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Published: October 26th 2012
Stormy Weather
A foible we had no control over was that it rained quite a bit. We were forewarned before leaving home and adjusted our wardrobes to includes boots and rain gear. We didn't let the weather stop us and by using public transportation, spending time in museums and other indoor attractions, and occasionally choosing to eat inside at a cafe hardly noticed the rain drops. Here at the Louvre, the Metro stop can be accessed without even going outside.The girl trip to Paris wasn't without it's lesson-learning faux pas, nimble plan changes and funny (or not) moments!
Our adventures took us to "the learning curve" even before we left the USA. On the way back to the airport during our layover in Philladelphia some of us who took a shuttle train to see the Liberty Bell got on the wrong train. We were actually "profiled" by the kind and savvy conductor who discerned that four WASPy looking women with French / English dictionaries sticking out of their totebags didn't really want to go to south Philly. This smart man got us off the wrong train and re-directed us to the airport shuttle!
We also learned that it would be folly to not always carry our Medicare cards (half of our group was "of age"). On the Airport/Philly shuttle train on the way into town we learned that regular one fee is $8. We also learned that the tariff is only $1 for those with Medicare cards. NB - Medicare Cards ONLY ---- passports, drivers licenses, and other forms of ID don't
Ne Touche Pas
We had read in a guide book that one doesn't touch "goods" in a shop with out permission. This became an object lesson when it came to the fresh produce begging to be touched in the outdoor markets. Shop keeper NOT jolie!
count.
We learned that if a flight - especially a night flight - is delayed it is best to grab a bite to eat even if a free meal awaits once the plane can get going again. In our case, our plane took off, got over the Atlantic for at least a half hour before we heard the disconcerting announcement that we were turning back to Philadelphia. This caused anxiety and put us on the ground for 2 more hours. We should not have waited so long to have dinner. US Air kept saying we would board soon and wouldn't give us a meal voucher. The free wine was really a paultry way to make up for our inconvenience. Lessons learned!
Among out other little ooopsies --- Patti almost got left on the Metro platform. I got the equivalent of a mammogram when squeezing into a Metro which was about to leave the station. Ellen and I (real ugly Americans) went to a men's room in Chantilly (we just thought the special plumbing was European style
Which Parapluie is Purloined?
I didn't mean to "trade" umbrellas; but somehow I got another man's parapluie!
' unisex). I "lifted" an umbrella with the owner repeating "parapluie" as I walked away with his property (I thought he was teaching me elementary French but he did get to take my higher quality bumbershoot). We all shared in an erroneous assumption when a man that we thought was a Japanese tourist seated near us on the batteau turned out to be an attache to the American Embassy! And, just about everyone got the evil eye and admonishments for touching fruit at a store front produce stands.
There will be random photos after the "jump."
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Silver Back Cuda
Joanne & Wes DeVoe
I really do know how to spell "dictionaries" but I really don't know how to do a good edit once published!
but I really don't know how to do a good edit once published!