In Paris

Travel date: Friday, June 27th, 2008


I´ve been seduced by “Soldes.” It´s odd, but charming, that French stores are allowed to have sales only twice per year: at the end of June, and again in January. But these weeks bring out the shopper in everyone, whether from France or not.

I can´t help to wonder, though, if the twice-yearly government-regulated sales will be on their way out as President Sarkozy aims to “liberate growth” in France. Time will soon tell: Sarkozy plans to initiate many of the economic reforms this summer, in what Newsweek is calling “The Summer of Sarkozy.”

I am a big fan of small museums, and I found the Musee de la Vie Romantique a welcome break from the crowds at larger museums. In this small museum at 16 Rue Chaptal, you can recount the Parisian artists´ life of the 19th-century. Outside, the museum has a beautiful cafe under flowering trees.

Here, a tourist from London walks up and asks me, “How rude were they to you?” “Who?” I replied, startled at the irony of being asked about rudeness in such an abrupt manner. “The French,” she says. I suppose this has become a bit of a parlor game, asking how rude the French can be. I can´t say that I have had any unusually bad experience, but perhaps I am immune to it because I am with French friends. Apparently though, French officials have become so concerned with this image of their country, that the mayor of Paris has launched a charm offensive. Cést La Vie.

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Benjamin Thomas

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8 Responses to “In Paris”

  1. Belinda:

    Hey
    I’m Belinda.
    It souds nice to have Eurail pass
    but I still don’t understand what is it means..

    By the way, u travel alone?
    I do like to go travelling
    but I’ve so many questions I can’t really get rid off
    or maybe I just worried too much.
    I was wondering I can go some English countries but I dont fimiliar with them.

    How did u get through of it at beginnig?

  2. Benjamin Thomas:

    Hi Belinda
    Yes, I am mostly traveling alone, but I am visiting friends and it is fun to meet people while traveling. With the Pass, you can get on and off of trains more easily as you travel in Europe. Read more on the Eurail website.
    Good luck!
    Benjamin

  3. Belinda:

    Hello Benjamin:

    Are u the only Eurail-blog here? cuz I cant see any others.

    what do u recommend if I go travelling to U.S.A alone ? I do love to go to L.A.
    then what did u do during ur spare time?

    (sorry, you might be exhausted with my poorly English><)

  4. Gina Jones (Eurail.Com Customer Service):

    Hi Belinda,

    With an Eurail pass you can travel anywhere you like, by train, through Europe. More information on http://www.eurail.com or, if you are a European resident, http://www.interrailnet.com These websites are offered in many languages. Good luck planning your trip!

    Gina

  5. Belinda:

    Thank you a lot, Gina.
    (Big Smile)
    Do you often to go travelling?
    and Do you recommend I to go to CA alone?
    there might be less danger, right?

  6. Hakan:

    HI Traverlers, I have been an interrailer and had people in different cities helped me a lot. I d like to return the favor. anybody interested in coming to Florida, we will host you considering you can host us in your country! :)) We just love traveling. We are hoping to be in Paris this december, anyone up?

  7. Benjamin Thomas:

    Hi Hakan
    You should post on the Eurail Facebook page also.
    Benjamin.

  8. Natalie:

    Graet post mate. Keep them coming….

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