Another One “in the Can”

The jokes were flying. Every time one of the production crew for the House Hunters International filming squeezed into a shower or a toilet to get the perfect shot, or hide from the camera, we couldn’t help but chuckle at the image of these grown men in such tight and compromising positions!

Over the course of three weekend days, the crew shot the footage for another episode here in Paris with our clients, our designer and our apartments. This episode’s story line is a young couple with two kids who are seeking a one-bedroom “pied-à-terre” in the Marais that they can enjoy themselves, rent when available and ultimately use more as they get older — perhaps ultimately moving to Paris.

The purchaser had her dear friend from Germany with her, in place of her husband, to visit the potential properties and help make decisions. She’s a fashion blogger with a keen sense of style and very strongly held opinions about how her environment needs to reflect her personality and give her harmony and balance.

We ‘visited’ three Paris “pied-à-terres” that fit within her parameters in size, price and location…but not necessarily her taste. She and her friend go from room to room. They discuss the pros and cons of each and in the end, of course, she chooses one. Designer, Martine di Mattéo steps in, completes the decor, she and her family move in, they love the apartment and the rest becomes history.

The three apartments are all ones offered on Parler Paris Apartments, but I don’t dare disclose which until the episode airs! We’ve filmed six House Hunters International episodes so far. Four are airing in rotation now and a new one we filmed a couple of months ago is soon to be released. This latest episode will air in the next few months and on the calendar is another one to be filmed in July.

The episodes in Paris are popular viewing for HHI’s audience. Duh, I wonder why!? Let’s face it, isn’t Paris the most desirable city in the world? I know this every time I phone the U.S. and speak to a customer service representative who, when I say, “I’m calling from Paris,” says in return, “Wow, aren’t you lucky?!” To which I reply, “Yes, I am!” But thinking…it’s not about luck. You just make it happen.

Just like the purchaser of this “pied-a-terre,” who said during the filming, “I can’t believe just a year-and-a-half ago we weren’t even thinking about an apartment in Paris, and now look at us.” Anyone can do it if they just set their sights on the goal and work towards it. It’s what we do every single day to help people achieve that…with a great sense of accomplishment and reward. These episodes prove that.

Sorry, you can’t just watch all House Hunters International episodes on YouTube.com — this is licensed programming that only HGTV can air — but if you read Parler Paris, then watch for our announcements of upcoming episodes or visit Press & Media to find your favorites.

A few closing chuckles:

This is when you know you’ve haven’t been here long enough (or too long).

I wrote someone to meet me “chez moi” and he wrote back, “I can’t seem to find ‘chez moi’ on the map, do you have an address?” (Clearly he hasn’t been here long enough and isn’t that really sweet?)

Irving Shore, a Parler Paris reader and regular ‘political sparring partner,’ thought of me jokingly while shopping in Walmart in Philadelphia when he found the perfect rebuttal to “Parler Nice” — massively huge bathing trunks that proclaim “I DON’T DO NICE” in neon colors. What do you think, Irving? A new fashion for the Riviera? Guess you haven’t been here enough, period!

I invited friends for a very ‘open house’ style picnic on “Labor Day” and when I checked back to see if one of them had gotten my email, he wrote, “You said Labor Day. I thought you meant September!” That’s when you know he hasn’t been here long enough.

Happy Labor Day!

A la prochaine…

Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris

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P.S. Things to do after Labor Day:

1. Tuesday, May 1st, at 6 p.m. at Shakespeare & Company Bookstore, join the contributors reading from the writing anthology, “Vignettes & Postcards, Writings From the Evening Writing Workshop at Shakespeare and Company, Paris, Fall, 2011” — this collection of twenty-six stories comes from the workshop, “Leaping Into the Void,” taught by award-winning writer Erin Byrne and edited by Erin and Anna Pook, ongoing instructor of the workshop.

2. Thursday, May 10th at 7:30 p.m. at the American Library in Paris “A Night at the Movies:” Judith Merians examines ‘The Shawshank Redemption.’ Discover the subtext of the story in which Andy, the force of hope, arrives in a forsaken place, changes it, and moves on.

3. Tuesday, May 15th, 3 to 5 p.m. (Note special date due to holidays!) at Parler Paris Après Midi when poet and teacher, Cecilia Woloch, talks about “The Poetry of Paris.” Cecilia Woloch will read from her own work and the work of other poets inspired by Paris, poetry in which the city itself features prominently. Following a brief discussion on the role of Paris as muse, Cecilia will lead a brief exercise in capturing the beauty and mystery of Paris in words. Visit Parler Paris Après Midifor more information.

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