Trip to Paris

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IPO,



We were in Paris a couple of years ago, I remember I love the foods. We get a few stare when we order our coke with a cup of ice. It was cold in February...but we American drink our soda with ice no matter how cold it is outside. heheheheheh
 
There's a lot to do in Perris!



There's a skatepark:



<img src="http://www.concretedisciples.com/cd_skate/CA-S/perris/lake_perris3.jpg" alt="" />



Streetcars and rail muesum:



<img src="http://www.cyride.com/about/aroundtheworld/images/PerrisCA_small.jpg" alt="" />



The senic Sky Venture tower:



<img src="http://images-cdn01.associatedcontent.com/image/A9853/98532/300_98532.jpg" alt="" />



You can hit up the race track:



<img src="http://www.stevehardin.com/gif/perrisair.gif" alt="" />



The romantic lake:



<img src="http://wwwdpla.water.ca.gov/sd/land_use/images/perris2_a.jpg" alt="" />



And pick up a souvenier from one of the puppy mills:



<img src="http://www.k9stud.com/images/teddybearfaces/teddybearfaces_A2008122223754.jpg" alt="" />



And take the foreclosure tour!



<a href="http://www.bankrepoexperts.net/Foreclosure_Bank_Repo.asp?Bank_Owned=Perris">Perris Foreclosures.</a>



Have fun in the IE!
 
[quote author="Trooper" date=1234962124]Tell me what you mean about the food ipo. I heart crepes, but not for 4 days straight.</blockquote>


Part of the food problem was I did Paris after Italy (Florence, Sienna) and Nice. The eats were fabulous in both of those locations. Found the food in Nice (especially Old Nice - Vieux Nice) to have more spice, flavor, etc. vs. Parisien fare, likely due to the much more southern coastal mediterranean influences. I found the food in Paris, again this is a generalization, with much less taste, zing, bite, etc. Seemed like everything was buried in the same ole rich heavy sauces muting the tastes... I'm sure some people would dig that though. Enjoyed the breads and cheeses and of course la crepes. Ate more in small bistros than larger restaurants because I actually found the more modest Parisien fare more enjoyable... Breakfast crepes, with cheese and eggs, I still crave sometimes. Best thing I ate there hands down.



Despite my poor review of Parisien food, I'd take that any day over London eats... Yuck.
 
Have fun Trooper. I just want to know if you're going to eat the escargot. :bug:



<img src="http://www.avolites.org.uk/jokes/images/escargot.jpg" alt="" />
 
[quote author="SoCal78" date=1234966616]Have fun Trooper. I just want to know if you're going to eat the escargot. :bug:</blockquote>


Or the pigeon? Duck, yum. Quail, gamey but good. I drew the line at pigeon. No thanks. Pigeons are the cockroaches of the avian world.
 
1. sign up for a capital one credit card (no fees for overseas transaction, not sure if it applies everywhere, i was only in western Europe)

2. use your credit union atm card for money withdrawal (usually 1% fee for currency, maybe even zero check with your CU)

3. bring a nice warm jacket (didnt think i needed one because it was April but it snowed on my last couple of days)

4. highly recommend a stoller bag or any luggage with wheels(again didnt have this either and i regretted it)



and most importantly,



5. make sure to smile and say bonjour a lot, it helps



Bon Voyage!
 
I had enough of those out of country "transaction fees" from my times spent in Toronto. I'll be bringing Euros and paying cash. (Don't think anyone in the world wants US Dollars now anyways!)
 
[quote author="Trooper" date=1234969414]I had enough of those out of country "transaction fees" from my times spent in Toronto. I'll be bringing Euros and paying cash. (Don't think anyone in the world wants US Dollars now anyways!)</blockquote>


the exchange rate fees are more expensive then pulling money out at the atm in paris.
 
[quote author="ipoplaya" date=1234967368][quote author="SoCal78" date=1234966616]Have fun Trooper. I just want to know if you're going to eat the escargot. :bug:</blockquote>


Or the pigeon? Duck, yum. Quail, gamey but good. I drew the line at pigeon. No thanks. Pigeons are the cockroaches of the avian world.</blockquote>


Nothing wrong with squab but you don't have to go all the way to Europe for that one. You can hit Gordon Ramsey's place in Hollywood where he allegedly makes a rather yummy dish with it. If you want some (or maybe too much) info on french fare, hit the France board at <a href="http://chowhound.chow.com/">Chowhound</a>. I suggest posting what you are looking for or you can lurk it for what people have recommended in the past.
 
Hey Troop!



Congrats on the trip. You will definitely have a great time in France. We were in Europe for 3 weeks last Nov/Dec and had a great time. Here are some recommendations.



1. Dress warmly. Temperature may vary drastically from one region to another. We arrived in Venice in mid November and enjoyed perfect weather. It was snowing outside on the day we left (connection flight out of Munich).

2. Currency exchange. Airports have good conversion rates (relatively). Be careful with the currency exchange booths in different parts of Europe. The rates may look favorable, but they take a big commission fee. We met someone that needed cash and had to use a local currency exchange place. $100 US got her 55 euros. I'm not kidding.

3. Theft. Be VERY careful with pick pockets. We were warned by friends and acquiantances to not carry flashy jewelry and try to not look too like a tourist. However, it was pretty bad as we saw people getting their wallets, CC, and stolen. This happened in 80% of the cities that we went to, but it was the worst in Rome, Athens, and Barcelona. Hopefully Paris, London, and Amsterdam will be a bit better. Never hurts to be extra careful.

4. Train and metro schedule. Read the fine prints carefully. The "Gare" schedule is different for different days of the week and going to different directions. Some trains will be available every 15 min going one direction, but in the afternoon, have a 2 hour gap. We found that out the hard way.



Anyhow, we went to 7 countries and 18 cities or so during our trip. PM me if you want to see photos or get more info. :)
 
If I may add - Trooper - don't wear white tennis shoes. My Euro friends always joke how they can point out American tourists by the dead give-away of white tennies.
 
[quote author="SoCal78" date=1235012142]If I made add - Trooper - don't wear white tennis shoes. My Euro friends always joke how they can point out American tourists by the dead give-away of white tennies.</blockquote>


When Yuppies got into Harley Davidson motorcycles in the early 1990s, that was the dead giveaway between the lawyers and the real biker types. Lookout for the big white Nikes - they can't ride!
 
(<blockquote>Don?t think anyone in the world wants US Dollars now anyways!) </blockquote>


Hi ya Trooper



I still collect them so send me any that you don't want. ;-P



Seriously, enjoy your experience and have a great time.



Don't forget about the Bronco. Lets do some 4 wheeling when you get it.



Stay frosty and be safe.
 
[quote author="Irvinian" date=1234970064][quote author="Trooper" date=1234969414]I had enough of those out of country "transaction fees" from my times spent in Toronto. I'll be bringing Euros and paying cash. (Don't think anyone in the world wants US Dollars now anyways!)</blockquote>


the exchange rate fees are more expensive then pulling money out at the atm in paris.</blockquote>
Yeah... since our bank had ATMs all over Europe... we found that using them were way cheaper than exchanges at ports... and convenient since we didn't have to carry lots of [insert money name here] for every country we visited.
 
Troop,



Pickpockets are everywhere in most major European cities. I studied abroad in Europe and heard several different stories of people (including buddies of mine), getting pickpocketed (is that even a word?). Get one of those travel wallets, I used one and it worked out great.



If you have a chance to explore France further, get to Nice or one of the small towns nearby. It has a much different atmosphere, lots of great beaches, small restaurants, and that Mediterranean feel is great.



Learn some simple phrases in French. I must admit that I found the French the rudest generally out of any of the countries I visited in Europe. But, that is probably because I tried English a lot. And I was a young American male. I tried to smile, be friendly, etc., but I had problems, including literally having a French agent at a train station ignore me when trying to ask a question. A buddy of mine got a much better reception when trying to speak a phrase or two in French.



I'll try to think of some other things as well....
 
I agree with KO. The Mediterranean side is worth a visit. Cote d'Azur is gorgeous, and you can pay 8 euros to ride the train from Nice to Monte Carlo and back.



[quote author="k.o." date=1235034911]Troop,



Pickpockets are everywhere in most major European cities. I studied abroad in Europe and heard several different stories of people (including buddies of mine), getting pickpocketed (is that even a word?). Get one of those travel wallets, I used one and it worked out great.



If you have a chance to explore France further, get to Nice or one of the small towns nearby. It has a much different atmosphere, lots of great beaches, small restaurants, and that Mediterranean feel is great.



Learn some simple phrases in French. I must admit that I found the French the rudest generally out of any of the countries I visited in Europe. But, that is probably because I tried English a lot. And I was a young American male. I tried to smile, be friendly, etc., but I had problems, including literally having a French agent at a train station ignore me when trying to ask a question. A buddy of mine got a much better reception when trying to speak a phrase or two in French.



I'll try to think of some other things as well....</blockquote>
 
Just walk around Troop and say "Je pense que les personnes fran?aises sont stupides" to everyone you meet there... That'll go over well.



Previously unknown fact - IPO was nearly fluent in French once upon a time. Four years of high school French and a couple of quarters in college. There were very few half-asian, mini-truckin', French-speakin' dudes in the IE when I was there. My accent still rocks.
 
[quote author="ipoplaya" date=1235037126]Just walk around Troop and say "Je pense que les personnes fran?aises sont stupides" to everyone you meet there... That'll go over well.

</blockquote>


:lol: :shut:



I just spoke spanish. Although I did get a group of people talking to me in Hebrew.... boy was that an experience. We actually got to english and they were delighted! The women were military, extremely cute and i'm quite sure dangerous.
 
I'm still waiting for confirmation from work that I will be able to string together 7 days off for the trip. I see no point going for any shorter of a time frame. We are going through some downsizing at my division during the next deployment period and my boss just called to tell me, "I won't know what watch you'll be on until tomorrow, and then I can't guarantee anything." Rrrrr. Keeping my fingers crossed...but now I'm feeling a little bummed. Hope these airfare wars stick around for another few days while I wait to hear.



On the bright side, I might finally get to work daywatch and be a normal person again. I've been on nights for over a year now and it officially sucks. Not sure what it will be like to be on a normal schedule again !



<img src="http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:tduykgSysZ-zZM::http://www.a-t-s.net/shared/images/destinations/Paris3.jpg" alt="" />
 
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