|
|
Oh Why?
Sept 26, 2013 9:38:39 GMT -5
Post by geordy on Sept 26, 2013 9:38:39 GMT -5
On why, oh why did I have the thought on the TGV? Hotels in Provence were perfect…wouldn’t it be something if the sure thing..the Paris hotel we stayed in last September..screwed up?? No not possible..asked for same as last year and re-confirmed that it was all set week before. Train 20 mins late pulling into Gare de Lyon due to “security reasons”..then quick Metro ride to hotel..notice poster in Metro for an avant garde, small cast production of Swan Lake at theater Rond de Pont..have to check that out! Get to Hotel, friendly guy from last year who answered my e-mails this time..go up to room NO!! No tub, no 1 big bed..go back down..I am livid..after spending two nights at each hotel thus never fully unpacking I was so looking forward to getting to Paris for the 8 nites and spreading out and making it home! Hotel supposedly “fully booked” I pull out e-mails, he says yes I confirmed it but we are a team(!?) and someone else switched things…they have an archaic pencil and paper chart of rooms. We can spend the one nite and then move next day. Quick calls to a couple of other hotels..nothing acceptable..so finally given bigger room..for 4 people, with tub and at least one big bed for night..can move after “our room” folks check out next day. And free breakfast tomorrow…Yahoo…. Still livid.we were planning on unpacking, relaxing , getting a quick bite and stroll and later dinner. This threw out of whack as just wanted to get the Hell out of there! Walk to Bouquet St Paul…foie de veau persille avec puree is a special..I figure my BP is already up..why not clog arteries? And of course the little saucisses amuse bouche! Perfectly cooked..foie was crispy on bottom, perfectly pink on top! Puree divine and plentiful! Morgon to thin clogs and café. Walk about a bit..funny how this works..brandade on many menus now that I’ve just come from the home of brandade! Buy big smiley face plain and chocolat sables, vin and water for room and back. I mention that S/O let me do most of venting at desk guy..he said I was doing so well he didn’t have much to add..feed the woman barracuda and she becomes one! |
|
|
|
Oh Why?
Sept 26, 2013 18:41:36 GMT -5
Post by Shoesy on Sept 26, 2013 18:41:36 GMT -5
So sorry you had all that aggravation when you arrived at your hotel. What a bummer!  |
|
|
|
Oh Why?
Sept 26, 2013 20:19:32 GMT -5
Post by janetnj on Sept 26, 2013 20:19:32 GMT -5
Sorry about the mix-up at the hotel. S/O is a wise man.
Your description of the foie de veau makes it sounds so appealing. Not sure I'll order calf's liver any time soon though. But then again everything seems to taste better n Paris...
|
|
|
|
Oh Why?
Sept 27, 2013 10:20:27 GMT -5
Post by PariS on Sept 27, 2013 10:20:27 GMT -5
"feed the woman barracuda and she becomes one!" LOL If that's what it takes... Hope the story ends happily!
|
|
|
|
Oh Why?
Sept 27, 2013 16:30:01 GMT -5
Post by geordy on Sept 27, 2013 16:30:01 GMT -5
So up for free PD! Changed from last year..last year had buffet dished with hot food..scrambled eggs, sausages, ham and rest. No more hot food but more modern set up..all self serve including expresso machine! Talked to different desk guy to make sure he was on board and then went out into overcast day. Went be Hotel de ville..nothing on. Also no signs for Men’s underwear exhibition at Musee Dec Arts. Raining now so stop at café for sancerre. To box office of Swan Lake..closed because it is Monday. Now starting to pour so decide on oysters at Maison de Alsace..closed..whole building..for renovations. Shoes and pants from knees dwn drenched for us both so head up to Leon for Mussels dijonaisse and biere.(and to dry off!) They offer two café gourmands..one Belgium, one French..got Belgian..powdered sugar waffle and specaloos glace. Stilling pouring so Metro back to Marais. Stopped when exit so stop by Harley-Davidson store(supposed to get Paris Tee for colleague)..closed because it is Mon. Back to hotel..room is ready! Unpack at last!!!! We head to Le Chimeniere for diner as not that hungry for full meal and I have a hankering for Salad Landaise I had there a couple of trips ago. I head in before S/O..he's taking phone call..sit and start perusing carte even though I know what I’m having. After ordering waiter hears my English..asks where from. He indicates couple across room and says L.A. We exchange pleasantries and get back to our meals. he's taking Couple is paying bill , hubbie comes to our table and says to me”I like your scarf” I say Thank you. Then he says it goes so well, the colors, with your hair and glasses(had put on rectangular, multi-colored reading glasses to peruse ) OK this is a bit odd..is he drunk?. Then he says..those of you who know me will love this part!..(for thse who don't..I hate having my picture taken and avoid "social media" well other than this!  ) ..let me show you something..and he shows me picture he took of me with glasses on , and scarf and hair of course, perusing menu! Before S/O came in..they thought they were taking a picture of a “typical Parisian woman” to show their friends!!! Then find out I’m USA from NYC! Then he says..think I’ll keep it though, nice photo. I say just don’t put on internet..he does thumbs up and says Facebook! Arrrgggghhhhh! Gave me quite a chuckle though…not so much S/O who I think was getting ready to hit him! Salade was delicious..but not as much foie gras as last time!..and St. Nicolas to wash down. Walk around hood and Pl de Vosges..nice nite after messy day! |
|
|
|
Oh Why?
Sept 27, 2013 23:29:30 GMT -5
Post by Shoesy on Sept 27, 2013 23:29:30 GMT -5
Funny about the photo incident!  BTW, I wouldn't mind being mistaken for a "typical Parisian woman".  As for the weather, I DO NOT LIKE being outside in the rain, and I never agree with people who say "at least it's Paris". I have not mastered the art of leisurely walking when I have to concentrate on holding an umbrella and trying to keep myself from getting drenched. Light raindrops are fine, but more than that is a real pain!  |
|
|
|
Oh Why?
Sept 28, 2013 11:00:58 GMT -5
Post by Jody on Sept 28, 2013 11:00:58 GMT -5
Glad you got your room straightened out! And had a good meal at Le Bouquet St Paul.It is right across the street from the apt. we've rented several timesand we go there frequently . The food is always very good and They have Berthillon ice cream!Sounds like you are having a good time in spite of the rain.. I don't bother with umbrellas I have a hooded raincoat!
|
|
|
|
Oh Why?
Sept 28, 2013 16:39:35 GMT -5
Post by georgeleitch on Sept 28, 2013 16:39:35 GMT -5
It's good to see that the rain and your adventures with the hotel front desk has not deprived you of your sense of humour. Your s/o was quite right in letting you vent.After all if you hadn't taken it out on the clerk then your s/o was probably next in the firing line so self preservation is always uppermost in a s/o's mind.
Amazing that you were taken for a typical Parisian woman. I'm sure that the Hermes scarf,and the Birkin bag gave you away and you should tell the Paris tourist office so they can hire you as the new face of paris.
Love, George
|
|
|
|
Oh Why?
Sept 28, 2013 23:13:27 GMT -5
Post by Shoesy on Sept 28, 2013 23:13:27 GMT -5
Love your sense of humor, George! Your posts always put a smile on my face. |
|
|
|
Oh Why?
Sept 29, 2013 19:51:28 GMT -5
Post by mez on Sept 29, 2013 19:51:28 GMT -5
Argh! Don't you just hate it when there are hotel stuff-ups?
Loving your report. You always seem to have such relaxed trips, whereas I have good intentions but always end up racing around.
While I do not mind a light rain shower, heavy rain like what you described is the pits. I recall a trip to NYC with such weather. At one point I was standing on a street corner ready to cry - too far away to walk to the hotel, too wet to sit comfortably in a cafe or restaurant.
|
|
|
|
Oh Why?
Sept 29, 2013 21:05:29 GMT -5
Post by janetnj on Sept 29, 2013 21:05:29 GMT -5
Loving your report. You always seem to have such relaxed trips, whereas I have good intentions but always end up racing around. I was thinking the same thing. And Geordy's food descriptions make my mouth water! |
|
|
|
Post by geordy on Oct 1, 2013 7:33:00 GMT -5
Weather iffy as we head to Miss Manon, a lovely little bakery with some table service, for PD. Café crème and almond croissant for moi..older lady next to us having eggs and ham and wine.
We needed to pick up Opera tickets at FNAC so headed to Les Halles. There are a lot of high end stores in there now..what they must spend of security as they also still have the roving disenfranchised. Then window shopping up St Honore to Rond de Pont box office again. I get my first “senior” ticket as 60+ generally counts in France..told the girl it was still 2 days away..but 2 Senoirs it was! Wednesday show at 1830!?
Cross Seine for more window shopping(actually looking for my B’day present!) and to Le Recruitment café on corner St Domingo and Tour Malbourg..was there once before when I sought it out after it was dust cover picture on a book I read! Rugby themed place, packed with local working folk on lunch. Had a special..pave de canard avec figues et frites…absolutely delicious and Morgon. Then pommes sorbet with liquet(Colonel?) Tres refreshing! Café..bustling efficient friendly place!
More walking, getting cooler and drizzly, stop for libation , Panache, very popular in Provence..but didn’t have there so….probably more suited to hot sun then cool drizzle but what the heck!
Got Pistach and chocolat eclairs @ Aux Desire de Manon..local bakery..less than half price than at much publicized Genie Éclair also in area..we had stopped by there day before..they look wonderful but most have so much going on…and there was only one service person so we decided to forego…for now. At any rate the “regular” ones were fab!
Of course once we got back to hotel sun came out!
Went out for another simple dinner in area, La Favorite, ordered croque madame and fromage plate to share. Good thing didn’t order more ..Croque was open face..but two pieces of bread, 2 eggs! Very good….nice red to wash it down. People watch….young woman with short silver hair, smoking non stop, saw her again on Thurs in the 17th!
Janet and Mez..being a bit ..a hum..older than you gals I've been to Paris a few more times..like over 50..so can afford to stop and smell the roses as it were..plus it was a tough summer and needed to RELAX!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Shoesy on Oct 1, 2013 9:31:46 GMT -5
Hooray for senior discounts! What percent discount did you get on your tickets?
|
|
|
|
Post by geordy on Oct 2, 2013 7:35:32 GMT -5
Hooray for senior discounts! What percent discount did you get on your tickets? Not sure, strange system(at least by NYC ) the price was 2 Euros less than the least expensive..but they offer you best available in House(other than House seats)..but it was pretty sparse as the shows were that week..we got good orchestra... but one aisle, one "pop up" but were able to move when there were some no shows in the front rows! And it is a small theatre. Tip: there are bathrooms down a flight of steps that are open even when theatre isn't because there is a restaurant down there too! |
|
|
|
Post by georgeleitch on Oct 2, 2013 8:48:51 GMT -5
Geordie,
Boheme is on at the Opera Bastille when we should be there in April.(note the Calvanistic caution in the word should)I have looked at
the prices on line but never knew about a senior discount.Do you have to go in person to get it?
Loving your report and envying you like mad.
|
|
|
|
Post by geordy on Oct 2, 2013 9:42:58 GMT -5
Geordie, Boheme is on at the Opera Bastille when we should be there in April.(note the Calvanistic caution in the word should)I have looked at the prices on line but never knew about a senior discount.Do you have to go in person to get it? Loving your report and envying you like mad. I don't know George..this was Theatre Rond du Pont..they may all be different but senior discounts do seem to abound in France so it is worth checking out! You are supposed to have ID but she didn't ask for any..I guess I should not be happy about that?  The Operas de Paris website should have some info..... |
|
) ..let me show you something..and he shows me picture he took of me with glasses on , and scarf and hair of course, perusing menu!
BTW, I wouldn't mind being mistaken for a "typical Parisian woman". 
Let the riot begin! LOL -