Improving US/France International Relations

As usual, the work week was intense, and lots of long hours. It was a treat to have colleagues in from Ireland (American ex-pats -- one VERY cute) and have some decadent dinners with them. I think France has spoiled me - I may not be able to afford to eat when I get back to the US...my heart may not be able to survive the fat content either. Foie gras, boeuf bourginon, bordeaux, creme caramel, crepes, ...did I mention the foie gras? Go enjoy some now before it's outlawed around the world. ...and yes, the guilt is killing me, but I said a prayer of thanks and lit a candle for that duck's delicious sacrifice.

Sadly, just before the weekend, my 5 year old digital camera finally snapped its last shuttering shot and died. No more pictures. But by not stopping to take pictures I managed to cram a record amount of site-seeing into my final weekend.

Saturday morning I hit the Louvre. It was a surgical strike.

I was NOT playing around. If you're going to survive the world's largest museum, you had better get there early, have a pre-purchased ticket to avoid the lines, and you'd better have a plan of attack. I arrived before opening, and thanks to my trusty Rick Steve's guide book managed to share a few moments alone with Mona before the teaming masses arrived to worship. The art was amazing; the architecture, sublime. It killed me not to have my camera... at one point on my walk to tour Napolean's lavish apartments I had a perfect Paris shot from a window: the pyramid, the palace and the Eiffel tower in the background. C'est la vie. At least I have justification now to buy a new toy when I get home.

I left the Louvre and headed over to Ile St. Louis and Ile la Cite to tool around for a bit. I sat down at a cute little cafe just next to the bridge and thought I'd have lunch, but an obnoxious and LOUD American couple sat down next to me, practically in my lap and completely broke my mood. I opted out before ordering and instead watched an awesome jazz quartet perform on the bridge (a perfect Paris moment) and then toured Notre Dame. A service was in session and I took a seat to enjoy mass being recited in French. I strolled around on the Seine for awhile and then went shopping on St. Honore for a bit. Very trendy, and too expensive for me with the dollar being so weak.

For my final night in Paris, I knew I'd have to rally. I found my way back to the hotel for a late nap, did a little research and got myself together to go out. I had a hard time deciding between ultra trendy Buddha Bar and Hotel Costes. I wasn't in the mood for ultra hip lounging with the beautiful people though. Alone, I was feeling a bit intimidated, so at the last minute I went with a completely different option called Batofar, dancing on an old ship docked along the Seine.

Of course, I wasn't alone for long. I descended into the bowels of the ship and someone immediately took a liking to me. We had a great time dancing the night away. I thought I was doing OK by heading out so late, but evidently things don't really get bumpin' until 3am in Paris. As the crowd thickened, my host got a bit defensive. I guess I wasn't paying enough attention to the scene, just having fun. Evidently, a few other guys were edging in on his turf wanting to dance with me. Some of them tres adorable. A bit of a scuffle ensued, but thankfully didn't get far. Of course, I don't want to incite violence, but it IS great for the ego to be the object of such adoration!

One of the other contenders finally broke through to me but not through the language barrier. Me - no Francais; he - no Anglais. We settled for Espanol, but honestly, once he opened his mouth the mystique was gone. By around 4:45 I'd had my fill of dancing and decided to walk back to the bank to find a taxi to take me back to the other side of the city. My new pair of black patent leather pumps was obliterated, but the adventure was well worth it. It's not every night you dance on a ship in Paris.

Somehow I managed to wake up while breakfast was still being served in the hotel. I started packing things up and checked my bags before heading out to Musee d'Orsay. What a glorious train station this place must have been in it's day... it's pretty fabulous now. I saw some great works, but most enjoyed the collection of pastels and some art nouveau pieces, as well as the incredible view of the city from the balcony all the way up to the Sacre Couer.

Outside the museum, fortified by an orangina and a crepe, I was back on the train to the hotel. It was time to bid Paris "au revoir" and catch the plane. Next stop: Frankfurt.

Date 69 - Parlez vous amour?

Bonjour mis amis!

After arriving in Paris this weeked, I went down to Champs Elysee on Saturday and strolled around. Sampled tea and macaroons at a place that a friend recommended. Amazingly delicious. Unbelievably rich flavors: raspberry, toffee, caramel, chocolate.... mmmmmmm!!!!

The weather has been unseasonably warm. After walking around the Champs Elysee all afternoon, I was "glistening" (code for sweaty girl) and ready to get back to my hotel for another shower. I went down to the metro and waited for my train, 10 seconds later a guy plopped down on the seat next to me and started chatting me up. (Mind you, I looked disgusting and smelled even worse. It was a nasty hot day.)

I politely explained that I don't speak French, and asked if he spoke English. Before I knew it he was asking me if I had already eaten dinner and if I would accompany him... So there, ya go. Not even in the country for 12 hours, don't even speak the language and I'm on a date.

I think that's a testimony of how lonely I'm getting on the road that I'm now willing to accept a date from a total stranger in the metro.

At some point it occurred to me that if I turned up dead it would probably take the folks at work back in Austin a few days to notice. I'm scrappy though... I figured if push came to shove I could probablz take him. Overconfidence is clearly a problem for me.

We went down to the left bank and ate a nice little restaurant. Conversation was a bit challenging because of the language barrier, but still interesting. Evidently, I'm perceived as even more "uppity" in France than the US, go figure. Great meal. Nice wine. One of the perks is that bordeaux is not an import here! ;)

We went for a walk after dinner and he took me to see the small replica of the statue of liberty on the Seine. Then the La Tour Eiffel. He was holding my hand and even bought me a rose. Tres romantique. But I honestly didn't feel a thing... it was nice to have company, but the whole thing just made me long for a real boyfriend to be sharing that with.

He saw me back to my hotel after a circuitous walk and rode with me on the metro to get back. Of course, he wanted to spend the night, but I wasn't interested. I think the guy would have humped my leg on the train if I'd let him, and I hadn't even consented to a kiss. It's not like I was encouraging him. :P
I totally understand the Pepe le Peu cartoons from my childhood now... they are NOT exagerating!

Sunday I went out to Versailles.

What a pain in the ass.

The train I needed wasn't running because of some maintenance or something. Of course, not speaking French, this wasn't easily communicated to me. I got there eventually, but it was a huge effort. Lots of transferring at stations. Once I got there and saw the lines to get inside, I opted to just do the gardens instead. Words cannot convey the scale of the place. It's ridiculous. I spent all day and didn't even see all of the gardens! What's really amazing is the fountains... all of it done without pumps or electricity. It's a marvel of engineering.

Yesterday was our first day of work (although I was working on email over the weekend, of course). Boy, do I appreciate being in a Western country. There are numbers on the building, and they're in order! Hooray! Unlike Tokyo, I didn't spend two hours trying to find the place. I just took the metro to this stop... tried to find the right exit (impossible even with help from a kind Parisian), but easily figured things out from street level. We're in a hip and colorful little area, so I'm hoping to get to walk around at some point and explore.