Those days, My family were poor (Paris)
Hello there,
Last year, we traveled to Paris from August 26 to September 2. I attended 11th Annual Conference of IAP (International Association of Prosecutors), I was a personal participant which meant I was not assigned to be there. My wife Wendy was an accompanying person, and my two daughters, Kelly and Kitty, were along with us who cannot attend any activities of the conference. Sometime, Wendy and two kids hanged out together without me.
On May, 20, 2007
$1 EUR (€) =$ NT45.24
(EUR is the official currency of the Euro Area)
(NT is the official currency of Taiwan)
Our family focuses on the food all the time, and to survive is a top priority. In the beginning as we arrived to Paris, we bought some bread at the bakery near Galeries Lafayette (a department) where our shuttle bus stopped. We were planning to buy 4 pieces of regular bread, 1 piece of bread cost $2.5 EUR , which it was a over 4 times cost in Taiwan, and how can we survive if we paid so much money for such a simple lunch, even we were so hungry at that moment? We cannot help to buy 2 pieces bread for us. And I could wait and eat at the meeting which provides plenty of food.
After eating bread preciously, we thought that probably we bought it at the wrong place, so, we decided to dinner fast food at McDonald, but, it was not cheaper, either.
Suddenly, we all felt that our family were (was) poor in Paris.
Besides that part, we have a great pleasure in Paris, Wendy and I had fun of chatting with lots of prosecutors from many countries to exchange viried point of view, and enjoyed a few Grand Banquet. Our family has enjoyed museums, metropolitan, chatted with American couple in the park, talked to France couple in McDonald, strolled along streets of Paris, saw night view of a few bridges of Paris, cruised along Seine River, and etc.
It goes without saying that we saw 2 cars on the busy streets of Paris. We just can not tell which one is Money car or Power car. Probably, Money and Power often combine together in its way.
Kelly has been UK for 3 weeks for English Learning, she loves British and has a willing to be there again. We desire to travel to British, too. But, as thinking about the cost ($1 GBP (£) =$ NT66.15), I am not so sure whether our dream can come true or not? Hopefully, the currency exchange will turn into $1 NT= $ £66.15 in the future. At that time comes, I‘ll say it loudly:’ The world is beautiful.’
Love always,
Cherish whatever you have owned in this moment.
James Zhih-Cheng Wu
Photos：one man has two styles
Photo1: Casually (in the Jardin du Luxembourg of Paris)
Photo2: Seriously (in the Cour de cassation of France)
Comments
Dining out is always a big issue when traveling abroad. I can well imagine the difficulties you and your family had in Paris James. The cost of living can vary so much in different parts of the world. As we travel quite a lot also, we have learned to economize: we buy bread from the local bakeries also, and as we almost always take a coffee maker with us, breakfast in no problem. All the best for everyone…
Dear James. First of all, I would like to say hello to you, your family and to others lerners. Your blog is very interesting. I would like to ask you about your culture. Lately, I'm interested in tai-chi. It is a Chinese art of movements. My questions are: (1) Have you got in Taiwan yours own ,national martial art? (2) Have you ever practised a martial art or tai-chi, if yes, could you write about yours experiences, please. (3) Does tai-chi is popular in Taiwan ? :D Best wishes!
Dear james it is a very nice experience always when you are going to a Foreign Country.you had a very good time in Paris eventhough the Costof Living is too Expensive there.I know little about Taiwan...can u say Taiwan whats poular in Taiwan..
James, it's so funny to see you in so different roles (and genders!!). Best,
Hello James! The pictures are lovely! I´d love to go to France,and then wandering around the Louvre Museum, and in the end of the afternoon, seat in one of those cafés, who people say so much about it, just enjoying my cup of coffee while I was reading a book. Oh... then spending one day or two in Giverny in order to know Monet´s home. Hmmm... it would be a delightful experience. You are a lucky man. Best wishes, Ana Paula.
I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well. But it was interesting! Look for some my links:
Thanks for all your contributions. This blog has now closed and can no longer accept new comments.
