Tiptoe through the Tulips to an "Orange" musuem!

Wow, now that's a title to a blog to cure anyone curiousity!

In my humble opinion (IMHO), I think to visit Paris, its not a bad idea to have some sort of itineary. Much to my family's dismay, I had one for everyday. With my Rick Steve's Paris 2011 and lots of research, I made note of what musuems were closed what day, what time they were open and most importantly, what was the best "route" to take. Which brings up to day one:

* Concord

* Musee de l'Orangerie

* Tuilerie Gardens

* Louvre

...and because I underestimated my family:

* Rodin Musuem

* Napoleon's Tomb

Metro: Concorde

Once you have exited the metro, the only advice I can provide is to look for the Obelisk of Luxor. (pictured) From here, admire the statues, the fountains and of yeah, the great view of the Eiffel Tower! Be careful you pay attention to traffic when crossing the busy streets. You will see the entrance to the gardens, but first, drop in to the Musee de l'Orangerie to admire some Monets before you get started. (Its the building to the right of the garden entrance)

Musee de l'Orangerie

• Closed Tuesdays




• Open from 9 am to 6 pm




• Free admission with Musuem pass

• Full rate: 7, 50 euros; 5 euros for reduced rate


• Free entry first Sunday of every month


• Audio guides (in every language) are 5 euros


• http://www.musee-orangerie.fr/


• Be prepared to go through security, ladies keep your purses open for a quick examination.

This musuem was a great start. Huge, cirucular rooms with long, Monet's "Waterlillies" are first to greet you. Photography is allowed, so snapping your picture in front of one of the most famous art pieces in the world is a definate! Take your time, have a seat and let it all sink in that you are looking at a Monet. When you are ready, head downstairs to see some Renoirs and Picasso. In my photo album, I took several pictures of the Monets, Picassos and Renoirs, along with a painter who was doing her own "version" of waterlillies. I didn't see what she saw, ugt hey, each its own. ;) Don't forget to stop at the gift shop on your way out. They have some amazing prints for sale! I opted for a couple of postcards for a euro a piece. They are going to look great in a frame on my wall. (I like cheap art. Sue me.)

Tuileries Gardens

Once you are ready, head outside. We went to the right, so we could have a view of the Seine river. Take a nice, long lesiurely stroll through the Tuileries Gardens. I can't express enough how this is a definate "do not miss" in Paris! Here, you can admire everything from the flowers, to the Parisians enjoying a sunny day. Its definately a great place to people watch, plus its free to roam. This was one of my family's favorite places in Paris. It was just so nice to sit and relax. It was a picture perfect spring day in Paris, we sat at the outdoor cafe for over an hour (picture above). We got a cheese platter, creme brulee, a chocolate crepe and three cokes. Our bill was a little over 40 euros! 15 of that was just for the drinks. Consider yourself warned. We kind of regretted not bringing a pinic lunch, the gardens would have been a perfect place to do just that. Just do yourself a favor..take your time and soak in the scenery!

Straight through the gardens is the Louvre. This is a great way to approach it, you can take in its beauty from each step you take toward it. The closer you get to the Louvre, the closer you will be to getting suck into the street merchants. They walk around with rings of Eiffel Towers, postcards, watches, hats, sunglasses and more. Skip them. They may seem friendly (which I'm sure they are), but in my opinion, they were trained since birth to lure the tourists in. YOU CAN FIND THE SOUVENIRS CHEAPER ELSEWHERE. I promise. Just move on. There usually are several of them, all selling the same thing. I think they work for the merchants throughout town, raising up the prices just enough to suck in the tourists. Again, bypass them. A simple, "Non" or a dismissal wave of your end will do. There are usually a couple of guys standing around with a bucket of bottled water for a euro (note: they probably bought it at the supermarche for half the price). Get used to this, any touristy stop you visit, they will be there. Also beware of the young children asking you to sign some sort of petition. THEY ARE NOT REALLY DEAF/MUTE. In fact, watch them long enough you will see them talking to each other. Also, keep your purses close and your wallets out of your back pockets.

The Louvre is its own blog, which I will finish once I get the pictures uploaded. To see my pictures from the Musee de l'Orangerie and the Tuileries Gardens, please visit my photosite listed above.

Au revoir!

~Heather~

Grab a grocery cart!

Day one! We made it thanks to Air Canada, perfect directions to the hotel (we took the RER and metro) and a quick nap at the hotel. I (starving) asked the hotel clerk where the "super marche" (supermarket) was and within walking distance, I was out to venture on my own! Carefours is a supermarket near our hotel. I already miss it. I went in alone, going up & down each aisle laughing hysterically to myself because I wasn't quite sure what half the stuff was. I realized a couple of things about Paris on that first trip:

1. Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Ginger Ale seems to be the main (and sometimes only) soda you can find there. (Diet varieties too) For around a euro or less, you can pick up a can. Remember I said that when you go to a cafe and to get a similar amount, you're paying 5 to 5 euros. Its also usually poured over a fresh lemon slice. Opt for "le vin" (wine) especially the house brand. You can score a glass for around 3 euros. Also, there are no such thing as free refills in Paris. Even cheaper, order the tap water, its perfectly safe.


2. Schweppes Acrum has a fan page on facebook for a reason. Fans begging this delicous soda to come to the States. I suggest you join too.


3. Peach tea? Really? I'm from the SOUTH. We believe in a cup of sugar per gallon! Although, I actually became addicted to this while over there. Also, lack of ice. Hope you are staying at a hotel with a BAR. They have ice. Just keep this in mind on your first day there, not the second to last like we did. Duh, right?


4. PRINGLES!! You will find a few "American" staples that you will probably pick up, just to have it. Surprisingly enough, it tastes even better.


5. Wine is cheaper if purchased at the Supermarche.


6. Yes, the eggs are not refrigerated. Good observation.


7. Cheese and baguettes. These are perfect for picnics! Cheaper than at the bakery too! Also, the chocolate crossaints are cheaper at the supermarket too. Typical crossaint runs about 2 euros at the bakery, or you can get four for 3 euros at the super marche. We lived off of them.


8. The fresh flowers in the markets smell amazing. They will look even more amazing in your hotel room.


9. Explore, explore, explore! Ask the French what they suggest. Maybe dig a recipe or two (if you are staying in an apartment). Try something different. Get a box of cookies or try a new fruit. You are in Paris! Be adventerous!


10. The currency is extremely easy. Their money works the same as ours. The bills are smaller, and they start at 5, 10, 20, etc. The one and two euros are actually coins. They also have pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. So, if your grocery bill is 33,25 euros, then you give them a twenty, a ten, three one euro coins and a quarter. Easy! :)

So that's the supermarche tips I wanted to provide. Now, let's move on to day one.

Why did I leave????

First, big apologies for not writing everyday as planned. It went something like this: Internet sucked, everyday ended with a faceplant into the bed, three days of jet lag and finally unpacking my laptop. Hello. I'm back. My really good friends gave me a nickname a few years back. The Caucasian Asian. Why? Because if I say I'm going to take a few pictures, usually ends up in several hundred of them. My friends probably don't know what my face actually looks like, since its usually behind a camera. I love photography. I believe if you see something beautiful, why not keep it forever in a picture? Because of this, I come to you with a warning...I took over 1,000 pictures of Paris. Because of this, I am going to cut my blog down to sections of places we have visted. I will give as much detail as possible through my own research, to make it a bit easier for future travellers. I have about half of my pictures uploaded, but I'm going to post them as I blog to my photo site: http://heatherseuropeanvacation.shutterfly.com But first, to sum up my trip to Paris...AMAZING. I saw so much, did so much, ate so much and wish I never left..so much. I absolutely ADORE the French, they were the most kindest, gentlest and most compassionate people I have ever met. These people love their city, their very proud of their city and they are willing to go out of their way to help a lost tourist navigate their way through their city. I had an amazing time! I can't wait to share with everyone my memories and my pictures. :) Enjoy! ~Heather~

just a quick update

i am on a french keyboard with 15 mins left. Absolutely love it here my feet hurt from so much walking i absolutely hate the metro stairs but i love paris i cant find the shift key to save my life the people here are wonderful i actually had a pickpocket it was walking off the metro and i felt a hand slide so carefully and quick in my back pocket. luckily it was empty i swear i am not derrunk on too much of this delicous wine i swear:::::maybe, lol neve knew i liked feta cheese or peach flavored ice tea cant get enough i got a i love paris tshirt, next i need shoes why cant i find the exclamation point on tjis thing???? love versailles, didnt kill anyone on the golf cart the people here are beautiful this keyboard sucks escargo need to try those too maybe tomorroz this is a mac? seriosly? love paris, love love love exclamation point need 2 go drink more wine more later au revoir heatherrr

Bonjour from Paris!

We're heeeerreeee!!!

And I'm exhausted. But, I'm excited so I'm going to blog first. The flight went really well, we took a red eye on Air Canada which I recommend. The food was really good (surprisingly), the stewardess were awesome (they let us move seats), there was a TV screen on the seat in front of us so that rocked. I watched "The Kings Speech" and started watching "Blue Valentine" but I thought it was a bit inappropriate. Hit some turbalance so my curiousity for wondering what Space Mountain at Disney would feel like has been answered. I slept off and on so it wasnt bad. (My family on the other hand, has face planted onto the bed and is OUT).

I made note on the directions from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris. No joke, its actually quite easy.

Get off the plane, get your luggage and find the signs for "Sortie" (exit). Once you are in the main area and you want to go into Paris via train (RER), follow this:

Go to terminal 2C. There is a booth on the right hand side that says "Tourist Information". From here, you can pick up EVERYTHING. We got a Paris Viste pass (covers the metro, RER and bus) for zones 1-3. Now, you can't use zones 1-3 leaving the airport or to go to Versailles, so we opted instead to purchase the RER (train) ticket separately (it was like 8 euros). Luckily, the tourist information booth also sold the train tickets so that was something else we didnt have to deal with. We also picked up the four day musuem pass (if you dont know what this is, then you really need to do some Paris research!) We did not get one for the kid (she's 13) because th majority of the musuems are free for kids. The ones that are not (I will blog when we get to them) are only a few euros so no point getting her the pass.

Again to recap, you really dont need zones 1-6. The only two main things you would possibly need it for is to go from the airport to Paris or from Paris to Versailles. In my opinion (and others on TripAdvisors-"hi guys!"), just buy a separate billet (ticket). Its cheaper. (You could also purchase a book of 10 tickets for 12 euros but we are planning on using the metro/bus alot). Do your research, it pays. :)

So after you got your tickets, continue on following the signs for RER B. This is the train that will get you into Paris. Once you are on the train, just listen for the stops. We got off at Gare du Nord, then got on the metro. Now, piece of advice while on the train...you will get quite a few people (we're talking little kids, women with babies, grown men) walking through the train saying something, asking for money. Just don't look at them, they will go away. Or, simply say, "Non". They will leave you alone. Keep your bags close at hand, someone may grab it and jump off the train as the doors close. It happens.

Now, once your train arrives at the station, simply hit the little silver button on the door. This will open up the train door. Also, make sure you go to the door at the platform. Dont look like an idot. :D

The metro also, was very simple to figure out! Find your stop, then trace your fingers to the very last stop on that line. That is the "direction" you want to go. I got directions ahead of time from the hotel, they were very easy to follow and we had no problem. :)

We found our hotel very easily! I had reserved them online and had requested a view of the Eiffel Tower. What are the chances, right? But, we arrived to our room, 629 and the first thing I did was fling open the curtain.... :D

Best view ever!!!!

I'll take more pictures and even video when it lights up. I can't believe this is my view for the next 6 days! Tres bien!

Now, I'm tired and I'm watching "Scooby Doo" in French. Its quite funny to hear Shaggy with a French accent!

Here's the start of my photo album with a few pictures that I have taken so far (I need to fix a couple, sorry about that!) More later when we adventure out! :)

http://heatherseuropeanvacation.shutterfly.com/

Au Revoir!

Heather

Nascar and Paris. Who knew?

Well, we left today. Left home around 1 pm drove to Charlotte (NC) to stay the night. Our flight leaves at Noon tomorrow. So excited!! Kind of funny when I think of it. We passed two airports (Raleigh and Greensboro) to fly out of Charlotte for airfare that cost $400 less per ticket. No complaints here! So now, we are relaxing at a hotel in Charlotte, watching "Harry Potter" and trying to digest something they called "food" at a restaurant called "ShowMars". I'm not sure exactly what it was that I ate, but I think it was supposed to be chicken...

Interesting thing about Charlotte, is the area. Lots of skyscrapers line downtown, the Carolina Panters football team and of course, their love for Nascar. Everything we passed, from billboards to street names, had something to do with their love of racing. Several motorcycles drove past, full of Nascar names and numbers, flags flying high on mini-vans and bumper stickers galore. All I could think of was, "Was this the last part of America I'm going to see before I head over to Paris"? Who knew? Dale Earnhardt seems to be a favorite here. I for one, am not a race fan so I kind of felt like I was missing the point. Then I thought about some of these bikers on their Harleys driving pass, with their mullets blowing in the wind, and I had that image in my head of them standing in the Louvre. "Oh look ya'll, its the Mona Lisa!" Kind of made me laugh. Mullets in Paris. Admit it, you got that mental image too. (I bet they would be brave enough to try the escargo!)

But then of course, my true friends knew why I was aiming toward flying out of Charlotte. That one store that I constantly talk about, that has some of the best Swedish meatballs and modern decor to match. Oh yes. The same store that when the automatic doors fly open, the angels from up above cry out in chorus:

Ikea.

For the first time in my life, I drove past it. Actually, I wasn't driving, but I was rapidly pointing from the passenger seat, and stating the obvious, that we just drove past the exit. SO (Significant Other who shall remain nameless to protect the guilty) just laughed. And kept on driving. Who does that? I mean, how can you drive past an Ikea? The chorus of angels drowned out in the background as we headed on to the hotel. Secretly, I was silently cursing myself for forgetting to pack the Advil PM. I could have used it later, crushed up and pour silently into a Dr Pepper. SO would have went to bed early, I could have snuck out with the GPS. But then, I had to remind myself, I am heading to Paris tomorrow. I know I can't cram a Stolkholm couch into my carryon, but I'm sure I can find something stylish to bring back, that might even possibly put Ikea to shame. If that's even possible.

Speaking of suitcases, do you know how hard it was for me to pack a week's worth of stuff into a 22" carry on suitcase? In my head, I had it all planned out. No problem. Everything I had mentally in my head fit just fine into that little black box with wheels. Well, then the time came and I was literally, sitting on my suitcase. I broke out the compression bags and went from small to medium to large size bags opening and closing...stuffing and shoving...This went on for two hours and eighteen minutes. I even went as far as getting a running start, into a graceful swan dive that turned into a belly flop onto the compression bags. Hey, it got the air out. Finally, I took out half the wardrobe, double checked to make sure there was a laundry room at the hotel and came to terms I would most likely be photographed wearing the exact same shirt for more than a day at a time. Feel free to NOT point that out. Maybe its something better left unsaid, if ya know what I mean.

So anyway, I think I'm prepared. For those of you who are like me, no detail left behind, you have a little spiral notebook full of information such as hotel address, metro stops of every musuem and monument (thanks TripAdvisor folks!), US sizes versus European sizes (you didnt think of that, did you?), some French terms so you wont mistakingly order a "Cheval" burger (thats horse) again and directions from the RER (train) to the metro to the hotel which you have memorized just to impress the family. (Hey, don't laugh..when you're from a small town in NC, figuring out how to ride the metro is like rocket science...literally)

I also printed out (in color) how to properly get from the airport to the RER and how to order the tickets. (I messed up last time) Even better, there is an actual section on these directions that tell you to get a SEPARATE ticket for the way back to the airport, that when you first ordered your tickets, you were not indeed, ordering a round trip fare. So next time, you won't find yourself standing at the last stop of the train station, looking into the airport, with no ticket to pass. If you are as fortunate as we were, the guard on the other side who decided to at that moment, go deaf and turn his back on you, didnt seem to care when you had to drop to your knees and CRAWL through the luggage space next to the turnstile. Also, keep in mind, that having to push your enormous suitcase while crawling through, that the French dont pack huge suitcases and are ALOT skinner so when they crawl through (lets pretend that they do, shall we?) they dont get stuck halfway through. Leading to the fact that your friend will stand there laughing hysterically, trying to pull you through while the guard keeps his back to you with shaking shoulders because he too, is laughing hysterically. Yeah, my friend got stuck. Well, let's pretend it was her, shall we?

So yes, thanks to compression bags, I have a little bit of room in my suitcase that I plan to fill up with Eiffel Towers.

They will go great with my new Ikea couch. If I ever get there to buy one.

:D

We have a layover...oh wait, did I mention, we have a SIX HOUR layover...in Toronto tomorrow. Once I get done visting every shop four times and looking for free match books, I'll try to blog again. I might have some time...six hours in an airport, I can't imagine running out of things to do...*le sigh.

Au Revoir, ya'll! Je suie en voyage a Paris!

~Heather~

2004 vs 2011

One thing I swore to myself while dragging my luggage up & down the metro stairs of Paris, was that if I ever came back, I needed to pack lightly.

Picture this: I had a 69 lb suitcase (no lie), a camera bag, a toiletrie bag and my purse. After the 3rd set of metro stairs, I was just tossing my suitcase down the stairs, yelling to the surprised French to "attention!" (watch out) as my oversized, packed way too much suitcase went barreling down the stairs at them.

It did not, however, serve it's purpose either on the RER (train) leaving from Charles De Gaulle airport to the center of Paris. Oh no. My friend who went with me, had no problem hoping off the RER to our stop with her small, carry-on bag. Me on the other hand, tried to push my way past a little old lady who was trying to take my seat. I was trying to get past, she was trying to get through. After screaming, "Ma Sortie" (my exit) to her numerously, she continued to push her 90 lb frame against me. Lucky for me (and it made a hilarous story to this day), a group of Italian men were standing next to the train door and saw my dilema. While my friend stood on the platform outside the train, the bells started to chime indicating the doors would soon close, and I would be stuck on the train with no clue where I'm going. The men yelled out to me if I needed help! "Oui, sil vous plait!" (yes please) I yelled back.

Before I knew it, I was air lifted into the air by several strong hands. The Italian Mafia had lifted me over their heads and was passing me through the crowd. I crowd surfed over the crowd who had gathered by the doors, many were squatting down, trying to avoid getting kicked in the head. I held tight to my suitcase, laying on my belly as I passed over heads, a death grip on my suitcase handle, for at the moment, I was convinced I was going to get mobbed. I haven't had this many hands all over my body since a concert I went to in Fayetteniem, when I decided to jump off the stage and crowd surf. Seconds before the door finally closed, my Italian mafia had thrown me off the train. Thankfully, I landed on my feet, next to my shocked friend. I looked up, as the doors were closing to a sea of surprised faces. Many mouths were open, some people were pulling others off of the floor (my suitcase managed to knock a few out) and everyone on the train plus platform, were silent.

My loud cheer of thanks ring out into the silence, "Merci!" I cried! The train barrelled off, the shock faces became a blur. I looked around the platform, everyone was frozen in place staring at me. To them, I was an American thrown off a train. To me, I was an American who got "assistance" off a train.

My friend looked over at me and with a deep sigh replied, "What a great entrance, Feath".

And it was.

:D