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Monday 18 March 2013
Invitation to connect on LinkedIn
Wednesday 23 March 2011
Les Chiens de Paris and other observations
As you can imagine, I've had an incredible experience and some humorous moments. The first day I was here, I was hit by a bicyclist who was riding on the sidewalk, around a corner while smoking a cigarette. I, obviously, wasn't hurt, but momentarily thought he was going to burn a hole in my coat. It didn't happen and the man apologised profusely.
I have come to believe the reason Parisien women have "skinny" legs is because, from birth, they have been required to climb the stairs of the Metro. It is eqivalent to a daily exercise on the Stair Master. In the beginning, my thighs burned on every step. Now, much better. Walking everywhere helps too. I've also learned that the French do not (against the law, perhaps) use high fructose corn syrup in their food production. At any rate, things here are not as sweet. Tasty, certainly. Also, they are particular about food code violations. To be called "chocolate", the product must have a certain percent of cocoa. That's probably why it is so delicious.
Speaking of food, the French eat out a lot. In the mornings, it's cafe au lait or espresso etc. with a croissant; at noon, they eat their big meal "au restaurant" and in the evening, they basically snack. So, today, in French fashion, I went to Chez Paul. This restaurant is famous for its potatoes and the review gave it 5 stars. I was seated in a corner but very near 2 business men who were half way through their lunch. I was hoping to hear their conversation, but the place was crowded; I couldn't understand a word. I looked at the menu and decided on "le plat specialite" - the house special. When the dish arrived at my table, I gasped. I had ordered "Steak Tartare". Before me, there was a pile of ground beef, uncooked along with "salade" and, of course, potatoes in a scalloped form. I told myself, "when in Rome..." and dug in. It was delicious. There were finely chopped onions and herbs and all kinds of seasonings. The potatoes were sumptuous too. All in all, it was terrific.
I find it interesting that two incredibly difficult but memorable events occurred during my stay: the Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami and the Libyan Air Strikes. These events remind me, daily, that we live in an uncertain and very fragile world.
Even though I feel I've learned many things, I continue to struggle reading a map. Unlike loggerhead turtles, who evidently can find the route to the Sargasso Sea immediately after birth, even if there in the wrong hemisphere, I sometimes travel miles on foot to locate a famous monument.
I think the French, like the Canadians, have a rye sense of humor. They are very self-deprecating. On one occasion, my teacher asked me if I liked the view from Sacre-Coeur. I told her there were low lying clouds and I couldn't see the city. She asked me if I was sure it wasn't pollution.
Unfortunately, I found, much too late, watching the French cooking TV Channel extremely helpful in understanding the language. The cook speaks slowly while mixing the ingredients and the visual of the food and the prep gives additional clues to what she is saying.
This is my last blog. Thank you for all your tips and comments. I'm excited to be coming home as I miss you all.
Much Love, Sally
P.S. I only stepped in dog-doo once. Amazing.
Sunday 20 March 2011
Musee d'Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, and Basilica de Sacre Coeur
Friday, after class, I stopped off at the Musee d'Orsay. This is one of my favorite museums. The museum was originally a Palace, a hotel, and a RR station. Now, it is a grand museum. The architecture of the building is a work of art in itself. The museum has been open to the public since 1986. The displays of paintings and sculptures are no older than 1848. The museum feels young and fresh. The genre of art is basically the art of the Impressionists. And all the famous paintings you saw in your Art History classes are there: Courbet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Manet, Monet, Toulouse Lautrec and more. I was not permitted, (understandably so) to take pictures. If you go, be sure to rent an "audioguide".
Yesterday, Saturday, I wanted to buy the textbook that my Oral Class teacher uses. The book comes with a CD full of french speaking lessons. I was told that I could find the book at FNAC. FNAC is huge, like a "Circuit City" filled with "techie stuff" and books. I found the place on google - got the address and the metro number and left. The first FNAC didn't have books, but the helpful salesman (who spoke English as poorly as I speak French) gave me directions to the "Mother Ship, FNAC". And voila. I found the book I wanted and a LaRousse French- English Dictionary, I've been coveting.
If you look closely, you will see a name on the facade to the entry of the arcade. It says, "Claridge". That's my maiden name. I was so surprised to see it I took the photo.
On the way to the large FNAC, I walked along the Champs Elysees with all the fancy shops. I passed the Arc de Triomphe. The edifice is a monument to Napoleon's victories and the "Glory of France". In this round-a-bout, there is a street named for the general's every victory and the streets all pass through the opening of the monument. One must be a Formula One driver to navigate such a cobweb of directions. Also, people can take a hike to the top and view the city. I chose not to.
Fashion is very big in Paris. For both women and men. Behind my apartment, there are men's clothing stores one right after another, on both sides of a street. But, this isn't unusual. They are all over Paris. I don't know why it amuses me so. Women, I get, but this obsession with men's dressing is foreign to me. I took this picture to illustrate.
Today, I went to the Basilica de Sacre Coeur. It isn't that old. It looks old because the architect designed it in a Romano-Bystantine style. It is quite beautiful and although, I took pictures, they did not come through. It was dedicated in 1919. It sits atop a butte, the highest point in Paris. When you arrive to Montmartre, you walk up a hill and then follow a series of rather steep steps. They have planted flowers a long the way and terraced the steps so you don't get the incline in one fell swoop. But what you do get is an assault by the gypsies. Unfortunately, they are everywhere selling their wares. But, not politely so. They are rather agressive and "in your face". I never look at them, but stay focused eyes straight ahead. I like to think I said, "Non, merci", but I think I just said, "Non, Non, Non". After viewing the church, I took one of my "walks" around Montmartre. "The walks" are a set of 50 different cards of walks around Paris. On each card, on the back, is a description, brief, of the things you will see along the walk. On the front is the very explicit map. It is a clever idea and I applaud the person who thought of it. They are available in other cities too. Part of the walk went by a cemetary. Very old, but with some relatively new head stones. I looked for a Gerome or Jerome, but found no such person. (Both my teachers commented on my last name, telling me it is very common in France). I did see some interesting tombs and have included a photo.
Bon Weekend
Yesterday, Saturday, I wanted to buy the textbook that my Oral Class teacher uses. The book comes with a CD full of french speaking lessons. I was told that I could find the book at FNAC. FNAC is huge, like a "Circuit City" filled with "techie stuff" and books. I found the place on google - got the address and the metro number and left. The first FNAC didn't have books, but the helpful salesman (who spoke English as poorly as I speak French) gave me directions to the "Mother Ship, FNAC". And voila. I found the book I wanted and a LaRousse French- English Dictionary, I've been coveting.
If you look closely, you will see a name on the facade to the entry of the arcade. It says, "Claridge". That's my maiden name. I was so surprised to see it I took the photo.
On the way to the large FNAC, I walked along the Champs Elysees with all the fancy shops. I passed the Arc de Triomphe. The edifice is a monument to Napoleon's victories and the "Glory of France". In this round-a-bout, there is a street named for the general's every victory and the streets all pass through the opening of the monument. One must be a Formula One driver to navigate such a cobweb of directions. Also, people can take a hike to the top and view the city. I chose not to.
Fashion is very big in Paris. For both women and men. Behind my apartment, there are men's clothing stores one right after another, on both sides of a street. But, this isn't unusual. They are all over Paris. I don't know why it amuses me so. Women, I get, but this obsession with men's dressing is foreign to me. I took this picture to illustrate.
Bon Weekend
Thursday 17 March 2011
Lunch in the Sunshine
The weather in Gay Paree has been supernatural. No rain. My apartment came with an umbrella, but I have not taken it out of the closet. It has been cool, but not wet. Yesterday, was the nicest day to date. Lots of sunshine. I found the largest yarn shop in Paris and decided to check it out. The yarn shop wasn't much (very expensive and nothing I couldn't buy at home), but it was located across the street from a 16th century church, St Eustache. The church is large and in restoration as one would imagine for something that old.
After walking around the block. I was delighted to find a nice little bistro in the sunshine. I popped in and ordered lunch. Yep, a cheeseburger and "cafe creme" Just like home...except for the price. When I ordered, "la serveuse" (lady waitress) asked me how I wanted the meat cooked. I grasped for the vocabulary word to a): hope she thought I was French and to b): pray I was saying something appropriate. I answered, "A Point". I don't think I convinced the server that I could speak French, but "a point" does mean "medium". However, the word, "medium" is subjective and the degree of "doneness" must vary from restaurant to restaurant. This meat pattie would have frightened my husband. I ate it anyway. So far - no mad cow disease.
As I have mentioned before, my school is a melting pot of many cultures. I've become friendly with some of my classmates and I am always curious to hear the reasons why they left their homeland and/or landed in Paris. My friend, Kunsang, left Tibet to escape inhumane living conditions. But the main reason they come to Paris is for "opportunity" or in other words: work. They all want to "make more money". They can't get visas for the US, but for reasons not known to me, France accepts everyone, or so it seems. But, they can't get work until they can speak the language. Thus, because of all kinds of personal reasons, our lives have intersected at "L'ecole Alliance Francais". Patricia is from Poland. She is young and hoping to get work in her field, dental technician. She lives in very cheap housing and struggles to make ends meet. I'm sure managing day to day is very difficult.
They are all smart, hopeful and work hard. I sit next to "Terry" from Hong Kong. He is in my grammar class. He has a masters in economics from Hong Kong University. And although he will most likely return to China, he pointed out to me the difficulty of learning a language that has no resemblance in sound or appearance to the one you grew up with. It is true. Because English derives approximately 60% of our words from the French language, I can (and you probably can too) read and understand the newspaper here. For Tam, my Vietnam classmate, the pronunciation is so very difficult. She understands every word of spoken French, but will not be employable until she masters "ze french mode of speaking".
I am leaving you with one of my favorite things: The cafe creme. Enjoy
Sally
After walking around the block. I was delighted to find a nice little bistro in the sunshine. I popped in and ordered lunch. Yep, a cheeseburger and "cafe creme" Just like home...except for the price. When I ordered, "la serveuse" (lady waitress) asked me how I wanted the meat cooked. I grasped for the vocabulary word to a): hope she thought I was French and to b): pray I was saying something appropriate. I answered, "A Point". I don't think I convinced the server that I could speak French, but "a point" does mean "medium". However, the word, "medium" is subjective and the degree of "doneness" must vary from restaurant to restaurant. This meat pattie would have frightened my husband. I ate it anyway. So far - no mad cow disease.
As I have mentioned before, my school is a melting pot of many cultures. I've become friendly with some of my classmates and I am always curious to hear the reasons why they left their homeland and/or landed in Paris. My friend, Kunsang, left Tibet to escape inhumane living conditions. But the main reason they come to Paris is for "opportunity" or in other words: work. They all want to "make more money". They can't get visas for the US, but for reasons not known to me, France accepts everyone, or so it seems. But, they can't get work until they can speak the language. Thus, because of all kinds of personal reasons, our lives have intersected at "L'ecole Alliance Francais". Patricia is from Poland. She is young and hoping to get work in her field, dental technician. She lives in very cheap housing and struggles to make ends meet. I'm sure managing day to day is very difficult.
They are all smart, hopeful and work hard. I sit next to "Terry" from Hong Kong. He is in my grammar class. He has a masters in economics from Hong Kong University. And although he will most likely return to China, he pointed out to me the difficulty of learning a language that has no resemblance in sound or appearance to the one you grew up with. It is true. Because English derives approximately 60% of our words from the French language, I can (and you probably can too) read and understand the newspaper here. For Tam, my Vietnam classmate, the pronunciation is so very difficult. She understands every word of spoken French, but will not be employable until she masters "ze french mode of speaking".
Sally
Tuesday 15 March 2011
"The Marais", my neighborhood
- I've taken you all over Paris, but, now, a short tour of my neighborhood, The Marais, arrondissement #3. The area was first settled by Jews, then gay and lesbians joined the neighborhood, and finally, artists of Paris found a home here too. It is basically all "locals", no tourists. That means the people who support the neighborhood live in this community. I call the picture, below, the center of town. It isn't the center of the Marais district, but the center of my part of the Marais. When I need something, I go here. On the right hand side of the picture is my "BNP" Bank (equivalent of Bank of America). I use my "Carte de Bleu" (Debit Card) to withdraw the many "Euros" I need. I only use cash in the neighborhood.
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| Downtown Marais |
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| Le Marchand de fruits et Legumes |
In France, there are "supermarkets", but in the neighborhood, one goes to vendors for specialty items. The fruit and vegetable stand is typical. And, in French fashion, everything is fresh.
The fruit is really delicious and quite pricey. The barquette de fraises (strawberries) costs about 8.50 US. (They are worth it). The Patisserie is synonymous with Paris, itself. The owner of my apartment recommended "La Fougasse" and it is as beautiful as it is tasty.
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| La Patisserie On the left is the cheese house. Every cheese that wasn't pasteurized is in this shop. It is clean and so very well organized. The patron is very helpful too. Clearly, I'm not very good at writing text and adding pictures. Please forgive me. The very bottom right is a bistro, on the street. If you smoke, you drink your cafe here even it it's below freezing. At four in the afternoon, this bistro is packed. I think it is a nice part of the French day. Everyone relaxes, takes a break and catches up on gossip. In a world where populations of many cultures spend endless hours texting, it is nice to see that humans still enjoy each other's company. And the first picture is me knitting. I am waiting for my class to start. No other student had arrived. The teacher walked in and I asked her to take my picture. She was amused that I selected a rather vacuous setting to send to my family. I know you'll understand Love to All of You Sally |
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All fruit - a favorite place Below is a bistro I go to when I want a delicious "creme cafe". In the morning, on the way to work, men "belly up to the bar", and drink a cup of coffee and, "shoot the breeze" with the server. No one sits down. It reminds me of an "old western movie". |
Sunday 13 March 2011
Versailles
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| The Coronation of Napoleon |
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| McDonald's |
Wednesday 9 March 2011
March 9th - Wednesday
School this morning. My favorite class, Oral French. Nice class, lovely teacher. Three hours zips by. We start with a dialogue on a CD. She asks us to look for certain things. Then we listen. After hearing the CD, she asks us if we heard an accent in one of the voices. HA! (It was Canadian French). And, the answer is no. I barely referenced the meaning of the conversation. Which brings me to this evaluation. I'm benefiting from all the spoken French here, but it isn't at "light speed". When the class starts, I'm slow to pick up everything the teacher is saying, then I get more comfortable, but by the last dialogue, I'm having trouble staying with content. We had new students in our class today. A father and a son from the United States, Anchorage, Alaska and a woman from Poland. They will be here a week.
My life is fairly routine now. Here are some observations from the beginning of the trip. The majority of young people smoke (but outside - there must be a law forbidding smoking inside a public building). The sidewalk is a mosaic of cigarette butts, but Paris, generally, and, surprisingly, is pretty clean. Trucks come through the area every night and wash the streets.
The Parisiens may not be crazy for the Americans, BUT, they love McDonald's. I stopped by one for a cafe au lait and was astounded to see that this establishment was packed. And, there were people lined up in droves. I've heard they also "adore" our "reality TV" - "Snooki" or someone with that name is very popular.
The Forsythia is blooming and I've seen early Camellias. Daffodils are up too. Paris is in the same latitude as Vancouver, BC. with similar weather and temperatures. The weather has been exceptional during my stay. Although, cold in the morning, it is sunshine in the afternoon. No rain to speak of yet.
The one thing which has surprised me is the lack of birds other than Ravens and Pigeons. I've seen one wren-like bird in the park, Champs de Mars.
The food is delicious, but one thing I ate was quite mysterious. I bought it at "La Patisserie". It looked like a wedge of quiche, but the texture was dense. I can not tell you if it was eggs, cheese, and/or potatoes. On the bottom, there were prunes. Today I went by the same patisserie and saw the unknown dish in the window. There was a label pinned to it, identifying the concoction as "Something Breton Aux Prunneaux". It was good.
I walked in the Jardin des Plantes this afternoon. The National Museum of Natural History is part of this park. I will try to visit there before I leave.
I am comfortable in my surroundings, now, and I move around my neighborhood easily. I go to school everyday and study at night. I will continue to blog when I feel that there is important information to give. Please know how much I have appreciated the comments and suggestions you have offered. Thank you so much.
A bientot.
Sally
My life is fairly routine now. Here are some observations from the beginning of the trip. The majority of young people smoke (but outside - there must be a law forbidding smoking inside a public building). The sidewalk is a mosaic of cigarette butts, but Paris, generally, and, surprisingly, is pretty clean. Trucks come through the area every night and wash the streets.
The Parisiens may not be crazy for the Americans, BUT, they love McDonald's. I stopped by one for a cafe au lait and was astounded to see that this establishment was packed. And, there were people lined up in droves. I've heard they also "adore" our "reality TV" - "Snooki" or someone with that name is very popular.
The Forsythia is blooming and I've seen early Camellias. Daffodils are up too. Paris is in the same latitude as Vancouver, BC. with similar weather and temperatures. The weather has been exceptional during my stay. Although, cold in the morning, it is sunshine in the afternoon. No rain to speak of yet.
The one thing which has surprised me is the lack of birds other than Ravens and Pigeons. I've seen one wren-like bird in the park, Champs de Mars.
The food is delicious, but one thing I ate was quite mysterious. I bought it at "La Patisserie". It looked like a wedge of quiche, but the texture was dense. I can not tell you if it was eggs, cheese, and/or potatoes. On the bottom, there were prunes. Today I went by the same patisserie and saw the unknown dish in the window. There was a label pinned to it, identifying the concoction as "Something Breton Aux Prunneaux". It was good.
I walked in the Jardin des Plantes this afternoon. The National Museum of Natural History is part of this park. I will try to visit there before I leave.
I am comfortable in my surroundings, now, and I move around my neighborhood easily. I go to school everyday and study at night. I will continue to blog when I feel that there is important information to give. Please know how much I have appreciated the comments and suggestions you have offered. Thank you so much.
A bientot.
Sally
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