| Page Views: 310 Last Visit to Paris: September, 2006 | Discovering Our Personal Paris by tpal - last update: Jan 18, 2009 |
| Connecting the Left and Right Banks... |
For me, planning a trip is the first leg of the journey. I love getting out the maps, buying crisp new travel guides and, of course, perusing the experiences of other Virtual Tourists. And so, with great excitement and anticipation I set off on our trip to Paris.
As always, the questions began to take shape...how long...where to stay...what to see...what must we eat...and, of course, how do we experience this place as more than a passerby. As I expected, at first there seemed to be an awful lot to consider but I was certain that soon the pieces would start to fall into place...after all, I've done this sort of thing before. |
|  | After several weeks I had to acknowledge the truth...I was confused. Ok, there seemed to be about 14 neighborhoods...well maybe not neighborhoods, more like areas. Oh, but there are 20 arrondissements (though I'm not sure what an "arrondissements" is) but they don't seem to match up with the neighborhoods...eh, that is areas...is this really important? Maybe I should just move on. I'll concentrate on what is interesting.
Enter a new problem...IT'S ALL INTERESTING! |
| | Finally, I had to take a step back. I needed to remind my self of my own Virtual Tourist motto..."If you don't see it all you have a reason to return!". I had gotten myself into a "packaged tour" mind set...how much can I pack into the shortest amount of time...wrong...wrong...and wrong! For Carol and me it has never been about the agenda but rather the exploration. The question I should have been asking is not "what is interesting(?)" but rather "what do we love?"
At last the veil had lifted. Carol loves art and the chance to create art. I love Art Nouveau. Carol loves flea markets. I love craftsmen and artisans. We both love architecture and design, farmers markets, small out of the way neighborhoods and most of all...discovering the unexpected.
Suddenly, the planning became simpler and eminently more rewarding...and, fortunately for us, the magical city of Paris offered us all of our loves. |
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| Pros: | "Everything you've ever dreamed of...and more" | | Cons: | "Can be overwhelming" | | In A Nutshell: | "Make it your own!" |
 Comments for tpal about Paris | | | | |
BeatChick Thu Mar 12, 2009 04:39 UTC
Tom & Carol - just had to pop by to see your Paris photos again. Love the plaza-like place on rue de Turenne. And I've been on rue François-Miron but I've missed that boulangerie. Will definitely have to check that out next time! | Stephen-KarenConn Mon May 5, 2008 18:21 UTC
Excellent five star tips. Useful information with great personal touches. Outstanding use of multiple photographs. | Nemorino Sun May 4, 2008 00:57 UTC
Fine tips on your personal Paris, Tom, like jet lag in Place des Vosges and your walking tour of the 16th. I appreciate your detailed commentary on each individual photo. I actually did live in Le Marais (Rue des Rosiers) for 2 x 3 months in the 1960s. | Pawtuxet Sun May 4, 2008 00:33 UTC
You haven't lost your touch at all. Fabulous coverage, descriptions, and great photos. It all looks delicious. One day perhaps I'll get there. My daughter thought the Eiffel was like a ghost that showed up at the end of every street. |
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