So for weeks, actually- probably months before hand, we started researching romantic locations to dine around Paris. Parisinfo.com was one of the first places we started, in addition to Trip Advisor. And Paris Info did have some great recommendations, and you can find those HERE. But, in the words of Ed Sheeran, "you and me are thrifty", so we took those ideas and ran with them to see if we could do better. It's how we do in the H house.
We could do a dinner at the top of the Eiffel, but then you can't really see the Eiffel, right? And, after looking at a few of our favorite chef's restaurants in Paris, we said- thanks, but no on the price tag; because we also wanted an experience in addition to good food. That led us to check out some dinner cruises on Parisinfo.com; but the prices seemed a bit steep for a mediocre experience (by Trip advisor reviews); and yes, again, this is how we do.
Research led us to a little vessel experience of Bateau le Calife, a 1939 wooden boat that seemed to ooze charm from the pictures on the review pages. We set about booking because at this point- we were less than a month out from our trip, and I was panicked (who me?) that we might not get a reservation. I did a bit of back and forth with the company by email, with the help of google translate (which turned out to be unnecessary since they spoke great English). It turned out that you have to call and actually pay a deposit to reserve a spot, so of course, being the telephone chicken that I am- I delegated that task to Husband. WTG, Husband!
Booking and correspondence was easy, and we were on our way! Almost, of course. For you girls, out there, you know what comes next.... What in the world shall I wear?
There is a whole part of travel planning that you guys will never know about; and that is the planning that goes into the woman's suitcase. One sets about digging through pinterest for other ladies' experiences, recommendations and pictures; followed by checking various sites to verify dress codes and trip advisor to see what everyone else wore; followed by shopping and/or digging through our closets. I mean, obviously, we all usually have some sort of something in mind, but just to be sure...
After all this research and a couple trips to favorite stores around town to scout out the right outfit- I ended up landing on a LBD that was already hanging in my closet. The trip advisor reviews said they saw everything from dressy to business casual, but being that it was a celebration, I decided to go with dressing up on the little black dress, instead of down. I mean, I know Paris should be understated mostly; but I had inherited my mother-in-law's vintage gold chain mail evening bag from West Germany; and by golly I was going to find a reason to use it finally- understated be darned. Some snazzy, black suede stiletto heels and I felt like I was going to be grown-up-looking for a night out. I showed everything to Husband, and he approved. Okay, phew. One outfit out of the way.
Let's cut to about a few weeks later; and it's Monday evening, the day of our cruise reservation, and we are actually in Paris. Remember that little blog I posted about our monster day at the Louvre and Notre Dame? Remember the foot pain and agony and how tired we were??? Well, it's that day.
So, let's say- hypothetically- that a husband and wife come back to the apartment to take a quick nap and rest up and give the barking feet a break before a big night out. You're both pretty chill, and tired, and just hanging out until it's time to start getting ready.
For some reason, wife says something along the lines of (and I will acknowledge that this conversation is not recorded verbatim), "what did you bring to wear?"
Husband says, "Oh, I'm just wearing these pants, and a collared shirt."
Wife glances over to notice that husband is wearing Wrangler blue jeans.
(Silence.)
Wife: "Umm, really?"
Husband: "Well, yeah. Online it said it could be business casual."
Wife: "Business Casual is not jeans. Do you have another pair of pants?"
Husband: "No. I tried to pack light."
Wife: "Did you bring a sports jacket?"
Husband: "Yes."
Wife is sitting on the opposite side of the bed, staring at the closet doors, flashing back to that time in the Bahamas when husband didn't try on the new swim trunks before the trip (even though wife said too), and they ended up being humongous and husband had to spend half a day searching the resort to end up purchasing an $80 pair. Wife sighs as heavily as that run-on sentence.
Husband knows that sigh, and says: "Should I go out and find some slacks?"
To which wife snarkily and brat-ily answers- "For $300 euros? No way. I showed you what I was going to wear, with a gold chain mail purse, why didn't you pack slacks?"
Husband says, "I'll go out and find some slacks."
And round, and round until hubby sets out on foot to search the Boulevard Saint-Germain for slacks under 300 euros.
Wife is surprised when Husband returns, fairly quickly- ecstatic at finding presentable black, albeit skinny European style slacks and a nice sweater, found for a reasonable American price, in a fair amount of time- from none other than the all American Gap. (As suspected, the Parisian pants come with a fashionably hefty price tag).
Husband and Wife set about getting ready, in much better spirits; and aside from Wife's bad hair night- they are ready to catch the Uber to Ponts des Arts, right on time. P.s. Uber guy didn't really know where to drop off and we ended up walking a good ways in my heels, but the rest of the evening was just magical, and I hope you all get to go.
The charm and warmth of the boat was so cozy, which was great considering it was still lightly misting and raining at times. We met a couple tables of Americans, and yes, we could have gone a little more casual (not jeans, though); but I wouldn't trade anything for this hilarious memory. It's these little moments that are uncomfortable at the time, that we laugh about later. (Sometimes, much later). And the sparkle of the Eiffel made it all worthwhile.
There is a whole part of travel planning that you guys will never know about; and that is the planning that goes into the woman's suitcase. One sets about digging through pinterest for other ladies' experiences, recommendations and pictures; followed by checking various sites to verify dress codes and trip advisor to see what everyone else wore; followed by shopping and/or digging through our closets. I mean, obviously, we all usually have some sort of something in mind, but just to be sure...
 |
| That is some serious effective packing. |
After all this research and a couple trips to favorite stores around town to scout out the right outfit- I ended up landing on a LBD that was already hanging in my closet. The trip advisor reviews said they saw everything from dressy to business casual, but being that it was a celebration, I decided to go with dressing up on the little black dress, instead of down. I mean, I know Paris should be understated mostly; but I had inherited my mother-in-law's vintage gold chain mail evening bag from West Germany; and by golly I was going to find a reason to use it finally- understated be darned. Some snazzy, black suede stiletto heels and I felt like I was going to be grown-up-looking for a night out. I showed everything to Husband, and he approved. Okay, phew. One outfit out of the way.
Let's cut to about a few weeks later; and it's Monday evening, the day of our cruise reservation, and we are actually in Paris. Remember that little blog I posted about our monster day at the Louvre and Notre Dame? Remember the foot pain and agony and how tired we were??? Well, it's that day.
So, let's say- hypothetically- that a husband and wife come back to the apartment to take a quick nap and rest up and give the barking feet a break before a big night out. You're both pretty chill, and tired, and just hanging out until it's time to start getting ready.
For some reason, wife says something along the lines of (and I will acknowledge that this conversation is not recorded verbatim), "what did you bring to wear?"
Husband says, "Oh, I'm just wearing these pants, and a collared shirt."
Wife glances over to notice that husband is wearing Wrangler blue jeans.
(Silence.)
Wife: "Umm, really?"
Husband: "Well, yeah. Online it said it could be business casual."
Wife: "Business Casual is not jeans. Do you have another pair of pants?"
Husband: "No. I tried to pack light."
Wife: "Did you bring a sports jacket?"
Husband: "Yes."
Wife is sitting on the opposite side of the bed, staring at the closet doors, flashing back to that time in the Bahamas when husband didn't try on the new swim trunks before the trip (even though wife said too), and they ended up being humongous and husband had to spend half a day searching the resort to end up purchasing an $80 pair. Wife sighs as heavily as that run-on sentence.
Husband knows that sigh, and says: "Should I go out and find some slacks?"
To which wife snarkily and brat-ily answers- "For $300 euros? No way. I showed you what I was going to wear, with a gold chain mail purse, why didn't you pack slacks?"
Husband says, "I'll go out and find some slacks."
And round, and round until hubby sets out on foot to search the Boulevard Saint-Germain for slacks under 300 euros.
Wife is surprised when Husband returns, fairly quickly- ecstatic at finding presentable black, albeit skinny European style slacks and a nice sweater, found for a reasonable American price, in a fair amount of time- from none other than the all American Gap. (As suspected, the Parisian pants come with a fashionably hefty price tag).
Husband and Wife set about getting ready, in much better spirits; and aside from Wife's bad hair night- they are ready to catch the Uber to Ponts des Arts, right on time. P.s. Uber guy didn't really know where to drop off and we ended up walking a good ways in my heels, but the rest of the evening was just magical, and I hope you all get to go.
You can read my full review of Bateau le Calife, HERE.
 |
| Bateau le Calife |
The charm and warmth of the boat was so cozy, which was great considering it was still lightly misting and raining at times. We met a couple tables of Americans, and yes, we could have gone a little more casual (not jeans, though); but I wouldn't trade anything for this hilarious memory. It's these little moments that are uncomfortable at the time, that we laugh about later. (Sometimes, much later). And the sparkle of the Eiffel made it all worthwhile.
Disclosure: This story has been shared with the permission and consent and review of both guilty parties.
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