PARIS GTG March 21

It was a great event.....

you had to be there to appreciate how special it was! and please remember, not everyone posts on the discussion board!!!

In barely a weeks time it will be one month since the Paris GTG took place and aside from an interesting note from St.G almost 30 people who were guests have ignored the BP Paris event of the year.

I don't intend to keep beating a dead horse...but it is so amazing that BPers (who by definition are " activists") have passed this by as a non-event.

Karen.....you're only one of 28...you were not my target....believe me. That only St.G posted is an amazement to me.



Sorry,don't remember previous offers. Too bad, because I would have been younger then. One is supposed to pass the banner on to those who can continue.

In any event, a Happy Pesach to you all.

That was surprising to me last May when we met in Washington. It hit me how many people are "out there" who don't post. It was wonderful to meet some of our fellow posters, but it was also a lot of fun to meet those who don't post but who are passionate francophiles like us. Any time you can bring a group of people together who have a common passion such as we do, it's a good time.

Well - that's an interesting take! How about people are very busy ...... and leave it at that. The get together was FAB. Twenty-eight people attended. EVERYONE had a lovely time. Some OLD friends and a LOT of new ones. Al -- so wish you'd been there. You would have had time to write about the gathering[i] down to the VERY last detail. Alas, I happen to be debordee. La vie reele.

How I'd love to be writing about the get together rather than learning about French law.

Al - once again, my offer stands. If you'd like to buy Bonjour Paris, I'll give you a VERY good price.
Then things would be done according to your tastes!




All the best, Karen (who is running as fast as she can).

Nagging, two days after the event, while I was still in Paris, I provided a short post.

Maybe, as Karen says, because of the number of pictures, it is just taking a while. If I recall, the article and report on the GTG at Karen's apartment did not see the light of day for some time, for somewhat the same reason.

`KAREN........a couple of years ago we had a wonderful GTG in your Montparnasse flat that was accompanied by full disclosure including wonderful photographs and postings by at least half a dozen attendees.

This year, and a full 10 days ago, there has been no mention that a GTG even occured except for mention by St.G. (and that after a bit of nagging by Ellen and myself). Je ne comprend pas.

Privacy???? Sounds more like conspiracy, to me !

Al - -I do have a list. BUT, since most people don't post, I think it's only right to respect their privacy.

I dunno... I think in order to find out that information, one should have to attend the function!

(I know in your case it wasn't possible, Al... sorry... hopefully next time it will work out)

Actually it seemed to me that very, very few of the people attending post here on the forums. There must be a lot of forum lurkers and BP subscribers who just read the articles and never even venture here... and of course many friends of Karen as well.

I do hope that those who do post pictures will IDENTIFY all the stalwarts....

It would be nice if we got a list of those attending.

There are so many pix! Just have to figure out how to post them in some type of photo gallery. Marc took a zillion. I took a FEW. I know others took many. Please forward them to me ..... and on verra.

Well, I can't claim to be a stalwart, but I will say that it was a nice evening and I hope there will be more in the future. A big thanks to those who organized it...

Thanks, st.germain. I was beginning to believe that this GTG never really happened!

But, it sounds like a good time was had by all - wish I could have been there.

Can't wait to see pictures!

Either they were very busy....or.....they weren't stalwarts ...like you,St.G.

I do not know what happened to everyone else, including those who took pictures.

The GTG was at Table de Fabrice on the quai de Tournelle. People started arriving at 7:30 and were directed upstairs where Karen and Marc gave out name tags, checked people in and introduced people as they arrived. The space was narrow and the ceiling low so it was not easy to move around and greet everyone. Most of the people were either living in or renting an apartment in Paris, although one guest came in from Switzerland, and a few others were there as their vacations coincided with the GTG. The ages varied from elder statesmen to a young couple that decided to pick up, leave their jobs and move to Paris as part of their dream. A few of the Bonjour Paris writers were there as well. Once we were all seated, everyone introduced themselves and gave a very short account of how each came to be at the GTG. Karen thanked everyone, talked a little about the past year and then we engaged out table-mates in conversation. My wife and I enjoyed the food and company, although we did order a bottle of wine to replace the vin ordinaire on the table. Many of us exchanged insights about Paris that we have accumulated over the years, talked about the upcoming elections, made arrangements to see others on future trips and came away, more than two hours later, looking forward to more GTGs.

Hopefully, others will also post pictures in the near future.

It's a full week now since the GTG and with a "sell-out " crowd we're still waiting for a few posters.

Mara, it certainly looks as if I'm jinxed. Next time I'm going to sneak into Paris . But all was not lost.At the least, I created 2 GTGs.

Oh no, BPAL!! You missed the last one as well - the one I attended back in November......There must be some sort of jinx!

I hope the ill family member is doing okay!

Yes, I've been waiting, too and am very anxious to hear all about it.

Al, so sorry you couldn't be there.

ST.G.......stalwart that you are merci beaucoup. So disappointed that I missed it all that I'll probably feel worse when I read about it.

Some of the stalwarts are still recovering. Seriously, Karen, as usual, did a great job with major help from Marc. There were many new faces, the food was good and friendships were made. It was interesting to see how many had apartments in Paris. Sorry you could not be there. I am sure Karen will do a more complete report with pictures.

MON DIEU, SACRE Coeur etc etc.

It is now two days since the Paris GTG, I understand an OVERFLOW crowd, and not even one itsy bitsy word about it. No wonder the Forum is falling apart if even our stalwarts can't come to the keyboard.

I am most interested since as one of the originating influences of this GTG I was forced to cancel my current trip because of family illness.

Hello again Al,
So nice to be back and to be remembered. And yup.....I was definitely part of the "back room" gatherings. I also seem to recall a virtual bus trip all of took around Paris together and the Book Store....gosh, we sure had a lot of laughs and a lot of fun!
Okay...I'll keep checking here on a time for the dinner, but in the meantime, I'll go RSVP. Really look forward to seeing you in Paris.
Terri[size=2]

Terri....welcome back, my goodness. The dinner is for the evening of March 21st. All other details will be forthcoming shortly. Make your email reservations as directed.

My goodness Terri, you've got me all shook up. At first I thought it was Dani coming from out of the blue and when I saw your signature I got all confused. Your unearthing of this thread certainly brings back memories. Were you also a participant in the crazy "back room" postings? Will be great to see you.

This post was shorted by accident and you can get to it before it happened by going to

http://discussion.bonjourparis.com/index.php?showtopic=3708

Hi Karen, Al and others,
Karen.....I think Ray and I can make it......BUT, I've looked everywhere on here. WHAT time is the gathering? I can't find it anywhere and need to know a time before I can RSVP.
Thanks,
Terri