Best Question Contest

Win a copy of "Foreign Tongue", the fabulous new novel by Vanina Marsot, by replying to this post with a question for Heather. What kind of question? A GOOD question!

I get a lot of questions that are, frankly, pretty boring. These tend to fall into the "why don't you Google it yourself?" category, such as:

"What time does the Louvre close on Friday?"

"Are there any stores open on Sunday in Paris?"

"Where do the Bastille Day fireworks take place?"

Or in the "don't you read my website?" category:

"Do you recommend any places to eat in Paris?"

"Are there any hotels under €100/night on the Left Bank?"

"How can I move to Paris and do what you do?"

And then there's the "maybe you clicked 'send' before thinking" category:

"What will the exchange rate be next week?"

"Does Paris close in August?"

"You're American? So are we! Let's meet up for coffee sometime!"

(note: if you sent any of the above questions, I still love you; I just sent the message to email heaven)

What's a GOOD question?

- Something about Paris or the Parisians (no personal questions, merci).

- Something that can't be Google'd, that can't be found on my site, and can't be answered by the Paris Tourism Office.

- Something that you've always wanted to know and that, once you know the answer, will contribute to you personal well-being and feelings of inner peace and happiness.

- Something that makes me smile or admire your curiosity (not something that makes me want to block you from my inbox forever).

- Something that can be answered in one sentence (preferably in 140 characters or less, hee hee).

Deadline: July 13. Winner announced July 14.

The author of the best question wins the book. Judging is completely arbitrary and subjective, susceptible to my mood swings, the weather, and Pedro & Lena's digestive regularity. That's the way the world works on this side of the computer screen. ;)

Comments

[Eric Raynard]

Question:

As a lover of French Impressionist and Expressionist painting, I've done exploration of locations where some of the greats were created. Been to Arles, St. Remy de Provence and Auvers Sur Oise, the last three towns Vincent Van Gogh lived, and paid my respects at his grave. Been to Giverny and l'Orangerie to see the source material and the magnificent creations of Monet. These were deeply moving experiences. Can you please suggest additional locations in the Paris environs where one can experience more of the same?

Heather's Reply:
Try Van Gogh's Paris haunts, using this guide: http://www.vangogh-paris.com/book.htm
(I Googled that one)

[Caitlin]

When Parisians (and French people in general) try to help you, they are sometimes a little bit pushy. In a few instances, I've found myself on a bus going where I don't need to be because they have "strongly suggested" I take that bus. Do they honestly want to help me, or do you think they're just being pushy? How should I take this French version of helpfulness?

Heather's Reply:
How should you take it? With gratitude! They're taking time out of their busy lives to help you, whether it's useful or not. ;)

[Caitlin]

PS: Your last newsletter directed me to the K&K podcast (VO, but I also have the "learn French" one). I LOVE it! Thanks for being on it and letting your readers know about it!
I heard about the contest there, but I never really do these kinds of things--but I guess I have now!

[Chaz]

Heather, love the new layout and banner!

Chaz

[Carole]

In answer to Caitlin's comment about "pushy" Parisiens - here is a scenario that happened to us in 1982.

We left the Galeries Lafayettes at 17H00 and had to go to the 2nd arrondisement to meet my cousin. We hailed a taxi, gave him the address, and he said "Are you crazy? Take the metro." He was absolutley right on! It would have cost us the moon and taken 1 1/2 hours to get there at rush hour - It took 20 minutes by metro.

So "pushy" I beleieve, is just the Parisiens' way of helping out! With Drama!!