ohworldgirl

More than a few people who have visited this place said it’s so indescribably beautiful – it’s literally like you’ve died and gone to heaven. That’s a strong analogy coming from seperate people – so the obvious thing is to go.

Ah – if only I could zip from place to place like in Star Wars or something. Travelling into space would be the adventure to top it all.

What more is there to say about this city except it should be on your “bucket-list” of cities. The way the sun set on Paris and the Seine is a marvel in itself and should be enjoyed by everyone.

For African-Americans or anyone interested in African-American history, Patricia Laplante (www.parissoirees.com), an expatriate, took me on a tour where I got to see where great writers such as James Baldwin, Richard Wright and Countee Cullen lived/worked while in Paris. Aside from those artists, I was also shown a bit of history on the haunts of Hemingway and saw where Sean Connery lived all for like $20 at the time.

Patricia Laplante also has these great soirees in her Paris home every Sunday and Wed, where you will find a nice multicultural mix of people for great conversation(much like Paris overall anyway). There’s nice food, music and entertainment. In a nutshell if you’re one of those people who really like an international crowd – then you may very well enjoy this gathering. She invites the most interesting array of people to speak at her events, singers, film directors and most recently an Opera Singer, John Easterlin.

For more on African-American history and happening in Paris everyone and anyone is welcome to check out: www.cafedelasoul.com

Also there is supposedly some fun Tango dancing and free lessons that take place on certain evenings near Notre Dame – the website is in French though: “Paris Danses en Seine,” tangoargentin-eric.site.voila.fr/page3.html

Need a Theme Song to go to Paris to? ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Bonjour+Paris%21+%28Parody%29+funny+face+audrey+hepburn&page=2

Beautiful. Couldn’t believe people wake up to this little piece of heaven every day! To top that off there’s also great Mexican food in town mmm mmm!

I saw a film with Al Pacino in it some years ago (Bobby Deerfield) and he was in the most beautiful town with this large lake and high peaked mountains in the background. It was simply breathtaking the scenery. I had to know where that movie was shot – I didn’t know what I was doing and I fumbled around making calls trying to find out the location, I ended up being directed to the Film Library at Lincoln Center who kindly looked it up for me and called me back to say it was a place call Lake Como and -also Locarno if I remember correctly.

Lake Como may also be better known for being Padme and Anikin’s refuge in Star Wars and George Clooney’s second home.

I’m going here!

Lovely, place. Mountains (reminiscent of US NorthWest). The air felt a little thin to me as well. The famous bridge was under construction when I was there. But this former capital of Japan, has a Legend of three monkeys and I consider Nikko an auspicious experience as I came across the path of a family of three, frisky monkeys dodging cars and running back and forth across the street, hanging out in front of the 7/11 at one point as one ate from a cup of yogurt or pudding. Those three monkeys were quite mischievous, smart and very precise.

Accommodation:
I stayed at the Turtle Annex Hattori An in Nikko. A very cheerful woman is the owner. The hotel had a beautiful private indoor onsen with a gorgeous view of clear aqua -blue river running past.

There are many shrines in Nikko of wonderful historical significance and construction. One of the many that I went to had a wonderful garden and pond, which gave off this amazing mystical feel. It was beautiful.

I loved Yoyogi Park. Japan is seriously beautiful in the Fall when the leaves on the trees are on fire in color. the colors are more vivid than are in the Northeast US and you’ll get a taste of some of this in the park.

In Yoyogi is the Meiji Shrine, where you’ll find people there getting married and the brides’ mother and party in beautiful Black kimono’s with this exquisite golden and silver embroidery. – this seemed to be the norm/common wedding party dress (I could be wrong.)

If you take a certain exit from Yoyogi park, you are at the Harajuku stop. (Harajuku, Harajuku Desu!) Weirdly enough I never really saw any of the Harajuku get-ups and outfits that the area is known for. Really Weird! http://static.twoday.net/jupe/images/harajuku_girls.jpg

Of course this isn’t worth missing. If I remember correctly it’s about 20 minute outside of Paris and I believe you can take the “C” train straight there, as I did to save money.

Try to go more toward the end of the day before closing and there will be less people and more chances of you to take picture on the grounds with no one in them – Looking like the Chateau is your very own! When I was there there was like a little mini-tram that took us all around the grounds, (I believe it was free – not totally sure though.) The Grounds of Versailles are lovely serene. However I remember there was a lot of work being done on the gardens when I was there and so I missed out on seeing that splendor. The Grand or Petite Trianon was a pretty pink. (I believe that was the house built for Marie Antoinette or on of the Louis’ wives (I can’t remember don’t quote me on it.). Definitely go though! There’s enough to do in Paris of course but this is a nice side trip.

Hi – Though I was there 5 years ago, It’s a location worth going to, especially if you want to shop for electronics or see what going on with electronic development in Japan – Akihabara is the place to go (It’s electronics city).

At the time I was there Playstation II had just come out I believe, and people were flying over to Japan just to get one early! While I was in Akihabara I bought my father a watch that took pictures and video. These days, that seems like whatever – but then it was before everyone’s phone had video – It was virtually unheard of. (Sidebar: Also, at that time, everyone on the trains of Tokyo were texting each other like crazy and it was just coming on the horizon here in the US.)

Don’t look for cheaper prices in going to this area. If you’re from the US – you’ll find, the pricing is virtually the same, I found.

On another note, I was in Akihabara my last day in Japan. I met a group of guys from Pakistan in one of the stores. One of the friends struck up an interesting conversation and was very nice We all headed over to McDonalds(I know, hilarious right?!) where we sat down and the one friend who was fluent in English found out I was from New York City. Since it was right after 9/11 he asked me about it respectfully and extended his respects. He was a very intelligent guy and nice. I ended up losing e-mail contact with him.

But I won’t forget, his friend and I rode back on the train out of Akihabara toward Ueno and it was so fun – neither one of us had a language in common and we managed to have laughs and sign language (it was classic!)

He was fluent in Japanese and told the news-stand woman in Japanese that I only knew words like Ichi Ni San Go (1,2,3,4) Hello Please and Thank you. It was sooo funny as we all laughed. He got off the train at the Ueno stop. We said our grand goodbye with a handshake and took a picture that I still have actually. He disappeared into the crowd of riders exiting the train – and I never saw him again.

Thanks for providing a platform where I just re-lived a fun and nice time in Akihabara. Best regards.

I love Tokyo everyone should get there. After I went, Lost in Translation was filmed and I watch that every once in awhile for cheap memories. Japan is a really beautiful country with people who extended the kindest gestures and help to me while I was there. I recommend Japan overall. For it’s mountains, history, temples, technology and shopping.

I cannot wait to see the glorious, majestic Ice World. It looks so beautiful and that’s all I hear about it as well. It’s Cold as all ever of course but still want to go! Would love to venture inland to see the emperor penguins and their chicks. Since reporter Ann Curry went recently, it seems that there are many more tourists going to the continent.