25, 2011 18:19:22 GMT -5
;D I wasn't going to post a trip reports because this trip is about meeting friends, celebrating Thanksgiving and catching up, but as some of you need a fix I will post something.
We met Mossie this afternoon for the walk, four of us in total. It was a bit grey and damp but Mossie is a perfect gent and patiently escorted us around Belleville, pointing out various highlights. From the contrast of sixties high rise buildings, to hidden streets of individual lovely houses, with, as Mossie so aptly described " vertical gardens",(we even saw pink roses growing) Interesting artists studios, the wonderful vista of Paris at Butte de Belleville, down through the park and the amazing street art of rue Denoyez, Which has been considerably sanitised since I last saw it.
I had a lovely afternoon and really enjoyed myself. I look forward to seeing Mossie again on Sunday.
Later this evening I caught the metro up to the Arche de Triomphe and walked the length of the Champs Elysees to see the lights and also to catch the new Marks and Spencer store that opened yesterday.
I wanted to see if the stock was different than at home. I had to queue, as they were only letting in a few at a time. ( couldn't believe I was queuing at M&S!) however they very soon let me in and I surveyed the stock. All very nice but, just the same as the falgship store in Manchester and a lot smaller. They didn't even stock my favourite bra, so I will just have to wash one! LOL!
With Christmas lights, really is the way to see the Champs Elysees, as usually I find it rather boring and tacky. With lights it seems very festive and I liked it.
The new lights seem to disapoint many people, and I must admit the changing coloured hula hoops around the lampposts are not very Christmassy, but they are attractive in their own way. Half way along there are some large white balls (snowballs?) and other large white, tree like, twinkling installations and they did look festive. The children seemed to like them anyway. Towards the Place de la Concorde there is the Cristmas market, with Christmassy music competing with the traffic!... not as good as Manchester but still interesting and the big wheel is all lit up.
Otherwise Paris is still as interesting and atmospheric as usual. I still love it here and for the first time this morning I thought "I could live here!"
Denise Love from Paris
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Post by jo on Nov 25, 2011 19:40:04 GMT -5
Oh Denise, your report made my heart ache! I am missing Paris so much these days, it's a year to the day that we left for our Christmas lights trip and your report is bringing back all those memories.
I'm so happy you had a great time with Mossie, but I'm not surprised. He is such a wonderful, witty guy and a true gentleman. I hope to meet him (and you!) again one day.
I could certainly live in Paris, if only I could afford it, lol.
Have a wonderful rest of the trip and thanks for checking in.
Jo
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Post by mez on Nov 25, 2011 20:39:46 GMT -5
Great report, Denise. I am interested to read that you could see yourself living there. If I am not mistaken, it was a year or so ago that you declared yourself done with Paris for the time being and were ready to explore other places. Did you take a photo of the new lights on the trees? I would like to see what they look like. I agree that this time of year is a great time visit the Champs Elysee. I still look back at some of my photos of my November visit with fondness.
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Post by Belladonna on Nov 25, 2011 20:52:07 GMT -5
I really envy you being there are this time of year Denise and walk with Mossie sounds like so much fun!! Thanks for providing us Paris junkies with a fix! ;D
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Post by Shoesy on Nov 25, 2011 23:26:50 GMT -5
Wow, Denise! Did you really mean it when you said you could live in Paris? As always, your report has been a pleasure to read. As many as you have written, I always find each one to be unique.
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Post by denise on Nov 26, 2011 4:06:51 GMT -5
Great report, Denise. I am interested to read that you could see yourself living there. If I am not mistaken, it was a year or so ago that you declared yourself done with Paris for the time being and were ready to explore other places. Did you take a photo of the new lights on the trees? I would like to see what they look like. I agree that this time of year is a great time visit the Champs Elysee. I still look back at some of my photos of my November visit with fondness. No sorry, I only have my Iphone and I don't think it would capture the lights as it has no flash. Actually I didn't think to take pictures because I was not thinking of posting them. Yes I know that last year after a month in Paris, which I felt was too long, I felt I was "over" Paris. No PPD that time. How wrong I was! It only took a few months for the old pining to start. But I always thought I would miss my family and the green hills of home too much if I lived here. However yesterday morning I stepped out into the street market in front of my building on Bol Richard Lenoir and I wandered around buying groceries, like Parisians do. I stopped for a coffee at the bar on the corner of Rue Oberkampf and watched the world go by. People were sat in the cafe, chatting, reading the paper or books. These are not tourists but ordinary locals. I thought to myself "I could do this all the time". I really like this area. It has become really trendy compared to the last time I was here some years ago. Nice interesting shops have opened up and the place looks much smarter than I remember it. I like the calm atmosphere and laid back approach to life here, compared to home. In the market, customers chatted with the stallholders, who obviously knew them. Everybody was such more relaxed. At home our excellent, local outdoor market is used by the elderly, immigrants who are used to bartering, and middle class middle aged people looking for specialist foods. My husband shops ther twice a week because he is retired. Most working people shop in supermarkets as they just don't have the time to browse around for food on the market. Maybe I am just being wistful and looking at Paris through rose coloured glasses. But this trip, as I said is more about being in Paris and meeting friends. No touristy activities planned, no feeling that I have to do anything. Celebarting Thanksgiving with Americans, I have a lot to be grateful for. Denise love from Paris
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Post by jo on Nov 26, 2011 8:31:49 GMT -5
Sounds like an absolutely perfect trip. Enjoy! Jo (who is so jealous but also so happy for you. I can be both, can't I )
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Post by geordy on Nov 26, 2011 9:50:20 GMT -5
Ah...now this is more like it! Even though my heart is aching that I won't see the Champs Elysees this Holiday season! Maybe next year when Christmas and New Year's Day are not part of 3 day weekends here and I'll have to use some vac time anyway! Just relax and see a few friends, observe and enjoy Paris...sounds great Denise!!!
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Post by PariS on Nov 26, 2011 10:47:42 GMT -5
Sounds like a wonderful trip, Denise. Glad to hear your love affair with Paris isn't over quite yet
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Post by holger on Nov 26, 2011 12:53:06 GMT -5
A quick apology for not posting. Shortly after return from France I had two major conferences each for about 6 days in different locations. This means much more piled up work at the university but also at home. Now with the holidays and two smaller trips, I am not likely to get posts up till the Christmas break. But I do love reading others' experiences.
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Post by Sandy M on Nov 27, 2011 9:29:35 GMT -5
Hi to all,
Sorry I haven't written before now but have had a difficult time finding a CyberCafe with English keyboards! Denise told me there is a CC on Place Republique so walked up there this afternoon and they were closed!! Soooo, took the Metro to Opera and am now on line - however, I didn't bring my notes and I'm really too tired to think right now so will come back tomorrow and add a few things.
Of course, I'm having a great time - and the weather is co-operating - just a little sprinkle on Friday and that's it so far for rain- it has been grey and gloomy but that's okay as long as the rain holds off.
Just a quick note about a couple of highlights - we had Thanksgiving dinner at Le Relais de L'Isle (sp) and enjoyed it very much - such a delicious meal and Madame takes very good care of everyone - it's a small place - only 24 seats so you have to have a reservation - it is so worth going there!! AND very reasonable!!
Also enjoyed the Cirque d'Hiver very much!!!!! I'm almost tempted to go again before I leave!
That's it for now - have a couple of stops before going to the Jazz Me concert - looking forward to that as well!!
Will try to get back again tomorrow and write another report.
Sandy McCarthy
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Post by janetnj on Nov 27, 2011 19:30:51 GMT -5
Thanks Denise and Sandy for posting. Glad you're having a good time. I thought of you on Thanksgiving. I was glad to be with my family this year but I kept saying "this time last year I was doing xxx".
Enjoy the rest of your trip.
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Post by PariS on Nov 27, 2011 19:38:47 GMT -5
It's good to hear form you Sandy! Glad you're having a nice time and the weather has been halfway decent. I'm going to drag Darryl to Jazz Me while we're there, and we might have to go to the circus, too!
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