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Post by jo on May 17, 2008 5:12:21 GMT -6
Hey guys, forgot to mention that I am blogging from Paris in case anyone's bored and has lots of time to read about food!! www.slowtrav.com/blog/jodenHaving a great trip.................Jo Edited to correct the link............d'oh!!! |
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Post by Tex on May 17, 2008 7:57:27 GMT -6
Bonjour Jo.
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Post by mugsey101 on May 17, 2008 8:06:52 GMT -6
Bon Appeti(sp?) birthday girl!
Love the blog. Hope you and Den enjoy it all!!!!!!!!!
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Post by Tex on May 17, 2008 9:28:02 GMT -6
I clicked on your link and just got a bunch of travel ads and no Jo. WTF?
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Post by jo on May 17, 2008 10:12:43 GMT -6
Hey Tex, You are not the only one who's had problems. It should be www.slowtrav.com/blog/jodenIf that doesn't work, goggle slow travel and go to their blog section. Hey John, Thanks for posting on my blog. I think our Paris addiction is slowly replacing our Hedo addiction! Oh, btw, I met Robert Plant on Monday night!! You'll just have to read about it on my blog, JO |
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Post by Tex on May 17, 2008 10:46:32 GMT -6
Much better. Hmm, let's see here: Jo - 69 bus - that sounds like a match.
We look forward to following the rest of your adventure.
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Post by innit Geezer on May 17, 2008 10:49:00 GMT -6
Nice blog you have going Jo and it's great to hear that your trip is going well. All that good planning is paying off. Take it easy on Denis!
Robert Plant too, fantastic!
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Post by Irish Stu on May 19, 2008 4:37:55 GMT -6
Ooh La La.
Simon
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Post by Christinko on May 19, 2008 8:05:45 GMT -6
I'm so excited for you, Jo! I don't blame you re: Paris versus Hedo...I'm so understanding. Paris is incroyable! (Happy belated birthday....joyeux anniversaire! Gawd, I hoped I spelled my French right).
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Post by jo on May 19, 2008 12:04:27 GMT -6
Thanks guys, Paris is just wonderful, we are trying to find ways to move here, but unless we win the lottery or one of us passes on and the other gets the life insurance, I just don't see it happening just yet!!!
Jo
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Post by dave from Tilbury on May 20, 2008 7:37:58 GMT -6
Hey Jo,
My mom and dad just got back from Europe. A friend in Switzerland suggested this restaurant for their trip to Paris. They thoroughly enjoyed it. It is near Notre Dame.
Nos Ancetres Les Gaulois
39, rue Saint-Louis-en-I'lle
75004 Paris
Tel: 01 46 33 66 07/ 01 46 33 66 12
Dave
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Post by Tex on May 21, 2008 9:57:14 GMT -6
I just louvred your blog.  |
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Post by Irish Stu on May 21, 2008 10:03:06 GMT -6
There's a lot to read in Jo's blog. It nearly drove me in-Seine.
Simon
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Post by jo on May 21, 2008 14:14:28 GMT -6
Ah youse guys, don't start punning now, I'm too drunk to get most of it (well maybe not, i'm still pretty smart, even when stinkin' drunk!!)
I LOVE PARIS............does anyone get that reading my frickin' long entries!!!!
Love you guys...........drunk Jo in Paris!
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Post by innit Geezer on May 21, 2008 23:23:01 GMT -6
Oh I can feel that morning headache already, party safely and behave. (actually, don't behave, have fun!)
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Post by Merlot Joe on May 21, 2008 23:49:06 GMT -6
Nice real nice.
Joe
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Post by edie2u on May 22, 2008 13:56:14 GMT -6
Sounds wonderful, Jo!!!!!! Great blogging! Keep having fun!
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Post by Hedo69 on May 30, 2008 0:13:46 GMT -6
Jo,
Loved loved your blog. We stopped in for only 3 short nights in Paris on our way here and I loved it. Can't wait til we can spend some more time there. Even on the quietest street the city breathes.
Deb
Who hasn't been here nearly enough lately and is catching up on everyone!
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Post by pixiedust on Jun 22, 2008 17:47:32 GMT -6
Jo, I logged on just to tell you I found this post and your blog - I started reading it in the middle and have worked my way back to the first day and am moving forward again. One question I have for you is - I know you're French Canadian - were you speaking French in France or were you speaking English or was it a mixiture of both?? Just wondering how an American can navigate Paris... I took French in High School and really don't remember much of it. Just a few words here or there - of course, if we decided to go I could always brush up - I was much better at understand it than speaking it though as I recall. Also, did you go with a specific budget that you kept to for your trip? I'm just wondering - the exchange rate is less than the British Pound but still more than 1 dollar US to the Euro (though I haven't checked it since I got back from Scotland) I've been trying to do this on our last few trips with limited success... Our December trip to Jamaica was pretty close to a success though for me! I wouldn't have the clothing temptation though at least since I'm a large girl and if the clothes were small on a size 6-8!! yikes! Anyway, it sounds expensive though it sounds like you got a really good deal on a room for 2 weeks - the apartment is the way to go I think. However, purses - now that could be my achilles heel....  I hear Italy is good for purses and shoes! Colleen PS. I'm really enjoying your blog - I think it may take me a while to get through it but I'm really enjoying all of your escapades in the City of Light! |
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Post by jo on Jun 26, 2008 17:40:10 GMT -6
Hi Colleen,
Sorry to not get back to you sooner, I've been obsessed with all things Disney World since Saturday when we booked a spur of the moment trip for ourselves and our grandson the first week of September. The deal was too good to pass up, but since then, I've been on multiple Disney sites, getting advice on which rides and attractions are right for a 4 year old and how to book advance dinner reservations with Mickey and Donald. I am now the queen of Disney info, have 7 restaurants booked and a colour-coded spreadsheet with where we will be on what days (I haven't booked our bowel movements yet, but there's still lots of time!)
Anyways, now that I can relax in the knowledge that Sebastian will eat with Pooh (that one's for you,Beeb!), I can rejoin my previous life.
Yes, we did speak French while we were in Paris, but we heard English spoken almost everywhere around us. Many of the Parisians still switched to English while speaking to us, I think they are so used to tourists in that city. Most everyone is extremely friendly and helpful and there were American tourists everyone we went, so don't worry about that. Paris is a wonderful, beautiful, magical city and I would go back there tomorrow, but for the work I've taken on (5 points to anyone who can name the song and artist!)
The exchange rate did hurt, it was about 20% higher than during our trip last year, but we had some money left over from that trip and we saved all year, so we didn't really have to follow a strict budget. We alternated between restaurant meals and eating in the apartment or grabbing a sandwich and eating in a park. It's all delicious and the wine is oh, so good! This is the second time we've rented an apartment in as many trips and I wouldn't do it any other way. There are so many places on line you can look (VRBO, or Vacation Rental by Owner is a great site, not only for France but for rental properties all over the world) and there are place for every budget. We liked having our own little kitchen, going to the markets and buying fresh produce, cheese, bread, etc. We would enjoy a glass of wine and some appetizers more than a few times after coming home from a day of touring and before dinner. Very relaxing and much cheaper than doing the same thing in a restaurant. As well, breakfasts of fresh fruit, yogurt and croissant and pain au chocolat every morning always started the day off right.
The metro system is wonderful and will get you everywhere you want to go. You can also walk almost everywhere you want to go.
You can tell that I love Paris and would encourage anyone to visit. I think with a little bit of planning, you can have a wonderful visit, even with a limited amount of French. You just have to go and see for yourself!
Jo (as for purses, one of my proudest purchases last year when we went to Italy was my Prada bag at the Prada outlet near FLorence. A splurge for sure, but one I intend to show off for years to come!)
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Jun 27, 2008 5:08:24 GMT -6
Jo When we were taking our daughter to Disney World, the absolute best information we got came from the Unofficial Guide to Disney World Amazon Link. Fantastic info on the best days of the week to visit, the worst days to visit, and strategies to avoid long lines. The best info we got was regarding the water parks... hit the water slides first thing after opening (we went down a couple of water slides 12 times in a row without a moment's wait). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED book |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jun 27, 2008 9:48:11 GMT -6
Anyways, now that I can relax in the knowledge that Sebastian will eat with Pooh (that one's for you,Beeb!), I can rejoin my previous life. Really? I thought THIS part was for me: (I haven't booked our bowel movements yet, but there's still lots of time!) FWIW, I prefer to keep mine unplanned. My motto: keep the schedule loose, but the BM's solid. |
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Post by Chicago Jake on Jun 27, 2008 10:57:38 GMT -6
......I would go back there tomorrow, but for the work I've taken on (5 points to anyone who can name the song and artist!)..... Joni Mitchell, "Free Man In Paris".... didn't even need to Google it!......Jake (who really needs to dust out his brain one of these days) |
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Post by Chicago Jake on Jun 27, 2008 11:01:14 GMT -6
.....Just wondering how an American can navigate Paris... I took French in High School and really don't remember much of it. Just a few words here or there - of course, if we decided to go I could always brush up - I was much better at understand it than speaking it though as I recall....... Hi Colleen, I figured out a little trick while in Paris for dealing with waiters, hotel clerks, etc. I always carried a small French phrase book with me. The French folks like to pretend that they don't speak English, but as soon as they heard me butcher a word or two of their precious Mother Tongue, they immediately switched the conversation to English. Either they were offended by my atrocious pronunciations, or they appreciated my effort and wanted to return the favor. Either way, it worked every time! My traveling companion didn't have a phrase book, he just figured, "what the hell, they all speak English!" and spoke to everyone that way. Unlike my experience, he found that nobody understood him at all. Imagine that!......Jake |
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Post by jo on Jun 27, 2008 11:10:03 GMT -6
Gord, thanks for the link, I'll be sure to check it out.
Beeb, that one was obvious!
Good pick up, Jake! We brought some CDs with us to paris, Joni Mitchell among them, and I forgot that song was on it. Once we heard it, we just kept singing it during the whole 2 weeks.
Jo
edited to add that I just realized Gordon recommended a book, not a website. I'll have to check Chapters next time I'm there,
Jo
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Post by jo on Jun 27, 2008 11:48:18 GMT -6
Jake, you're absolutely right (as if you didn't know that), if you try even a few words, most Parisians appreciate that you are trying and switch right to English. Language really shouldn't be an issue unless you go there and expect everyone to speak English, a little kindness on both sides goes a long way.
Jo
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jun 27, 2008 11:50:44 GMT -6
Screw 'em. If it wasn't for us, they'd be speaking German instead of French.
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Post by nolaflacav on Jun 27, 2008 13:49:31 GMT -6
.....Just wondering how an American can navigate Paris... I took French in High School and really don't remember much of it. Just a few words here or there - of course, if we decided to go I could always brush up - I was much better at understand it than speaking it though as I recall....... Hi Colleen, I figured out a little trick while in Paris for dealing with waiters, hotel clerks, etc. I always carried a small French phrase book with me. The French folks like to pretend that they don't speak English, but as soon as they heard me butcher a word or two of their precious Mother Tongue, they immediately switched the conversation to English. Either they were offended by my atrocious pronunciations, or they appreciated my effort and wanted to return the favor. Either way, it worked every time! My traveling companion didn't have a phrase book, he just figured, "what the hell, they all speak English!" and spoke to everyone that way. Unlike my experience, he found that nobody understood him at all. Imagine that!......Jake That is interesting. It is strange but we had almost the exact opposite reaction when we traveled to Quebec. We had a phenomenal trip. And my wife would always try to indulge the waiter or shopkeeper with her basic high school French. This would cause a genuine, friendly but rapid response back in French. At this point it would be apparent my wife was now lost in the translation and her next reply would be in English. At that point we would get the rolled eyes, shoulder shrug and a great attitude in return. And it would deteriorate from there I found that if I just stayed with my basic English approach that it seemed to be no harm, no foul and they just replied in English. |
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Post by pixiedust on Jun 27, 2008 19:55:14 GMT -6
I find it interesting too as I have heard for years that the French do not care for Americans and are not particularly helpful if you come and don't speak French. I know things can ch-ch-change and maybe they have - that makes me feel cautiously optimistic. Thanks so much for answering my questions - I'll take a look at the website you recommend regarding apartments, etc. Seems to me like you really get a good deal with that! If you figure your average nicer hotel is going to be somewhere north of $100 US a night and probably more like north of $200 US a night - the price you paid is phenomenol! Especially having the access to also bring in your own food which will save money on eating out. (though all of those places you ate sounded SO wonderful to me!) Thanks Jake for your info too.
Now I've just got to convince my husband that HE wants to go to Paris...(which will probably kill any trip to Jamaica for that year unless we hit the lottery.)
Colleen
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Post by pixiedust on Jun 27, 2008 20:00:56 GMT -6
Oh, hope you have a GREAT Disney trip - is it Disneyland or Disney World?? I've only been to Disney World in Florida and then not in the last 30 years I guess (sigh, I HATE being able to say that... lol).
You'll have to give us a trip report on that when you get back. Hope all the small kiddies enjoy themselves. I know my boss went recently and her daughters are about 4 and about 6 or 7 and they had a wonderful time. The whole family was exhausted when they got home though so I hope you've scheduled a few days for yourself on the end of the vacation.
Colleen
We've learned to work one in too after our Jamaica trip - it helps as the first 2 days we end up mostly sleeping! ;D
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I hear Italy is good for purses and shoes!
