I Still Heart Paris

It will come as no surprise to anyone that I really love this city. Would you believe that in the 80's I came here once and departed early because I refuse to give what I called “those people” my money?

In the late 90's I returned once again on a business trip and on the companies money. I realized how when you are spending money people treat you differently.

I have been here so many times that I new have no interest in the museums and sights. I just like to hang out with the French peeps. Many people have asked me this week about what I am doing. The answer is NOTHING. I just walk a lot, see the street, go to the markets, shop and eat. I also take a lot of photos.

Oh, I will add photos and a photo album to all this later.

I finally have come to the point that I feel comfortable about using the Metro, wandering neighborhoods and speaking a bit (and I mean a bit) of French. Don't worry I am not fooling anyone. French with a New Jersey accent.

I have almost even learned to tolerate the ciggy smoke. You just cannot avoid it. Someday France will realize how damaging smoking is to your health. If it can happen in New York...

This is my first time staying in the Marais and I it's now my favorite area. Last time I was here I stayed at the Relais du Louvre and I think it was a bit, and I mean a bit, nicer than the so called “Grand” Hotel Jeanne d'Arc. The Louvre area was a bit dead but the pattiserie near the hotel was good and there was easy access toi the Metro.

Two years ago I stayed at the Hotel Britannique and I really liked it but right now, with the value of the dollar, it's out of range. Before those hotels I stayed at the Le Grand Intercontinental, but I didn't pay for that.

Years ago when I first came here I stayed at a hotel on the rue des Ecoles in the Latin Quarter. I hated the hotel and moved to another which was the Royal Cardnial. Once I switched hotels I found the second one to be worse than the first. One had brown water, the other had no light and no air. My biggest fear.

Because of that stay  I am really not found of the Latin Quarter, nor am I interested in spending my vacation with students.

I hated Paris back then, people were nasty, I was poor and Paris was expensive. I could barely afford a good meal. But there were always the eclairs.

Earlier this week I wandered past the Royal Cardinal on my wy to the Metro station and I remembered my past and also reflected for a moment about how far I have come.

Yes, I am still staying in cheap hotels but now I can shop and eat as I please. I never have to worry about buying a €2 cafe eclair or a €60 sweater. I have also learned in my stupid life that all this can go as quick as it came.

I think Paris is a challenge. For me it had to be conquered because 20 years ago it abused me. Now it's my turn and it's on my terms. OK, I really don't have to stay at a budget hotel, and the Jeanne d'Arc was pushing it. I could have at least stayed at the Caron de Beaumarchais, Axial Beaubourg or the Britannique, but the value of the dollar sucks! Three years ago the dollar was worth about 35 % more.  WOW! It was all so cheap 3 years ago!

“And this too shall pass”

As I sit here on “Beaujolais Nouveau Day”, in a bar on the rue St Croix de la Bretonnerie, I realize one thing, a drunk is as obnoxious in Paris as he is in New York.

So let it be written... Blogging from Europe via Blackberry and AT&T Wireless

Comments

[opal]

Since you are writing from Ste. Croix de la Bretonnerie, next time try the Hotel de la Bretonnerie. We stayed there on our first visit and loved it.
Now we rent apartments, even for as little as 3 nights. We just like the informality and privacy more than a hotel.

[Mike]

Stayed at that hotel (Bretonnerie)and lked it, big old beams in the rooms and window over street. Hey, I stayed at Royal Cardinal couple years back...funny, definitely on the basic side (TV was broken and never fixed) but location was good. Interesting on how people value or do not value hotels...is it a pit stop for the night or a part of the Paris experience. Cardinal was a pit stop :)