Thanks for all the supportive comments on our upcoming trip! I’ve been to London three times, so I know what to see there and I’ve been to Edinburgh, as well, where I was fortunate to spend two weeks working on a show for the Fringe, giving me a lot of time to get to know that beautiful city. But it’s been a long while since that visit. Don has never been to either city, so it will all be new to him. He has been to Paris, whereas I haven’t.
As far as whether Parisians might be rude or any of that kind of thing, Don and I are open, friendly, respectful travelers, and I don’t expect, nor do I look for, any problems. Let’s just say that people are the same everywhere. Some are friendly and open, others aren’t. That doesn’t bother me. I’m not a Parisian. I’m an American who will be visiting a foreign city and there’s no way to disguise that fact. I’m not going to try to blend in, I’m going to be me and that includes dressing comfortably because we will be walking everywhere. I have a smattering of high school French and I’m going to refresh my skills over the next month. And I’m a nice person, as is my husband. Just another way of saying I refuse to go into anything with a negative attitude. It’s all positive. And it will be positive.
We went to one of our local bookstores yesterday evening to hear a guy that I follow on Twitter, Greg Olear, speak about his new book – Dirty Rubles, an Introduction to Trump/Russia. I had no idea he lived in this area and when he mentioned he would be at this bookstore – one that we often frequent – I was excited. He read from the book and there was an excellent Q & A afterwards. It’s a smallish paperback and Don and I each purchased a copy.
Always good to be with like-minded members of the resistance and hear their thoughts on where we are and where we need to be.
I’m throwing this in because it’s hard to get a good shot of the dollhouse as it’s in a corner of the often dark den; however, I was sitting on the sofa the other day and the light perfectly illuminated it, so I grabbed my phone and took a picture. It’s awfully pretty.
The humidity has dropped, thank goodness. Recycling today, a little mowing, and we have to sit down and map out the days of our trip and book our flights.
Happy Friday.
Have a great time in the UK. For us, the attraction of England is the charmingly beautiful countryside with gorgeous village after gorgeous village. London is great; we just prefer to leave and explore. Kent, Surrey, Suffolk– it’s all lovely. If you can get to one of the large antique fairs, you’d love that.
You’ll have a lovely trip.
This time it has to be London, because Don has never been there. We plan on day trips to Bath and Cambridge and an overnight in Liverpool for my Beatles crazy husband.
All I ever knew was a tour bus in England, so I don’t have knowledge of how best one gets to Point B from Point A. I’d planned a trip once from London to Cornwall (it didn’t work out because of my job; I let work get in the way) but I’d decided to do trains since I was by myself and felt a bit uneasy with the driving-on-the-left-side-of-the-road thing.
Of course you and Don are very accustomed to taking trains and buses from your home and into & out of Manhattan (as well as I’m sure other big metro areas you’ve lived in within the U.S.). I’m, on the other hand, completely unfamiliar with this way to get around although I know more and more people who are beginning to take the Los Angeles Metro rail (urban rail) because the freeways are so crowded and rush hour is impossible. (Southern Californians are reluctant to give up their autos.)
I will echo what another commenter said and that’s that I did take the tube (underground) quite a lot in Paris (otherwise it’s a LOT of [sightseeing] walking because Paris is huge) and I’m usually intimidated by that sort of thing (a subway) but it was an easy and cheap means of transportation (easy even for me; actually, I think the tube is London and the metro is Paris; I mixed it up with how people refer to them).
How will you be traveling in England, then…trains? Renting a car? (Even Her Majesty takes the train!)
We’ll take trains for our day trips. The rail service there is extensive and much easier (for us) than driving. Everywhere we plan to go can be reached directly from London.
Subways are easy for us and I’ve used the Tube in London many times. I’ve heard the Metro is a dream, so we’re all set.
So happy for you and Don that you can take this wonderful trip. You are going to have such a memorable adventure together and such a nice celebration for your anniversary. Looking so forward to seeing your excellent photos of all these farflung destinations. Appreciative that you’ll be sharing it with your readers!
I will! Thank you, Vicki!
I’m so excited for you and Don! It is so romantic to celebrate your anniversary in Paris…the stuff of dreams. I’m sure your parents would be delighted you are using their legacy this way. I’ve never been to London, but the little bit I’ve experienced of Paris has shown me it can be done in a big or little way and either way it is perfection. XO
I think we’ll concentrate on exploring neighborhoods, eating at sidewalk cafes and seeing the usual sites.
i am so happy for you and don to be able to take such a wonderful trip … and, whether you stay in the big cities or venture into the countryside, see the mona lisa or not, … it will be wonderful! planning is part of the fun, too, isn’t it?! enjoy!
glad the humidity dropped for you. makes all those chores a bit easier (and, in my case, more likely to get done). :)
also glad you could hear the speaker at the bookstore. please let us know what you think of the book!
are the taxes in? hope so. now go enjoy the planning of your trip as well as the long weekend!
kathy in iowa
Taxes will be in tomorrow, but the adding up of figures is pretty much finished!
I was an American in Paris and found most everyone very friendly. I was friendly and respectful of their country and found only one rude waiter my whole trip and that could happen anywhere! Enjoy. I’ll email you some of my thoughts on what to see in Paris. I’m very excited for you both.
Off to have lunch and wander through some vintage stores today with a friend. Maybe I’ll find a treasure or two? The dollhouse is gorgeous, what a great photo. Happy Friday!
Exactly! It can happen in NYC!
Hope you have a great day, Linda.
I’m so excited for you and Don! A trip to London and Paris is a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary and to cap off this year of highs and lows.
Thank you, Carolyn Marie!
You & Don will have a great time in Europe. No doubt!
That is a pretty little house. I wish I lived there.
Enjoy your day,
Monica
Thank you, Monica!
Hi Claudia! I am so excited for you and Don on your 20th anniversary! You will have a wonderful, memory-making trip to Europe! I visited Paris with a group in 1998 – it was truly beautiful! Paris has a wonderful Metro system…it was quick, cheap ($1.00 back then), easy to learn, and you can get around Paris quite efficiently (and I am not subway savy at all!). That helped us a lot as we were walking all over too! I just know you will have a wonderful time celebrating your special anniversary!! Francine
Thank you so much, Francine!
(I’m trying again to comment and we’ll see if I can finish up and post it! Hurray! It seems to have worked today for me!)
I’ll have to armchair travel for a little while, as my dear kitty just had major surgery. I hope he can come home today, as he has been in and out of the vet ER since Sunday, culminating in surgery Wednesday night. I’ll continue to worry until he’s back home recovering.
Poor baby! I’m so sorry, Wendy! Here’s to his arrival back home very soon.
Claudia, he’s home and on three different meds…I’ve had to make a chart to keep track. We’ve sequestered him in the office. Poor thing is in a collar so he doesn’t bother the sutures. I’m hoping he feels much better soon. He can’t groom himself, and he’s very fastidious, so I’m sure that will be frustrating for him. So I’ll give him a good brushing this morning. I’m glad he’s home.
Poor baby! I’m so glad he will heal, though. That’s the most important thing, Wendy. Give him a kiss from me.
Of course, everyone has different experiences when they travel. My husband and I have been to all three of “your” cities and have always had positive encounters with the locals. If we are willing to be tourists who ask for help, who want to know everything, who treat people with respect, and, in Paris, attempt our limited French, we have been met with friendliness and respect. I hope your trip gives you similar positive experiences.
Exactly. I expect only a positive experience. I’m just tired of people telling me that I should expect the French to be rude. Why? I don’t want their negativity!
I’m sure you will really enjoy your trip. You are right. There are friendly and unfriendly people everywhere. Many American tourists make the mistake of comparing everything to the US. When I was in Russia, I heard 2 Americans discussing how awful the bathrooms were in that country. They were loudly talking about this on a main shopping street in Moscow. I’m sure any Russians that heard thought Americans are snobs. I met one young women, that after saying hello, said ‘ I love Russia and would never want to move to the U.S.’. I said of course not we all love our native countries. It’s been many, many years since I had the pleasure of spending 5 weeks in England. Love that country. My dad is from England and all my relatives still live there so that probably ways heavily on my love of England. You and Don are good representatives of our country. Have a glorious time!! Patty Mc
Thank you so much, Patty!
Ooooh, I am SO excited for you and Don!!! I know you will have a wonderful time, and I hope you will take lots of pictures for us. I am so very happy for you!
I will definitely take lots of pictures!
Claudia, I don’t know if you are aware but New Paltz has one of the country’s best French programs, either full immersion or light review. And they have summer classes. Also, Noble and I stayed at a sweet hotel, Clearlake Hotel, in South Kensington London. Near to all and we had a suite with kitchen and tub bath and a little garden outside french doors where you could have breakfast.
Thank you, Tina! We’ll be there for 8 days, so I need something reasonably priced! (We’ll be taking some day trips to Bath and Liverpool.)
I’m aware of their language program, but I don’t know if I’ll have time. I’ll check it out.
What a funny coincidence,I have been thinking A Lot recently about Humming Bird Cottage,
just remembering how pretty it is. How much fun it was (for Me) when you were working on it!
Surprise It Pops up, and is just as I remembered it, Beautiful.! I went back to 2015 and read it all again!
Thank You for the pictures. Judy A-
Aw, I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks, Judy.
Forget Clearlake! We were there in 1987 but it now gets terrible reviews.
Oh, too bad!
Just like anything else….it’s all in your attitude. Caroline’s house is exquisite…would so love to live there. Enjoy your evening! ;)
Exactly! A positive attitude is the only way to go.
Looking forward to the photos you take on your glorious trip.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn.
Haven’t seen a picture of your sweet dollhouse in quite a while. It’s perfect in that corner.
I never encountered any “rude” people in Paris. Of course, when I travel I believe in treating people the way I myself want to be treated. And also in familiarizing myself with the culture before I go somewhere. I always greet people with a smile and a “bon jour” because it’s what they expect, particularly shopkeepers. Just a little acknowledgement that you see them. My last trip there one day I spent about 4 hours wandering, completely lost (I have NO sense of direction). There were a couple of very patient waiters who tried to explain about which Metro I should take when I stopped at a cafe and a couple people on the street who tried to point me in the right direction, but… Still, I wasn’t worried and, when I told a Parisian-born friend we met for dinner that night about my being lost all afternoon, he echoed my sentiments by saying, “ah, but at least you were lost in PARIS.” ;-)
We believe the same thing. Be kind, smile, and do your best to communicate using a little of the language.
I have never been to any of those wonderful cities or countries and never will be so it will be like other places I have enjoyed…I will see them through your eyes hear of them through your hearts…💑
Thank you, Nancy.
Nancy, I’ve made my peace with not going to a lot of places I’d hoped to ever go (overseas) and what’s really terrific is how, in today’s life, there are still so many ways to see what’s out there in that big wide world when, as kids all those years ago, about all we seemed to have was the National Geographic magazine! Even on basic cable now with the TV, there are some really interesting travel shows (I still always like Rick Steves on PBS); even on my local network channels. And of course just as we are online right now with blogging, we can also google any place in the world on the internet and see what it looks like and read about other people’s travel impressions. So, even from our armchairs and not on a boat across the ocean, the world is now opened to us more than ever. I have this blessed neighbor friend who I adore, age 87, who hasn’t been able to travel for many years but she stays alert and intrigued with the world outside her door…in her case, she doesn’t even have a computer, but she reads & reads & reads about other lives, other places; and she, like me, enjoys her travel shows on TV! We love comparing notes and discussing travel, she and I! And now, you and I get to look forward to Claudia’s always-interesting photos and her spot-on descriptions of what she sees and what she does and where she goes; we’re going to get a G-R-E-A-T new travelogue right here on MHC in just about six weeks or so; can’t wait!!!
Yours in travel-enthusiasm, Reader Vicki
xoxo
I lived in France twice in my life and I loved the people. They are just about the best. Only time I ever saw anyone be rude was when a couple of people yelled at a drunk wandering to get out of the neighborhood. They were probably protective of the kids or they just don’t appreciate drunks.
So good to hear that from someone who lived there. (Oh, how I’d love to live there!)
I’m french and I live just near Paris. I follow your blog because I love dollhouses and I try to improve my english.
I’m sure you’re be very happy in Paris, you’re a so positive person ! If you don’t forget the 4 magical words : “Bonjour, s’il vous plaît, merci, au revoir” many people will be thrilled to help you . If you like to walk, the most romantic walks are “les passages” some little covered streets between the buildings, my favorite is passage Jouffroy with the 2 miniature shops of Paris and “la coulée verte” a nice walk in a former railway above the streets. I will be very happy to give you some tips if you would like.
Madeleine
Thanks to my high school French (4 years) I am very familiar with those phrases! I will use them all the time. I’m also going to brush up on my French so that maybe…just maybe…I can have a conversation!
Thank you for telling me about the passage Jouffroy. I will go there! Any tips would be most welcome, Madeleine. Please share.
what a wonderful post darling bean! I’ve been an anglophile since I was 11 years old.
my mother had an English friend who often had tea with my mother and she brought a stack of magazines. I simply devoured every one of them and got special permission to move them every year to our new post. it started a life long love of all things English.
I was thrilled when I finally got to see it. and I remember every bit of it as if it was yesterday! we landed on my birthday. my brother’s wife was working there for JAG and we stayed with her in the townhouse apartment they furnished. in Kensington! on St James street! and James is my last name. talk about synchronicity! I was thrilled! LOLOL. Michael (my brother) and I walked all over London while Chris (his late wife) worked. and then in the evenings I let them be alone. it’s where I first discovered ‘ As Time Goes By ‘ !!! one evening we saw Phantom of the Opera at the old ‘Queen’s Theatre.’ I remember thinking how small the seats were! but oh my. just the history of it. the history of the entire city really. and the parks. the architecture. the tower of London where the little princes were held captive. again the history.
Michael and I had a ball literally walking all over for all the days we were there. I never felt so at home in my life. it’s in our DNA so apparently there is something to the “in the blood” thing!
I fell in love with their taxi! so CLEAN and shiny and a point of pride to the driver. if it has changed (and it well may have) since it’s been years since I’ve been there … I don’t want to know! we crossed the channel briefly to France but weren’t able to stay long. but the white cliffs of Dover mean even more to me now when I hear that favorite song. and now I see I have written almost a book right here on your blog. SO SORRY! but the memories come flooding back!
I love your attitude. but then you and Don … are the best ambassadors! and lord knows with our current political climate we need best ambassadors! love and hugs to you both . xoxo
and p.s. OH!!! that beautiful doll house!!!
It’s definitely in our DNA as well. British, Scots and Irish on my family tree (German as well) – British and Welsh on Don’s. I could live there quite easily!
In fact my ancestor, Sir Rowland Hill, is buried in Westminster Abbey. He invented the penny post in England and was a social reformer. My dad’s middle name was Rowland.
I was really struck by the White Cliffs of Dover. Just made me cry, thinking of all they signify. Stunningly-beautiful as seen from a water view, looking back at them; a sight I’ll never forget! So grateful I saw them…I totally get what you mean, tammy j…makes me choke up…
How lovely to hear you are coming to the UK. Bath and Cambridge are well worth day trips. Avoid the last week of October…. The schools here have half-term holidays and all the touristy places will be packed. Some suggestions for Bath … The Roman Baths is a wonderful museum. I’m a Bath resident and I have never tired of it. The Fashion museum is also good. This is in the Assembly Rooms as mentioned in Austen, among others, and so is a great place to visit. A walking tour taking in the Georgian highlights is a nice thing to do. There are free tours every day from outside the Pump Room. The Abbey is also worth a visit. Bath is packed with cafes, shops and pretty gardens. The Holburne Museum at the end of Great Pulteney Street is also a lovely visit. It has a lovely cafe and it is free!
Cambridge is bigger and more crowded. It is lovely to wander through. Some colleges are free to visit … Jesus, Emmanuel, Christ’s… I’m not sure of the others, though some let you wander around the grounds … Pembroke, Magdalen for example . Kettle’s Yard is worth a visit.
In general, there are lots of free walking tours in touristy towns. It is worth looking them up.
Train tickets can be ridiculously expensive. Check the website The Man in Seat 61 for tips on getting them more cheaply.
Do try the following … Cream tea … Make sure it is with clotted cream. This could be an afternoon treat in Bath. Fish and chips .. In paper and eaten in the open air.
Have a lovely time!
Everything sounds wonderful but the fish and chips as we’re vegetarians. BUT, Don just found a place in north London that makes vegetarian fish and chips, so he’s very excited. Thanks for all the tips!
Hi Claudia,
I’ve a lot of tips I’ll be happy to share about my city.
First if all, think about your hôtel , they’re often full a long time in advance.
Be careful when you choose your hotel of the location, they often write Paris and another name but it’s in the subburb. Check the advices, Paris is often noisy. The appart’hotel (Bercy, Reuilly, Grande Bibliothèque) Citadines (Montparnasse, Montmartre) and Hôtel de l’horloge are not too expensive et have a good location. You can cook and rest, it will save money and tiredness.
Don’t be afraid about clothing, most of the parisians aren’t models and are very casual. Don’t forget comfortable shoes, the cobbles are often rude.
I have a lot of places to recommend. One of the most beatiful is “Sainte Chapelle”, it’s really unforgattable. Just nearly you can go to “le marché aux fleurs” very nice and Notre Dame. After you cross the Seine and you can visit “le quartier latin” very quaint, but avoid to eat here. Then you can walk on “boulevard Saint Michel” to “Jardin du Luxembourg”.
Here a link for the passages : https://www.parisinfo.com/decouvrir-paris/guides-thematiques/paris-patrimoine-en-or/visites-du-patrimoine-a-l-air-libre/le-charme-parisien-des-passages-couverts
when you’ll be in Passage Jouffroy, just in front “Pain d’épices”, the lovely miniature shop, you’ll find one of the most delicious pâtisserie. The passages are nice places to have a drink in a very parisian café.
Do you have a map of Paris ? I can send you one if you don’t find it.
I’m going to prepare some other walks I like.
I wish you a nice day.
Madeleine
Thank you so, so much, Madeleine! Merci!
Hi Claudia,
I read your posts and your issues. If you need to find informations or other things in Paris, feel free to ask, you’ll be welcome !
Happy and peaceful thurday,
Madeleine
Thank you so much, Madeleine! You are very kind.
Hi Claudia,
You had a very good idea to choose a hotel in the 7ème arrondissement, it’s the most beautiful arrondissement. I worked there before retiring and Rue du Bac was my favorite shopping street !
By the way, I just heard this morning that Alain Ducasse, one of the best French chief is going to open today a restaurant péniche in front of the Tour Eiffel where the happy coustomers can attend to a culinary cruise. The prices are between 100 and 500 euros but I’m thinking about this for an extraordinary event, like an annniversary, if you see what I mean …
I guess one advises to book a long time in advance.
Have a nice day,
Madeleine
Oh, that’s good to hear, Madeleine! I was hoping it would be a beautiful place to stay. Thank you!