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The last time I saw Paris
Apr. 8th, 2008 11:12 amParis was splendid. The weather was mostly fine (the odd spot of rain, and one inconvenient shower, but no snow until we reached Kent, when it was very dramatic). We didn’t have enough time there, and after the time my sister took deciding whether or not to buy a dress (she did) no-one in my family will ever dare call me indecisive again. I came away with a silk dress and a watch, though I had less luck in France’s largest lingerie department* even starting from a position of knowledge re. camisoles. In addition to the above, I also acquired violet liqueur, a chocolate-raspberry spread, which I think is destined for waffles, and an idea for a ficlet.
I was particularly pleased that my French, unused for 15 years, turned out to be a lot better than I had anticipated, although admittedly the French required for a weekend of museums, shops, and cafes/bars is not extensive. Likewise the taxi driver, waiters, shop assistants, museum guides etc. turned out to be rather amiable and most willing to understand our French and make themselves understood. Perhaps one has to spend more money in order to get the famously rude French waiters? We did not, alas, manage champagne/cocktails (or champagne cocktails) in opulent surroundings, spending too much time doing other things. Ah well, there’s always next time. I feel inspired to read some French novels (in English) to increase my knowledge of French literature from its current state of bog all. Oh! We were taught languages so badly at school, but that’s another rant. And can anyone tell me the French for “Just looking, thanks”?
Despite the new dress, however, I am still devoid of a frock to wear to a couple of weddings this summer. I am thinking of having a go at this one, though I can’t find any reviews on-line, and I wouldn't want it to look droopy. Perhaps I need to look at fabrics carefully, or some sort of interlining? I see a whole new field of ignorance to navigate.
*I am very fond of my sister, but many of our interests do not overlap. I spent half the weekend stopping myself saying things because I realized that she’d have no idea what I was talking about. Whereas had I been with youngest sister we would both have been walking around declaring “They say it’s France’s largest lingerie department” in appalling Father Ted accents. Also, despite having a History degree, she knows less about the history of Paris than I – and what I know is contained in middle school study of the French Revolution, aged 11, Les Miserables, the history pages of the Time Out guide to Paris, and whatever I have picked up in novels over the years. Oh, and Dogtanian, of course – though I shouldn’t really blame her for not acting as an encyclopaedic companion to redress my ignorance. But it was hard, standing in front of the portrait of Cardinal Richelieu (which manages to look both like Charlton Heston in the 1973/4 films and the red setter of Dogtanian) to be asked whether he was a goodie or a baddie, and not give a 1066 And All That response.
( Cut for picture )
I was particularly pleased that my French, unused for 15 years, turned out to be a lot better than I had anticipated, although admittedly the French required for a weekend of museums, shops, and cafes/bars is not extensive. Likewise the taxi driver, waiters, shop assistants, museum guides etc. turned out to be rather amiable and most willing to understand our French and make themselves understood. Perhaps one has to spend more money in order to get the famously rude French waiters? We did not, alas, manage champagne/cocktails (or champagne cocktails) in opulent surroundings, spending too much time doing other things. Ah well, there’s always next time. I feel inspired to read some French novels (in English) to increase my knowledge of French literature from its current state of bog all. Oh! We were taught languages so badly at school, but that’s another rant. And can anyone tell me the French for “Just looking, thanks”?
Despite the new dress, however, I am still devoid of a frock to wear to a couple of weddings this summer. I am thinking of having a go at this one, though I can’t find any reviews on-line, and I wouldn't want it to look droopy. Perhaps I need to look at fabrics carefully, or some sort of interlining? I see a whole new field of ignorance to navigate.
*I am very fond of my sister, but many of our interests do not overlap. I spent half the weekend stopping myself saying things because I realized that she’d have no idea what I was talking about. Whereas had I been with youngest sister we would both have been walking around declaring “They say it’s France’s largest lingerie department” in appalling Father Ted accents. Also, despite having a History degree, she knows less about the history of Paris than I – and what I know is contained in middle school study of the French Revolution, aged 11, Les Miserables, the history pages of the Time Out guide to Paris, and whatever I have picked up in novels over the years. Oh, and Dogtanian, of course – though I shouldn’t really blame her for not acting as an encyclopaedic companion to redress my ignorance. But it was hard, standing in front of the portrait of Cardinal Richelieu (which manages to look both like Charlton Heston in the 1973/4 films and the red setter of Dogtanian) to be asked whether he was a goodie or a baddie, and not give a 1066 And All That response.
( Cut for picture )