Where is Beca?

[Scotch]

Does anyone know if Beca is okay? I kind of miss her posts, particularly those on threads discussing BCV. She hasn't posted for two months now. I thought about emailing but it seems a bit intrusive. Anyone with knowledge?

 

[dizhoni]

I have missed her also. I think you should email her and let us know that everything is fine. Maybe she'll take a minute and check in here. Honi

 

[Beca]

Hi guys!!!

I just got an email from bobbiwoz (thanks, Bobbie!!) that I had been missed....thanks!! I miss everyone here, too!

Things are going fine with my family and myself. I am sorry I have been away from the boards for awhile. Right after we got back from our March trip, we got the news that we might be moving to FRANCE....yikes!!! So, we started learning the language, and started "liquidating" some of our belongings (we have a LOT of "stuff" that we cannot take overseas). We realized that if we were going to France, that we did not need as many BCV points as we have (we would not be able to go to WDW as much)....so, I SADLY put one of my contracts on the market....it sold quickly. It was a SAD day for me....I think I was mourning my American life (as much as I LOVE the idea of moving to Europe). But fortunately, we still have about 400 pts at my beloved BCV, so we're not doing too badly in that respect (and, I told dh....NO more points are leaving my stingy little fingers!! ).

Anyway, we bought airplane tickets to go to France in the fall (and had to cancel our December BCV trip...dh doesn't have enough vacation), and rented an apartment for 17 days in Paris....so, we had already invested some serious $$$ into this trip, when our dd put her foot down and said she would NOT move to Paris...she'd move in with her Nana!! We then got a little concerned with the bird flu, since Paris is 30% more crowded per square mile than NYC, and also began to get a little "nervous" about anti-American attitudes in France...especially now that Iran is looking to be another fight America might choose to pick. We decided that we should pass up that opportunity THIS time, but keep it in our heads for the next several years. My dh is the son of a diplomat, and had the luxury of growing up all over the world...he really wants a "global" education for our dd. The problem is, she is already being "brainwashed" into the Texas "cheerleading" mentality (the sun does rise and set because of cheerleading, right? ). She says she will never live anywhere that she cannot be on a cheer team.

So, anyway....I was wondering what I would do with my "windfall" from the sale of my BCV points, when our air conditioner system went out....the replacement cost was $25,000 (we have 3 units)!!! We are also in the middle of replacing the flooring downstairs with stone, and after spending so much on the air conditioning, we DEFINITELY have to lay the stone ourselves...we cannot afford to pay someone. So much for my windfall!!! Anyway, I think I have been having a hard time coming to terms with all the "pending" changes in my life...including selling BCV.

Anyway, I am busy trying to learn a LITTLE bit of French so I don't look like such an IDIOT in Paris. If anyone has any suggestions for our trip, I would LOVE to hear them. I also told dh that I am REALLY sad that we had to cancel our Dec trip, and that we need to re-schedule for Feb....I need a BCV fix really soon...I miss that place.

But, I am SOOOO flattered to be missed!!! There are so many GREAT people on the boards....I can't believe anyone would actually notice I was gone. So, bobbiwoz, jekjones1558, Scotch, and dizhoni....thanks!!! I PROMISE I will try to check the boards more often.

Please don't ever worry about feeling "intrusive"....you guys can email/pm me whenever!!!

And, thanks....you have definitely "made my day"!!


Beca

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm so glad you posted Beca! I checked earlier today and noticed you hadn't posted since April 6th. I've been counting on you to help defend BCV! Where in France might you be moving? DH's company French-owned, so he goes to Paris frequently. Sometime, I want to go and be dropped off at DLP. Glad to see you back-maybe we'll meet at BCV or DLP some day (or Lewisville, if you're still there next time I'm up there)

 

[Sarnia]

Beca,

So many Americans visit Paris, I don't think that you would find too much negative sentiment there. If you think about it, it's not that long since the US population was boycotting French goods etc, but the French most likely just gave it a Gallic shrug.

As far as Bird Flu goes, if it mutates and starts to spread rapidly between people, it doesn't matter what city you are in. With modern travel it would spread like wildfire everywhere, so I wouldn't let that sway you too much. If you lived in a very low population density rural area then maybe it would be a factor worth considering.

 

[Stitch 03]

Paris is a great place and you will have a great time. Make sure to spend alot of time in the Louvre and also take a side trip out to Versailles (note: if you do go to Versailles, make sure you choose a day where they turn the fountains on - why they do not have them on every day is beyond me ).

Also, make sure you visit DLP - It may be the best looking Disney park to date.

 

[Beca]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Simba's Mom - DH's European office is in La Defense (aren't MOST big companies?), so we were considering the 15th or 16th Arrondissment. I REALLY don't like La Defense, and I don't want to move to France and be in the "burbs". If I am going to France...I'm going to Paris!!

As far as the Bird Flu....we're really only concerned about our dd...she seems to catch every illness that comes "down the pike". We are in a relatively "spread out" area here in Texas, and we can easily isolate her if we need to...not to mention the farm where my mom lives in the middle of nowhere. We already have a plan in place that myself and my dd would go to my mom's farm if an outbreak occurs, and we would isolate my dd until the outbreak died down. We're not overly paranoid about this (personally, I don't think it is going to happen), but it's best just to have a plan. But, if we were in a Paris apartment....forget about it....those living quarters are just too close for my "virus" comfort.

However, we are really excited for this trip. We are taking side trips to Chamonix (I WISH we could take a few more days and cross over to Switzerland) to see the Alps (and eat some VERY aloholic fondue!!) and the Mer du Glace, and then heading out west to Mont Ste Michel so our dd can "spend the night in a real castle".

There are SOO many places I want to go in Europe....Bavaria, Switzerland, the Cottswalds, Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Austria. It would be really nice to live there and be able to take weekend trips to all the places I would love to go....oh well, maybe in a few years. Until then...I still get my BCV!!!!



Beca

 

[bobbiwoz]

Have a wonderful time in Paris, in the fall, so romantic. I'm sure it's romantic anytime. I love the music and the movie at Epcot's France!

Thank you for taking the time to let us know how you are doing. Everytime somebody's waitlist for Dec. at BCV, I wondered if your one night came through yet!!

Bobbi

 

[goldilocks_63]

We missed you.....

Sorry about your BCV points, but maybe you can buy more on the monorail line? in the future.

Best, GOldi

 

[magicalmcwho]

Hi Beca,

Glad to hear from you and everything is ok, except for selling your BCV points.
I know that was difficult for you. I missed your posts on BCV as well and was wondering if you were ok. I thought you might be really busy and didnt have time to post.

Jim.

 

[Scotch]

Hi, Beca! I'm really glad to hear that you are okay. Wow, a possible move to France! That is big news. I must admit even reading all that has happened I am still STUNNED that you sold off one of your BCV contracts!!!!

 

[Beca]

Thanks guys!!

Yes, selling the BCV contract was HARD, but we knew we didn't need that many points if we were living in Europe. I wish now that we hadn't acted so rash in selling them, but I figure everything happens for a reason...and, seriously...400 points is just fine.

Anyway...thanks for all the "Welcome Backs"....you're all REALLY sweet!!!



Beca

 

[Sarnia]

However, we are really excited for this trip. We are taking side trips to Chamonix (I WISH we could take a few more days and cross over to Switzerland) to see the Alps (and eat some VERY aloholic fondue!!) and the Mer du Glace, and then heading out west to Mont Ste Michel so our dd can "spend the night in a real castle".

Mont-Saint-Michel is an amazing place. It was a fortified monestary. It's only a 20 minute flight and a short drive from the Island we live on. There's lovely food in the Normandy area too.

There is a small walled town called St. Malo, which is very close to Mont-Saint-Michel, which is also very nice, and because it is in Brittany it has a different style of regional food again, with lots of seafood, Crepes etc.

Paris is my favourite city. The main old city is pretty small, so we generally walk everywhere. We usually stay near the Latin Quarter, as it has so many fantastic cafes, bars and restaurants. We do also cross over the river to the right bank a lot to explore the shops and restaurants on that side.

The Michelin restaurant guide is always invaluable to help choose restauarants in every price range. We have always had excellent meals by going to places listed in it. I would also recommend the Time Out Paris Eating & Drinking guide. The Zagat Survey is also good.

To get a real feel for the food and restaurants of Paris, The Food Lover's Guide to Paris by Patricia Wells is superb. She is an American food writer living in Paris, and i'm sure you could get a copy from Amazon. I have seen her books in Orlando.

Last but not least I would recommend getting a French food dictionary. The one I use is called The A-Z of French Food. It's invaluable for figuring out what is on the menu. If you can't get hold of any books before you go, there is an English language book shop in Paris that sells them:

Brentano's
Address: 37, avenue de l'Opéra, 75002 PARIS
Phone: 01 42 61 52 50 ; Fax: 01 42 61 07 61
E-mail: brentanos-buyers@brentanos.fr
Métro: Opéra (lines 3, 7, 8), Pyramides (lines 7, 14).
Proprietor: Chantal Bodez
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Anglo-American literature, art books, magazines and newspapers. Book signings and events.

or WH Smith will probably have food guides etc:

W.H. Smith
Address: 248, rue de Rivoli, 75001 PARIS
Phone: 01 44 77 88 99 ; Fax: 01 42 96 83 71 ; Minitel: 3615 SMITH
Métro: Concorde (lines 1, 8, 12).
E-mail: whsmith.France@wanadoo.fr (or) messages@whsmith.fr
Manager: Stuart Walker
Hours: Monday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Sunday 1:00 to 7:30 p.m.
The only British-owned bookstore in Paris. Literature, guides, magazines and a good teaching resources section upstairs.

Writing this has made me want to go to Paris, i've got a massive craving for the food

 

[Beca]

Sarnia....THANK YOU!!! That is some of the best information I have received!! I will look up ALL of the books you suggest. We didn't know exactly where to stay, so we just picked an apartment we liked. It is on the Ile St. Louis....I hope it is in a good location, but if not....at least we are in Paris!!! (How bad can it be?)

If anyone has anymore suggestions I would really appreciate hearing them.



Beca

 

[Doug Wolfe]

Closest I have ever been to France is at Epcot!

Good luck Beca!

 

[Sarnia]

Beca,

Ile St Louis is about as good a location as you could get. It's an island in the middle of the river Seine. The next island along, which is linked to it by a bridge, is where Notre Dame Cathedral is.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Hey Beca!!!

It's been many moons since I was in Paris so I don't have any advice for you...just hope you'll have a great trip and will give us all the details when you return.

(Yea -- I get to use a new smiley!)
Calypso

 

[greenban]

Dear Beca:

Glad to hear everything is going well. (Except the 'sale' BCV points and the A/C!)

To avoid anti-American sentiment that is well spread throughout France, just claim your Canadian, everyone loves the Candians!

Plus your French will be more tolerated if it is Candian-French versus American French.

Bon Jour!

-Tony

P.S. Three cheers for your DD and her firm foot!

 

[Sammie]

What we enjoyed the most:

The Bateaux-Mouches of Paris at night.
Montmarte and Sacré Coeur
the Louvre
Lido de Paris
shopping and dining at the outdoor cafes
Notre Dame

Ile St. Louis is a perfect location, you could not have picked a better place. This website was recommended to us by a friend, it has some recommendations for local places to eat on the island.

http://www.chezvous.com/paris/neighborhoods/islands/islands.html

Have a wonderful trip.

 

[jekjones1558]

Hi, Beca,
Just got back home myself and checked the boards. Glad to see your post but so surprised about the almost France move! Seems like you just got to Texas! Your new air conditioner and stone floor will give you lots of satisfaction and are good investments, just like BCV.
I'm sending you an e-mail regarding the movie you recommended. Haven't found it in my city yet, but will be checking.
Love, Jean