Got a ticket booked for France in the Fall. Instead of staying in Paris, I’m going to be living with Frédéric and Misun in the town of Chartres. That way I’ll save money on accomodations, since the train goes to Paris every hour, only takes an hour, and is much cheaper than a night for a hotel there.
With three weeks booked, I know I’ll be able to go at my own pace in the city, with plenty of time to spend with Frédéric, Misun, and the boys too.
These three Frommer’s books came in one pack. I was happy to find one that focused on Paris alone.
My French comprehension has rusted to the point of being non-existent, so the dictionary and phrase book seemed like a good idea too. It’s filled with hilarious phonetic pronunciations, like “ehs-kuh tueh praw~ lah peel-uel” for “Est-ce que tu prends la pillule?” or “Are you on birth control?” in the Getting Intimate section. I wouldn’t be surprised if Paris was the only city to have this section, which includes translations for “Harder!”, “Faster!”, “Deeper!”, and “May I come inside?” (although I suspect the last one isn’t exactly the meaning I’m thinking).
I also bought this Paris Moleskine, embossed with the city’s name on the spine. It’s overpriced for a notebook, but worth it for the convenience. Contains condensed versions of all the most useful information, including numbers for transportation companies (including air balloon!) and city maps.
At the front is a fold-out map of the metro.
These loose notes are also perforated so you can tear them out while maintaining a clean cut. This idea must have been from an overstock of acid blotting paper from Frommer’s less legitimate businesses.
There’s even a small ruler on the other side.
About half the notebook is organized with these little tabs, for “Places, legends, recipes”, “Bars, wineries, and stories”, “Places, dreams, adventures”, “Names, faces, encounters”, “Info, shopping, art”, and “Books, movies, music”.
In the back pocket (found in most Moleskine’s) is a set of extremely sheer tracing paper (for tracing over maps and like), and a set of labels for custom tabs.
Be careful and take LOTS of photos!!
I’m definitely going to be doing lots of shooting. I plan on picking myself up a spare battery and a few extra memory cards.
What was the “May I come inside?” translation??? Make sure you eat some god damned macarons in my honour!
It’s “Puis-je entrer?”. I figured it wasn’t what I thought it was cause they have another translation for “You want it on the face or stomach?”
Gak.
Okay, I may have been making up that last one.
This is perfect! I know you’ll take fabulous pics and catch me up on what I missed — I didn’t make it to Chartres last year, I was Sooooo exhausted.
My greatest phrase advice: “Lessez-moi tranquil, s’il vous plait!” will dispatch most any pickpocket. Used it! Works! And the only place you’ll need it is where there are hordes of tourists, because that’s where the pickpockets hang out.
You’re going to LOVE it, have you been before?
Really? I thought pick-pockets worked surreptitiously. I’m still trying to figure out a way to keep all my important stuff out of my pocket.
I’ve never been to France, which is why I chose to go there this time. Also why I’m SUPER EXCITED.
The street crime in Paris is not like American street crime as I know it. Where I come from, it’s smash and grab, or point a gun at you.
In France, it’s little kids or teens (sadly, often Romany gypsies) that come up and talk to you while they pick your pocket — it’s planned distraction. So all you have to do is be on the lookout for it. They’ll ask you a question, ask you if you dropped something, try to present you with something where your hands are busy, like that. It’s all con jobs.
Wow, that really puts the cultural differences into perspective. Even the crime is a little more civilized over there! My Frommer’s book does cover bad areas and how to avoid getting ripped off or pick-pocketed. It really does cover everything.
comme je suis tres tres jalouse!
i loved paris. would die to go back again. maybe sometime soon.
can’t wait to see your photos.
I can’t wait to see my photos too. :)
Nice! You have to visit the Catacombs… it’s a very unique experience!
My fav Paris pic from our weekend-only trip (went for wife’s bday heh): http://goo.gl/Ckqr :)
Very nice! Thanks for sharing these, because it gives me an idea as to what camera gear to bring. And you flew her out for her birthday…she’s a very lucky girl.