Paris was gorgeous, but I am glad to be back in the States. The main reason why I love going to Europe is because of the history, art, and the architecture. I could gaze at the buildings all day long. It’s truly beautiful in Europe, so unlike the U.S.
Last time I was in Paris, I saw the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Notre Dame Cathedral, but I had not yet seen any of the museums. I had a book which guided me and told me the history of the important art work that I should see without wandering endlessly and aimlessly through the museums I wanted to see. This book guided me through the Louvre, Pompideau Center, and the D’Orsay without wasting immense amounts of time. So it was PERFECT! It had the right amount of information, and even told me which way to walk–it was so easy. The other touristy thing I had done was take a night cruise down the Seine. That was cool, as well as a day trip out to Giverny (where Monet’s house and Japanese gardens are) and Versailles. Both trips of were beautiful and well worth the day trip out of Paris.
But there’s some crazy stuff in Paris that trips me out.
- Motorcycles will weave between cars and buses, and sometimes hop onto the sidewalk. Aren’t there any laws for motorcycles??
- There are no lines on the street in Paris. HOW do you even know how many lanes there are? I’d cause an accident within a second. And you thought Virginia drivers were bad…try Parisans.
- How French women are still skinny (although I did read an article, it says that 40% of French population are in fact overweight). Because the food, it’s SO fattening. If I lived there, I think I’d have died at age 21.
- Water–it’s quite challenging because I drink VASTS amounts of water every day. About between four and five 24-ounces of water a day. In Paris, you have to plan, so you’re not stuck in the middle of the city trying to find a bathroom. And at dinner, I like having a couple of refreshing glasses of water, not in a wine glass. *grumbles*
- Airport security–I did NOT feel like their security was up to par as it is in the U.S. I feel much more safer going through airport security here in the States.
- I still don’t get the whole ohmygod this is the Mona Lisa. You do realize it’s that small. And PEOPLE, please don’t use a flash when taking a picture of the mona lisa, because it’s gonna bounce off the glass, and give you a crappy picture. I personally was more elated to see the Venus de Milo. Now, THAT was GORGEOUS.
- The weather would change every minute, literally. One minute, it’d be gorgeous, the next windy, then it’d pour down rain. You could see the sky move so quickly. It was absolutely insane.
On the plus side:
- I took over 200+ pictures. I think they turned out good.
- The people at the hotel were so gracious. And definitely take advantage of the concierge. They give you helpful tips, and will try to make your stay as comfortable as possible. I felt so under dressed at the hotel. but it was a gorgeous hotel.
- Monet’s Japanese gardens were indeed blooming and GORGEOUS.
- I pretty much dress similar to the French people. So I felt right at home.
- The Pompideau Center holds modern art. I enjoyed that more than anything. It was fun. crazy, and you can totally chill outside of it, and watch people all day long.
- I love the small cars in Paris. They’re insanely small. and take up less space. Way cool. FUNKY cars.
- I do, in fact, like that there are prix fixe prices added on to your meal, which made it easier as opposed to trying to figure out how much you owe with the tax and tip. It’s automatically added on to the bill, which made life so easy. I think if the U.S. could adapt that style, it’d work so much better, and the waiters/waitresses wouldn’t get gypped on the tips. I like how it works in Europe.
Paris was fun, with the exception of the crazy tour bus lady. That’s another story. But being back in the states in less than a day has made me appreciate the gym (I was ELATED to be back at the gym sweating), being able to drink water on a regular basis, eating tasty fruits and vegetables. Ah, it’s good to be back.
I also missed talking with my roommates and my friends. That I definitely missed!
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Did you know that you could get free museum admission in Paris if you’re deaf?
Back in ‘79 I was in Paris for like a week with my family. I decided to take a stroll on one of those streets where the street vendors were selling their wares. I bacame fascinated seeing large grapes almost big as ping pong balls, I decided to touch one of the grapes. Immediately a lady started barking at me in French. I saw a guy was laughing and I signed to him I was deaf and he wrote something on paper and handed it to me. It was in French, I shrugged, he laughed. I went back to hotel and showed the note to the lady at the desk and she laughed. She wrote to me the note said “She said why dont you touch your butt”.
haha - that’s funny! Must have been a cranky storekeeper. Usually you can touch the produce and maybe take a piece or two to taste first before making the purchase. Too bad you didnt taste it as those grapes are delicious and tastes differently from the grapes in the states.
Actually, Albert, the storekeepers prefer that you tell them what you want and they will get it for you. It’s a faux pas to gather up what you want and bring it to the counter like we do here in the States.
Amazing how cultural differences can be found in the littlest everyday things! :)
Actually Carrie, that depends on which type of store you’re talking about. Outdoor store with produce readily available on tables, those shopkeepers do prefer to handle it themselves. For other type of stores, go ahead and help yourself.
Ahem… Things does operate differently over here in Europe. No lanes on the road doesnt makes European drivers any worse than DC beltway drivers. I’m willing to bet there weren’t any auto accidents. Trying putting VA drivers in Paris, you’ll get an instant pileup! Motorcycles - hmm, I dont know about riding on the sidewalk. In general, you can do that if you’re doing it slowly and looking for a place to park. Yes, sidewalks are valid place to park your bikes (motorcycle, scooters, vespas, etc) just like your bike. Small funky cars, I assume that’s the Smart car made by Mercedes and Swatch? VATs - Value Added Tax. Love them too, no surprises as to what’s the tax for whatever you’re buying! €4.20 means €4.20 not €4.20 and something added as tax afterwards. Easier to know how much exact change you need for your purchases. So much easier than giving out exact change and only to find out that you needed additional 27 cents. Quite embarassing if you didnt have enough cash heh! That’s usually what happens when I come back to the states for a visit. There are lot of stuff that US could learn from Europe….
What? Not a sojourn to La Balme, a village near the northeastern edge of Lyon? Turn in your Deaf card, lady! :)
Actually, I prefer Italy and Rome. The French have a well deserved reputation for being arrogant ********.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/060520/139/64ecn.html
Agreed about the arrogant Frenchies! They weren’t too bad before the Iraq invasion. But they’re so much worse now.
Erin,
where can we see your photos? You should set up a Flickr account for yourself.
Ah, Paree, Paree! How I envy you, Erin. I miss Paris dearly. Next time you go, check out the Instituit Nationale des Jeunes Sourds. That’s the school where Jean Massieu and Laurent Clerc attended and taught. When I went, it was trippy reading a plaque in French waxing rhapsodic about Gallaudet’s visit. I read this French deaf history book that devoted a substantial section to Gallaudet and Clerc, and the main thrust was “we helped them, and Americans are so much better off, while our education has declined.” It was a surprise to find that its a big deal over there too. Anyway, lucky you, Erin. Paree, je t’aime!
Forgot to add the website - http://www.injs-paris.fr
The whole site is in French, but take it from me - it mainly talks about the programs and services, but at least it has a street address. I don’t recall what arrondissement its in off the top of my head. Its worth a visit!
ohhhh i miss paris. thank you for reminding me europe exists….
Sounds lovely! Monet, I absolutely love his paintings, gorgeous. About the book you mentioned, what’s the name of the book?
I was in Paris for a couple days last year and I was not impressed with how people handled their dogs’ poops It was EVERYWHERE, even at the CDG airport. It mars the beauty of the city when I was wandering in the centre. But you are right about the food. It was great to have a fixed price on a complete meal and you could have asked for a litre of wine.
From the language of some of the posts here, you get the suggestion that Paris and Europe are interchangeable… they aren’t. Just as with DC and the rest of this fine country of ours.
Ah, you’re just cranky cuz you saw someone mention dog poop, food, and complete meal in the same post. How’s Arizona? Hot?
Yesh! Years ago at Lourve, I was stunned to see how small the painitng of Mona Lisa was. See this picture http://www.atkielski.com/inlin.....Large.html Look at the size compared to other large pictures in that room! Well, most tourists use flash anyway technically forbidden but not enforced) BUT they end up having some reflections because it is hanged inside the bulletproof glass.
So there is no point in using flash. With a sophisticated camera without flash unit (if you have one), your picutre will turn out fine. I LOVE Paris!!despite the fact that most French people are snob. I think it’s part of their culture according to the French literature!
The French were recently voted as the most loathsome of people in a British survey. Although, that same survey portrayed Americans as those who lack style and that American food is boring and uninspiring.
Opinions aside, The results of a recent vintage wine tasting event had proved the French wrong when they claimed that Californian wines wouldn’t age as well as their French counterparts. Californian wines crushed the competition by placing first through fifth. The link to this article is pasted below.
The French, they’re always saving face.
Blaflooey me! Heres the link I had promised above:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/arti.....1OS530.DTL
Were you aware of Cafe Signes?
http://www.cafesignes.com/
It’s a Parisian cafe run entirely by French Deaf people and you have to order in LSF!
Cooooool! I’ll hafta check that out next time I’m in the area! Merci!
Amazing how much French-bashing there is here. Truth is, if Americans go to Paris and expect them to speak English immediately, yup, they’re in for a very nasty surprise. I’m not defending that, just acknowledging reality. However, every time I have attempted to meet them halfway by gesturing or using a few words of French, they are so incredibly friendly and helpful. Yes, even people in the heart of Paris, like in the 1er or 2e Arrondissements. All they ask is that you don’t barge in speaking or writing English right off the bat. I have tales of people using English and the reaction they got versus the same people gesturing or attempting feeble French. Even a simple “Pardon, je ne parle pas français. Je regrette. Parlez-vous anglais?” will go a long way.
You’re right absolument! If you make an attempt to initially write in French, no matter how bad you may be, they will really appreciate your effort. French people have to put up with so many tourists doing dumb things in their country and they will breath a sigh of relief with those few tourists that take the time to fit in with the French.
There was one time when I had a big blister on my toe from walking so much over the previous few days. When I went into la Pharmacie to get something for the blister and I tried to explain in rudimentary French words what I need.
The French lady made me to sit down and she actually took off my shoes and socks for me and got a special blister bandage which she then put on my stinky toe!
Arrogant and snobby French? I don’t think so!
Oui, c’est vrai! It isn’t even necessary to speak French, as long as one tries to say stuff like “s’il vous plaît.” I’ve seen my friends get by with that successfully. For me, it’s a bit different, since I’m a Francophone, albeit not a fabulous one. French people, including Parisiens, can be downright charming, whether you know one word or one hundred words of French. Once I needed ibuprofen when I was near the Arc de Triomphe, and I went in to the pharmacie. I had no idea what the French word for ibuprofen was, so I described my symptoms, gesturing more than writing. I apologized for my terrible French, and the pharmacist shushed me, saying, “Non, non, pas de probleme!” She was so sweet. (Aside: turns out the word is ibuprofène! Duh! *grin*) You said it, Jared. They are NOT arrogant and snobby if you don’t barge in expecting them to speak English right off the bat.
Hi Noelle,
Could you tell me where I can get more info on the free admission in Paris if you are deaf? Do I need a special card or something? any help would be greatly appreciated.