Post by Ray(aka) tripnebraska on May 18, 2007 22:34:26 GMT -5
Here is my attempt at a trip report.
Our travel party consisted of me, who friends refer to as the guy who always offers to pay the tab, but never asks for a receipt. My dear wife, soon to turn 50, brilliant in her field, truly a local icon and unimpressed by most everything else. What she referred to as "The little candy store on our corner in Paris," was Hediard. My daughter who just received her Masters, and son in law, who is studying for his PhD. He is what we refer to as scary smart. He informed us at Versailles, he has wanted to see it since he was 6. The same day, standing in the Hall of Mirrors, my daughter said " I think they signed some big treaty here.I don't remember which one" We all did the LOL at that. We love them both and were thrilled they could join us.
So, 8 days 8 highlights, random order.
1. Even with limited language aptitude, we successfully communicated in French, and found everyone we encountered to be very pleasant. The first day, I learned my new favorite phrase c'est tout, and used it often. It usually brought a smile from shop clerks. I never did master the correct pronunciation of fraise, but that didn't stop me from getting the ice cream flavor I wanted. I was envious of all the people we encountered fluent in multiple languages, and am determined to reach that point.
2. Walking anytime, and running early in the morning along the Seine was breathtaking. Starting at the Concorde Plaza and heading down to the islands, and looping back was our favorite route. We spent the 1st 4 days walking everywhere just so we could see as much of the city as possible. As our days grew short, we utilized the Metro to save time getting where we needed to go.
3. Everyone had their favorite Churches, and we got to most of the famous ones. Mine was the upper chapel at St. Chapelle. I marveled at the craftsmanship of the windows. The kids loved Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur. My wife bought the medallions at all of them for the grandchildren.
4. The Effiel Tower. Keep in mind this was our 1st trip, and we were getting in touch with our inner tourist. We went to the top on our 1st night, with no lines. Spectacular views, clear skies, and the chance to hug my wife and thank her for 30 wonderful years, will be a special memory forever.
5 The opportunity to see the greatest collections of Art and sculpture in the world. My favorite museum was the D'Orsay. I could spend days just on the Van Gogh's and Monet's. Genius. The next time I'm in Paris, I'll spend a little time everyday in the Louvre. Trying to rush through in one day just isn't good. The Winged Bull from Assyria was my favorite. The Mona Lisa reminded me of Paris Hilton, famous but for no real reason I can see.
We Nebraskans are generally willing to cut people a break in most situations, but while making my way toward the sculpture courtyard in the Richelieu wing, I encountered a very loud American couple coming down the escalator, when I looked up at them he pointed at me and shouted "Hey! how do we get to that Mona Lisa deal from here." I was so appalled on multiple levels, that I vaguely pointed behind me and replied" Je ne comprends pas" Maybe that is why the French get the reputation for being rude.
6. The most beautiful gardens I've ever seen. We sat by the ponds in the Tuileries for awhile on most days. My wife was amazed by the way the trees were squared in the Luxembourg Gardens. we ran through PARC Buttes-Chaumont and Parc Monceau, different, but both very cool.
I wasn't that excited to visit Versailles, so the lavishly vast expanse of the gardens was the biggest unexpected treat. You could spend days there and not see everything. My favorite photo of just my wife and I was taken there. We took a couple of hundred photos total, but I don't think I'm smart enough to figure out how to post them with this report.
7. Food. We stop and eat when we get hungry, and are admittedly not foodies. My wife is a vegetarian, and can't sit still for a 2 hour meal. So that does affect dining choices. La Photographe from the TA forum gave me a great tip on the rue de Castellane. It was a block from our apartment. My favorite meal was the roast chicken, beef, salads, and baguette we got at the butcher shop, and artisan bakery located there, that we ate at the apartment. We also had a great meal at the Italian restaurant on the corner of de Castellane, and rue de Arcade.
My son in law became a devotee to the croquet monsieur, and had one everyday. We also got to be regular customers at La Maison du Chocolat. When they started offering us Free Samples, I got the feeling we may be spending too much time there.
8. Getting to share Paris with the people you Love. I had asked the question on the TA forum what's "The Gift" from Paris. People were very generous with their suggestions, and some of them I took. Ultimately, the gift my wife loved the most was actually the least expensive. She has extensive gardens and a pond here at home. I went to a garden store down by the islands and bought her packets of flower seeds. Things she doesn't have, to plant a Paris section of flowers in her gardens. She said, " Oh! now when I see them, I'll be reminded of our time in Paris."
And for me, c'est tout.
Our travel party consisted of me, who friends refer to as the guy who always offers to pay the tab, but never asks for a receipt. My dear wife, soon to turn 50, brilliant in her field, truly a local icon and unimpressed by most everything else. What she referred to as "The little candy store on our corner in Paris," was Hediard. My daughter who just received her Masters, and son in law, who is studying for his PhD. He is what we refer to as scary smart. He informed us at Versailles, he has wanted to see it since he was 6. The same day, standing in the Hall of Mirrors, my daughter said " I think they signed some big treaty here.I don't remember which one" We all did the LOL at that. We love them both and were thrilled they could join us.
So, 8 days 8 highlights, random order.
1. Even with limited language aptitude, we successfully communicated in French, and found everyone we encountered to be very pleasant. The first day, I learned my new favorite phrase c'est tout, and used it often. It usually brought a smile from shop clerks. I never did master the correct pronunciation of fraise, but that didn't stop me from getting the ice cream flavor I wanted. I was envious of all the people we encountered fluent in multiple languages, and am determined to reach that point.
2. Walking anytime, and running early in the morning along the Seine was breathtaking. Starting at the Concorde Plaza and heading down to the islands, and looping back was our favorite route. We spent the 1st 4 days walking everywhere just so we could see as much of the city as possible. As our days grew short, we utilized the Metro to save time getting where we needed to go.
3. Everyone had their favorite Churches, and we got to most of the famous ones. Mine was the upper chapel at St. Chapelle. I marveled at the craftsmanship of the windows. The kids loved Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur. My wife bought the medallions at all of them for the grandchildren.
4. The Effiel Tower. Keep in mind this was our 1st trip, and we were getting in touch with our inner tourist. We went to the top on our 1st night, with no lines. Spectacular views, clear skies, and the chance to hug my wife and thank her for 30 wonderful years, will be a special memory forever.
5 The opportunity to see the greatest collections of Art and sculpture in the world. My favorite museum was the D'Orsay. I could spend days just on the Van Gogh's and Monet's. Genius. The next time I'm in Paris, I'll spend a little time everyday in the Louvre. Trying to rush through in one day just isn't good. The Winged Bull from Assyria was my favorite. The Mona Lisa reminded me of Paris Hilton, famous but for no real reason I can see.
We Nebraskans are generally willing to cut people a break in most situations, but while making my way toward the sculpture courtyard in the Richelieu wing, I encountered a very loud American couple coming down the escalator, when I looked up at them he pointed at me and shouted "Hey! how do we get to that Mona Lisa deal from here." I was so appalled on multiple levels, that I vaguely pointed behind me and replied" Je ne comprends pas" Maybe that is why the French get the reputation for being rude.
6. The most beautiful gardens I've ever seen. We sat by the ponds in the Tuileries for awhile on most days. My wife was amazed by the way the trees were squared in the Luxembourg Gardens. we ran through PARC Buttes-Chaumont and Parc Monceau, different, but both very cool.
I wasn't that excited to visit Versailles, so the lavishly vast expanse of the gardens was the biggest unexpected treat. You could spend days there and not see everything. My favorite photo of just my wife and I was taken there. We took a couple of hundred photos total, but I don't think I'm smart enough to figure out how to post them with this report.
7. Food. We stop and eat when we get hungry, and are admittedly not foodies. My wife is a vegetarian, and can't sit still for a 2 hour meal. So that does affect dining choices. La Photographe from the TA forum gave me a great tip on the rue de Castellane. It was a block from our apartment. My favorite meal was the roast chicken, beef, salads, and baguette we got at the butcher shop, and artisan bakery located there, that we ate at the apartment. We also had a great meal at the Italian restaurant on the corner of de Castellane, and rue de Arcade.
My son in law became a devotee to the croquet monsieur, and had one everyday. We also got to be regular customers at La Maison du Chocolat. When they started offering us Free Samples, I got the feeling we may be spending too much time there.
8. Getting to share Paris with the people you Love. I had asked the question on the TA forum what's "The Gift" from Paris. People were very generous with their suggestions, and some of them I took. Ultimately, the gift my wife loved the most was actually the least expensive. She has extensive gardens and a pond here at home. I went to a garden store down by the islands and bought her packets of flower seeds. Things she doesn't have, to plant a Paris section of flowers in her gardens. She said, " Oh! now when I see them, I'll be reminded of our time in Paris."
And for me, c'est tout.