Anyone speak French?

[tacit]

I want to organise a photographer to come to my mum's 60th birthday in Boulogne in June and my French is... rusty at best. And sort of lacking any grasp of grammar. Can anyone translate 100 words or so? I'm gonna email the hotel we're staying at and see if they'll help me out. Your French doesn't have to be perfect - mostly understandable would be a huge improvement on mine! *bats lashes*

Also, I'm brainstorming for present ideas. My parents have had a rough few years and I was going to arrange a surprise party for my mum, which she foiled by arranging her own. What have you guys got for loved ones on big birthdays? I want it to be immense!



ETA: And, does anyone know roughly how much it should cost to get a photographer for half an hour or so? I've got various relatives I can foist present ideas onto, but I want to get the photographer from myself - is it going to be heinous?

Comments

[me-maneuver.livejournal.com]

I really can't help you with the French. Sorry.

I can tell you that, as a harpist, most people charge per event. It doesn't make a huge difference if they are there for a half an hour or an hour and a half, the fee doesn't change much. The fee is going to depend on the local economy. I would estimate it could be anywhere between US $150 - $400 depending on how many pictures, if you want them to print them out, if you want digital copies, etc.

Hmmm... a spa day could be fun! You two could go together! :D

[deltacephei.livejournal.com]

Maybe ask someone from France or Canada directly? (anatsuno or lamardeuse come to mind.) I'd love to help, but I can hardly order myself a cup of coffee in French. Not that I'd actually want coffee.

As for a present... That's difficult! I don't know your mom and what she would enjoy. I second the spa weekend idea, or something similar, maybe an event that she and your dad could attend together. A ticket she wouldn't buy for herself. Something like that?

My father turned sixty this January and me and my mom, we rummaged through a bunch of photos of him in his teens, twens, at my parents' wedding, and so on, and I made a vid. (I realize that family videos are the most boring thing to watch for an outsider, but in the spirit of showing you what I mean, I'm sending you a link for that vid later.) Maybe your mom would be the type to appreciate such a gift?