After quite belatedly reading a Sunday Times article (from weeks ago) called Lost in Paris, I found myself re-living some of my favorite Paris moments and thought I'd share one with you.

After visiting Paris several times on my own and with a friend, I took my younger sister there for her 40th birthday. I had received a legacy from my dad and I knew this would be a treat that she wouldn't think to give herself.

We had lots of fun, and Kate enjoyed all the places I was able to show her in my most favorite city in the world. We did quite a bit of shopping, and I realized I had gone overboard and wouldn't be able to fit everything into my suitcase. Off to La Poste (the post office) I went, where I bought several good-sized boxes to send things home to their ultimate recipients.

 

La Poste

 

When I came to pack up the boxes, I suddenly realized that I didn't have any tape. A quick check at the concierge's desk found only skinny little scotch tape. Out my window, I could see a small stationery store across the street. My window of opportunity was closing, as I had to prepare the boxes, get them to the post office, and then come back so we could be on our way to the airport.

My encounter with Madame Le Stationery Store went like this:

Judy, with a big smile of greeting: "Bonjour! Parlez-vous Anglais?"

Mdme, with a certain coldness: "Non."

Judy, mumbling to herself: "Hmmm. Is there anywhere in my brain the French word for tape? Tape. Hmmm."

Mdme, with a certain sarcasm: "Ah. Le Scotch."

Judy, suddenly hopeful, and a bit giddy: "Ah! Bon! Mais... le tape pour les boites... pour La Poste... pour Les Etats Unis?"  (My Fractured French attempt at saying I needed tape for boxes to go in the post on their way to the U.S.)

Mdme, happy to conclude this bizarre enounter with yet another American tourist who doesn't speak her language:

"Ah. Le packing."

Relieved and happy, me with my packing tape, and Madame, satisfied with her successful conclusion to this sale - and no doubt glad to usher another "Have a Good Day" American from her shop.

And so, off I went to my hotel, where I prepared "les boites... pour La Poste... pour Les Etats Unis" to my family and friends, who were very happy when their lovely yellow La Poste boxes arrived, containing little surprises for them.

 

 

Thanks so much for visiting!
Judy Klem

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18 Comments on We'll Always Have Paris - Sharing Sweet Memories...

OCT
21
2011
523,274 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Bon Jour, Judy.  Great story.  I am pretty sure I would be thrilled to find La Poste in my mailbox, too! 

 
8:46am • #1
608,900 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

How fun...Paris is on my bucket list for sure!   Reminds me of my trips down to Mexico during the days I lived in California...where there is a will there is a way to make yourself understood  LOL
8:49am • #2
227,559 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Ron - Bonjour!!  Yeah, it's a pretty cool thing, I have to say. I mailed one to myself and I loved getting it.
8:49am • #3
227,559 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

HI Deborah - Paris is a must-see. It's just so gorgeous. If I could figure out how, I'd love to live there for a few years. It's really true about making ourselves understood - we just find a way.
8:51am • #4
1,520,644 Points 275 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good morning, Judy....what a nice story.....just be glad it was only tape that you needed....
9:18am • #5
421,110 Points 12 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Hi Judy - For a minute, I thought she was going to give you a bottle of scotch! That wouldn't have been a good thing to go in La Poste! I just got back from France and I love it--language barriers and all. I hope you had a great time!
9:29am • #6
227,559 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Barbara - LOL!!  You're right - could have been quite a trial if it was something a bit more obscure.
9:35am • #7
227,559 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Peggy - If we had gone another couple of rounds, I might have needed a shot of Scotch! I love Paris, and every encounter is fun in some way. This one cracked me up.

I'm so glad you enjoyed your visit there, too.
9:36am • #8
409,092 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Judy - Le shopping, le parking, le hotdog...  English has wormed its way into the French language.  Too funny.  What an encounter!  There's nothing like a snooty Parisian to put one in their place!  Don't get me started on the Waiters! 

If you haven't already, you MUST see Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris" - You'll love it, fellow francophile.
10:08am • #9
1,518,993 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Cute story.  Language barriers can be troublesome to overcome in a pinch, but thank goodness you and your madame did it.
10:25am • #10
227,559 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Sally - You're so right! It's quite comical all the English phrases that are just about everywhere in Paris. And you're right again - I LOVED Midnight in Paris. When the movie ended, I turned to Herb and said, "Let's stay and see it again." - while the people behind us said, "Let's go to Paris NOW." It's just that kind of movie.
4:43pm • #11
227,559 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Chris Ann - Thank you. Somehow, we managed to get through and I came away with the tape I needed.
4:44pm • #12
395,299 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Judy,

Great story about Paris. I've only been there once and I want to return.  I was lucky -- all the people that I met were warm and friendly (honestly)).  My first trip to France - well, that was a much different story.
10:11pm • #13
OCT
22
2011
388,883 Points 21 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Judy, Love your adventure and the purpose was the best, time with a sibling!
12:26am • #14
227,559 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Gary - Thank you! I have to say that most of the people I met in Paris were quite delightful. I'm glad you had a good experience there, too.
11:14am • #15
227,559 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Ellen - Thanks!  It was a very special time.
11:15am • #16
OCT
23
2011
480,749 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Always great the see your smiling face on the blog board.  When I went to Italy I thought that if I at least made an attempt to speak Italian, then people were more helpful, except once on a bus, but that's another story, as they say.
7:39am • #17
227,559 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Liz - Thank you! I think what you say is very true - it seems only polite to at least try to speak the native language, even if it's only "good day" and "thank you."  And, of course, there are always a few exceptions along the way.
8:01am • #18


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Judy Klem, Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Shelton, CT

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Transition Stage LLC

Address: P. O. Box 2264, Huntington, CT, 06484

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