Domo Does Paris (Again)

Bonjour tout le monde! C'est Domo! Guess where Domo went last week? Paris! Domo went to Paris! Domo has a very busy summer of travel this year: Boston, Paris, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and San Francisco. No, Domo doesn't stutter. Domo is going to Vegas twice in June for work, and home to San Francisco twice in July for personal reasons. But now back to Paris.

Day 0 - Monday

Domo was on an early flight to Paris. A 6:25am departure time meant a 4am wake up call. Domo was very tired. Luckily Domo was upgraded to first class on his flight from San Diego to Philly which meant Domo had a nice big comfy seat to sleep in! After getting to fly first class about half of the time Domo travels, he has a hard time flying coach and always feels cramped.

Domo Doesn't Like Crowds

Domo's day of travel from San Diego to Paris was very long. 5 1/2 hour flight to Philly, 3 hour layover, and a 6 1/2 hour flight to Paris. During this travel time Domo read two magazines, half of a book, posted a blog on the GOTR Sparkle & Shine 5K, watched the movie Due Date, and slept. By the time Domo had arrived in Paris it was 7am local time. Domo was tired!

Domo Loves Monika's Mom's Microcar!

Day 1 - Tuesday

Domo had arranged for Super Shuttle to pick Domo up at the airport (super easy to book online!) and was hoping to be at Monika's mom's place by 9am. For some reason though the shuttle appeared to drive around the city multiple times while dropping people off. By the time Domo was dropped off it was almost 10am! Domo was even more tired than before. Domo unloaded his bags, had lunch, took a nap, woke up for dinner, caught up on work emails (Domo is so dedicated!) and then called it a day. Yes, Domo wasted his first day in Paris. Domo was tired! Back off!

Domo Enjoying the View of Paris

Day 2 - Wednesday

The next day Domo wanted to be productive and make the most of the day. Domo got up early to swim laps at the local pool.

Domo at La Piscine (the pool)

Uh Oh - Domo Doesn't Have a Speedo

Afterwards Domo was excited to be meeting his friend Devika down by the Eiffel Tower. What are the chances that Domo AND Domo's friend were in Paris at the same time?

Domo at the Eiffel Tower

Domo Took a Picture of Monika & Devika

Domo and Devika walked around by the Eiffel Tower taking pictures, sat at a sidewalk cafe and had a glass of wine and les moules, and spent the afternoon at the massive department store Galleries Lafayette. Domo loves to shop!

Domo at Galleries Lafayette

Day 3 - Thursday

The next day Domo got up early again to swim. Domo is so good about working on his fitness! Domo had to hurry to get his swim in since Monika's mom had a full day planned for them. First up was a trip to the American Cathedral in Paris to watch a harp concert (random, I know).

Domo at the American Cathedral

After this Domo and Monika's mom drove up to the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur to see the cathedral and to check out the view of the city. The cathedral was really pretty and was perched at the top of a hill with a view across all of Paris! People were hanging out on the grass and street performers were keeping the crowd entertained. Domo liked Sacre-Coeur!

Domo at Sacre-Coeur

View of Paris from Sacre-Coeur

The final plan for the day after Sacre-Coeur was a dinner party that Monika's mom had arranged at a restaurant near her house. Yes, Domo does a lot of eating on his trips.

Day 4 - Friday

On Friday Domo got up early yet again to go swimming! Domo must be half dolphin! Monika's mom must not have thought that the view from Sacre-Coeur was impressive enough, because on Friday Domo was taken to Montparnasse to go up the tower to get another panoramic view of the city. It turns out that the very top viewing deck isn't open at this time of year (although you still had to pay to go up) so Domo didn't get to see his second panoramic view of Paris. Oh well, Domo doesn't think it could have been that much better than Sacre-Coeur.

After leaving Montparnasse Domo headed over to the Arc de Triomphe. As luck would have it, you couldn't go up that either! The workers were on strike and the monument was closed for the day. Darnit! Domo was pretty bummed about this since he hadn't made it here on his last two trips. Oh well, maybe Domo can see it next year.

Domo at the Arc de Triomphe

On the streets leading to the Arc de Triomphe are several high end shops. Being the big baller that Domo is, he picked up souvenirs at Cartier, Mont Blanc, Swarovski... err wait. Domo didn't buy anything at these stores but did drool over some of the items through the window.

Domo Does Cartier

When Domo got home that night Domo finished reading his first book of the trip - the Harvard Business Review book on Brand Management. Domo liked this book and recommends it if you are in Marketing.



Day 5 - Saturday

Guess what Domo did as soon as he woke up the next morning? Domo went swimming! Again! Yay Domo! Domo isn't sure if he was so tired because he had finally worked his way up to 2000 meters in the pool, or if he just had delayed jet lag ... but Domo was really tired again on Saturday! Domo has fun sightseeing and being out and about, but sometimes Domo just wants to stay home and do nothing. Domo is extremely busy at home between work, Girls on the Run, and marathon/triathlon training. By Saturday Domo was getting tired of being busy on vacation too and just wanted to stay home and read.

Domo started AND finished his second book of the trip on Saturday - Cocktails for Three. (Written by Madeleine Wickham, also known as Sophia Kinsella who wrote the Shopaholic series.) Monika's mom didn't accept Domo's tiredness as an excuse by Saturday afternoon though and dragged Domo out for one bit of sightseeing.

Domo at Les Frigos

About a 15 minute walk from Monika's mom's place is a large building called Les Frigos (The Fridges) which was an eclectic building full of artists studios in what used to be cold storage rooms. Once a year the artists in the building open their doors and invite people inside.

Fridge Door Entrance to a Studio

 

Graffiti Staircase at Les Frigos

What a weird and interesting place! The walls of the hallways and stairwells were covered in graffiti and murals, there were funky art installations everywhere, and each studio was totally different from the rest. Domo got to see studios of painters, sculptors, musicians, and jewelry makers to name a few.

Domo Likes Art

Painter's Studio

Another Painter's Studio

Day 6 - Sunday

On Sunday Domo did not swim. Sunday is a rest day! Instead Domo ran! haha! Domo can't seem to rest. For Domo's last full day in Paris he had a nice easy day planned. First Domo went to see a matinee showing of Midnight in Paris (Loved this movie! And Domo doesn't usually even like Woody Allen films) and then Domo went to a lunch party for Monika's uncle.

Monika's Uncle's Family

Monika and Cousins

After lunch Domo relaxed around the house a bit before going out to dinner with Monika's mom for La Fetes de Meres (Mother's Day) which occurs a few days later in Paris than in the US. For Mother's day Domo and family went out for Thai food at a place near Monika's moms. By the time they got home it was time for Domo to pack and get ready to leave the next day. Where did the week go? Domo was sad.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Day 7 - Monday

Monday morning was another early flight day for Domo. Super Shuttle picked Domo up at 7am and took him to the airport. Last year Domo felt rushed by only arriving at the airport 2 hours in advance. They really  mean it when they say give yourself 3 hours for an international flight. Do they really need to check your passport 4 times? Anyways, upon getting on the plane Domo was faced with two pieces of bad news. 1 - the plane was older and didn't have individual TVs. 2 - the flight back to Philly was 8 1/2 hours instead of the 6 1/2 like it was on the way out. Nooooo! Domo was going to be so bored! :o(

LOVE the French Cigarette Warning "Fumer Tue" (Smoking Kills)

Domo managed to sleep a little bit on the flight but not much. He tried watching the Chronicles of Narnia but got bored. Instead Domo finished a few magazines and then start and finished the book Delivering Happiness.

Domo LOVED the Delivering Happiness book and thinks everyone should read it! Its the story of Zappos.com and is an easy and insightful read. Domo doesn't want to give away too much of the book, but if you want to read a summer check it out here. 

Domo felt like he was on the first flight FOREVER and was so sad to be getting on another long flight. Luckily the second flight had internet so Domo was able to waste time catching up on emails online, reading articles, and Skyping with David! Unfortunately the connection wasn't fast enough for video to work, but Domo got to instant message with David for several hours on the flight. How fun!

Skyping on the Plane

Domo got back late Monday night (after being up for almost 24 hours) and was back at work the next day. Domo sometimes thinks you need a vacation from a vacation. Domo was stressed out the days approaching his vacation because he was trying to tie things up at work to enable him to take a few days off, and then once Domo was back at work he was all stressed out trying to catch up on things. Vacation seem to mean stress, fun, stress. Bleh! Anyways, after two days back in the office Domo was back on the road and headed to Vegas for a tradeshow. Viva La Domo! More on that trip in Domo's next blog.

Want Your Own Domo? Make One Here!

(Click on the image to open a larger version in a new window)

One Year Swimmiversary

This year's trip to Paris marks my one year swimmiversary! Well, okay I actually went to Paris in July last year (and got back two days before the SF Marathon  not ideal!) and its only May, but still – its been roughly a year since I started swimming as a means of working out. Its crazy to see how much has changed in a year!

Hating the Water

Growing up I always hated swimming, mostly because swimming equaled lap swimming which always seemed to equal a frigid pool. I can’t think of any worse sensation that jumping into a cold pool. I think I’d rather have my armpits waxed or a cavity drilled! Anyways, because that first cold shock in the water has always been so daunting, I’ve avoided pools at all costs unless it’s a resort pool in a warm area and I’m on vacation and ‘swimming’ really means frolicking.

Polar Bear Swims Aren't My Thing

I learned to swim at the YMCA when I was in elementary school and although I progressed quickly through the levels from Guppy, to Minnow,  to Fish, to Flying Fish – I never considered myself a great swimmer. Mostly because I hated swimming (and I swear the water temperature at the YMCA was 65F which made it more miserable), but also because I could never come even close to being able to do the Butterfly, meaning I never reached the highest swim level, the Shark. Fail. :o(

 

Trips to Paris

In the summer of 2009 I took my first trip to Paris as an adult to visit my mom. I arrived with a suitcase full of running clothes and pictured myself running through the streets of Paris. My hopes were soon dashed though when I saw how crowded the streets were around my mom’s place. I’ve never been a city runner and find running one block, stopping for a light, running a block dodging people, stopping for another light, and then running 2 blocks before stopping for some other reason totally infuriating. My running clothes grew stale in my suitcase as my trip progressed, and the following year when I came back I knew I needed to find an alternative method of working out.

Trip to Paris - Summer 2009

I came to Paris last year without running clothes, but armed with my new MBT shoes! We had walked a ton the first year, and I figured if I wore my MBT shoes the second year I’d supposedly get a butt firming workout in. Well, last year it was SO HOT out that I couldn’t bear to wear pants, tennis shoes, and socks, and I ended up wearing mostly dresses and skirts and sandals instead. Two days into the trip my mom invited me to swim with her at the local pool and I thought sure, why not! I didn’t bring a suit with me so she lent me one of hers. The only one big enough to fit me was cut for a grandma. Sexy. Haha.

Can This Be Considered a Unitard?

Starting to Swim

The first time I tried swimming last year I was doing great with the breaststroke but somehow couldn’t get my breathing right with my freestyle. I managed to get water in my nose or mouth constantly, and couldn’t even make it through two freestyle laps in a row without having to stop. Over the next few days that I swam I was able to slowly go from one freestyle lap to 5 and to 10, but the majority of my swimming was done with the breaststroke. Although my progress with the freestyle was frustratingly pitiful, I noticed right away how strong I felt swimming otherwise. I felt like I had the endurance and strength to be a pretty good swimmer! Who would’ve known!

Considering a Triathlon

When I got back home to San Diego after my trip I continued to swim, and then something crazy happened. I started wondering if I could do a triathlon! The timing was just right for this thinking since I had just sworn off full marathons after a poor performance in my twelfth and worst marathon that past June.  My friend Todd was also currently training for a triathlon and in between reading his training blog and becoming more comfortable in the water, I decided to go for it. I signed up for my first tri!

First Open Water Swim at La Jolla Cove

Swimming Gear

I owned several bikinis but nothing cut properly to allow for flash-free lap swimming. I looked at one-piece suits online and was shocked by how much they cost. $80 for an ugly bathing suit? I’d barely pay that much for a bikini! I ended up finding a Speedo one-piece on sale online, and David quickly bought it for me to encourage my transition into the tri world. 

 

Next up I needed goggles, a swim cap, and ear plugs. I bought three pairs of goggles before I found a pair that worked with my facial anatomy and eyelash length. :oP (I had started using Latisse and my eyelashes were super long and smashed into the first few pairs of goggles I tried out.)

These Aquasphere Goggles Smashed My Eyelashes

These Speedo Goggles Fit Just Right 

I also ended up buying several different swim caps before finding one I liked. I tried both latex and silicone swim caps in a regular size before finally finding a “long hair” swim cap online which seemed to be the best solution.

Speedo Long Hair Swim Cap

 

One day when I was swimming with a fellow GOTR coach I noticed that she had a fabric swim cap by Speedo. What a great idea! Not like the other kinds kept my hair dry, so why bother with the discomfort of trying to get a tight balloon over your head? Sadly, it turns out she got the swim cap in Brazil and they didn’t sell them here in the US as far as she knew.  Well as luck would have it, this past trip to Paris I noticed that they sold polyester swim caps in the vending machine at the pool for 2.5 euros. Score!

My New Fabric Swim Cap - LOVE IT

The final gear I needed for the swim portion of a tri was a wetsuit. Even with the Tri Club discount bringing the basic $400 wetsuit down to $200, it was still more than I was willing to spend up front. I borrowed a friend’s wetsuit for my first race. I totally lucked out during a clinic for that first tri and won a free Xterra wetsuit! Unfortunately (I know I shouldn’t even complain) it only covered their sleeveless model, and I’m such a wimp about the yucky cold water that when the long sleeve suits went on major sale earlier this year I purchased a long sleeve suit as well. 

Xterra Full-Sleeve vs. Sleeveless Vector Wetsuit

I now feel totally geared up for swimming, and now all I need  are some swim lessons to improve my technique! The Tri Club has group workouts twice a week at the JCC, but from the one workout I went to I don’t think that’s enough personalized attention for me. I’m looking into semi-private lessons now, and maybe this summer I’ll be able to find something that works with my schedule that can help me improve my stroke.  I’m on my flight back from Paris right now thinking about how much has changed since I flew back last year, and I wonder what big changes I’ll encounter in this coming year? I guess only time will tell!

5 Days of Family Fun in France

Bonjour tout le monde, c’est Domo! Domo is back again to tell you about his exciting European adventures in Paris! Domo spent five days in France last week and had a lot of fun!

  

Walking Through a Paris Garden

If you find Domo’s writing boring and long winded, Domo will summarize his key thoughts about Paris and Parisians below:

• The national pastime appears to be smoking
• Parisians eat their body weight in baguettes
• You always sit next to each other on a sidewalk café not across from each other
• People drive like CRAZY in Paris – lanes are ignored and roundabouts are free-for-alls
• Even though they eat and drink a lot, Parisians are rarely obese. Americans can stand to take note.

First Day – Travel, Movies, & Family Dinner  

Domo left on Saturday from Phoenix but with the two flights (14 hours of flight time combined), the layover, and the time change, Domo didn’t arrive in Paris until early Sunday morning. Domo was excited to be on a new Airbus plane that had a personally controlled TV at each seat! Domo could choose from a nice selection of Movies, TV shows, Music, and Games. Domo tried very hard to sleep on his flight to Paris and even took a sleeping but, but unfortunately couldn’t doze off for more than 45 minutes at a time. Domo was able to keep himself busy though during the flight and finished his book “Sense of Urgency” and watched the movies “Date Movie” with Tina Fey and Steve Carrell (so funny!), “Alice in Wonderland” with Johnny Depp (interesting and weird), and also watched episodes of the show “Big Love” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, two of his HBO favorites.  

Domo Travels in "Coach" .. Purse

Upon arriving in Paris on Sunday morning Domo immediately turned on his Blackberry to see if he could get a roaming signal as he did last year on his old phone, and as he did this year on his current phone in Aruba. Domo’s phone did not work! Domo was very sad. Domo might have what you call Crackberry addiction. Without the use of his phone to call his shuttle (Super Shuttle is now international by the way!) Domo had to find a pay phone to make the international call. Domo can’t remember the last time he has even touched a pay phone. Maybe five years?

Domo managed to get to Monika’s mom’s house without a problem and had a nice breakfast with her and George, and then took a nice five hour nap to catch up on his sleep. That night Monika’s mom had planned a welcome party at a nearby Vietnamese restaurant for Domo! Yes! For Domo! Not Monika! ;o)

Family Welcome Dinner

Monika’s cousin Mark from Australia and his wife and baby had just gotten in that morning as well to Paris. They were about to start week one of their FIVE WEEK vacation! Domo was very jealous. Monika’s other cousin Laurent from France also came to the dinner as well, along with a handful of Monika’s mom’s friends from this social site “On Va Sortir” (Let’s go out!)

Second Day – The Pantheon & Family Dinner 

The next day would be Domo’s first day sightseeing in Paris. Domo bought a Paris travel guide at the airport and had gone through the book and marked all of the attractions that seemed interesting. Domo’s first choice was Les Catacombes and his second choice was the chapel of St. Eustache.

The Pantheon

Sadly almost all museums are closed on Monday! Domo arrived at Les Catacombes to find out they were closed. Domo then tried to go visit the chapel but couldn’t find parking there. Luckily Domo had his trusty travel guide and was able to find something that was open – the Pantheon! Domo enjoyed visiting the Pantheon and his favorite part was the huge pendulum in the center of the building.

 Pendulum at the Pantheon

That night Domo was invited over to Monika’s cousin Larent’s house for dinner. Laurent and his wife were cooking dinner for him and he got to meet their baby for the first time.

Gracious Dinner Hosts

Third Day – Swimming, St. Eustache, & Les Catacombes

On his second day in Paris Domo started to feel guilty for not having run for a week. Domo had a half marathon coming up and hadn’t trained for it at all! Domo remembered how much Monika’s mom loves to swim, so Domo asked her if she would take him swimming the following morning. On Tuesday morning Domo got up bright and early and headed over to the local public swimming pool to try to get some laps in. Domo has never liked to swim and couldn’t believe he had asked to go swimming. But what else could Domo do? Domo need to get some type of workout in! Domo tried to think when he had last swam laps and couldn’t even remember. It had probably been 10 to 15 years! Yes, Domo is old.

Domo Enjoying a Chocolate Croissant

Domo’s biggest issue with swimming is the initial plunge into the cold water, and the sensation of being cold all over whenever you stop moving. Luckily for Domo, the water at the pool was so warm! Domo tried out some laps with the breast stroke and freestyle and was amazed by how much his heart was racing after each lap he swam! Domo was being a little bit of a wimp and stopped swimming to take a little break after each lap or so. Domo swam 20 laps in total (1000 meters) in 45 minutes. Domo was pretty proud of that.

Domo Ready to Swim

After swimming Domo headed out to visit Les Catacombes! Domo read on the sign that they’d be walking for about a mile total from entrance to exit. Domo was tempted to log that on his dailymile site, but didn’t. Upon entering Les Catacombes Domo had to climb down a never-ending spiral staircase. It felt like you were climbing down into the center of the earth, and you couldn’t stop since you had a line of people behind you. Once you got down there you walked through a dark, narrow path in the rocks. Domo felt like he walked forever before he finally saw something interesting – stacks of bones! Wow, creepy!

Les Catacombes

Domo was amazed, intrigued, grossed out, and bewildered by the amount of bones he saw stacked along each side of the path. Domo walked further and further and couldn’t believe that the bones were never ending. Towards the end the path was wet and the ceiling was dripping, and Domo was not happy to be walking in his open sandals through the water and started wondering if there was ancient bone residue in the water as well. Domo was grossed out and walked faster towards the exit. Upon climbing up another never ending spiral staircase, Domo was back outside into the light! There were two guards at the exit who asked to look through Domo’s bag. Domo was confused but then asked “Oh! Is this because people try to steal the bones? Gross!” They answered yes, and pointed to a stack behind them. Ewe! There were two skulls and three long bones behind them that people had tried to take. What is wrong with people?

Creepy Bones!

After the bones, Domo headed over to the chapel of St. Eustache. Domo thought that this chapel was very beautiful and enjoyed walking around and looking at the paintings, stained glass scenes, and statues.

 Beautiful Scenes at St-Eustache

Pipe Organ at St-Eustache

Fourth Day – Swimming, Moulin Rouge & Family Dinner 

The next day Domo attempted swimming again, but this time Domo decided that he would only let himself take a break every five laps. This went well and Domo finished another 1000 meter swim in only 33 minutes this time instead of 45! Domo felt good about himself.

After swimming Domo went out to eat at a local Pho restaurant for lunch. This restaurant is known for serving you a plate of beef bones along with your pho. Domo did not find this appetizing, but his company did.

Beef Bones Lunch

After the dinosaur bone dinner, Domo headed over to check ou Moulin Rouge. Domo wanted to see the cabaret show there but passed due to the price of the tickets. They were $120! Domo decided that taking pictures in front of Moulin Rouge would be good enough. Domo was dissppointed to find that Moulin Rouge in real life wasn't half as magical as it was in his favorite movie Moulin Rouge. Sigh. Domo was sad.

Moulin Rouge

Fifth Day – Swimming, Parc Asterix & Family Dinner

Domo’s last full day in Paris was an exciting one, he went to Parc Asterix! Asterix is a French cartoon character and Parc Asterix is his theme park. Domo thinks this might relate to Mickey Mouse and Disneyland?

Domo Treated Like Royalty by Asterix and Friend

Zeus Overseeing the Park 

Zeus Has Flowered Undies!

Domo hadn’t been to a theme park in years and was looking forward to going on some rides! Domo likes roller coasters! Domo rode the roller coaster Goudurix two times in a row and thinks his brain was scrambled a bit. According to Wikipedia the ride Goudurix held the world record for “greatest number of inversions” from 1989 to 1995!

Mark Enjoying a Waffle Ice Cream Sundae

Goudurix Roller Coaster

Domo had fun in the park going on rides, eating park food, and meeting Asterix himself! It was a full day and a nice end to his trip. After the park Domo headed over to Mark & Ann's condo rental for Asian takeout dinner. Yay Asian food! You wouldn't believe this but Domo didn't have a single bite of French food during his whole trip! He had Asian food for just about every meal!

Domo Makes a Wish at the Well

Domo Thinks Monika is Silly

Sixth Day – Travel, Movies & BBQ

On Domo’s last day in Paris he woke up early and got ready to head back to the US. Super Shuttle came at 8am to pick him up, and after bidding farewell to his family he headed off to the Paris airport for an eight hour flight to Philly followed by a 5 hour flight to Phoenix.

Sunset in Phoenix 

Domo was hoping that he could sleep on the flight back and that the trip would whiz by, unfortunately he couldn’t sleep so he read, watched movies, and stared out the window. Domo watched “When in Rome”, “Enchanted”, “Temple Grandin”, and finished reading “Predictably Irrational”. The first two movies were cute and funny, the third was a GREAT movie that Domo highly recommends, and the book was a great read about behavioral economics that you’d enjoy if you’ve also enjoyed reading Freakonomics, or Tipping Point, or Blink.

Domo Reunites with Mika & Kona in Phoenix

Domo Wasn't Treated as Nicely by the Hammond Westies

Domo got into Phoenix around 6pm and was picked up and spoiled with VIP treatment the rest of the night by his dear friends the Hammonds! Domo enjoyed a nice home-cooked BBQ meal but is embarrassed to say that he wasn’t very good company and almost fell asleep at the dinner table. He ended up excusing himself and going to bed at 9:30pm. Technically it was already the next morning on Paris time! Domo needed to get to bed early anyways because the next morning he’d be heading off to San Francisco for the last leg of his string of travel. More details about San Francisco will follow later in the week.

For now, Domo bids you adieu and hopes you enjoyed his pictures!