Deux Euros (Two Euros $2.40)

Leur argent n'est pas le meme come notre DOLLAR! (Their money is not the same as our $!)

(photo from personal porfolio)
Money isn't everything, but knowing the exchange rate was somewhat sobering - well, maybe for the first day or two. It was so easy to spend Euros like dollars unmindful of the 20% exchange rate! This first euro or two doesn't matter that much, but if, for a moment you let your guard down, that lunch for 7.00 with tip has added up to something like $10 or more. And that cute little skirt you saw for 15 E is really (with tax) more like 22! One or two items or meals aren't so bad, but over a week it really adds up. Voila! You're broke! Not only that, but those coins that look like small change are really 1 and 2 Euros! So what looks like a quatre is worth almost ten times as much!
So I was very hopeful to get my money's worth at the Eiffle Tower from the Cotton Candy vender: 2 Euros or, in Yankee bucks, $2.40. I think I got my money's worth. Besides, everything tastes better when it's shared!

(Charlottes Photos of Cotton Candy)

Bon Appetite!

ps. look at those two jealous guys in the background. Two Euros, guys!

Eiffle is an Eyeful!

We did what every tourist does arriving in Paris: visit the Eiffle tower first. Like the needle of a mighty compass it gave us bearings, and the tick tick tick of a minute hand, it measured our time to spend and time that was left to inhale and absorb the experience of Paris. There is much of Paris we did not see up close, but from the second platform of this monument of France there was little of Paris that could not be seen in a sweeping panorama

The Eiffle Tower can be seen from many angles in many parts of the city, always gracefully stretching its girders upwards. And yet when it was first erected in Paris it caused considerable uproar. Many thought it was hideous. Now it stands as the signature piece of all Paris. Which only goes to show, you can't stiffle the Eiffle!
These pictures are courtesy of the Charlotte Chan porfolio! Thanks Char! Au Revoir!

Bonjour!

So what's with the picture of me in a shabby convenience shop and a big smile? Look closely, that's my daughter Anna in the background, and that can of peach ice tea I'm holding is labled in french. But the give-away is the stretch canvass on the wall in the background. This is where Anna, Charlotte and I had our first dinner in Paris: a little hole-in-the wall that served crepes and panini's like so many in the city. The little blue book in my hand and the great big smile on my face says that I ordered in French successfully !. Title my next dozen or so blogs Les Femmes Americains au Paris "Three American Ladies in Paris" as I attempt to share a little of our seven day experience in the City of LIghts.
It began over a year ago when Charlotte expressed her desire to gift Anna with a trip to Paris. "Can I come too?" I asked half-jesting, and half-hopeful. The better half won, and away we went. What an adventure! Travel broadens the mind, tests the patience, and awakens the awareness of life lived from vastly different viewpoints.
Oh, and by the way, it's true..By and large,Parisians are rude - at least to tourists who speak English. They stare at you with poker faces, give faulty information, and seem impatient with attempts to communicate in their language. But we did find nice folks along the way, Canadians, other Americans, a German, and a hand full of French folk who were very nice, helpful and a joy to visit. (picture courtesy of Charlotte Chan)