Back from Paris

Lydia · Post by **Lydia** » Sat Nov 12, 2011 4:29 pm

Hi all,

I’m not sure where this goes but anyway...

Just got back from a full 10 days in drab. We (SO and I) went to Paris and a boat trip up the Seine. I find that I can handle the drab for a length of time as long as I know I can eventually dress as I am most comfortable - i.e. skirt & blouse, etc.

I love Paris and admire the Parisian girls. I envy the way they dress and look. I may be a cross-dresser, but underneath it all, I am still a dirty old man.

I guess I could have dressed in my old lady disguise, but that meant virtually doubling my baggage. Besides, when I got home it was such an extra pleasure to get the bra on (with assists).

It took me a full hour to read all the posts that I missed. The WiFi in Paris was slow and intermittent. I barely managed to keep up with urgent email.

It feels good to be among my sisters again.

Hugs.

Lydia

Hope · Post by **Hope** » Sat Nov 12, 2011 6:46 pm

My lovely Bride and I returned not too long ago from Paris. First trip there! So....I have to ask....how did you like Paris? I'm afraid I didn't get the concept myself. Expensive, all pretty much the same everywhere (old) and except for the Tower....hmmm.

Just curious. (I did see some unbelievable boots in a window for about 800 Euros? My My....!!!! )

Post by **DonnaT** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 8:29 am

Welcome back to the real world

Lydia · Post by **Lydia** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 10:26 am

Hi Hope,

Having been to Paris several times, it was a delight for me to find after a 10 year hiatus, the city has not changed. Eating is an obsession, and I had my fill of excellent FRESH oysters.

There are two primary assumptions that you need to maintain in France: #1 French is a single most important language of the world - #2 France is a major international power. Armed with these illusions, you can get along very nicely.

You may have heard that Parisians are rude to Americans. Not true. They are rude to everybody - untill you get to know them over a glass of wine.

A great place for newlyweds. But very expensive.

Hugs,

Lydia

Anita · Post by **Anita** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 10:26 am

Gee, Lydia, I'd love to see Paris myself. I'm glad one of us got to see it. I know what you mean about doubling the luggage--that really is a big choice. My gal self does not travel 'light'; I remember taking along both wardrobes when I went back to Ohio. I went out at least once back there, but that's another story.

So you didn't get to stroll along the Seine en femme--oh, well. That would have been icing on the cake, but I'm sure the trip had plenty of high points without it. Welcome back.

Rikki · Post by **Rikki** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 11:07 am

I've never spent any time in Paris, but I will agree with you about the French I've met all over the rest of the country on many, many trips, after you get to know them, they are wonderful! You think French girls dress well?... Head to Florence for a week and walk along the Ponto Vechio and head downtown! Wow! Only turn-off is the smoking, but guess that's how they keep so thin.

And I know what you mean about femme/drab challenge: wifey was away for 14 days so I was dressed nearly full time, even full makeup at times, now it's back to my normal schedule of a few hours several times a week. Miss the bra and control-tops already!!

Welcome home,
Rikki

Carol Ann · Post by **Carol Ann** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 1:59 pm

I can not believe you went all the way to Paris for fresh oysters, my gosh girl Florida has all the fresh oysters you want. But to tell the truth there are nothing like fresh Louisana oysters.

Lydia · Post by **Lydia** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:47 am

Hi Carol Ann,

By fresh oysters I mean they squirm when you drip lemon juice on them. Florida oysters are mostly from Appalachicola, and I find them a bit mushy and lacking in flavor. Same for the Louisiana oysters. Cold water varieties from Chesapeake Bay or up from Prince Edward Island, are superior, but here they are already dead or moribund when served.

There are a couple of places here in Sarasota that serve good fresh oysters, but you have to catch them at the right time.

De gustibus.....

Hugs,

Lydia

Paula G · Post by **Paula G** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 1:43 pm

Like most countries, Paris is not typical of France, anymore than London is typical of Britain. Parisians are busy people going about thier business they are not rude, just preoccupied. In myexperience everywhere in France the peopel are very friendly and helpfull - as long as you remember you are in France, a country where they speak French, even in Paris. This may sound simple, but there are many European countries where English is teh lingua franca, if not the first language. In Belgium, Holland, Luxemberg, and to a lesser extent Switzerland, and Germany you can get by with English only, but deffinitly not in Spain, Italy or France.

As for the food, remember it was teh Parisians who invented the resturant, a special treat is a glass of beer and a bowl of onion soup in a cafe / bar.

And as for Paris being old, outside of the Sacre Coure and Notre Dame most of it is pretty new, nearly all of Paris being rebuilt during the Second Empire to make it easier to deal with any riots or invaders, hence those long straight wide boulevards. However I love Paris. I spent some ime in France en femme back in March, but didn't have time or finance to go to Paris.

Post by **KimberlyS** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 2:13 am

Welcome back you traveling duo.

Absaroka · Post by **Absaroka** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:34 am

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip Lydia.

I've never been to Paris. I have a good friend who went there and loved it right up to the point where she wandered into the wrong part of Paris. Sort of like going to Manhattan and wandering into the South Bronx. Otherwise she really liked it there.

Zari

Carolynn · Post by **Carolynn** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 8:55 am

I have been to Paris several times, but didn't see what you have described. OH, you mean Paris, France, not Paris, Texas. Really different for sure!

Lydia · Post by **Lydia** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 9:03 am

Years ago, all parts of Paris were safe - even the Bois de Boulogne. Hookers were quite polite. More recently there have been areas that have become heavily Middle East, and downright dangerous. The Place Pigalle area, for example, in the evening and night it is filled with theatre goers, and a happy, friendly crowd. During the day, however, it is grim and unfriendly to outsiders. A remarkable transformation.

Hugs,

Lydia

Erica S · Post by **Erica S** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:05 am

I was in Paris back in 2000. It was a very short visit, I loved every minute of it! I would love to go back someday with my wife. I would also like to say I strolled Pairs en feminine also.

Hugs,

Erica

Stephanie H · Post by **Stephanie H** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 5:43 pm

Oh to be back in Paris in April.....
Such a nice place.
But things are beginning to change in a big way.....