apresmidi14-2-12

Meeting of FEBRUARY 14, 2012

Photos do not necessarily match descriptions

We had a packed house yesterday afternoon on Valentine's Day at Parler Paris Apès Midi to hear author and lecturer Thirza Vallois (thirzavallois.com) speak about "Romantic Paris." She is an amazing 'off the cuff' speaker who can elaborate on just about any topic, particularly Paris which is her absolute passion and the Aveyron, another spot on France on which she wrote a tome.

Her talk started with the Aveyron and how at one time in Paris, all the cafés and brasseries were owned by the Aveyronnais who had come to Paris to earn a better living. The owners of La Pierre du Marais, the café in which we hold the meet-up, are of that ilk.

Then, much of the discussion centered around romantic restaurants, beginning with how so many are no longer there from when she first wrote her book, ending with how few there really are anymore at all considering we live in the most romantic city in the world. While the discussion ensued, I was reflecting on the most romantic dinner in Paris I ever had -- which took place at "Au Vieux Paris," a restaurant next to Notre Dame.

To learn more about Au Vieux Paris, visit Parler Paris’ Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 issue.

Attending Après Midi was:

Wendy Newman: Who is in love with Paris and her life here. She’s the Lash Queen extraordinaire trying to put eyelash extensions on all the Parisiennes!

Eva Marsh Ferziger: Who lives here part time and is a regular guest at Après Midi.

Robyn Connors-Davidson: “Here part time.” That’s all she wrote.

Michelle Gross: Here for many reasons, some of them valid!!!

Iman Hassan: Who is studying law in Paris for one year. (Bet it turns into many more.)

Maureen Jenkins: Is living in the village of Samois-sur-Seine house-sitting and freelance writing (travel and food) for at least one year...and hopefully for much longer!

Robin Chancellor: Came to live in Paris for six months because she loves the city and plans to immerse herself in the culture and learn the language.

Anna Hobbs: Is here to write and take photos. The day’s speaker is her favorite guide writer in Paris and is thrilled to have found our meet-up.

William Jordan: is a retired U.S. Foreign Service Officer since October 2011...still figuring out his goals and still settling in. He has apartment renovation projects in mind, but would also like to find volunteer opportunities.

Ron Fox: A retired New Yorker, in Paris since 2000, and a photographer.

Pat Pricer: Is recently retired and is renting La Musique, a Parler Paris Apartment...and who would consider purchasing a property.

George Kehrer:  A retired California attorney who wrote: “The food, the wine, the art...the food, the wine, the art...”

Caryl Marsh: Is on vacation for the third time in one year...living in Salt Lake City, a retired Anglican/Episcopal priest, who came to celebrate the 71st birthday of a friend, take a Cordon Bleu short course, walk along the Seine and generally just hang out and go to museums...

Roger Foreman: A regular at Après Midi who’s here from time to time to learn French again and again.

MaryLouise Sillman: Loving Paris in February because of her purple-yellow-blue pansies blooming in the window boxes and parks!

Cécile Hasroyan: A French Parisian Personal Shopper, who is always looking for people who would need her to help them have their time in Paris more pleasant and easier.

Gail Kammermeyer: Who loves Paris and comes for four to six months each year. She studies, discovers, reads, hikes and does ceramics in Paris. She goes to as much art, music and dance programs as possible.

Julie Vetter: Google Goddess we all know and love...

Cherry Chapman: She came to Paris to live her dream that began in her 20s...and of course, for love and who has a psycho-therapy practice.

Yvonne Bachermann: A frequent visitor.

Patricia Laplante Collins: host of Paris Soirées who has connected more people than anyone else in Paris...

Delores Lilley: My home away from home...

Geraldine Kaylor: Museum Guard Magnet

And those who had nothing to say:

Anna Maria Scott and Janet Connelly...regular visitors to Après Midi.

Our next gathering is March 13, 2012, with Bernadette Martin of Visibility Branding, LLC, who will talk about "Fusing Personal Branding and Storytelling."