Final Paris Post

I'm becoming more flexible.  I'll open a map in public (sometimes), and I've taken bus tours around the city.  While going on the Circle Line in NYC was fun (as someone who lived there and could be amused by it all) is one thing, going - as a tourist (see, I'm flexible - I can use the word "tourist" to refer to myself - sort of) - on a boat trip had been just short of mortifying.  But really.  Who wants to spend hours in line to go to these landmarks when you can see them from the Seine, idly floating by?

Welcome to the vacation slideshow 2013 edition!

Not all items of interest are in the tour books.  Makeshift housing along the Seine.

Vanna White has nothing on Don!

We can't figure out who is imitating whom.

St. Genevieve - Patron Saint of Paris

And then, one does have to eat.

I have to say, the steak tartare that Alana and I made was better.  Yes.  I said it.  Better.

Another Day, Another Croissant

Just another day in Paris

Let me take a few moments to give you an impression of the flat we stayed in in the Marais via some exterior shots.

Alas, all things have to come to an end (at least that's what I've been told).

In front of the heavy blue doors that led into the courtyard of our apartment buidling

Je retournerai.

April in Paris

Gay in Paris

There are a lot of photos of us (all except one courtesy of the ladyfriend) in Paris, and despite the fact that I am a writer, I feel like too much narrative will bog down the recap.  To make it a bit more manageable as well, I'm dividing it into two posts - one for each full day we were there.  I don't want to tire you out!

Our first day we walked around a lot, getting a feel for the neighborhood.  The ladyfriend seemed to like to take photos of me on the move.  Good thing I was wearing my red Amy Downs hat!

Stopping in a park, I demonstrated my "Claudia as Sherpa" pose.

Camera bag, purse, photo print plus frame - I got it.

One model pose begets another

and another

Our friends and hosts, Don & Jean-Marc

(Believe me, there were even more!)

We were lucky enough to be in town for the Paris Haute Couture exhibition, which was on at the Paris Hôtel de Ville.  No photographs were allowed inside, but I'm not likely to forget the amazing gowns that were on display ranging from Worth to Poiret to Dior and more.  Seeing that kind of detail work up close was fantastic and allows one to understand the cost of an haute couture garment.

But there still more to see - like the polar bear!

Don trying to get a picture of himself with the bear.

And then there was this - how to smoke inside but outside at the same time.  So French!

Oooh la la!

Oh the Irony

We just got back from Paris* yesterday.  I'd been worried about my lack of French language skills, buying into the "Parisians hate people who can't speak French" idea.  (I even had the ladyfriend look up how to say, "Please don't hate me" in French.)  In actuality, it was fine.  I know a few words in French, and people didn't seem unhappy to speak English when those few words ran out.

So where's the irony?  The cabdriver who took us from the airport back to our flat mocked my German.  Maybe I should've stayed in Paris.

*full post about Paris with photos should be up tomorrow.