Description
Most Americans
traveling to Paris tend to fall into one our of two groups. One group
had watched "How to Steal a Million" and "The Devil Wears Prada" a few
too many times and expects to be dropped off in the middle of Paris Ritz
complete with designer luggage and wardrobe consisting exclusively of
Givenchi and Chanel.
The other group is convinced that all
French - and particularly Parisians - are arrogant, rude and just plain
mean. The members of the second group travel to Paris with the sole
purpose of proving that their assumption is correct. They bustle around
complaining loudly about slow service, snooty store clerks and not
enough people speaking English.
The author of "Paris Diaries"
belongs to neither of the two groups. In fact, she hopes to convert
those who do to her own approach: that of low-maintenance
sophistication, good humor and unabashed love of romance, good wine and
delicious French pastry.
What to pack? What to read? What to eat? Sit down with the dryly humorous and unfailingly amusing Maria K. to find out.
Praise and Reviews
Pfoxmoor Publishing, "This is exactly what a travel book should be: intelligent, insightful, entertaining, and a wonderful resource for travelers desiring a more
authentic experience than the usual pre-packaged offerings can provide.
When (not if) I visit Paris, this guide will have pride of place in my
carryon."
Bill Kirton, author, The Sparrow Conundrum "A very refreshing look at a wonderful city from a transatlantic
perspective. (Mind you, it probably helped that it confirmed all my own
feelings for the place.) Not being a shopper, I'll take Maria's word for
the places to go, and her perceptions of what's on offer did seem very
acute and accurate.
"Best of all, her advice about what to see, how to move around the city
and what to expect from Parisians themselves helps to explode the myths
and negative impressions that are peddled by people who have somehow let
the magic pass them by, or perhaps who want their pleasures cling-film
wrapped and customized.
"I hope it encourages more visitors from the USA to come over, let its
joie de vivre and relaxation charm them and absorb the romance of just
wandering its boulevards."
John Booth, author, Wizards, "This is an excellent and amusing read on what the non-western european
should do when visiting Paris. Aimed at the American reader it contains
excellent advice on where to go, what to see, how to treat the locals
and how they'll find you.
"The observations are acute and witty, the advice on what to take clever.
I can't say much about the fashion tips as that goes over my head.
There are clothes that clash?
"A good read and if you are thinking of visiting France in the near future I think you should read it."