My first trip to Paris two years ago was too wonderful for this small space. I read endless books on and about Paris and France, but until I woke up in Paris they were just words. I learned two very wonderful things: Paris will not disappoint and the people are kind and friendly. My 'people' experiences? I will explain two: In Paris I was traveling around by train, and not too confident of where I was when I asked a young woman if the approaching train was the one I needed. Kindly, and with a lovely smile, she replied that it was and she added that when she 'got off it would be where I needed to be.' Some stops later she stood up and discreetly with a slight nod and smile she exited the train, with me a few steps behind. She waved and bid me good-bye and running to the end of the train she entered the last car; as the train passed I saw that she was sitting with a friend and they both waved and smiled. That was my first experience "in need"...how kind! My second was in Blois, south of Paris. We had taken the train from Paris to Strasbourg and rented a car and traveled through Alsace-Lorraine, Burgundy and the Loire Valley. When we arrived in Blois I could not find the car rental office; I stopped at what appeared to be an office building and just as I entered the building a woman exited the elevator. I was a mess, to put it mildly, and asked if she could help. I explained my situation, she asked if I had a phone number for the car rental office. Immediately she called, got the directions and said that her car was just up the street; "please just follow me" she suggested, which I did. She drove up a hill away from the city and Viola! the car rental office. Tear stained and jubilant I jumped from the car and ran to where she had parked. After thanking her I offered her some money which she promptly declined and said "This is the car rental. Are you ok?" Replying with a positive yes and smile she quietly and kindly said: "Have a good day. Au revoir, Madam."
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My first trip to Paris two years ago was too wonderful for this small space. I read endless books on and about Paris and France, but until I woke up in Paris they were just words. I learned two very wonderful things: Paris will not disappoint and the people are kind and friendly. My 'people' experiences? I will explain two: In Paris I was traveling around by train, and not too confident of where I was when I asked a young woman if the approaching train was the one I needed. Kindly, and with a lovely smile, she replied that it was and she added that when she 'got off it would be where I needed to be.' Some stops later she stood up and discreetly with a slight nod and smile she exited the train, with me a few steps behind. She waved and bid me good-bye and running to the end of the train she entered the last car; as the train passed I saw that she was sitting with a friend and they both waved and smiled. That was my first experience "in need"...how kind! My second was in Blois, south of Paris. We had taken the train from Paris to Strasbourg and rented a car and traveled through Alsace-Lorraine, Burgundy and the Loire Valley. When we arrived in Blois I could not find the car rental office; I stopped at what appeared to be an office building and just as I entered the building a woman exited the elevator. I was a mess, to put it mildly, and asked if she could help. I explained my situation, she asked if I had a phone number for the car rental office. Immediately she called, got the directions and said that her car was just up the street; "please just follow me" she suggested, which I did. She drove up a hill away from the city and Viola! the car rental office. Tear stained and jubilant I jumped from the car and ran to where she had parked. After thanking her I offered her some money which she promptly declined and said "This is the car rental. Are you ok?" Replying with a positive yes and smile she quietly and kindly said: "Have a good day. Au revoir, Madam."
France, Paris...wonderful memories.
Bunny, Chicago, 01/15/2010