Thanks for all the help so far guys.
For you in the know, do Paris cafes have alternate sweetners like Equal, SweetnLow or Splenda? I’m thinking I’m going to have to take my own.
And do you wait to be seated at most cafes or do you just sit down and waiters come to you?
Ellemeno France has good yogurt. Also, meat stores whee the meat is cooked already is called a charcuterie, and you can get really yummy smoked meats there.
Great! Am writing this name down.
(Always carry your own toilet paper. Just since that's already been a topic.)
Check.
Leslie On the day you arrive, when you are battling jet lag, take a boat ride on the Seine. It is a good way to get a good overview of the city, see the famous bridges, and get a sense of where the major landmarks are. Since you are riding on a boat, you are not using a ton energy hiking around.
Really? I’ve heard the exact opposite. I’ve heard that no matter what time you arrive, force yourself to acclimatize to their time immediately (if you arrive during their day, stay awake, if you arrive during the night, make yourself sleep).
I’ve only been overseas once before and if I suffered jetlag, I didn’t know it.
I was SO pumped and wound up to be in London on my own, that once I got to my hotel (it was mid-morning and I’d been on a plane since 1pm the day before) - I changed and promptly went for a long long walk. I made some calls to let everyone know I’d arrived. I checked out the neighborhood, then walked up to Hyde Park for a few hours, then ducked into Harrods on my way back, and got some take-out from there, started back to the hotel to eat, got lost in the diplomats’ home part of town, made it back to the hotel, ate dinner, went out again to go to the chemist’s for giftwrap and tape for my London friend’s gift. On the way back, I found a grocery store, bought a snack and a soda and by the time I got back to the hotel, it was full on dark and I was ready to settle in, read a bit and sleep.
The flight to Paris is little more than an hour and half longer than to London, so I’m not expecting to feel much different.
Personal safety warning: keep your purse, wallet, camera, etc., close to you. There are pickpockets!
*sigh* Thanks.
belbbmSalad, meat and eggs? I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding something to your taste in Paris. Can I suggest fries instead of eggs? Then go to 'Le Relais de l'Entrecote' and have the best steak and fries you've ever had. There are two in Paris, Rue Marbeuf 15 and Rue Saint-Benoît 20. The one we visited was the Saint-Benoît one, it was in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. We had sunday lunch there, the place was packed with parisiens and they only serve one meal! We didn't know this going in but it turned out to be great. A mixed salad with excellent vinaigrette for starters and then a fantastic, succulent steak with french fries! We were a happy bunch!
Yes! I can eat potatoes! Steak and a salad. Sounds yummy. Thanks!!
I agree with Leslie, the boat ride on the Seine (with the 'bateau mouche' ) is a great idea. We spent a couple of days in Paris last June with our kids and the boat ride was one of their favorites.
Check.
Not far from the Eiffel Tower is the Rodin Museum, don't miss that. It has a beautiful garden and of course 'The Kiss' by Rodin.
We really enjoyed Beaubourg, (a modern art complex) with all the crazy scuptures. A very nice relaxed atmosphere, lots of street performers and outside cafés.
Writing this all down.
PaulI hope I love Paris, too. I wasn’t originally very enthused about the trip. Paris is my sister’s dream city destination, like London was mine. I was absolutely blasé about the trip until I actually started making the plans, now I’m really excited about it. Guess I just like traveling.
Regarding food, it's not that difficult to eat according to your specs. In fact, a ubiquitous thing is called "salade lyonnaise" which is frisee lettuce with bacon and eggs (usually runny soft-boiled): excellent lunch. Just skip the croutons. You can find this and many other "composed salads" at almost any cafe.
And I also read about salade nicoise? Something like that?
Do you know any French? It really helps to learn a little, especially the basic polite phrases. A little can go a long way and distinguish you from the "typical" American who shouts in English.
No, and that worries me a great deal. I am teaching myself how to count to twenty in French, the cardinal directions which is useful in the Metro and on maps and other important words like "right/left", "up/down", "higher/lower", "near/far", “where is -” “how much -“ and “get lost/beat it/scram”. But at least I know Spanish, so I have another language option. I just have to figure out how to say ‘Spanish’ in French so I’ll know how to ask people if they know how to speak it.
Definitely explore the Marais neighborhood: funky, rising, gay-friendly, great shops and cafes. The Picasso Museum is there (a little hard to find, but worth it), and the famous Place des Vosges
One of our hotel options is in the 4eme in the Marais neighborhood! I read it was the gay part of town and thought that a definite plus as far as safety from men getting pushy for two single women. But my sister’s French friend who is a cop – gendarme? – of some sort, said our hotel option in 7eme was safer and nicer. Which is strange for him to say so since I think he’s either a transsexual or a really butch lesbian.
OpinionistaHey Del, I'm lactose intolerant too. I suggest to tell the waiter in advance about your food allergies. Try to get them go to the kitchen to make sure whatever you are ordering has no dairy or gluten in it. It works for me, however I have to be a bit dramatic sometimes to get them understand it is a bad problem.
Gah.
OK, if the waiters speak English/Spanish, I’ll ask. Otherwise, I’ll just pick at my food.
Also, in Europe Diet Coke is called Coca Cola light.
LOL! Thanks. Guess I already know a "Royale with Cheese"
My sister could never find lemonade in London, they always kept serving her lemon-lime soda. But I found the words for a lemonade in French. She has it written down.
