Parler Paris Après-Midi

NEXT MEETING: December 8, 2009 (special date) AND EVERY SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (closed August)

This is your opportunity to meet every month, often with local professionals who can answer your Living and Investing in France questions. You are invited to come for drinks and share your questions and comments about what it takes to create a life here, own property and enjoy what France has to offer. It is also an opportunity to network with other Parler Paris readers.

*Special Note: Anyone attending Parler Paris Après Midi must be willing to have their photograph taken and a brief description written about them for publishing in Parler Paris. Your presence indicates your willingness to participate.

Upstairs at La Pierre du Marais
On the corner of rue des Archives and rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris Métro Lines 9, 3 et 11, stations Temple, République or Arts et Métiers

See Map Here

 

 

 

This year's meetings... 2009 January 13 February 10 March 10 April 14 May 12 June 9 July 7 Sept 8 Oct 13 Dec. 8

See past reports... 2008 January 8 February 12 March 11 April 8 May 13 June 10 July 8 September 9 October 14 November 4 December 9

See past reports... 2007 December 11 November 13 October 9 September 11 July 3 June 12 May 15 April 10 March 13 February 13 January 9

See past reports... 2006 December 12 November 14 October 10 September 5 July 11 June 13 May 9 April 11 March 14 February 14 January 10

See past reports... 2005 December 13 November 8 October 11 September 13 July 12 June 14 May 10 April 12 March 8 February 8 January 11

See past reports... 2004 December 14 November 9 October 12 September 14 July 13 June 8 May 11 April 13 March 9 February 10 January 13

See past reports... 2003 December 23 December 9 November 25 October 28

Meeting of November 17, 2009
Photos do not necessarily match descriptions.

The room upstairs at La Pierre du Marais filled quickly knowing that we might say a word or two about our friend who recently passed away, Gar Westfall.

Gar was a regular attendee of Après Midi and in fact, it's from his participation in the afternoon gatherings that we came to know him so well.

I posted a photo of him and within 15 minutes, the room filled up with lots of his friends. At about 4 p.m., I opened the floor to allow people to say a few words. Jennifer Poirier kicked it off with an eloquent rendition of what had happened and how much she had adored Gar.

Then, one by one, a few friends stood up to say a few words about him and before it was all over, Tom Regan brought out a big bag of "pains au chocolats" from Pierre Hermé that Gar would have loved for us to to share! It could have been the most moving and memorable "Après Midi" gatherings in the history of the event, since October of 2003 when we first began to meet up the second Tuesday of every month.

Among the newcomers were:

Jennifer Poirier, Gar's 'landlord' who owns a hotel called Residence Les Gobelins and has lived in Paris for more than 30 years.

Pam and Gene Watson, who are here for four weeks and staying in "Le Beau Marais" apartment.

Peter Nichols, a writer, author and instructor here in Paris for a while and offering courses both real and virtual at http://www.thewritersvirtualworkshop.com.

Barney Kirchhoff, a resident of Paris since 1978, and retired journalist and 'bindlestiff' about town.

Judy Cascales and Gonzalo Lopez, a retired high-school English teacher and retired public administrator (Spanish) who like to travel and loves Paris.

Susan Forestier, who came here 40 years ago and sees Americans as practically exotic now!

Karima Pires, another retired English teacher and who has in Paris more than 30 years.

Betsy Cook, who smiled big at me on rue de Turenne a day earlier, but whom I didn't know, and who has been visiting Paris for weeks and months at a time since 1974...and just loves to wander.

Ying Ying Wu, a Paris/San Franciscan who spends half the year in each place, speaks French and was a journalist here in the 1970s, now just enjoying life and making new friends.

Geraldine Clark, who has a son and family in Maisons Laffitte and spends three months a year in Paris, then a couple of months in Canada and back again.

And among the 'oldtimers' were:

Marylouise Sillman, wearing all red and carrying her hand-made Christmas cards and fun jewelry to see.

Linda Quinet, an old friend of ours and Gar's who she met at Après Midi.

Dale Gaber, a life coach and New Orleanian with an apartment in the neighborhood in which she spends at least half the year.

Tom Regan, another New Orleanian and old friend of Gar's who has An apartment on rue Saint-Paul.

Claudia and Larry Frame, who came after a bit of an absence, particularly to pay tribute to Gar, an old friend.

Alice Needham and Bill Sandi, who are still working on their bathroom renovation...we won't say for how long!

Florence Senecal, a true "Parisienne" who likes to meet people from abroad (but only the nice ones!)

Vanessa Hulme, who's here for a two-three year assignment for her husband's company, Schlumberger.

Florence Richburg, Executive Assistant Extraordinaire, was there always wearing her big toothy grin and good humor.

Rob Mandel and Lois Alexander, who came for just a week and usually manage to stop in and say hello -- also friends of Gar's.

Patricia Laplante Collins, of Paris Soirées and long standing friend of Parler Paris and of Gar Westfall.