Paris 2011-European Smile Experiment-My Happy Place

 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2011

Paris 2011-European Smile Experiment- My Happy Place

It's hard to believe a year has passed since Eric and I took our fairytale trip to Paris--Now, here we are back again. We loved it, stayed at a lovely hotel--it was all part of the Euro-Pass package--Euro Pass not so great--Hotels-- 5 stars plus and beautiful--and free

Frenchie is back

The Park, the panini, the fountains

Bikes, Crepes, the beautiful buildings

The gargoyles, Frenchie, My favorite birdman

Eiffel Tower, Seine River, Pigeon Lady

Pastries, Parks, and Castles

Self Portraits-waiting for our bikes

Bike Rides in My Happy Place

We loved this tree

Last day in Paris, at the hotel, the man selling Sorbet out of his truck.

Fontainbleau France

The Castle--European Smile Experiment

Michael Jackson danced in the streets.

Our last meal in Paris -- Frenchie eats Mussels-Steak & Potatoes-Chocolate Mousse.
Monya-French Onion Soup-Spaghetti -Flan with Caramel Sauce

The Macaroons-Buildings-Doors, and Graffiti 

Our time in Paris was magical. One day I told Eric I wanted to try an experiment -- I told him to smile at every single person he saw and see what happens--he then told me that in Paris, you need to say Bon Jour first, then the smile. I said, "Nope, this is my experiment. No talk, just a smile."  I did it my way, and he did it his way--Eric was correct, every person he said Bon Jour and smiled at, gave the same respect back to him--me not so good, I noticed eye contact was problematic, I struggled to get smiles in because they were so busy walking and looking at the ground rather than looking at who was walking towards them. The picture above with Eric and the lady on the bus makes me laugh. I smiled over and over at her. Not only did she not smile, she frowned at me, but good ole Frenchie says Bon Jour and smiles, and she is his best friend. 

One little girl looked at me, and I smiled--she immediately looked at me with a weird half smile,  half "whatever" look, and turned away--the only people who gave me any attention were Americans -- I am in no way saying that Americans are better or that they communicate better, it is just a difference in cultural backgrounds. I actually found the Parisians to be extremely helpful and polite; I think we live in a world where we all need to be more accepting of each other. I remember doing this same experiment last year when I was going through cancer treatments and had to be at Mayo for a day--for the most part, every person gave me a smile and at least a nod of the head in acknowledgment.

The day we took the bus out to my "happy place" to ride bikes was my favorite day ever--last year, we did the same thing, and I took that memory with me every time I had surgery or had to face an anxiety attack coming on--I feel at  HOME in that place--it was beautiful nothing had changed--my thoughts as I rode my bike through the beautiful tree-lined paths was that this is peaceful, no outside world to influence me, no noise but the birds and wind blowing in my face. I saw no cell phones, computers, or distractions--I was deep in thought. As Frenchie and I sat on a rock talking next to the lake, I told him, "please don't spend money on an expensive casket for me when I die, just cremate my body and put me in a Dixie cup, bring me here, and spread my ashes."  He laughed, but I was serious. I love that place. This is where I am entirely free from all life's worries; here, there is no VILLAIN, no one to disappoint me or hurt me; everywhere I look, there are people holding hands, kissing, hugging, laughing--simply put, they are enjoying LIFE. On my shirt that day were the words C'est Bon -- Frenchie said it means "It's All Good,"  perfect words for the day I had -- Life is Good --

Last Day In Paris

 

MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 2010

Last Day in Paris

I am sitting in the Hotel for the last night in Paris, happy, oh so glad that I have been living in this dream fantasy world of mine for 9 days, but now it's time to go back to reality. Tomorrow is the day we will do that, but before we do, I just wanted to say ...

This is the man who can frustrate me more than anyone else can, the man who can make me laugh more than anyone else can, the one who puts up with me and my imperfections. He is the man who has stood by me through the years; this is the man I choose to be with for Eternity... I love You, Frenchie !!!

If I stood in the city of Paris, what would I see? Well, at any given corner, in Paris, these are a few things I saw today...tons of places to shop, fashion is everywhere you look.



People drinking COKE, someone drinking a BEER, and lovers holding hands.




Double-Decker busses


Museums or Castles


Police cars and their cute European sirens going off.


Frenchie was so excited when it rained today; he had to have a picture with the umbrellas open and jackets on. Look at that smile!!



This is what Frenchie looked like ......


This is what he was trying to look like...... with the hat on backward.....note to Frenchie: You look much better.


Me and Frenchie, people, watching at Notre Dame


Salad, bruschetta, and Spaghetti for dinner.




Incredible Chocolate Mousse for dessert.

After eating, Frenchie did not want to ask for the check yet. Before we went to dinner, he told me that the European culture makes their dinners last 2 hours (at least). This is true; Frenchie and I went to dinner one night and sat next to this couple; we finished, went shopping, and walked back by an hour or so later, and there they were, sitting and drinking a cup of coffee or wine,, whatever it was.....seriously? So tonight, I told Frenchie I would sit and take pictures of him until he got the check... it didn't take too long after that. I said, " why not walk, talk and eat simultaneously?" Americans are much better at multi-tasking




Maybe he should lick his bowl; that could take up some time.
Or, I could lick my bowl.
.

Dinner should not last 2 hours, do ya think? I can sit here all night taking pictures of Frenchie.




Frenchie and I at dinner on our last night in Paris


Frenchie sportin' the Sperry's ..... me well, I'm just glad I don't have blisters after this week of walkin'.


I told Frenchie a few days ago I wanted to take some pictures of people's shoes.... he looked at me like I was from another Planet..he said I am a creeper, stalker kinda girl. I told him I can tell a lot about a person by looking at their shoes...








The lady in the blue pumps made me follow her into a creperie (who knows how many blocks) just so I could get a picture of her shoes, well, actually, she has no idea I took the picture... I wonder why Frenchie thinks I'm a stalker?



Frenchie and the French Maid.


I don't know what these are called, but they are really cool; 2 wheels in the front and one in the back.


Some window displays I liked.




POSTED BY BonBon AT 11:04 AM 5 COMMENTS