ITINERARIES-
It's always fun to help plan Paris itineraries. One of my services is to help you plan an itinerary that matches your interests. You may be considering your first trip and want to hit the "high spots."
Perhaps you have traveled to Paris in the past and now want a more narrow focus. Think about what interests you. There are wonderful guide books available but sometimes it is more comfortable to get information from someone you feel connected to.
"COME ALONG"
Another service I am offering is what I call a "come along." I'm not a professional travel agent but I'm happy to offer the opportunity for Paris lovers to come along with me on various day trips when I am in Paris. For instance in March I am focusing on women writers of the Left Bank.
You are welcome to contact me by email and we can exchange information, interests and I will provide rates.
kathy.parisblooms4u@gmail.com
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I suffer from OWP...Obsessed With Paris
People frequently ask me about my obsession with Paris. My first visit was in 2000. It was my 50th birthday year. (Geez-so it was really my 51st and I start our relationship by shaving just a bit)
But the way I view my world changed during that visit. Since that first little virginal trip I have made at least one trip a year. Sometimes I will eek out two trips in the same year if I don't mind watching my credit card limit inch to the horizon. Actually I always thought it would be dreary to die with "paid in full" stamped across my tomb.
But I'm wandering. Paris is the story. I want to share that story with my current friends and those friends I haven't met yet. I want to share my experiences as "everywoman," and inspire you to take the leap. Search out a flight, book a hotel, don't wait for a partner. Just get out there and live. My writing will focus those "Paris snapshots" that we feel and see and taste.
And if your really interested in rambling around Paris for a couple days this winter, throw off the cloak of caution, leave "the attitude" at home and join me. Contact me at kathy.parisblooms4u@gmail.com.
But the way I view my world changed during that visit. Since that first little virginal trip I have made at least one trip a year. Sometimes I will eek out two trips in the same year if I don't mind watching my credit card limit inch to the horizon. Actually I always thought it would be dreary to die with "paid in full" stamped across my tomb.
But I'm wandering. Paris is the story. I want to share that story with my current friends and those friends I haven't met yet. I want to share my experiences as "everywoman," and inspire you to take the leap. Search out a flight, book a hotel, don't wait for a partner. Just get out there and live. My writing will focus those "Paris snapshots" that we feel and see and taste.
And if your really interested in rambling around Paris for a couple days this winter, throw off the cloak of caution, leave "the attitude" at home and join me. Contact me at kathy.parisblooms4u@gmail.com.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Just give me the butter!
Two college degrees, a lifetime of professional semi-success, perhaps 752 private French lessons and I could finally ask for the jelly. I can say the word 'confiture." By the way that means jelly. I can say jelly. We do-and should take our victories where we can get them.
Butter was the next challenge. I really felt on my last trip in May that I had graduated to the point that I could hold a limited conversation with the waiter who took my breakfast order each morning at the Cafe' Metro at Place Maubert. He was sullen. And I had no idea he was mistaking my attempts to add the word beurre (butter) to my breakfast repertoire, as the ultimate pick-up line.
I'm an American woman-that middle aged one. We smile at everyone. (trying to correct that) We are so happy when someone in Paris smiles back perhaps we overcompensate. And as I am once again trying to pronounce the word "beurre," he, in his still sullen look, leans over my face and whispers gently ..."bisou?" WHAT?? That is a kiss. "Bisou" means kiss. He thought I wanted a kiss. And although I couldn't get the butter I would be able to get the kiss.
I told him I preferred some butter. And then like all good Americans, I felt guilty. Obviously I led him on, I smiled too much, too friendly, too thrilled to be sitting in his cafe'. He didn't mind the refusal but I felt terrible. Naturally I left a big tip and did not return to my favorite breakfast place for the remainder of my trip. How really stupid of me and the next trip I am marching up to the Cafe' Metro. I'm ordering the petit dejeuner (breakfast) WITH jelly and double butter!
Butter was the next challenge. I really felt on my last trip in May that I had graduated to the point that I could hold a limited conversation with the waiter who took my breakfast order each morning at the Cafe' Metro at Place Maubert. He was sullen. And I had no idea he was mistaking my attempts to add the word beurre (butter) to my breakfast repertoire, as the ultimate pick-up line.
I'm an American woman-that middle aged one. We smile at everyone. (trying to correct that) We are so happy when someone in Paris smiles back perhaps we overcompensate. And as I am once again trying to pronounce the word "beurre," he, in his still sullen look, leans over my face and whispers gently ..."bisou?" WHAT?? That is a kiss. "Bisou" means kiss. He thought I wanted a kiss. And although I couldn't get the butter I would be able to get the kiss.
I told him I preferred some butter. And then like all good Americans, I felt guilty. Obviously I led him on, I smiled too much, too friendly, too thrilled to be sitting in his cafe'. He didn't mind the refusal but I felt terrible. Naturally I left a big tip and did not return to my favorite breakfast place for the remainder of my trip. How really stupid of me and the next trip I am marching up to the Cafe' Metro. I'm ordering the petit dejeuner (breakfast) WITH jelly and double butter!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
I fell in Paris...but not in love.
I wrote this just after my last trip to Paris in May 2011. As I prepare for trip in March I begin to work out steadily. Keep those bones in shape. You never know when you might need one for a good bounce.
My last trip to Paris was May 2011. The gods of lady tourists had smiled on me and I had a marvelous apartment with a view of the Eiffel Tower that was stunning. Lucky for me, because I spent most afternoons propped in my recliner watching the tower.
I fell on these picturesque cobblestones. Both ankles were twisted, shoulders bruised, head was oozing just a bit of blood and my "pretend I'm French" ego was shattered.
Luckily I didn't break anything. There was no trip to a french emergency room trying to say "I have broken hip." My injuries weren't hospital worthy but they definitely required me to spend afternoons on the puffy recliner with my feet elevated.
I chose to view this experience as just another voyage on what has become a life obsession with Paris. I roamed in the morning and spent the afternoons happily watching the tower.
There is a moral to this story. Paris is the best place on earth. Get there, be in the moment, love every moment regardless of what it looks like and always wear clean socks.
My last trip to Paris was May 2011. The gods of lady tourists had smiled on me and I had a marvelous apartment with a view of the Eiffel Tower that was stunning. Lucky for me, because I spent most afternoons propped in my recliner watching the tower.
I fell on these picturesque cobblestones. Both ankles were twisted, shoulders bruised, head was oozing just a bit of blood and my "pretend I'm French" ego was shattered.
Luckily I didn't break anything. There was no trip to a french emergency room trying to say "I have broken hip." My injuries weren't hospital worthy but they definitely required me to spend afternoons on the puffy recliner with my feet elevated.
I chose to view this experience as just another voyage on what has become a life obsession with Paris. I roamed in the morning and spent the afternoons happily watching the tower. There is a moral to this story. Paris is the best place on earth. Get there, be in the moment, love every moment regardless of what it looks like and always wear clean socks.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Train Travel
France has an amazing public transportation system and the trains are super. And more importantly train travel is "forgiving."For me this means "what is the worst that can happen." I think that is an analogy to all my travel. I don't believe I'll ever be lost forever and if you're polite to people as you wander aimlessly, they WILL be polite back.
A couple of years ago I took the train from Paris to the Loire Valley and I absolutely could not get off that train. The train would stop but I couldn't get the magic door to open. No one around to ask so I kept trying and missing. Took me three stops to figure out the incredibly easy system of opening that particular trains doors. By then I was way past my destination. Eventually, and it was only hours-not days, I made it to my destination. Had to take a country taxi cab part of the way. I actually still have the business card for that lovely and "no english spoken here" cab driver.
My point is get lost, panic a bit, and remember that there aren't too many tourists lost in french villages for months at a time. Unless, of course you want to be.
In preparation for my next trip I am reading two books by Ina Caro that focus on her organization of travel and history and blending those two. And no one seems to give advice on how to best visit a cathedral the way Mrs. Caro does. ( Hint- always bring binoculars)
There are both good reads and I highly recommend.
A couple of years ago I took the train from Paris to the Loire Valley and I absolutely could not get off that train. The train would stop but I couldn't get the magic door to open. No one around to ask so I kept trying and missing. Took me three stops to figure out the incredibly easy system of opening that particular trains doors. By then I was way past my destination. Eventually, and it was only hours-not days, I made it to my destination. Had to take a country taxi cab part of the way. I actually still have the business card for that lovely and "no english spoken here" cab driver.
My point is get lost, panic a bit, and remember that there aren't too many tourists lost in french villages for months at a time. Unless, of course you want to be.
In preparation for my next trip I am reading two books by Ina Caro that focus on her organization of travel and history and blending those two. And no one seems to give advice on how to best visit a cathedral the way Mrs. Caro does. ( Hint- always bring binoculars)
There are both good reads and I highly recommend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)