Monday, March 26, 2007

Europe Anniversary


Yesterday was the European Union's 50th anniversary. That is to say, the anniversary of the Rome treaty signed by Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg in 1957. Now, there are 27 countries within the union, a common currency (the Euro), the borders have almost disappeared and, it produces 30,30 % of the world's GDP (2005). Not bad for countries that used to be constantly at war! Alas, since France and the Netherlands rejected the proposed constitution 2 years ago, this beautiful project is not without it's problems...

92 comments:

  1. Happy anniversary, EU! Is this photo in a gift shop?

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  2. un p'tit beurre, un p'tit Lu pour l'EU, et que dire de plus sinon qu'un p'tit beurre un p'tit lu, tatala la la la...
    et dire que ce fut le reve de bon nombre de dictateur de faire une grande europe, alexandre le grand, l'empire romain, Napoléon, hitler...

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  3. Yes on our national news today the tone is a little disdainful that France and Netherlands said no...

    It's great to see souvenirs, i've often wondered what sort of tacky (not Paris particularly, souvenirs all over!) things are being designed now. Twas ever the same that the eiffel tower must be depicted upon whatever object it is lol. Don't worry we have terribly tacky things, in fact more so, in London! One that springs to mind is a t shirt saying 'my friend went to London and all they bought me was this lousy t shirt'. Seen all over the capital on chuckling tourists.

    When i was in Paris in 1972 i bought a little eiffel tower full of the most revolting green perfume, a key ring, a leather bookmark, a metal ornamental eiffel tower, quite disgusting which my mother displayed loyally on the mantelpiece for, well, almost a week. One i still have, though, was bought for me by a French boy (was it you, Eric?) - a small leather heart shaped pendant with the words Toi et Moi on it. lol !

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  4. I think it's neat how someone from Germany can work in Spain or vice versa. Now if only we could extend that priveledge to citizens of the US? Now, that would be cool.

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  5. et dire que ce fut le reve de bon nombre de dictateur de faire une grande europe, alexandre le grand, l'empire romain, Napoléon, hitler...

    et puis NWO et puis quoi encore?

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  6. If US could work in Europe, there would be a long line. Interesting how the flags and souvenirs are displayed for full effect.

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  7. Thanks for explaining that Eric. I had seen the headlines on newspapers and was quite confused...50 years? Now I understand a little better.

    Kate, did you know that Americans working overseas are double taxed. At least that is what I think. I suppose Michael (Michelle) would know about that.

    So, Michelle, do you still have to pay full U.S. taxes in addition to taxes there?

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  8. Hey, Lynn, tacky are the mugs of the royals...and I have every single one including the divorce mug of Charles and Diana. There is no accounting for taste.
    If you come to AZ you can buy a scorpion inside a lollypop at one of our tourist shops. Yum.

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  9. Morning, Eric, by the way... sshhhh i think he's sleeping. On his keyboard. Model of eiffel tower in his hand. Paris tea towel over his arm, Paris mug in other hand resting on his Eiffel Tower mousemat. Smelling horribly of green perfume. Yes, you guessed it; Eric is a SOUVENIR JUNKIE.

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  10. Oh yes phx, they sell those lollipops at Selfridges in Birmingham too in the UK. Yes i used to collect Diana mugs, i'm guilty too. Only one i have left is of Charles with ridiculously large ear as handle.
    'Ear' be pleased when he knows i've still got one. he he...?

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  11. Eric, I'm back from my wonderful, sunny and luxurious (!) weekend at the beach and what a pleasure it is to find this great topic here, it's interesting to learn more about the EU.
    I have a question (I'm afraid it's a stupid one), why isn't the euro the currency in the UK as well?

    Lynn, I've seen these tacky souvenirs all over and I remember well the ones in London. The one I couldn't resist was a small box of London tea with the 'tube' lines painted on it. It's cute actually!

    I've read that they already have Prince William and his girlfreind mug ready for when they get married. It has a question mark on the place the wedding date should be. You guys don't waist time there huh!

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  12. I'm shaking at the prospect of a new royal mug! I hope they don't marry, tho, TOO YOUNG! I also keep rue de Rivoli in business buying real junk. For those whose eyes are failing, I bought a placemat of the Metro at one of the shops there and had it laminated. That way I can REALLY see where the Metro lines intersect and not make a mistake. Even if your eyes are good, my tourist placemat is the best Metro map going!

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  13. To Monica: the Brits voted the Euro down. Can you imagine giving up the dollar for another identity? It must be hard.
    I was in Paris when the Franc changed to the Euro. What a funny sight it was to see a native hand over, what was to them strange money, in a cupped hand to the proprietor to figure out for them. 100 cents to the Euro was a different concept--REAL easy for an American, finally!

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  14. Phx-blah, thank you for the explanation, it makes perfect sense!

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  15. I brought something from Paris too, of course. But not the regular souvenir. I bought a great coffee table book with spectacular photos of Beautiful Paris. It's on display in my living room!

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  16. your welcome, Monica. I have Eiffel towers all over the place and stack my bracelets on them. Some people go the tacky route,like me, and some, the classy way, like you! Target sells an Eiffel tower lamp, and yes, I have one. Thought you might be interested. I also have a flashing Eiffel tower pin that I wear on the plane that I bought from a stall across from Galeries Layfayette Mens store. The Passengers always want to buy it from me! That stall seems to be the only place to still carry it.

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  17. Phx---cdg, I'm all about tacky too. I just remembered I have a purse I bought in Paris that has Eiffel Towers all over it! It's a black purse with 2 zippers, each one has a silver Eiffell Tower and the word Paris hanging in it, like a keychain! So tacky but so cute!
    Your Eiffel Tower souvenirs and your flight stories reminded me of Gwyneth Paltrow in the movie 'A view from the top', where she plays a flight attendand crazy about Paris!

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  18. phx----cdg, I'm wondering if you always fly the same route or if you ever change? I'm on a plane so much we might have bumped into each other. I'd be the one wanting to get up and use the toilet just around the time there's a food trolley coming down the aisle. It's a real dilemma for me... "toilet? food? toilet? food?"

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  19. Susan in atl - I don't know about Michelle, but what you say is almost correct. Americans must pay taxes on "worldwide income". However, there's a tax break on the first 70k or 80k earned, so an American is only taxed on what he/she might earn above that amount. Then there are other tax breaks one can take into account, such as expenses one might not have had to pay had one lived in the U.S.

    Hope that helps.

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  20. Michelle (that is your new name...I like it),

    Well, that's not too bad then.

    Monica,

    You said, "I'm all about..." Are you SURE you're not really an American? LOL!

    From what I've seen on the CDP, it looks like spring has sprung most places! It was 31C (87F) today in Atlanta. Kind of high, even for here. But March is always a strange month. One night it goes down to freezing (0C/32F) and a few days later, it's 31C! It's nice, but my allergies are killing me. That's one bad thing about Atlanta. I never had them until here and I hear that's true for lots of people. Sniffle, sniffle.

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  21. Monica, we must throw a party and wear all our souvenirs!
    Michael, there IS no dilemna, the food tastes like the toilet!
    I fly jfk-cdg and jfk-lhr because I am so addicted to these 2 countries and learning about them. I can't get Rome often but I like it. South America? It's nice but not like my 2 favorites. The Carribean? Doesn't have the excitement and the culture I get from cdg-lhr. I've learned quite a bit from and about these 2 countries.
    I think you are a Brit, Michael,oui? If so, do you fly,hint, AMERICAN carriers? Where do you travel?

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  22. Susan in Atl - If you're going to make my name French, I'd much prefer Michel ;-)

    phx--cdg - LOL about the toilet food! I'm actually American, and usually fly Air France unless it's a code-share. Unfortunately, I rarely get to JFK or LHR, but one never knows. Of course, un café on one of your layovers isn't out of the question.

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  23. Oooh, hope that didn't seem too forward PHX--CDG. Just a kindly offer. So I take it you actually live in PHX? A nice warm spot sans hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes!

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  24. Susan in atl, you're right! Spring is everywhere on the City Daily Photo site.

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  25. Thank you for explaining this Eric. I didn't realize that the EU had been around officially for that long.

    Regarding Americans working in Europe, are there any special exceptions for artists and musicians like my husband?

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  26. lol Euro in UK Monica? - because we're stubborn! Actually, we are an island and some people view this as reason enough to keep our own identity and separate from others. When we changed to decimal currency, there were lots of price rises, cons, people cashing in on the confusion. It'll probably happen eventually, but there are arguments all the time really, pro and con, for the good of the economy, how it would be a disaster, tradition, etc. Who knows when and if.

    Prince William, i'm not sure he will marry just yet, he has an army career as an officer which he is merely starting and only yesterday was exposed as being in a nightclub dancing and inviting a girl other than Kate Middleton, who was not present of course, back to his barracks! Apparently nothing happened but still, not quite the behaviour of a committed man is it?

    Phx - you can purchase the William/Kate mug NOW at Woolworths in the UK. I don't know the price, but it is on sale. They are the only company, to my knowledge, being so presumptious. Ridiculous really but as you are a collector, this is certainly one for you to buy. If it's a prob., (they don't do mail order but you never know if you were to telephone them) you can always send me the money and i can purchase one for you?

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  27. Phx - I know one of the favourite (very quiet and unknown) pubs where the royal couple go to drink. It is quite near to where i live (I am not far from Highgrove, Prince Charles' home)and i always have my camera when i go into the pub! If i should ever be lucky to catch them, rest assured i'll post it on my DP blog (after i've sold it for thousands of course)! lol.

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  28. Il y avait des eu des reactions amusantes dans la presse Américaine, notamment le NY Times, après le Non d'il y a deux ans.

    Tout à l'heure à la télé, sur la chaine culturelle locale, les journalistes parlaient des elections - pas seulement celles de 2008 ici, mais aussi celles de France... sachez qu'on vous observe de loin avec beaucoup d'interet! ;)

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  29. These souvenirs look rather nice. When last we commented on the souvenirs, I mentioned the tacky glass souvenir of Eiffel Tower filled with olives. Speaking of green perfume: have you ever noticed the scents that are bottled in those cheap smell-alike imitations of name brand perfumes? They all smell about the same as sweet vinegar and are ghastly. My brand is CK1..used it for years after 20 years of Eau Sauvage. The imitation of CK1 smells like Drano.

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  30. Interesting Johnny, i'm going to do a post about perfumes, as i absolutely adore them; they're my 'thing' if you like. Eau Sauvage was always and still is, fab! Don't know CK1.

    I don't fancy the imitations at ALL.

    My favourites are Coco Chanel, Jean Paul Gautier, Envy Me (Gucci), Chanel No. 5, Poison, La Dolce Vita, Shalimar. Mmmmm i could go on... wearing Jean Paul Gautier today.

    I adore going into department stores to try them all. Unashamedly i spray all over and don't mind in the least (not if i'm going out of course when one only must be selected), for that day, coming out a veritable melee of nostril assault, reminiscent of a tart's parlour!

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  31. Phx--cdg, I love your idea, that would be a great excuse for throwing a party!

    Susan in Atl, lol at your comment

    Lynn, about UK currency, my experience with it is that I couldn't figure out all those tiny little coins... pences, pounds... it confused me a lot but what I always found out was that the money I had wasn't enough!!!

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  32. Michael,
    at your request, you now have a beach of your own. Well, you're gonna have to share it with Lynn of course... I'll only show up there if both of you can find your swimsuits!

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  33. Talking of southern accents (okay this is tenuous, it was some days ago now) there's some USA southern drawl coffee-break fiction at my blog, Things UK! Michael, i think you missed this when i posted it some time ago. Take a break everyone! I give you permission. lol.

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  34. Monica; looks like we'll have the beach to ourselves then. Michael and i have (not) searched everywhere...we're quite breathless just thinking about looking, aren't we, Michael?

    Currency: Yes they are annoying, our small coins. I think it's derived from an incentive to never have to deal with such beastly small things and be so successful as to only be worrying about the £50 notes in our wallets. Probably from the Thatcher era. Yes i know, you're too young. lol.

    Yes again, everything is quite expensive here. I STILL don't know why we're all here.

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  35. Eric : "since France and the Netherlands rejected the proposed constitution 2 years ago, this beautiful project is not without it's problems..."
    As a French AND a European, I felt really and deeply sorry for the "NO", but don't you think presenting things that way isn't sort of getting causes and effects mixed up ?

    Lynn : "Yes on our national news today the tone is a little disdainful that France and Netherlands said no.." I suppose you mean "to happy" ?!!!

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  36. I'm 100% for Canada joining the EU. I think we need a little distance from the US, and since we can't move the country, maybe just moral seperation.
    Nothin against the US, but I'm still angry at having to change the time 2 weeks early cause of you guys!!
    And Congradulations to the EU! I think I can safely say, if nothing else, you have been able to make the nicest coin designs I have ever seen on any currency!

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  37. Michael, you said "trolley" and since I can now translate from the British form of English,that means cart over there, right Lynn? An honest mistake. I 'm a commuter who lives in PHX but works out of NYC. I'm planning on meeting Eric in CDG over the summer one day, why not have un cafe one day with you,too?

    Lynn, on a layover, I am in LHR only and in 18 yrs., I have never seen a Woolworths in central LHR. You BET I want a mug, but where else can I find one? If all else fails, I will give you my UK hotel address. I have 2 work trips there over Easter and will let you know after that. Never get as far as Highgrove but want the info! LOVED the royal gossip. Will be in LHR during the last week in June for vacation and could get out there....yes, I go to both cities for vacation, too. I admit to a sickness, but there is so much to EXPERIENCE!

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  38. Lynn,
    I was told many times and read in magazine articles that one should select a scent that wells suits and then stick to it. People (including your lover) associate that scent with you....a reminder and often an aphrodisiac. LOL I chose to believe it because it saves me tons of money. All scents you mentioned are delicious. Did you ever have a perfume shop blend a scent especially for you? It is expensive but fun.

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  39. Ah lynn, you confirmed my suspicions. I knew that was a picture of Eric's favorite room in his home and not a picture of a souvenier shop! I imagine his computer desk is just off the the right of this photo, I {heart} France tea cup half full, EU flag draped over a corner of his moniter!

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  40. I think France had a referendum over joining the EU two years back, which was rejected. Isn't it!...anyway a well captured shot!

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  41. I used to love France! I even planned to move there permanently. But it seems to be leaning more towards becoming the Fourth Reich than the country with which I fell in love. How very sad!

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  42. Starman: ooh controversial. Watch those comments fly!

    Trolley Q: I'm so far out of the travelling sphere i'm still trying to get my head around 'layover'. I pondered with some interest that it might be some new sexual position.

    I think perhaps we wouldn't even refer to the recepticle carrying the goodies, but would simply say "ah the food's coming/ah the duty free" or whatever. It wouldn't be cart anyway. Trolley is closest i reckon. Horribly pedantic aren't we, the British?

    gg: don't understand, sorry.

    Johnny: glad you like my choices! Yes actually an ex boyfriend sometimes calls (from when we were 18) and often says Chanel No. 5 reminds him of me at that time. He's even said (and this is confidential of course) that he's bought it for other girlfriends so that he can fantasise! Goodness, well, whilst being flattered, i couldn't possibly approve of THAT, now could i. Not good at all. Keep it to yourself, Johnny.

    No i've never had perfume made for me, how positively delicious! Unless, of course, it turned out to be the hideous green Paris confection. Ugh. I'd be cut to the quick.

    Ok phx, keep me posted!

    Soosh: Yay, great image! With French national flag boxers on of course.

    Phew long post! Lucky Eric's not around to see me commandeering his post.

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  43. Mon Dieu!! 50 years since the Rome Treaty??? Seems like only yesterday President DeGaulle had given Le Grand "NON"[1967] to Britain's request to join the Common Market! In my Jr High and High School Days we had to study European History as well as American History[a year of Ancient Medieval History and a year of Modern European History in High School]now I haven't any idea of what they study regarding history as most kids don't even know who DeGaulle or Eisenhower was!!

    phx---cdg..the blinking Eiffel tower pin sounds adorable!! I used to fly Air France to CDG three or four times a year and I cannot imagine an Air France hotesse de l'air wearing such a pin!! LOL!! Most of my souvenirs are eatable so they don't last very long!

    lynn...your French "petit-ami" gave you a Moi&Toi pin!! How cute!! Now we know why you love PDP[and Eric]so much!!! LOL!! ;-) Memories....how does that song go???

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  44. Johnny and Lynn...you DO know that the olfactory senses are the ones that have the longest memory don't you? You will remember the smell of someone (or something) much longer than you will remember their face, touch, sound, or even their taste!

    A couple of links:
    http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro00/web2/Ito.html

    http://www.macalester.edu/psychology/whathap/UBNRP/Smell/memory.html

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  45. Yes isn't it wonderful, Michael. Such a sexy thought...mmm....oh sorry i'm back. Unless..the smell wasn't pleasant, then it would be simply ghastly.

    Eek: the techie maestro's links didn't work! What happened my Guru?

    Kpgallant: Well i'd sing if i knew how to put it on here (love singing). Michael? Anyway, one of my favourites by Barbra. Not great quality but still;



    The Way We Were

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  46. Oh johnny...It was either in a movie or a book[can't remember which]but there was a line where a woman said.."the two secrets a French woman will never reveal are the names of her eau de parfum and her Lover..." How perfect ehhh??? I can imagine Leslie Caron saying it to someone in a movie! LOL!!

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  47. Yes, mysterious but why not the eau de parfum. If you don't tell him, he can't buy it for your birthday! Missed opportunity if you ask me.

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  48. Bon anniversaire, mes ami europeans. Raise a toast to history (your story).

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  49. Bon anniversaire, mes amis europeans. Raise a toast to history (your story).

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  50. Lynn : I just guessed that the UK press was quite pleased with the French "No" to the Constitution, but maybe I'm wrong. Am I ?

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  51. kpgallent--we are supposed to look professional on the plane...and then there is me. I have my blinking light eiffel tower pin, my red white and blue spangled gloves with red fur for pick up ( to be exchanged with my new droite and gauche mitts that I picked up at the Assemblee Nationale gift shop, thanks to Eric's picture on the blog a while ago) and the credenza I decorate in business class with eiffel tower pictures and a blinking eiffel tower that looks like the clear one in Eric's picture. I also display a statue of liberty since it is found in both countries. Just TRY and fire me! Life is short, this woman wants to have fun.
    Lynn-I will keep you posted.

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  52. Ooh i'm not sure, gg. The general tone seemed to be UNhappy but i can't speak for everyone.

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  53. Lynn, speaking of perfumes, guess what´s my favourite nowadays: Love in Paris, by Nina Ricci. I´m addicted to Paris! Both the city and the perfume!

    The perfume section of department stores are just wonderful! We girls could spent hours and hours there right?!

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  54. Yes Lynn, the links do work, but you'll have to cut and paste them into your browser. Browser = the long white strip at the top of the web page (just in case!) ;-)

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  55. phx---cdg,

    it must be very fun to fly with you! I fly Air France but unfortunately we´re on different routes.

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  56. Oh heck Lynn, I don't want you to be more frustrated, so here you go:

    Smell and Memory

    Olfaction and Memory

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  57. After reading your attire phx---cdg, I can definitely say I haven't bumped into you on the way to the toilet on any of my flights! ;-)

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  58. phx----cdg...deah gawd...I'm laughing up a storm at work today with visions of those gloves and your display in business class!!

    Who needs "drudge report" when we have PDP???

    I've flown just about every US carrier[and Air France of course]to Paris, but I would fly with you just to witness you in the "act"!! LOL!! As long as it isn't Delta[never again]so give us a hint?!!

    So when you're not here should we assume you are "en route"??? Flying those "friendly skies"??? ;-)

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  59. I have been checking in with the PDP site since I found it at the end of January. It is just so much fun and I enjoy reading the comments, what a lovey/goofy bunch you all are.
    I am an ophthalmic photographer working at a hospital outside of Philadelphia PA. The activities committee has organized a trip to Paris and I signed up, my coworker jumped aboard and we have 2 friends with our party (it is a big hospital so I don't know who else has signed up). We are excited. We will be on our own once we get there and have not made our daily plans yet. We arrive on Air France April 26 and leave May 2nd I believe they have included some sort of mini tour. the day we arrive, but other than that we will be on our own.

    Eric great photographs! You have a great band of merrymakers too!

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  60. Oui,(I just got back from French class). I'm home till my Easter trips and don't go on the computer till I am back from work.

    kpgallent:I'm so glad you "get" me! I gave a bottle of vin to a passenger(who "got" me) when she saw my pin and said, "Oh, it must be on the hour!."I told her she got the smartest passenger in the world award. For those of you who haven't been to Paris, the tower has strobe lights every hr. on the hr. for 10 minutes when it gets dark.
    Michael: you are cute enough to follow into a stinky airplane bathroom, but then my husband might get mad. Also, Proust had something to say about smells and memories in "Cherchez du Temps Perdue"--I'm better in English, "Memories of Times Past"--and the famous madelines. It's such a burden being smart and beautiful(ok I confess, I used to be a teacher). And I am not posting a picture!! I almost forgot, there was an earlier hint as to the AMERICAN carrier I work for.

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  61. Wish we lived closer, Monica, we'd go out and 'do' the dept. stores, come back and waft over Michael & Eric & yr husband! he he.

    Thank you Michael, you're a gent.

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  62. phx---cdg...I totally understand "flight attendants"...and have lot's of great stories!!

    You sound like the one I met on a flight to Kauai once that was a lot of fun and very playful!! We helped her push her food cart into it's space[it was bigger than her]and on the flight home she was on the same flight. She recognized me and came running down the aisle and gave me a bottle of champagne and shouted out "Congratulations on your 25 years with U----- Airlines"!! She later laughed and said she did that just in case any other passengers were wondering why they didn't get champagne!! Loved her!! Fun, kooky people make the world a better place! D'accord???!

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  63. Marez
    I work for Air France, welcome on board ! A comment reader as well !

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  64. I was in Paris when they were just switching over to the euro. I remember seeing graffiti all around that said "l'euro = zero" and I was impressed to see that there was political graffiti, since everything where I live is just gang graffiti.

    My tackiest Paris souvenir is a giant bottle of olive oil in a glass Eiffel Tower that sits atop my oven (and is probably rancid by now...)

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  65. I wish we lived closer too Lynn! We can still make it in Paris you know. EVERYONE here expects you to take a holiday soon. Then we could go to Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Sephora and the souvenirs shops along Rue de Rivoli. Phx---cdg would join us of course!

    Phx---cdg, I got the hint now, I thought you worked for Air France.

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  66. Mad @ you Michael! Too busy for me, huh? lynn and Monica more important then me? Can't even return a "bonjour?!?"

    (Of course I'm not actually all *grrrr* mad at you, but what was up? Busy doing very Parisian things?

    And as for YOU, lynn and Monica, are you trying to steal Michael from me? I know I've not been able to be on PDP much lately, but to think a dear friend like lynn would take advantage of my (recently) very busy life to snatch Michael away?!? Why, I do believe there's gonna be a fight. Cat claws out, ladies? ;oP

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  67. Additional: Sorry for any potential taking over of the blog, Eric. Also appologies to the rest of the PDP visitors who are currently rolling their eyes at me!

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  68. Meow!

    But wait...I want little Michel myself!

    Gay or straight, he is MINE!!! LOL!

    Michel, my bell.....(let's see if anyone gets that).

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  69. ahem...little was not to imply....well, you know....

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  70. Marez: I, too, will arrive in Paris on April 26. Maybe we should try to meet up while there. What part of the city is your group staying in?

    Soosha_q: Don't worry, when the three of you start that blarney I just scroll on...

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  71. Soosha don't look at me, it's Lynn who's got all the power.. and all the men!

    Susan, is it "Michelle my belle those are words that go together well"? from The Beatles?

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  72. Oh my God, 72 comments on Europe's anniversary ?! I would have never thought so.

    I was busy all night and I need to go to bed now because it's late. I'll read all your comments tomorrow ;)

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  73. Oooh dear! Well, what to say? Monica you've dropped me in it! I can cope though. Fear not.

    Soosh, darling, it's like this. We have simply been keeping Michael warm for you. We all missed you from here, we really did. Whilst i could challenge you to pistols at dawn, i feel it far more seemly to just all join hands as we try to get to Paris at some point. Then, we can let poor Michael choose which one to talk to most. lol. He's shaking in his shoes now! Don't worry Soosh, nothing's been going on, mere jokes and fun. Though there is the naked holiday...erm....!

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  74. and.. power? Power, me? I haven't even power to boil a kettle, let alone have any influence over ANYBODY. lol.

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  75. Lynn, you are divine and you know it!

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  76. Yes, Monica...you do know your Beetles songs!

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  77. And by the way, I hope the info I gave you was helpful! What did you decide to do (Holland)?

    It was definitely worthwhile to see Amsterdam. But, two days seems to be enough to see and do it all (unlike Paris).

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  78. I didn't realise there was a contest Soosha. You know that nobody could take your place, however, there is place for everyone. I must warn you though...Monica's white beaches sure have something over St. Louis, but she already has a boyfriend. Lynn has a boyfried (ahem), and you already have a husband. The only one left is Susan, but she seems confused, so I won't go there.

    Yes Eric, now I count 78 comments on this photo, but they have decidely taken a turn from the original subject. If you can picture all of these girls with blinking Eiffel towers, jars with olive oil and green perfume, it's enough to make any man run for cover...non?

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  79. lol Michael. Like the ahem very much! Just you bear that ahem in mind then, will you? Only we know the significance!

    Whilst we did go off the subject a little bumping up these comments, I always had in mind the perfect souvenir of Paris I've designed in my mind; a perfectly clear glass figurine of Eric, legs apart balancing while he snaps with his camera. Now THAT i would buy.

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  80. .. and actually Monica has a HUSBAND rather than a boyfriend, so just get those white beaches off your mind lol.

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  81. lol... yes, the comments are not about EU at all!

    Michael is right, there's enough place for everybody! We can go to the beach, we can go to Paris, we can go anywhere. So now we have Michael + Susan, they can form a cute couple! Lynn, Soosha and I already have our knights.. and what about Eric??!!

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  82. Susan, yes thanks, the info was very helpful. Michael also gave me some info about the TGV.
    I was thinking that 2 days would be enough for now, just like you said.

    However, I checked the prices of some european flying companies and it seems to be cheaper to get a Paris-Amsterdam flight than the TGV. I'm still studying the possibilities.

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  83. Monica, it indeed might be cheaper but you spare some bore (transfert to and from airports) by using the TGV, direct from Paris Gare du Nord to Central Amsterdam.

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  84. rofl! I'm just giggling at the thought of Michael + anybody who has joined in this silly discussion!

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  85. hmmm GG, you got a point there! I´ll take it into consideration. Thanks!

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  86. Well,PdP Gang, I am so glad to see you have finally run out of steam on these topics. I love the way Michael keeps you "super excite" as they say in French.

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  87. lol what is that expression in French, please Johnny? I don't know it. Surely not as you wrote it? Isn't that English without the d?

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  88. Ahh come on Lynn...with your level of French and interesting ways, this must be one of the words you know in French. Perhaps no...perhaps your vocabulary in this area is much more, shall we say, "refined"? LOL

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  89. Lynn...I can't translate for you. I would be too embarassed. You can say things in a foreign language and you think it isn't so bad....therefore I use French expressions and remain a gentleman.LOL

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  90. To enjoy this anniversary I am going to book hop on hop off rome bus ride.What are you waiting for?Come & enjoy the beauty of rome.

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