Bonjour ;)
Well my French endeavors are getting better and better. The "god" of French compassion decided to take pity on my soul and placed my wallet in the hands of a lovely Frenchman named Miguel who was kind enough to track down my address and wait outside my apartment building until someone arrived to let him in. He then found my name on my mailbox and left me a note with his name and number, explaining he had found my wallet on the side of the street in Paris. I thanked the good chap with a bottle of wine, he invited me to his play (he is an actor) and I was left with the gift of wallet and the full 90 Euros that I had just withdrawn from the bank in hand :). And then Paris said "breathe."
The French's love for art is really coming to show itself for me. I know the Louvre. You know the Louvre. Everyone knows the Louvre. What I did not have a full understanding of what the Louvre really symbolizes for the French. The Louvre housed French royalty for centuries, limiting the palace's magnificent beauty to the elite eyes of a few. With the French populace's denunciation of the monarchy (the chopping of heads that followed) and the once and for all success of the French Republic, the Louvre was transformed. Once a marvel for a select few, the Louvre now represents the heart of France. A piece of architecture that speaks stories for itself, now houses some of the most incredible treasures of the world, now for all eyes to see. It is truly beautiful and only symbolic of what France has fought so very hard for. You must look at the pictures attached-they are absolutely marvelous!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Coucou! (a French expression of affection ;) )
Damien and I have been in our apartment for 10 days and it is really beginning to feel more like home ;)
Our bedroom has a classic Parisien tile floor and a beautiful window that looks out into our apartment building's courtyard. Our landlord does live downstairs from us but luckily Damien has won her over so we are not experiencing any issues in that department :)
I dealt with a small bout of sickness at the beginning of our inhabitance and thought I could persevere and beat it myself. When I ended up keeled over in pain I threw up the white flag, went to the doctor with Damien's assitance and went on a strong dose of antibiotics :) I am feeling fine now but during this time I was also pit-pocketed and in combination with a cold spell kept all of France below zero for two weeks, it was a bit of a challenging start :D I am strong now, the weather is bearable and I am ready to spread my wings and begin my greater exploration of this incredible city.
I have purchased "the voice of the sparrow" album by Edith Piaf (please listen to "Non, je ne regrette rien" or her other famous "La vie en rose"-two of her classics), a beautiful compilation of one of France's greatest legends. She rised out of poverty and prostitution and ended up the cherished "sparrow" of France. You also might know the movie "La Mome" (the kid, because she was so short) that came out in 07' starring Marion Cotillard. Her museum is next on my list (maybe tonight) which is on the border of the 11th (my district) and she is buried in the beautiful Pere Lachaise (the reknown graveyard of Paris-hehe Kim) which is right around the corner from me. So a few things on my list.....
I'll keep it to that for now.....
Vous me manquez ( I miss you all)
Damien and I have been in our apartment for 10 days and it is really beginning to feel more like home ;)
Our bedroom has a classic Parisien tile floor and a beautiful window that looks out into our apartment building's courtyard. Our landlord does live downstairs from us but luckily Damien has won her over so we are not experiencing any issues in that department :)
I dealt with a small bout of sickness at the beginning of our inhabitance and thought I could persevere and beat it myself. When I ended up keeled over in pain I threw up the white flag, went to the doctor with Damien's assitance and went on a strong dose of antibiotics :) I am feeling fine now but during this time I was also pit-pocketed and in combination with a cold spell kept all of France below zero for two weeks, it was a bit of a challenging start :D I am strong now, the weather is bearable and I am ready to spread my wings and begin my greater exploration of this incredible city.
I have purchased "the voice of the sparrow" album by Edith Piaf (please listen to "Non, je ne regrette rien" or her other famous "La vie en rose"-two of her classics), a beautiful compilation of one of France's greatest legends. She rised out of poverty and prostitution and ended up the cherished "sparrow" of France. You also might know the movie "La Mome" (the kid, because she was so short) that came out in 07' starring Marion Cotillard. Her museum is next on my list (maybe tonight) which is on the border of the 11th (my district) and she is buried in the beautiful Pere Lachaise (the reknown graveyard of Paris-hehe Kim) which is right around the corner from me. So a few things on my list.....
I'll keep it to that for now.....
Vous me manquez ( I miss you all)
Monday, December 28, 2009
First few days in France....
Coucou everyone!!!
I am in France now, settling in. I am staying at Damien's mom's house at the moment in Orleans. Everything has been lovely so far! We spent my first day in Paris with beautiful weather. Mom, I went to Notre Dame and it was incredible (did you receive the pic I sent you of Damien and I in front of Notre Dame on the bridge?)!
Actually, the cathedral in Orleans is almost as beautiful as Notre Dame! Damien's mother, sister and himself showed me around Orleans on my second day. There is a beautiful statue of Joan of Arc (Jeanne D'arc) in the middle of the city because Orleans is the city she is known for saving. The city is incredible, with all the old buildings and a bridge that could take your breath away (Pont George V). The moon has been perfectly placed for the past two days in all my pictures! Everytime I look up at a cathedral or beautiful rooftop the moon is perfectly complimenting the site (which is when Damien and I usually kiss).
To top it all off, the food has been incredible!!! The first day, lunch started with champagne from a local vineyard that didn't even have a label. We enjoyed a petite glass with some saucisson (dried sausage) and then moved to the main course. In the center of the table rests the "raclette," an amazing French grill that looks like an open George Forman but has more secrets than one could imagine. On top rests whatever you would like to keep warm, but below on separate little trays lie your own personal piece of "formage" (cheese). Then, with an assortment of meats you pour the newly, melted cheese on potatoes and "bon appetite!" The best part is as you use one piece of formage you begin melting the next so the meal stays warm for every bite.
Today along the same lines....I met Damien's brother Mikael and his girlfriend Valerie who are both lovely! Valerie has been putting quite a nice effort forth to speak English with me which has been nice. Valerie brought a wonderful beer, La Choulette that we enjoyed with assorted charcuterie (dried and aged meats). Damien made Poisson en Papillotte (fish baked in the oven), salmon with mushrooms, chives, tomotoes, and a creme fresh, served with white, fluffy rice. After, his family brought four huge wedges of cheeses they had just bought when staying at their grandmother's home in the Alps. This was all enjoyed with some (French) Gewurztraminer. At the very end, some apple pastries were enjoyed with some cafe.
Phew! Done. However, all of this lovely cuisine has been accompanied by an abundant amount of walking (marche) and an incredibly stimulating amount of learning french! So my adventure has begun and I am loving it all so far. I promise to write more than just about the food but I cannot misrepresent French culture and if one thing is for sure, incredible food and drink is a large part of this culture.
Until the next time.....
Salut !
I am in France now, settling in. I am staying at Damien's mom's house at the moment in Orleans. Everything has been lovely so far! We spent my first day in Paris with beautiful weather. Mom, I went to Notre Dame and it was incredible (did you receive the pic I sent you of Damien and I in front of Notre Dame on the bridge?)!
Actually, the cathedral in Orleans is almost as beautiful as Notre Dame! Damien's mother, sister and himself showed me around Orleans on my second day. There is a beautiful statue of Joan of Arc (Jeanne D'arc) in the middle of the city because Orleans is the city she is known for saving. The city is incredible, with all the old buildings and a bridge that could take your breath away (Pont George V). The moon has been perfectly placed for the past two days in all my pictures! Everytime I look up at a cathedral or beautiful rooftop the moon is perfectly complimenting the site (which is when Damien and I usually kiss).
To top it all off, the food has been incredible!!! The first day, lunch started with champagne from a local vineyard that didn't even have a label. We enjoyed a petite glass with some saucisson (dried sausage) and then moved to the main course. In the center of the table rests the "raclette," an amazing French grill that looks like an open George Forman but has more secrets than one could imagine. On top rests whatever you would like to keep warm, but below on separate little trays lie your own personal piece of "formage" (cheese). Then, with an assortment of meats you pour the newly, melted cheese on potatoes and "bon appetite!" The best part is as you use one piece of formage you begin melting the next so the meal stays warm for every bite.
Today along the same lines....I met Damien's brother Mikael and his girlfriend Valerie who are both lovely! Valerie has been putting quite a nice effort forth to speak English with me which has been nice. Valerie brought a wonderful beer, La Choulette that we enjoyed with assorted charcuterie (dried and aged meats). Damien made Poisson en Papillotte (fish baked in the oven), salmon with mushrooms, chives, tomotoes, and a creme fresh, served with white, fluffy rice. After, his family brought four huge wedges of cheeses they had just bought when staying at their grandmother's home in the Alps. This was all enjoyed with some (French) Gewurztraminer. At the very end, some apple pastries were enjoyed with some cafe.
Phew! Done. However, all of this lovely cuisine has been accompanied by an abundant amount of walking (marche) and an incredibly stimulating amount of learning french! So my adventure has begun and I am loving it all so far. I promise to write more than just about the food but I cannot misrepresent French culture and if one thing is for sure, incredible food and drink is a large part of this culture.
Until the next time.....
Salut !
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