The Parisians are an interesting bunch. I have met some really amazing, really friendly, really helpful people that go out of their way to make sure that this poor American boy find’s his way. But the shop owners, the only people that really have anything to gain by my presence, are so rude! They really don’t appreciate me being there. I always ask “Parlez-vous engles?” And they respond “No, do you speak French?” They have really weird rules too -- I can buy a coke for 3 euro, but if I want to sit, it will cost 5.
But France has been good. I went to the Eiffel Tower (of course), walked Champs-Elissez(sp?) and went to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. Ferdinand and I ran into an extremely famous soap opera actress/sex symbol from Brazillian television. At least that’s what Ferdinand told me, he was really excited to meet her.
Ferdinand is growing on me, he is such a nice guy, but he still gets on my nerves a little bit. That kid will not stop talking! Jesus Christ, I know his entire life story from one full day of hanging out, even stuff he says that nobody knows back home. Brazilians definitely get a little smothering, and he takes so long to do anything. I do really appreciate his company though.
Today, my hostel was overbooked by 19 people, so I have to change places. The new hostel will be close to Notre Dam, so that will be cool. I haven’t had a chance to see what any bars are like in Paris though, I just hope I get a chance to have a few beers before moving on to a new city.
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3 comments:
Try to get to Versailles if you can. Versailles was created by the Divine King Louis XIV in 1682.
Do you mean "Parlez-vous anglais"? Do you remember any of your high school French? It's typical that shopkeepers and waiters will ignore you unless you speak to them in perfect French.
From wikipdia:
The Champs-Élysées (literally the "Elysian fields") is a broad avenue in Paris. Its full name is actually "avenue des Champs-Élysées". With its cinemas, cafés, and luxury specialty shops, the Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous streets in the world. The name refers to the Elysian Fields, the place of the blessed in Greek mythology. The Champs-Élysées is also called La plus belle avenue du monde, French for "The most beautiful avenue in the world."
You may also want to try "Parlez-vous Americain?" :) It might work better than "Anglais" in some French circles. :) (...But I would definitely stick with "Anglais" when talking to Algerian or other North African merchants) ;)
Btw, regarding your comment on the Statue of Liberty vs the Eiffel Tower, Eiffel was involved with both. The people of France gave the Statue to the people of the United States over one hundred years ago in recognition of the friendship established during the American Revolution. It was sculpted by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. Bartholdi required the assistance of an engineer to address structural issues associated with designing such as colossal copper sculpture. Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel (designer of the Eiffel Tower) was commissioned to design the massive iron pylon and secondary skeletal framework which allows the Statue's copper skin to move independently yet stand upright.
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