tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54552043283362656582024-03-19T04:39:25.825+01:00Paris-trotting et plus...Daily discoveries of life in France through the eyes of a non-Frenchie.The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-433254148075045922010-05-20T10:09:00.003+02:002012-11-01T07:28:45.337+01:00A Baker's Feast Day<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As mentioned in my previous post on <em><a href="http://paris-trotting.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html">le printemps</a>, </em>May 16 is a worthy day to mark on your calendar if you have a sweet tooth like <em>moi. </em>Happy St. Honoré's day! This feast day celebrated by bakers in France is THE moment to forget your diet, your curbing of sweet cravings and head your way to baker's heaven in a <em>boulangerie/ patisserie.</em></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">the famous pâtisserie in different flavors: pistachio and chocolate</span></em></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"><em>pink strawberry madness!</em></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> A reason to stop by ave Daumesnil & no, it's not</em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> because </em></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I'm </em></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>promoting </em></span></span><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">a former neighbor</span>!</span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">In France, I noticed that more importance is put on feast day of saints. Daily, a saint is honored, to the extent that some frenchies bearing the same namesake also claim it as their day of celebration! My husband's friend treated us to apero during his "namesake day" or saint's feast day, Wladimir, and his guests were actually wishing him "<em>bonne fête!".</em> Also, in most calendars made and sold here, each day states its corresponding patron saint. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A tip for future parents, if you're in the process of researching for baby names, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">although very french, it's a good source! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"><em>Alleluia, praise St. Honore!</em></span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Merci beaucoup St. Honoré, à la prochaine fois</em> (until next time!). </span></div>
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The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-73037568603211457932010-04-19T11:50:00.003+02:002010-04-29T04:18:08.413+02:00Hello Sweet Spring!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Welcome spring! <em>Bienvenue le printemps</em>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It's been a while since I have seen people wearing T-shirts, shorts and <em>tongs</em> (slippers) and yesterday was the perfect day for them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Something else went perfectly well on this day of spring, <em>pâtisserie (</em>pastry<em>)!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">As it looks, this creamy, sweet dessert is only for the decadent! The french would term this overindulgent desire for food as <em>la gourmandise</em>! Love it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It's composed of rings of <em>choux</em> stuffed with cream, the same pastry dough and stuffing used for éclair and the base is a <em>Pâte feuilletée </em>(a multi-layered buttery and flaky pastry). The caramel coating on the cream puff rings give it a delightful crunch making its over-the-top sweetness forgivable!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>St. Honoré </em>is named after the patron saint <em>des boulangers et des pâtissiers (</em>bakers and pastry chefs) and May 16, the day of his passing, is celebrated as his feast day. Last year during this day, there was a spread of booths in front of Notre Dame selling all types of bread and pastries made on the spot. They were also doing baking demos for the public.</span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Another trivia to share: several french pastries have religious namesakes. Aside from <em>St. Honoré</em>, there is the <em>religeuse, sacristain, </em>and<em> jésuite. </em>Now if only you could feel "holier" after gorging them down your throat. Oh holy gluttony, I will never resist your temptation!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-89133990124800217282010-04-14T14:59:00.007+02:002010-04-27T18:56:27.561+02:00American Comfort Food in Paris<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Craving for good ol' American food in a country of <i>escargots</i> and <i>foie gras</i>? I assure you that your greasy fantasies are very normal, even in the land of fine <i>gastronomy</i>, but be careful, they increase especially if left unfulfilled! Hence, you've got 2 quick solutions: cook it yourself or pray your online search engine finds that resto <i>tout de suite(</i>immediately<i>)</i>!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>FIND THAT RESTAURANT</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now if you're lazy to play the homemaker, then find that American food joint in Paris! <i>C'est possible,</i> it's possible! Is there such a place?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am glad to answer, "YES" indeed! Thank you google for making me stumble upon <a href="http://www.breakfast-in-america.com/main/">Breakfast in America</a> which should satisfy any IHOP-lover's heartiest brunch craving in a snap(yes, very quick service once you FINALLY get seated).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It looks like a diner, smells and sounds like one, making you wonder, am I still in Paris? There are only a few tables which are laid out like a long counter giving you many chances to elbow rub your neighbors. The long wait (outside)to get you seated and its cramped size are all forgivable once you are given your buttermilk pancakes and oh-so-sweet individual maple syrup(I missed you Aunt Jemima) containers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was satisfied with my fluffy pancakes but regarding the burgers and other must-orders, I think I am due for another visit. Click <a href="http://www.breakfast-in-america.com/main/images/stories/File/carte_american_2008_2.pdf">here</a> for their menu.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Breakfast in America Branches:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">17, rue des Ecoles </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">75005 Paris, France </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Métro: Cardinal LeMoine or Jussieu </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tel: 01 43 54 50 28 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4, rue Malher</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">75004 Paris, France</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Metro: St Paul</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tel: 01 42 72 40 21</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Brunch is totally picking up here especially in neighborhood brasseries or cafes during weekends. Some last as late as 2 pm offering a menu of tea/coffee/juice, fruits, pastries, sausages, crepes and omelettes. Although do not expect the french to have fully adapted to American proportions. Prices range from 12-25 euros but if you prefer a more luxe spread of morning nibbles, there are the trusted ones in hotels like at <a href="http://www.crillon.com/">Crillon</a> for 68 euros. Check out this <a href="http://www.oubruncher.com/">website</a> for Paris/France brunch options.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Here are some <i>American-esque fastfood</i> chain of restos to check out in Paris: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://www.frogpubs.com/">Frog</a>-Irish pub, brewery, english speaking servers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://www.leon-de-bruxelles.fr/">Léon's</a> - Brussel's version of Friday's specializing in mussels and fries! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://www.hippopotamus.fr/">Hippopotamus</a>-French version of Outback Steakhouse</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>DO-IT-YOURSELF. DIY.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://courses.monoprix.fr/magasin-en-ligne/courses-en-ligne.html#container_false">Monoprix</a>, a grocery chain in France, should have the basic ingredients to cook or bake your way to your stomach's satisfaction. As for me, I have been missing pies like the traditonal applie pie, apple crumble and New York-style CHEESECAKE! Below is a tweaked recipe for cheesecake cravers, also known as <i>gateaux fromage blanc, </i>adjusted according to french products.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I basically combined these 2 recipes from a <a href="http://scally.typepad.com/cest_moi_qui_lai_fait/2004/06/cheesecake_2.html">french</a> blogger and an <a href="http://www.davidlebovitz.com/recipes/sc_cheesecake.html">american</a> food critic living in Paris. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>French Style Cheesecake in 9 steps!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Crust:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 box of butter crackers, <i>sables/galette (6 large crackers)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cheesecake:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 kg <i> fromage blanc*</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">150g sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1 vanilla stalk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">zest of one lemon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3 eggs</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">*Fromage blanc, also known as quark, is a low-fat curd cheese usually made with semi or skimmed milk. Some of the French eat it as their yogurt or use is it as a spread instead of butter.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFl3NFECtWijr4s5mIeZbiULGCmBZWko_3WME0cZzerqIXYMnpOwQejFJ5QmVqes6HBIwc2_mdzDe5CG6d9Jpl6wZ0Cdp8Wx0OLBr-WQnGQF90g2-fg45DFRCkC8zP7GL3YFrD15k4b8v/s1600/P1070711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFl3NFECtWijr4s5mIeZbiULGCmBZWko_3WME0cZzerqIXYMnpOwQejFJ5QmVqes6HBIwc2_mdzDe5CG6d9Jpl6wZ0Cdp8Wx0OLBr-WQnGQF90g2-fg45DFRCkC8zP7GL3YFrD15k4b8v/s320/P1070711.JPG" width="240" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <i>fromage blanc</i> substituting cream cheese</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1. For the crust, crush the crackers until you have a bread crumb-like texture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and adjust the rack to the lower part of the oven.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3. Press the crumbs into a flat layer in the bottom of your pan. Try using the bottom of a glass to do this.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4. Bake the crust for 7 minutes until golden brown. Set the pan aside on a cooling rack while you prepare the batter. Reduce the heat of the oven to 350 degrees.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">5. For the cheesecake, mix the <i>fromage blanc</i> and sugar until there are no lumps.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">6. Add the vanilla and lemon zest. Mix in the eggs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">7. Pour the batter over the crust in the pan. Place the pan into a larger container, like a roasting casserole, and pour warm water until it reaches about one-third of the way up of the pan. This technique is called </span><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Bain-marie-Cooking-Technique---How-it-Works&id=2102001"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">bain marie</span></i></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (water bath) which is primarily used for cooking with gentle heat, custard-like desserts or melting chocolates without burning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">8. Bake the cheesecake in the water bath for 45 minutes, and do expect a jiggly, semi-solid mass. Make sure to not overbake.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXWrIIM7XGnjIziLkFsJisV9VApP0zJJabjjierNwO4hvs3TmgNS1rzDIbk_9T8mQsejXlqPQT06Hp-Xo9FPRYxDsbg_1ikfzJ-RdRMtMxtwN1G8C_56W9G4hq7DdOQhKI0hnVDi6Ftat/s1600/P1070651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXWrIIM7XGnjIziLkFsJisV9VApP0zJJabjjierNwO4hvs3TmgNS1rzDIbk_9T8mQsejXlqPQT06Hp-Xo9FPRYxDsbg_1ikfzJ-RdRMtMxtwN1G8C_56W9G4hq7DdOQhKI0hnVDi6Ftat/s320/P1070651.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <i>how it looks after being chilled in the ref. notice the vanila seeds? :-)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">9. Cool the cake on a wire rack until room temperature(approx. 30-45 min), then refrigerate for half a day.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkQGsHdxJQ7OXqerQY1J4Xi0Eu3yIfmEMDlNWQmRM9mEPRG0cpTOEwhEi8p_VAr7t7XUehMhtTY819sTvdpaojkRlL3RhdK972SjM4fBn9xK520nMz4ON2oijjlXFvHdHETgB8soFlYt2/s1600/P1070702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkQGsHdxJQ7OXqerQY1J4Xi0Eu3yIfmEMDlNWQmRM9mEPRG0cpTOEwhEi8p_VAr7t7XUehMhtTY819sTvdpaojkRlL3RhdK972SjM4fBn9xK520nMz4ON2oijjlXFvHdHETgB8soFlYt2/s400/P1070702.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <i>I added kiwis, very rich in vitamin C, and it was perfect together!</i> </span><br />
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<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Useful Tips:</span></b><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Most brasseries serve hamburgers, cheeseburgers and fries. Also known as <i>steak haché</i> but without the burger buns, make sure you don't get mixed up and order steak tartare which is a french specialty of raw ground beef.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHT25_vrMHSrm630W-AWimHGoAfF1nlytXd7qiXjL001YyaDS-go-JCurc12KAuph08K4dozXveUMJ-rQR0ay7k0IotJUgAq2e-KTa9tH5yYRCaafNm8zq3CRNM-ZbCwBkxNRyJJvpGZj8/s1600/P1070788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHT25_vrMHSrm630W-AWimHGoAfF1nlytXd7qiXjL001YyaDS-go-JCurc12KAuph08K4dozXveUMJ-rQR0ay7k0IotJUgAq2e-KTa9tH5yYRCaafNm8zq3CRNM-ZbCwBkxNRyJJvpGZj8/s320/P1070788.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">DIY Tuna Cheese Melt with apple mâche salad</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Call me deluded, but do try the burgers at Mcdonald's. They taste better and seem to be even bigger. Try Royal Bacon which is a bacon cheeseburger or their CBO(Chicken, Bacon, Onions) with les deluxe potatoes(seasoned wedge potatoes) + <i>ciboulette</i> (spring onion) dipping sauce. Plus, you can order beer here! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Soft , chewy cookies are hard to find here. The french like them as crisp as biscuits so do not expect an easy grab at the supermarket or bakeries. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">American fastfood chains available in Paris: Subway, Pizza Hut, Domino's, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Ben & Jerry's.</span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Leave a comment if you want THS to write about her other easy bake: </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Apple Pecan Crumble</span></i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI74nGJ3pDFEWNhNkifieqK59bFKFbWpYn_Y1Ej0amsntHlR6azyHmRSjTgz3bdxmPSIpxJd3hN1nz9UrVjoij-UxCXg096uMGIkgzWIklRZxwl6iPxV09P7Ks0Lgv5iiAU09QJPg0G-Y8/s1600/P1070209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI74nGJ3pDFEWNhNkifieqK59bFKFbWpYn_Y1Ej0amsntHlR6azyHmRSjTgz3bdxmPSIpxJd3hN1nz9UrVjoij-UxCXg096uMGIkgzWIklRZxwl6iPxV09P7Ks0Lgv5iiAU09QJPg0G-Y8/s400/P1070209.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com3Paris, 75004 Paris, France48.8555397 2.361209248.8537747 2.3575611999999997 48.8573047 2.3648572tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-79459721541366295612010-04-07T15:02:00.029+02:002010-04-14T11:11:39.676+02:00A Peek Inside a French Woman's Beauty Closet<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">French women seem to carry inherently the almost-perfect image of beauty. Easily described as mysteriously sexy, effortlessly chic and <i>au naturel</i>, it's no wonder that there's a constant search for THE french woman's "holy grail". </span><br />
<br />
<div></div><div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Should credit be given to the french-praising authors of books like <a href="http://mireilleguiliano.com/section/primary/2">"French Women Don't Get Fat"</a> (which I am gulity owner of) and the french-founded glossies like <i>Elle</i> and <i>Marie-Claire </i>influencing the malleable minds of beautyphiles? Or could it be that this enviable distinction is just a simple FACT?</span><br />
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<div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Let me try to find out. </span><br />
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<div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The Happy Spectator (THS) was invited to spend an afternoon of <i>ooh la la la</i> at <i><b>la Maison Guerlain</b>, </i>dubbed as the jewellers in the Art of Skincare since its founding in 1828 by Pierre-Francois Pascal Guerlain, a famous chemist for "precious beauty potions". </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp-PNVVTNjx_as8xAxNjYBimAIGRZqPfF-rHVksWIEpn-7dQf8XHUXZiI0cyaGExFKuPm4oatsgl3cd4n4aH3CgnyTWq1t033YAcPKdiMyKnU4h1cZuj5ijex9ntf61NlUekJ97tSTdJ_/s1600/P1070489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp-PNVVTNjx_as8xAxNjYBimAIGRZqPfF-rHVksWIEpn-7dQf8XHUXZiI0cyaGExFKuPm4oatsgl3cd4n4aH3CgnyTWq1t033YAcPKdiMyKnU4h1cZuj5ijex9ntf61NlUekJ97tSTdJ_/s320/P1070489.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <em>an</em> <em>ancient style</em> <em>compress powder/foundation made in 1918</em></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">He became <a href="http://nstperfume.com/perfume-houses-f-to-g/guerlain/">official supplier of custom perfumes to crowned heads of Europe</a> and eventually created <em>Eau de Cologne Impériale</em> (1853) for Empress Eugenie! Also, I was impressed by the brand's devotion to research and innovation upon knowing their Orchidarium in China to be the center of most of the natural raw materials in its skincare line and perfumes. </span><br />
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<div></div><div></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECk7JHaAnDQyL6TXP6CFkHb_R0p8TskMOppn3h3NYKGlNDIh7HkVNCMsc6FFvsTSsdbBME8_nYUdWDoPlJ0jenznGeKLMfz1G7WVyVvqxMhpf2fSbEqilkMJyKwhE6xvqMhLnO2-r8_3y/s1600/P1070500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECk7JHaAnDQyL6TXP6CFkHb_R0p8TskMOppn3h3NYKGlNDIh7HkVNCMsc6FFvsTSsdbBME8_nYUdWDoPlJ0jenznGeKLMfz1G7WVyVvqxMhpf2fSbEqilkMJyKwhE6xvqMhLnO2-r8_3y/s320/P1070500.JPG" /></a><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">sample orchid extract for its anti-ageing l'Orchidée Impériale skincare</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjox2wL8rvZV3Kwik6A_DIQXwP2C_KFo00H4IMRUfSAr2aowGc6lceHxnQJRx6UHTRTmVno0dFoA2Jb6pTDrlew8Ti6BGDQPZFzuHKGU4xplBjO2-hpp96XJk0cZ3Dob3diRfrQVdqLv6GL/s1600/P1070488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjox2wL8rvZV3Kwik6A_DIQXwP2C_KFo00H4IMRUfSAr2aowGc6lceHxnQJRx6UHTRTmVno0dFoA2Jb6pTDrlew8Ti6BGDQPZFzuHKGU4xplBjO2-hpp96XJk0cZ3Dob3diRfrQVdqLv6GL/s320/P1070488.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div></div><div></div><div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Admittedly, as an eczema-prone, rare user of luxe beauty creams, I attended this press visit with limited consumer knowledge of Guerlain except for the Terracotta Bronzing Powder(thanks to my older sister whom I would religiously watch apply make up on herself when I was younger) and their recent endorser, Nathalie Vodianova. Although I had a big hunch that by the end of the day, I would be a Guerlain convert or at least return to the husband with that "french glow".`</span><br />
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<div></div><div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia;">At their neo-classical <i>Marais </i>boutique decked in black and gold<i>, </i>I couldn't help myself from wondering which among their products would unlock the french treasure.</span><br />
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<div></div><div></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7lswzdTP9jJJi3h7lijhYlnopsiSYz6w9pAe0tl5HAqEZbpGIF2iZVVtWpSn2N86WXcCI7LNtboRCG1HMSciK0aSZKEvaXOJf12c3T3bcVpeViL06ezW32PWcMtSddYpSnTCh0usZu21/s1600/P1070472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7lswzdTP9jJJi3h7lijhYlnopsiSYz6w9pAe0tl5HAqEZbpGIF2iZVVtWpSn2N86WXcCI7LNtboRCG1HMSciK0aSZKEvaXOJf12c3T3bcVpeViL06ezW32PWcMtSddYpSnTCh0usZu21/s400/P1070472.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">a less intimidating store facade than the <a href="http://guerlain.com/int/en/base.html#/en/la-maison-guerlain/">Champs Élysées' branch</a>, alluring many window shoppers</span></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpou63dtJs_DaUSqOlGPCAlNuMvnBommzcHPIUhffcVqxbvIZyjJecYKYwAyvjj0CWY7CoSZ1_JEP9i3XlOyYswGS89Xu9slvfO3AGV42hGssxB3iqAwzr7Sbep2qUF19WTRvAYSy2enBa/s1600/P1070505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpou63dtJs_DaUSqOlGPCAlNuMvnBommzcHPIUhffcVqxbvIZyjJecYKYwAyvjj0CWY7CoSZ1_JEP9i3XlOyYswGS89Xu9slvfO3AGV42hGssxB3iqAwzr7Sbep2qUF19WTRvAYSy2enBa/s400/P1070505.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>grand perfume organ at flagship boutique, La Maison Guerlain, along Champs Élysées</em></span></div><br />
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<div></div><div></div><div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> From the Terracotta line to the display of iconic fragrances dating back to 1904 to their successful <a href="http://orchideeimperiale.com/orchidee-imperiale-en.html#/en/orchidarium/">l'Orchidée Impériale</a>, there was too much eye candy.</span><br />
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<div></div><div></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOG3QqjLWagFz76Wp6Z_BZvJfxssXIqAsCBK-ljLtqztBJTJGM9QC8x98UN-2G0DPX2BuSDKtvGEmWLdSm2yvxvdmQR_7aG1Cw2wfGeW1UJI7SfTwTTQHCdpXWyZ66B6OzM77FpnX17uG/s1600/P1070485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOG3QqjLWagFz76Wp6Z_BZvJfxssXIqAsCBK-ljLtqztBJTJGM9QC8x98UN-2G0DPX2BuSDKtvGEmWLdSm2yvxvdmQR_7aG1Cw2wfGeW1UJI7SfTwTTQHCdpXWyZ66B6OzM77FpnX17uG/s320/P1070485.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i> bronze me away, pretty please. Terracotta Light 45€</i></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRPZFGSTof8SvkaE5nHNIITliAtN0cTw4Yw2E1qTIcJ2_1lYYibM0h-859CxcQJ-hFMC31zMWF1-rUaUxIFT7IwGR6Gsej8jYPtKr5ahVZhjL46q6woVCESxmMMCqV1VSjJg3GH4RD1jd/s1600/P1070490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRPZFGSTof8SvkaE5nHNIITliAtN0cTw4Yw2E1qTIcJ2_1lYYibM0h-859CxcQJ-hFMC31zMWF1-rUaUxIFT7IwGR6Gsej8jYPtKr5ahVZhjL46q6woVCESxmMMCqV1VSjJg3GH4RD1jd/s400/P1070490.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">a preserved 1904 bottle of Mouchoir de Monsieur, perfume for men</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQM0xSsLewtSlE9qqweltwG8q2vIVLqtS4fs-cByxRnX5327PCRf95RXYUwbBO0cOBh8rrLdi7G3ff1gtenrs59sXhkqenY3YxuYZOkjjy-hvzLSjDJZg4L_W5H6nkp9jnEftU6yKdXdJx/s1600/P1070493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQM0xSsLewtSlE9qqweltwG8q2vIVLqtS4fs-cByxRnX5327PCRf95RXYUwbBO0cOBh8rrLdi7G3ff1gtenrs59sXhkqenY3YxuYZOkjjy-hvzLSjDJZg4L_W5H6nkp9jnEftU6yKdXdJx/s400/P1070493.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>unique way of getting a whiff of each perfume: sniff the funnel!</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Their latest lipstick, <i><a href="http://rougeg.com/guerlain_rouge/en_US.jsp?email=">Rouge G de Guerlain</a>,</i> based solely on its packaging,<i> </i>is what I call silver sophistication. Designed by jeweller, Lorenz Baumer, it also serves as a chic powder case. Seriously ladies, its case alone had me at "first-glance". I tried my friend's during a dinner inside the ladies room and mid-way through its application, I thought that it would have been sweeter to do it in public! Haha! This lipstick encapsulates </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">s-e-x-i-n-e-s-s and is a definite win in getting everyone's attention.</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8UWQaAynb9MbwSNs-emqR2x4hVbClfmmq8gtyrKxQ1pbklstaPzJXMZ4RMcrv30wn6V_xtRHBO_R7g0K5CeeiqPjCBHY73mm1ABrirZ0S0g8VKHs72-mpT8X44JxrW3OkW4iGaZzGh0D/s1600/P1070475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8UWQaAynb9MbwSNs-emqR2x4hVbClfmmq8gtyrKxQ1pbklstaPzJXMZ4RMcrv30wn6V_xtRHBO_R7g0K5CeeiqPjCBHY73mm1ABrirZ0S0g8VKHs72-mpT8X44JxrW3OkW4iGaZzGh0D/s400/P1070475.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntIqwpWl6BSAnYKQuEbzPeP9iQjXGHIDg3cn4dVBL3sYefQ94BswfgRniWovDu1gAwsdyfZREz-PO_VVvmJhkI4Bdb8WQc8Q9aGRd0iGfo3bmqxj23kws9ZjHuXdM2JLFE1_QYCRhLliI/s1600/RG_RAISINS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntIqwpWl6BSAnYKQuEbzPeP9iQjXGHIDg3cn4dVBL3sYefQ94BswfgRniWovDu1gAwsdyfZREz-PO_VVvmJhkI4Bdb8WQc8Q9aGRd0iGfo3bmqxj23kws9ZjHuXdM2JLFE1_QYCRhLliI/s200/RG_RAISINS.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">39,0 € in 25 shades</span></em><br />
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<div></div><div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Among the many rich fragrances which almost got me dizzy, I preferred <i>Cologne du</i> <i>68</i>. Even if my nose was on olfactory overload with the <i>melange(</i>mix<i>)</i> of perfumes, it was refreshing to smell the scent's subtle composition of 68 ingredients. Plus, since it is unisex, I actually entertained the idea of sharing it with my husband. Cheesy, me.</span><br />
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<div></div><div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbT2G8nLDZlvrPTTm9mbKkUBqX1uN-gM81_6Ipd2fTVmDcg6LVcIvv1dLSdKmhEGNXFirHCvRUcw7QbsSy3NCAuIBVwYLe8AbiJLDIHuMQg13sMxM_i5bi8xZLmakvALCPQm5twVRl-kXi/s1600/P1070506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbT2G8nLDZlvrPTTm9mbKkUBqX1uN-gM81_6Ipd2fTVmDcg6LVcIvv1dLSdKmhEGNXFirHCvRUcw7QbsSy3NCAuIBVwYLe8AbiJLDIHuMQg13sMxM_i5bi8xZLmakvALCPQm5twVRl-kXi/s400/P1070506.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oxgP4Pr3Kp0kOU3rOTSL4CVjK8yP9w9K1RligsHsrVP-Bxnh4Id1SOV-wNJdtoqmOKu1GEr8xcKJs6r4VEknzCtCUn2-g2CxT2hSCVMQ54u8MjzJU6L-oeO-IctRMWukqZxSAP1gHTXI/s1600/P1070509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oxgP4Pr3Kp0kOU3rOTSL4CVjK8yP9w9K1RligsHsrVP-Bxnh4Id1SOV-wNJdtoqmOKu1GEr8xcKJs6r4VEknzCtCUn2-g2CxT2hSCVMQ54u8MjzJU6L-oeO-IctRMWukqZxSAP1gHTXI/s400/P1070509.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Angelique Noire or Cuir Beluga are must-buys for perfume junkies. seductive & unique scents! 155,0 euros 70ml</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Regarding Guerlain's <i>les soins</i>, I was amused by the <a href="http://guerlain.com/int/en/base.html#/en/home-soins/soin-catalogue/skincare-anti-ageing-care-presentoir/soins-antiage-happylogy/">Happyology</a> hydrating cream line claiming to "stimulate the release of endorphins"?! Is this for real? No need to exercise anymore! :-) L'Orchidee Imperiale is probably amazing but way OVER my budget. For 50ml of creme, it is 350,0€. Obviously I am not its target market. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">More of my comments on their skincare products in my next post where I write about their facial treatment.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<div></div><div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia;">So are products like these hidden in the secret drawer of every <i>très belle</i> descendant of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Joan<i> d'Arc</i>? Is it a matter of having the money to purchase it all? What have the french women been doing for centuries to maintain this fresh look?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcBIw-nZY9d4oERh48ah10ORGP2kMe70YFkM6Faz7A3fZzOZTaMUyHKvGqFLDdlEwXOWpywKncDEmk6FezpsZEUi-GDj7KFRgd0hEdTozzZI5VD8Sz9WnWjAvGRet2CCDgJeEPPfvOyKU/s1600/P1070515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcBIw-nZY9d4oERh48ah10ORGP2kMe70YFkM6Faz7A3fZzOZTaMUyHKvGqFLDdlEwXOWpywKncDEmk6FezpsZEUi-GDj7KFRgd0hEdTozzZI5VD8Sz9WnWjAvGRet2CCDgJeEPPfvOyKU/s400/P1070515.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Then came the words of a wise french woman, <i><a href="http://espritdeparfum.com/accueil/">Sylvaine Delacourte</a>,</i> Guerlain's Director of Perfume Development and former make-up specialist. Deeply rooted in the luxury world since 1994, <i> </i>she shed some light on the basic truths of beauty care for the french woman.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">To simply put it, you can't put on beautiful make-up <b>WITHOUT HAVING BEAUTIFUL SKIN.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>Education</b> and <b>investment</b> on SKINCARE</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">are the rules by which the french play. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Make-up must be <b>quick</b> and <b>efficient</b>. </span></span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After hearing these statements, I laughed knowing it was pure logic.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Instead of spending time in applying the latest shade of whichever tint on your face, FIRST take the time to STUDY the needs of your skin. Then, match it with a daily application of preventive, hydrating creams and proper cleansing. It's simple maintenance. <i>Et voila, c'est tout (that's all).</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But for a low-maintenance gal like myself, let's hope that an increased water intake, no alcohol and a touch of Terracotta Bronzing Powder will do and still bring out "my happy glow". Plus, a spray of Guerlain perfume, of course.</span></div><br />
<div></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>Useful Tips:</b></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">For your fragrance to last all day and night, in the morning, apply perfume behind the ears, inner side of wrists, inner part of your elbows and a spray of <i>eau de toilette </i>on the back and chest areas. This is guaranteed yumminess.</span> </li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Best way to test a fragrance after spraying it on your skin is by using fabric, specifically cashmere or silk.</span> </li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">To give your nose a rest during perfume sampling, sniff on coffee beans; granted the store provides it. </span></li>
</ul><ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK62lnX04UpUoR3vXdZzt_iDaphZsr3msp80pjNSdnsHLoful36VqYHhtCXrn5Z7NsO9Y0UUEBFZjImk_C9iaDmeQN02EbP7sRqBhbgj7u2eJQxPbDdQBs3OUWUWn-JmmEV2CbC9hzYMsW/s1600/P1070480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK62lnX04UpUoR3vXdZzt_iDaphZsr3msp80pjNSdnsHLoful36VqYHhtCXrn5Z7NsO9Y0UUEBFZjImk_C9iaDmeQN02EbP7sRqBhbgj7u2eJQxPbDdQBs3OUWUWn-JmmEV2CbC9hzYMsW/s320/P1070480.JPG" /></a></div></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">If you are having difficulty choosing a perfume, there are ways to simplify the selection process like by doing an association sample test as seen below.</span> </li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec1TB-Fmih3SD65-Nt2PaBvk-zth8cNK1DgOhFPbczNMI0EjE7uJG9VARr7BDugfEfTTKZYWgmRMc8QCtS4ojND4SjeNcyb9rgtZ-yZQkANb_K_NSPURsTqfOO0RhyphenhyphenVUS5iE1e9Q3a4nu/s1600/P1070499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec1TB-Fmih3SD65-Nt2PaBvk-zth8cNK1DgOhFPbczNMI0EjE7uJG9VARr7BDugfEfTTKZYWgmRMc8QCtS4ojND4SjeNcyb9rgtZ-yZQkANb_K_NSPURsTqfOO0RhyphenhyphenVUS5iE1e9Q3a4nu/s320/P1070499.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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<div></div><div></div><div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">THS would like to thank</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Luxasia and Guerlain Paris.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<div></div><div></div><div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">For inquiries on Guerlain products available in Metro Manila, Philippines, you may call <b>Rustans Makati</b> & Shangri-La Mall 633-46-36 loc. 122</span> </span></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><b>Guerlain Marais Boutique</b></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>10, rue des Francs-Bourgeois</i><br />
75003 Paris</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tel 01 53 01 02 00 </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><i>La Maison Guerlain Boutique</i></b><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>68, avenue des Champs-Elysees</i><br />
75008 Paris</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tel 01 45 62 52 57 </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-10186608569963543972010-04-04T23:39:00.020+02:002010-04-14T11:35:14.958+02:00Celebrating Easter in Paris<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Bonnes Paques</i>! Happy Easter everyone.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXwzfvNgAG56AsiB9VaguXgLlYHvuT3_obxR6gRgU8tnNy28WXVSIX8KS0DLgUljQZQZkCITVTM4Vxpu60GM06IIIlalBf9yhGMTP82j_g6IO0btpGF4GYdov91FA7Su3sDMqveDzmmUq/s1600/P1070569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXwzfvNgAG56AsiB9VaguXgLlYHvuT3_obxR6gRgU8tnNy28WXVSIX8KS0DLgUljQZQZkCITVTM4Vxpu60GM06IIIlalBf9yhGMTP82j_g6IO0btpGF4GYdov91FA7Su3sDMqveDzmmUq/s400/P1070569.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>mass in notre dame: click </i><a href="http://notredamedeparis.fr/index.php?page=calendrier&date=2010-4-4&id_rubrique=1"><i>here</i></a><i> for sunday schedule</i></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I never really walked around Paris on Easter Sunday. I knew I wasn't going to see a New York type of celebration with a bunny parade but it was a perfect opportunity to join the tourists and treat ourselves to some chocolate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://festivals.iloveindia.com/easter/traditions/easter-in-france">Traditional Easter symbols in France</a> are not bunnies, although in Alsace they are used, but rather fish (<em>Poisson d'Avril/ April Fish</em>) and bells. French Catholics symbolize the ringing of bells as the flight of misery/grief on Good Friday to the Vatican in Rome; then these flying bells return on Sunday morning carrying chocolate and eggs! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCh0Q9Edtksna5UxiHBtunjstCuq1U-XwrM9LbBPvAIlbW39VBgpX3-27k1by00jIpc4BP9M6hbCJkbs6q7Px39cg5WLbMKd9VIVJiYeLYCNH6-CMfWhJWl-b-yxW6AsXmF_9KgzWw3F8k/s320/P1070571.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>the sunny resurrection..</i> <i>before the afternoon's rain and hail</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The line outside the cathedral was expectedly long. Seeing it as the moment to benefit from the reputation of being "parisian pricks", we cut the queque and pissed of some tourists. Sorry, but we were already late enough for mass. And for those interested in attending mass, there is an international one at 11:30 am every Sunday in Notre Dame.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Coincidentally, it was the 1st Sunday of the month, and during this special day in Paris, <a href="http://jeunes.paris.fr/jeunes/jsp/site/Portal.jsp?page_id=203">these national museums</a> do not charge entrance fees. <i>Profitez</i>! Seize the opportunity everyone!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We thought we could squeeze in a visit to the <i>Conciergerie</i> before our late lunch but the line was too long.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QIabo4_CDEylFWWp_jVC2Zud_cev_hSB9DtrXsAJHQfNlyfH6J_svPNhBo-KztwsTESCW9ppjkhz2SCRPcsZKfimsqujQ3rx7bwDQhsp1uFa0NCn8Fpql3p5NHejvl7x7a57LV-GCF0e/s1600/P1070580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QIabo4_CDEylFWWp_jVC2Zud_cev_hSB9DtrXsAJHQfNlyfH6J_svPNhBo-KztwsTESCW9ppjkhz2SCRPcsZKfimsqujQ3rx7bwDQhsp1uFa0NCn8Fpql3p5NHejvl7x7a57LV-GCF0e/s400/P1070580.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned for a few days prior to her guillotine</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Next stop, was lunch. On Sundays, most restaurants are closed except for the ever-reliable ones along <a href="http://restoaparis.com/fiche-restaurant-paris/kunitoraya.html">rue St. Anne</a>, home to quick, authentic Japanese cuisine. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Although a traditional Easter Sunday meal for a French Christian household would be <em>'Gigot D'agneau'</em> (leg of lamb) and a grand omelette, signifying the end of the 40-day fasting from meat and eggs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndc8360Yzs3-WBuIrhqdFJQh4JIg41VUAMGNo50ElgC2t3e4GEKv8bxW8kC9dc4fJVJ4RxuMw7LB8k3PFZ9a2dg0-Cy-LdBR1edLs0foHa-yBSA9GmsjVJRBPYolhMF5JzZKS-20DG42i/s1600/P1070585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndc8360Yzs3-WBuIrhqdFJQh4JIg41VUAMGNo50ElgC2t3e4GEKv8bxW8kC9dc4fJVJ4RxuMw7LB8k3PFZ9a2dg0-Cy-LdBR1edLs0foHa-yBSA9GmsjVJRBPYolhMF5JzZKS-20DG42i/s400/P1070585.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Yakiniku lunch meal for 12,50 euros</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7mGe9uj34FZXTqd7F6HBePEh_1KvMKQ6iU6sBwawDPk3YTKpGN-5kNwTsh7O799EtmIX_duGWRuc-qB_IaybMXJTSxfoVGVU7pii_r7wqIg4iTtUQVewegMAnpJkHrG9MAQj-Eo0qCDR/s1600/P1070586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7mGe9uj34FZXTqd7F6HBePEh_1KvMKQ6iU6sBwawDPk3YTKpGN-5kNwTsh7O799EtmIX_duGWRuc-qB_IaybMXJTSxfoVGVU7pii_r7wqIg4iTtUQVewegMAnpJkHrG9MAQj-Eo0qCDR/s400/P1070586.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <i>Pork miso ramen with gyoza on the side for 8,50</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaE53lEr_V1xKJikw6jG1I1T9BqhzijzuOmFIQ7MynJzHCyk9Hndxi0AGfu3LPz2881-qGeAUk6ls4QFlMAvEdqbpta6Etpjo56l9umwz2Q0iR85MvgtSTperyq-orEiBnLbTzSayMeMh/s1600/P1070587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaE53lEr_V1xKJikw6jG1I1T9BqhzijzuOmFIQ7MynJzHCyk9Hndxi0AGfu3LPz2881-qGeAUk6ls4QFlMAvEdqbpta6Etpjo56l9umwz2Q0iR85MvgtSTperyq-orEiBnLbTzSayMeMh/s400/P1070587.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>most of the restaurants have published food reviews posted at the entrance</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Best part about eating out in small cities like Paris is the chance to walk out that stuffed feeling of goodness until the appetite is ready for the next treat..chocolates in the <i>Marais</i>! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Call us late bloomers but the more we play tour guide to visitors, the more we have realized how damn walkable the whole of Paris is. Comfortable shoes, good weather and a hand to hold are all that's needed! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We arrived quite tired but ready for our easter fix at <a href="http://jadisetgourmande.fr/lng_FR_srub_46-La-collection-Paques-2010.html">Jodis & Gourmande Chocolatier</a>, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">producteur d'idees en chocolat. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLn32e5r0usUdb11KaCwI5Tq80KZgm_l2cz-4ZxNszFswGZlOUkFhTosrQ5snORkpRgYO1UdRSjXYsVFLlGXh19k6j-p6M4ERqD34bafvMr0qMsAYCdIk5uzJQw9KaV4uCASS4wk5F7DnX/s1600/P1070602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLn32e5r0usUdb11KaCwI5Tq80KZgm_l2cz-4ZxNszFswGZlOUkFhTosrQ5snORkpRgYO1UdRSjXYsVFLlGXh19k6j-p6M4ERqD34bafvMr0qMsAYCdIk5uzJQw9KaV4uCASS4wk5F7DnX/s400/P1070602.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxDCCNr2EOLnVEfrzYsVfxifJRsoUB-lxFnbySs5f_jcDsiTqQibdVthA7Qh1TjZJP_Ql3OHPkbBHTQCYiWvfO6B2GfH8TG4Eixafyn3CtJ7lq5gA-bbOHRKif_qJ_qaYULmxNOENfHO8/s1600/P1070599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxDCCNr2EOLnVEfrzYsVfxifJRsoUB-lxFnbySs5f_jcDsiTqQibdVthA7Qh1TjZJP_Ql3OHPkbBHTQCYiWvfO6B2GfH8TG4Eixafyn3CtJ7lq5gA-bbOHRKif_qJ_qaYULmxNOENfHO8/s400/P1070599.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>ganache noire et lait fourree au miel(stiuffed with honey)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWW7IfjcuB9qo6A5bZqsNXc_bX4-EPX_rqqqFGdMhvQg-JQAvv-Hd4TOYnQQTkuCuzns7ynXLIekzAX9bEWJZZWC6P3DiEfvh5WKrkj4xLmIkFnhtcJcoszANbonFc7dw0SGSbMh2NLWdG/s1600/P1070600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWW7IfjcuB9qo6A5bZqsNXc_bX4-EPX_rqqqFGdMhvQg-JQAvv-Hd4TOYnQQTkuCuzns7ynXLIekzAX9bEWJZZWC6P3DiEfvh5WKrkj4xLmIkFnhtcJcoszANbonFc7dw0SGSbMh2NLWdG/s400/P1070600.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmVPNdSwIFeOEbxONx0OqXOF-UqqQtd7jX-hJpXwcerDEyRnswrFTujCOPMDskM_ccj8Idq8CEh6z65Y52NTqe3y2nAOO48rU-9fIKh095e0flbs8MM6bHzj6UImQSCd4tF9Bs46L5jwh/s1600/P1070601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmVPNdSwIFeOEbxONx0OqXOF-UqqQtd7jX-hJpXwcerDEyRnswrFTujCOPMDskM_ccj8Idq8CEh6z65Y52NTqe3y2nAOO48rU-9fIKh095e0flbs8MM6bHzj6UImQSCd4tF9Bs46L5jwh/s400/P1070601.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">praline-stuffed moulin eggs</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B7wVm1oTCaTGM9KqWGy1KgP8KB7APITWG556LP2tdZJ6ihItO6PZ1ehfXn-hfMcpf7oB0EvzCSt__F8UgYKiNaAigbz5920yjSw9oZdDrl8GMtAR6IwEi-KSTb3WLrTs1orRux8eiFs-/s1600/P1070603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B7wVm1oTCaTGM9KqWGy1KgP8KB7APITWG556LP2tdZJ6ihItO6PZ1ehfXn-hfMcpf7oB0EvzCSt__F8UgYKiNaAigbz5920yjSw9oZdDrl8GMtAR6IwEi-KSTb3WLrTs1orRux8eiFs-/s400/P1070603.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUROlJ0BXD2jhAIC6cPNv6YioEZhKgXj_CKLvGjjA6mqV1ZaA7K2W6gwtEQMCc_AYo_3FkVDn9rHOW7gdVTYegx19bGvgrpo5g-rtUymU0efBFk-Gc10aYMmWx40ledrSLkQKhKV1neirY/s1600/P1070607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUROlJ0BXD2jhAIC6cPNv6YioEZhKgXj_CKLvGjjA6mqV1ZaA7K2W6gwtEQMCc_AYo_3FkVDn9rHOW7gdVTYegx19bGvgrpo5g-rtUymU0efBFk-Gc10aYMmWx40ledrSLkQKhKV1neirY/s320/P1070607.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>our bag of bonbons: chocolate and caramel</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All in all, this Easter in Paris was indeed a happy, memorable one for my husband and I. No amount of rain, shine, line and hail combined could stop us from enjoying a new "beginning" with a bag of chocolates.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">And thankfully next year, we will be splitting the sugar count among three. :-)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-79463405234498063252010-03-31T18:12:00.027+02:002010-04-09T21:20:00.846+02:00My First Winter in Paris<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was a L-O-N-G winter. Snow in Paris and even in Cannes. What's up for next year's?</span><br />
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<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawCB8UZP6vDWbmes9YmXsYkNUocSpnT5GY89QL6WzsFvdLlMSSag0yj5CDc2fc0pX-_VRF0w5aUb_DtMNlgCF3w8q8WagnZZJG71xjHNPA37ctAIlwweoW70ph06TnjnwfZO5mDc0As8c/s1600/P1070084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawCB8UZP6vDWbmes9YmXsYkNUocSpnT5GY89QL6WzsFvdLlMSSag0yj5CDc2fc0pX-_VRF0w5aUb_DtMNlgCF3w8q8WagnZZJG71xjHNPA37ctAIlwweoW70ph06TnjnwfZO5mDc0As8c/s400/P1070084.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Parc Vincennes</i></span><br />
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<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYNFSksTB9eGY_huYN3M9e71q859s4ewSllIgsHA7YhfdYaBWGA9kQB_GtwWd6miPVAdIHgv0cPv8qCMLdX5e0XlnI9TVAlRTbQP_LQl998VMjM0TPkf0g8ncT_DEr3Tyt1an4l6sSlPZ/s1600/P1070081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYNFSksTB9eGY_huYN3M9e71q859s4ewSllIgsHA7YhfdYaBWGA9kQB_GtwWd6miPVAdIHgv0cPv8qCMLdX5e0XlnI9TVAlRTbQP_LQl998VMjM0TPkf0g8ncT_DEr3Tyt1an4l6sSlPZ/s400/P1070081.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>tredging our way through the parc's snow-filled path for a snack</i></span></div><br />
<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWb6vHcfn5Hb_yW2CwGpaGXAn9u2u5aRMBPZxPvqGFq40wPXuDnnauHe_bx2-HRHRRfazxDqM-vd3uaLkLrHinPt8Za2Wz5a5GAjN5ZiarP2eW6hgNwKw5kNRu3HVUpsq53P3SKc6r-KH/s1600/P1070085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWb6vHcfn5Hb_yW2CwGpaGXAn9u2u5aRMBPZxPvqGFq40wPXuDnnauHe_bx2-HRHRRfazxDqM-vd3uaLkLrHinPt8Za2Wz5a5GAjN5ZiarP2eW6hgNwKw5kNRu3HVUpsq53P3SKc6r-KH/s320/P1070085.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <i>how much longer do we wait for sunny picnics?</i></span></div><br />
<div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia;">To take the edge off next winter's blues, let me share with you a recipe of homemade chai tea latte which I snagged from an online forum. This is for the "homies" who not only have limited access to Starbucks (or even better, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf) but including those who would like to switch from time to time their morning coffee to a smooth and spicy milk/tea blend.</span><br />
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<div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If your kitchen cooks up indian curries then you will have <i>pas de problème</i> in gathering the ingredients.</span><br />
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<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrMq16Rb2jGQx2nADjyR1vsqs49FT1VR9IHbbi95q8BsaoKTgmVFvaqZLhpVJv95PDcLOZtEUgpZaQYsUFLG4eQRcnmrlX7vArk8cWCJW7ctqAepMxK9Fsy7AAxlnHFfp5kIppnUluXSI/s1600/P1070097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrMq16Rb2jGQx2nADjyR1vsqs49FT1VR9IHbbi95q8BsaoKTgmVFvaqZLhpVJv95PDcLOZtEUgpZaQYsUFLG4eQRcnmrlX7vArk8cWCJW7ctqAepMxK9Fsy7AAxlnHFfp5kIppnUluXSI/s400/P1070097.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 cups of water</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/2 cup of milk</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3 tea bags of Black tea (surprisingly, Lipton was the only brand I found in franprix)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> 2 tbsps of honey or sugar</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 teaspoons ground cinnamon</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 teaspoon ground nutmeg</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 teaspoon ground coriander</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1/4 teaspoon ground cloves </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">3 crushed pods of cardamom</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Once water is boiling in a pot, add in all ingredients and allow to blend and dissolve(sugar) for about 4-5 minutes. Adjust sweetness according to your liking then pass it through a strainer. Voila!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9_WFkeLI4zr81jyvoFM_3299_zpQeQgA9KZEE9eR2mrxWndluAv9nfFrengsNEpJE3LSfYRAz4FcNNVZrSmRVH-_g3LP5e2PMXkMZhMdqo5nj0kiBNs_aMsDfVRbN5MLUX7rrQgaB55t/s1600/P1070212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9_WFkeLI4zr81jyvoFM_3299_zpQeQgA9KZEE9eR2mrxWndluAv9nfFrengsNEpJE3LSfYRAz4FcNNVZrSmRVH-_g3LP5e2PMXkMZhMdqo5nj0kiBNs_aMsDfVRbN5MLUX7rrQgaB55t/s320/P1070212.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>a gift from husband's trip to India</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For those unwilling to purchase the spices, then hopefully your cupboard is well-supplied with varieties of tea like masala chai or plain chai. If so--<i>c'est simple comme bonjour!-- </i>just<i> </i>add hot milk, honey and some cinnamon!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Interested to know how the french take their coffee or tea? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">In the morning, it is either tea or coffee poured in a cereal bowl which is used for dipping their toasted bread smothered in honey or <i>confiture</i> (jam). Even my husband's 3 year-old nephew has accustomed his young tastebuds to this french ritual although, it's the lesser evil of tea for him.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">For their <i>petite</i> <i>pause</i> and <i>le goûter</i> as they would say, referring to their 10am & 4pm coffee break in the office or elsewhere, it is definitely an espresso taken by the bar or counter. Although you will notice the subtle infiltration of the Starbucks culture or other boutiques like so, for coffee on-the-go along major boulevards with its loyal customers, mostly tourists, sipping on their cups while window shopping. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Although in the minds of the french, it seems that they would rather enjoy their coffee peacefully in cafes either seated or standing, while reading <i>le journal</i> (newspaper) or during their moment of outdoor people-watching. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Why not? <i>Pourquoi pas?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzH6G50B8n1iSMX9ssQFFFrUs4pNJW6O7o10PFSyF8wOYEB7GP6B_ibUo_W1b2e68rSCmzLy3KFdBTQ7KqvxGolqQMJA3Q1tQVMKECc6SVZjY5h8Zc2s1QQP08BoUF4dowyN0fFXCZ7Ovq/s1600/P1070611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzH6G50B8n1iSMX9ssQFFFrUs4pNJW6O7o10PFSyF8wOYEB7GP6B_ibUo_W1b2e68rSCmzLy3KFdBTQ7KqvxGolqQMJA3Q1tQVMKECc6SVZjY5h8Zc2s1QQP08BoUF4dowyN0fFXCZ7Ovq/s400/P1070611.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> <i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">un goûter dans le marais</span></i><br />
<div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>Useful Tips:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">If it's your first time in Paris, try to avoid Starbucks and head your way to local-living at a cafe. The bar men are generally nice and will give you that "upper" instantly! It's cheaper and a fun way to be a part of the "culture parisienne", seated outdoor, closely next to another coffee-drinker.</span></li>
</ul></div><div style="text-align: center;"><ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjweW6rDXtPfFONrd45yhn0i6m-pF6rVzGwHyk5uBrFdy371loCprq9sHbtvqqHtatYFbmPwACu4kRraGR-Jld7Owp-rzhKeqIzBS7cFsucygO81JzwES0yUGsXoDwVuA-tgU3jbhTx2xc/s1600/P1070560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjweW6rDXtPfFONrd45yhn0i6m-pF6rVzGwHyk5uBrFdy371loCprq9sHbtvqqHtatYFbmPwACu4kRraGR-Jld7Owp-rzhKeqIzBS7cFsucygO81JzwES0yUGsXoDwVuA-tgU3jbhTx2xc/s400/P1070560.JPG" width="300" /></a><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Starbucks branch along l'avenue de l'Opera</span></i></div></ul></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Just sit down in any empty table (no need to wait and be ushered) and sure enough, a waiter will pass by and take your order. <i>Un cafe s'il vous plaît! </i>Or<i> un cafe crème</i> (with milk)<i> s'il vous plaît!</i></span> </li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Differentiating types of coffee: <i>Café court(</i>short<i>) </i>is a dose of black coffee with added water while<i> café long(</i>long<i>) </i>is the same dosage but with more water, thus having the weaker taste. <em>Café noisette</em> is a shot of espresso with a bit of milk.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">For non coffee drinkers, you must go with <i>chocolat chaud</i> (hot chocolate) and if you can, at Angelina's for their <i>l'Africain</i>. It is a very, very rich and thick hot chocolate equally praised by tourists and locals. <a href="http://qype.fr/place/82289-angelina-Paris">Here</a> is their address.</span> </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<div></div></div>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-67142693060186369132009-11-27T15:06:00.014+01:002009-11-27T18:10:13.287+01:00Giving Thanks to French Holidays and Our Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I officially started celebrating Thanksgiving in 2007 with the husband, our first year together in Paris. Of course to get us excited, we researched on its meaning, history and the proper meal preparation(hence started my husband's love for brining). </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">his 1st brining experience which resulted in </span>everything to be brined!!</span></em><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>our first stuffed bird!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For obvious reasons the French don't celebrate the event, but my husband prefers this 'American' occasion over the super hyped, commercialized ones like Valentine's or Halloween--both neither practiced here as well--which he claims brainwash you to purchase the props which necessarily come with it. <em>Hmmmm.</em></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFmHeQU6W8Q2RT1HEeuWooRXFvzzVuwIXJh92g1xjZ_IM3q2tOMmkSThx26h277KDin4goPzbcjdtVTk_zQB3r2fGSkdiUQF84PFriJceyYD6VOlRGGjWH-qm2_ACG2Cv0Cu9EOvQ_YOV/s1600/IMG_6042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFmHeQU6W8Q2RT1HEeuWooRXFvzzVuwIXJh92g1xjZ_IM3q2tOMmkSThx26h277KDin4goPzbcjdtVTk_zQB3r2fGSkdiUQF84PFriJceyYD6VOlRGGjWH-qm2_ACG2Cv0Cu9EOvQ_YOV/s320/IMG_6042.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">preparing our stuffing and sidings</span></em><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <em>Exscuse me, husband, how do you think I got the ingredients for this meal? </em>I honestly think he just enjoys what Thanksgiving brings forth: a yummy stuffed bird, sidings, dessert and wine! <em>Burp</em>!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-hj5S_jwRJ9o6w9o-BvPj4XAJ-bWpr8sV3qVENlyOwjIsEWgHTfX2HDIV7ON9ZHKdNJnDQ0AlWwuXTYZnaX6vayefAu2iTTBcmCqFs32flMs1dd9geVTKP2aqcI6O03kC6MkVyYXUvPx/s1600/IMG_6080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-hj5S_jwRJ9o6w9o-BvPj4XAJ-bWpr8sV3qVENlyOwjIsEWgHTfX2HDIV7ON9ZHKdNJnDQ0AlWwuXTYZnaX6vayefAu2iTTBcmCqFs32flMs1dd9geVTKP2aqcI6O03kC6MkVyYXUvPx/s320/IMG_6080.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>2007 Thankgiving meal</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Although speaking of feasts and celebrations, don't get me wrong, the French have their share of holidays: national/civic and religious/Christian ones, too. Total of 15 days of break! Even when the holidays fall on a Tuesday or Thursday, the normal custom although not official, appropriately called <em>le pont</em> (bridge), is to include the Monday or Friday as days off! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">On top of it, the Frenchies are entitled to 5 weeks of vacation mostly during the months of July and August. In some companies including reputable international organizations, there even exists a summer schedule, which I remember back then I found so bizarre with having to go through shortened office hours and a natural (and somehwhat accepted) laid-back sense of work mode. Shall I also mention the random strikes which are conducted by service unions of transport,railroad etc.. paralyzing the city with limited train rides, nil buses or cargo truck-blocked highways, and naturally minimizing work hours? Aah, <em>la vie en France.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">A little insert, during my short stint at the Embassy, not only did I observe French non-working holidays but my national ones, too. Yeehahaha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Below is a list of French holidays for those thinking of planning trips here. Please keep in mind the heavy circulation of highways, full trains and planes (including some closed restaurants and shops) during the following dates.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Public Holidays</strong></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 January : New Year's Day (<em>Jour de l'an</em>) </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 May : Labor Day (<em>Fête du premier mai</em>) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">8 May: WWII Victory Day (<em>Fête de la Victoire 1945</em>) </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">14 July: Bastille Day (<em>Fête nationale</em>) </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">15 August : Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (<em>Assomption</em>) </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 November: All Saints Day (<em>La Toussaint</em>) </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">11 November : Armistice Day (<em>Jour d'armistice</em>) </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">25 December: Christmas Day (<em>Noël</em>) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">26 December**: 2nd Day of Christmas </span><br />
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*<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Movable</strong> </span><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Feasts 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013</span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Good Friday** 10 April 2 April 22 April 6 April 29 March </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Easter (Pâques) 12 April 4 April 24 April 8 April 31 March </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Easter Monday 13 April 5 April 25 April 9 April 1 April </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ascension (l'Ascencion) 21 May 13 May 2 June 17 May 9 May </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pentecost(la Pentecôte)31 May 23 May 12 June 27 May 19 May </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whit_Monday">Whit Monday</a> 1 June 24 May 13 June 28 May 20 May </span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">*<em>Movable because these feasts are dependent on Easter dates which are determined by complex calculations. Check this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moveable_feast">link </a>for more info.</em></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">**<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Celebrated in Alsace and Lorraine</span></em><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiicPGtlVOTw9kCFMDGMN0vYHeo9otwxZyZlvaS-k2QZnQNKlMGg6o_oBDLUGBanwdx8DwbyCW_3GNxL_mEO3FUq7UHUQLWB5KsP8p4blXwlpd4046DXeL_iYC9opQaMMfhpOEgiaIHeH/s1600/P1060640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiicPGtlVOTw9kCFMDGMN0vYHeo9otwxZyZlvaS-k2QZnQNKlMGg6o_oBDLUGBanwdx8DwbyCW_3GNxL_mEO3FUq7UHUQLWB5KsP8p4blXwlpd4046DXeL_iYC9opQaMMfhpOEgiaIHeH/s400/P1060640.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thanksgiving 2009 best leading actor wins! our</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> bio chicken produce(minimum of 81 days free range) was awarded a silver medal by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture & Fishing. This is dedicated to our recent viewing of Food Inc.</span></em><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now to revert to last night's Thanksgiving meal, I managed to prepare it all by myself like a good housewife (phew!) inlcuding hours worth of packing and moving of boxes out of our apartment. </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_XB5qd0EtrfdZEHDnpFqV0Ebp9aiwiv-ejYRQklbPu0hu2geCC1BmV9HUhGS5ABftsujgI4ruHd0OiGcxmM1yeMbvslVIyv4Kt9QlVOZ5d-Db5LG22BtSI_hOIIZaN7EX3ZafD0xlfbr/s1600/P1060643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_XB5qd0EtrfdZEHDnpFqV0Ebp9aiwiv-ejYRQklbPu0hu2geCC1BmV9HUhGS5ABftsujgI4ruHd0OiGcxmM1yeMbvslVIyv4Kt9QlVOZ5d-Db5LG22BtSI_hOIIZaN7EX3ZafD0xlfbr/s400/P1060643.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>my successful chorizo vegetable harvest stuffing. here's the <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aaron-sanchez/chorizo-and-corn-bread-stuffing-recipe/index.html">recipe</a> which I tweaked.</em></span><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS4DKuP2ue89rcNyEGQQAaa-SBD5jNBG7j4tBFBvP4FytaTC7BHvL5lq8Wh991HFknZjM69cg1YU1eKYaP8U27QMRc6THK02YLPNVLsNjVTQhqLwVez1ArtaDTaRzlGG7HEd_2i9pQgPF/s1600/P1060650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS4DKuP2ue89rcNyEGQQAaa-SBD5jNBG7j4tBFBvP4FytaTC7BHvL5lq8Wh991HFknZjM69cg1YU1eKYaP8U27QMRc6THK02YLPNVLsNjVTQhqLwVez1ArtaDTaRzlGG7HEd_2i9pQgPF/s400/P1060650.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">stuffed lemon, garlic chicken roast. merci food network.</span></em><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the spirit of giving thanks, we toasted to a blessed 'harvest', the best of health to family and friends, bountiful love and a happy home. </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwf8bSHNnLtCsZgp1n8o3M0JfJG3A8Mu5qROGhONw4qFwiszHgnN4Feh3BZtqcTTmbLdmmwT67cLuIhsNBA5TBCYqO4vnVyNd_KKp4IJsIO2X22cthXC_qcX4YvobhUZcHX71X9kwr8aU-/s1600/P1060657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwf8bSHNnLtCsZgp1n8o3M0JfJG3A8Mu5qROGhONw4qFwiszHgnN4Feh3BZtqcTTmbLdmmwT67cLuIhsNBA5TBCYqO4vnVyNd_KKp4IJsIO2X22cthXC_qcX4YvobhUZcHX71X9kwr8aU-/s400/P1060657.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>2009 Thanksgiving meal.</em> <em>pas mal (not bad!)</em></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIImEweGpGBoIHdJaNPVE6Lsxg-AHI2CMWubO7sQi26JDg28tkRyU3OMq02iHdtd0JLv3P-XPDwiwk5JnsDWOZinmrz6yfzAZjpA9Mm8JyMMFrsgf1G9UxlD_-CYcje7F82LuYxKBCDBc/s1600/P1060667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIImEweGpGBoIHdJaNPVE6Lsxg-AHI2CMWubO7sQi26JDg28tkRyU3OMq02iHdtd0JLv3P-XPDwiwk5JnsDWOZinmrz6yfzAZjpA9Mm8JyMMFrsgf1G9UxlD_-CYcje7F82LuYxKBCDBc/s400/P1060667.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I got lucky choosing a 2006 Cotes de Provence for only 6,60 </em></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And special thanks to you, Villa Jean Godart, our home of memorable firsts, enjoyable feasts and comforting escape from the cold city, you will be missed! </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEf0FJDy3LOZklo8GIVvLTLluUFQ2YQOwXrRV-KzOURwYOnigeI5bULgd9dh0i_nc84eFNChvXTCJhCi7atdeoIfMTfYpk2NiyEFgkPF-QfyCs094oclG0xVq_z4A5QTKeY3uH8v4apiA/s1600/IMG_6023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEf0FJDy3LOZklo8GIVvLTLluUFQ2YQOwXrRV-KzOURwYOnigeI5bULgd9dh0i_nc84eFNChvXTCJhCi7atdeoIfMTfYpk2NiyEFgkPF-QfyCs094oclG0xVq_z4A5QTKeY3uH8v4apiA/s400/IMG_6023.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>cheers to</em> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>our humble abode 2007-2009</em></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_Xt1PfYE8yhP1PtLhfgg9-8a_G7VzeDtjL7PUNFsBAXq_31wCcex1fLaj4ta1xAW_22WwD3r4mdt8cUlBneZhOAeCJtP6qLgXp8ke0vbcrT7evEHEAVjpgq7ffWAUHt-c0jflQgHc7aC/s1600/P1000418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_Xt1PfYE8yhP1PtLhfgg9-8a_G7VzeDtjL7PUNFsBAXq_31wCcex1fLaj4ta1xAW_22WwD3r4mdt8cUlBneZhOAeCJtP6qLgXp8ke0vbcrT7evEHEAVjpgq7ffWAUHt-c0jflQgHc7aC/s400/P1000418.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>to our squeezed up meals in the kitchen: maximum of 4 adults</em></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1n_lyVgbd4bNb9Z1X7Zjo7LhQVySY34jAUdhXEWQLvcmndU9vOpz5vuHVbebn8z4F2Ev9IlTPviFU3Xh7UMvr7_hor9ri8KYlIZyCRwJeEIxAvCEOy8SC-VSkTkVv3ZMixbS2TxUPzqq/s1600/P1010503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1n_lyVgbd4bNb9Z1X7Zjo7LhQVySY34jAUdhXEWQLvcmndU9vOpz5vuHVbebn8z4F2Ev9IlTPviFU3Xh7UMvr7_hor9ri8KYlIZyCRwJeEIxAvCEOy8SC-VSkTkVv3ZMixbS2TxUPzqq/s400/P1010503.JPG" yr="true" /></a><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">visiting friends for apero-diner</span></em><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVnOQWS4lZV_5grO0FPbF3m9jZSDh7a2W1kRI6BTrh1kp-wPEJJYWCYrj82lMyjscdtftQRAWSrvbL3GL6N1ZBWZa1VJ13zGP0mvV89vcjWe8nrb7pFwqKM1RxFBf-ET60T5DzVQkbzr9/s1600/IMG_5576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVnOQWS4lZV_5grO0FPbF3m9jZSDh7a2W1kRI6BTrh1kp-wPEJJYWCYrj82lMyjscdtftQRAWSrvbL3GL6N1ZBWZa1VJ13zGP0mvV89vcjWe8nrb7pFwqKM1RxFBf-ET60T5DzVQkbzr9/s320/IMG_5576.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">to baked lemon pies and our seasonal flower kids</span></em><br />
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</div>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-12523902829765808412009-11-19T16:23:00.011+01:002009-12-09T16:15:39.475+01:00My Friendly Boulangerie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I live right next to a bakery, as in directly adjacent, sharing-walls-kind of close. And as I type this, I am hearing dough-pounding noises starting as early as 6am, 5 days a week, but for some insane reason, I am totally unbothered. I find it amusingly....French. There could be people like my husband, extremely noise-sensitive (seems like most French are) who will file a complaint--he really did--but as for myself, I ask: where else could I wake up to the smell of butter or see from my window a long queue of morning customers itching for their sweet pastries or baguette for the day? Only in a place called France. I could be wrong but who cares, I am happy to have this bakery next to me, as my friendly, noisy neighbour.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ISOGobLZCkNvkaZbL1cZyaSgDlAQjer6GYDxeGcF9yTdpGkwJFJwCV7WKmERvOwet1NfqrQ4ETL2Ta5iUF-kcTEoevBTEhMFTIY6y642aL1JZcLNSyyjGvp5hOUuqAA2RdQaKyTo42F4/s1600/IMG_5939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ISOGobLZCkNvkaZbL1cZyaSgDlAQjer6GYDxeGcF9yTdpGkwJFJwCV7WKmERvOwet1NfqrQ4ETL2Ta5iUF-kcTEoevBTEhMFTIY6y642aL1JZcLNSyyjGvp5hOUuqAA2RdQaKyTo42F4/s640/IMG_5939.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Having a boulangerie/patisserie next to home can be very costly. Although, not in terms of money, rather, more likely pricey with the high calorie intake. Plus, temptation is always around the corner especially when hunger pangs strike and the last thing you want to do is cook. <i>Bonjour, une quiche lorraine et une provencale, s'il vous plaît. </i>And dinner is ready, <i>voila!</i></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0xaDfcg7KWyxle80P2pUyBz4xQZh0yaN4VLlziZdHrjBa63cJiowB4xiae_elz17DSyMb1ix621IAC85qmQFGVpCamGnriXTQF5ubJb4pGYxVH_k0wvi9JeQPMzK9GqmeOHjmnubAsqQ/s1600/P1060567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0xaDfcg7KWyxle80P2pUyBz4xQZh0yaN4VLlziZdHrjBa63cJiowB4xiae_elz17DSyMb1ix621IAC85qmQFGVpCamGnriXTQF5ubJb4pGYxVH_k0wvi9JeQPMzK9GqmeOHjmnubAsqQ/s400/P1060567.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>une quiche lorraine et une chevre et epinards<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aq13dHS_C2-ipyBOZKxQaChyRMdU1d4v0Z6f17ylFCi1pAx-eGHvhZF3qrGyGpDUoQb88nQpy2CyPaekBwMzGZ0rYliBBVajy4gL56ZPywkb7bXmygtrA2geCidEa_uo5PaFutIyaSnZ/s1600/P1050581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aq13dHS_C2-ipyBOZKxQaChyRMdU1d4v0Z6f17ylFCi1pAx-eGHvhZF3qrGyGpDUoQb88nQpy2CyPaekBwMzGZ0rYliBBVajy4gL56ZPywkb7bXmygtrA2geCidEa_uo5PaFutIyaSnZ/s400/P1050581.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">une tarte citron et une tarte aux fraises(strawberry)</span></i><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiQSf1SE-FkRRsY4rU8eCfE5l9Q-r91NmifFNzAv5zKJ4BU_GRJqCmShpV95WiakEgBfGrBxWai7rtkXSdp3JQCy-N-rp-n1ft4UaoDoKUz7kGfVkUvHgWwqawY6vOt1VGfYbxYojfJnZ/s1600/P1050588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiQSf1SE-FkRRsY4rU8eCfE5l9Q-r91NmifFNzAv5zKJ4BU_GRJqCmShpV95WiakEgBfGrBxWai7rtkXSdp3JQCy-N-rp-n1ft4UaoDoKUz7kGfVkUvHgWwqawY6vOt1VGfYbxYojfJnZ/s400/P1050588.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>do you see the black vanilla seeds mixed with the cream?</i></span><br />
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</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdHn5IPUP6Be2Q1BHukfzmux5ojQUfUZcy-7plKbxr1ve_xsYqSbd35P861_JoYoN0xPwANB4UjQ5iiDrbPylCL9Ap1aF8yFU4Aar79AtaSRffxS0TUJGyPmV_NZD84yjd2b0Xln2U3y3/s1600/IMG_6611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdHn5IPUP6Be2Q1BHukfzmux5ojQUfUZcy-7plKbxr1ve_xsYqSbd35P861_JoYoN0xPwANB4UjQ5iiDrbPylCL9Ap1aF8yFU4Aar79AtaSRffxS0TUJGyPmV_NZD84yjd2b0Xln2U3y3/s400/IMG_6611.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The French cannot live without their breads specifically, <i>baguette. </i>You will notice, there is always at least 2 bakeries along main streets covering for each other during their 2-day off. Seriously, even their vacations (during holidays/summer) are properly coordinated and regulated by the arrondissement's <i>mairie(city hall) </i>so "let there be bread!"<i>. </i>How classic is that? </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GOC0UvbA3zezvOZK-_Gr9vA_TDG2DzzN8IBzQQXG48Ko2f4zLLlcfyoIKfK6wG8hrtM5CDcZVJiOZ_BtpHi6NUtV9YqXsPa0ans3i1YThuWW5h91iRKhQslPpV73cuqeCDFZsA5F3rIq/s1600/P1060371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GOC0UvbA3zezvOZK-_Gr9vA_TDG2DzzN8IBzQQXG48Ko2f4zLLlcfyoIKfK6wG8hrtM5CDcZVJiOZ_BtpHi6NUtV9YqXsPa0ans3i1YThuWW5h91iRKhQslPpV73cuqeCDFZsA5F3rIq/s400/P1060371.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">our favorites(top,left to right): croissant, chausson aux pommes</span></span>,<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i> pain aux raisin</i></span>s<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">To mention a story, during one summer, the 2 bakeries of the avenue we live by were closed, one for vacation break while the other's oven unexpectedly broke down; and being married to a frenchie, we had to walk to the end of another avenue to find one. That's not the punchline. So on our way back home, holding our baguette, a lady looking close to frantic stopped us to ask where we had gotten our bread, as if her world were about to crumble. Hilarious. She walked as fast as she could to make it there ahead of others before the last piece was sold.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUtI9LClRyyZZMmREc-yp0GbBvk_3Xy-OMORK5Ayc0525txgCxQABrYk8hbLC0bxoaWKBPyuLaWPikkQklcpMTexoSPT8eGlNvmw95fB1lGg4PNap4enU9_uxP9rT2UsF8-Lo2ae2GLID/s1600/P1050576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUtI9LClRyyZZMmREc-yp0GbBvk_3Xy-OMORK5Ayc0525txgCxQABrYk8hbLC0bxoaWKBPyuLaWPikkQklcpMTexoSPT8eGlNvmw95fB1lGg4PNap4enU9_uxP9rT2UsF8-Lo2ae2GLID/s400/P1050576.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>packaging of their tarts</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And how about the Frenchs' ritual Sunday Dessert? This day has to be the busiest day for them. Our bakery had to create a second makeshift counter from their window for short orders of bread or croissant just to accommodate a faster-flowing line in their main area.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We know to fetch our tarts at about 2pm after our fresh market shopping unless we decide to call it a day of "sweet-fasting". </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6qiSnXblnHkEmueiCNiTswHRtJ0JzK-voFx07oD5_chimY9PNZLnJvuRMq2evjnBBFdAixppvL-s9U7vI7QNzSIGBnrn2nU1qide75MGkcO-kmDBcHwtU2CX_1ybEpYTF8BMhcG_Nz8B/s1600/P1060601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6qiSnXblnHkEmueiCNiTswHRtJ0JzK-voFx07oD5_chimY9PNZLnJvuRMq2evjnBBFdAixppvL-s9U7vI7QNzSIGBnrn2nU1qide75MGkcO-kmDBcHwtU2CX_1ybEpYTF8BMhcG_Nz8B/s640/P1060601.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">busy Sunday market crowd<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvC3ukX21uGFueXxW3UFqud9lmKFIMOi77Tp3v61g1b7zpn8wy8bIEDEQJH21IzC796VHGyMYbKqEPeETApVBicwhfrSsEeIC_VYuO3O8bZukkY7t7WT4HAtmGdYFb4gf04ENn2DaaQ8kw/s1600/IMG_3189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvC3ukX21uGFueXxW3UFqud9lmKFIMOi77Tp3v61g1b7zpn8wy8bIEDEQJH21IzC796VHGyMYbKqEPeETApVBicwhfrSsEeIC_VYuO3O8bZukkY7t7WT4HAtmGdYFb4gf04ENn2DaaQ8kw/s400/IMG_3189.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I can go on with this topic but I will let the pictures speak for itself and save it for another post. </span><br />
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<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kYr_W5jaDml9Y6VhRbrkB1W_m-3DVbb3RiTx86OpIyxcP36BZmGyEfgFKrXcksE6MvQjsuozXG3eVpTpRmMJTz3CIedhejPv_XKSZ9_oHaJlt3DVMju5bJtPt28qxIn9HR6k5vQLD6t2/s1600/IMG_3191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kYr_W5jaDml9Y6VhRbrkB1W_m-3DVbb3RiTx86OpIyxcP36BZmGyEfgFKrXcksE6MvQjsuozXG3eVpTpRmMJTz3CIedhejPv_XKSZ9_oHaJlt3DVMju5bJtPt28qxIn9HR6k5vQLD6t2/s400/IMG_3191.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>our bakery rated top 5 in the list of best chocolate éclairs in Paris by Figaro</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Stay noisy and oh-so-buttery my friendly neighbor. See you on Sunday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b>Useful Tips:</b></span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">When you don't know where to grab a quick bite that is fresh and worth your money, look for a nearby <i>boulangerie</i>. As mentioned in my other <a href="http://paris-trotting.blogspot.com/2009/09/being-in-paris-for-first-time-can-be.html">entry</a>, all sandwiches are very decent and of course, healthier than the fastfood joints.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Don't bring bank notes that are hard to break. Some accept credit cards.</span></li>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZRHJhAnptwpB5za6QgtBukDx0KkYl8-M4hqdgB-2FG_GQqDVlHFUgO3yIMXsRRdBoSNkVtfXyFhmsb054FbPItneWclHnE1Wc5mxDKKsVYN5nuCGywk0alDV-CynNtgyOEGDGKkDqZeI/s1600/P1010850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZRHJhAnptwpB5za6QgtBukDx0KkYl8-M4hqdgB-2FG_GQqDVlHFUgO3yIMXsRRdBoSNkVtfXyFhmsb054FbPItneWclHnE1Wc5mxDKKsVYN5nuCGywk0alDV-CynNtgyOEGDGKkDqZeI/s400/P1010850.JPG" yr="true" /></a>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">It's always a better idea to buy your pastries or breads in the morning as they are freshly baked then, straight from the oven.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">You know which bakeries are worth visiting when you see the ones with long lines extending to the streets.</span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hI-mzReCwfDKVxYgNSQmh7n6fIa4BSy4R78g2RZClPSGJgRpAlatcntg6BIVwDE4PLivHz43Rblcw6InthbrIwH0-fFwq5ehA0leeYLplgQIlMViNjQHhcBveUcuS9hx7eaNo1wHjoYQ/s1600/P1060599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hI-mzReCwfDKVxYgNSQmh7n6fIa4BSy4R78g2RZClPSGJgRpAlatcntg6BIVwDE4PLivHz43Rblcw6InthbrIwH0-fFwq5ehA0leeYLplgQIlMViNjQHhcBveUcuS9hx7eaNo1wHjoYQ/s400/P1060599.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 lines: far left is to the main entrance and on the right is the makeshift window counter</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span id="goog_1258894442488"></span><span id="goog_1258894442489"></span><span id="goog_1258894442491"></span><span id="goog_1258894442492"></span><br />
</span>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-70834667482707485812009-11-18T17:31:00.023+01:002009-12-09T16:18:48.938+01:00Apartment Hunting in Paris<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Finding an apartment in Paris is a major pain. For over three months, my husband and I have been on the prowl, checking out rental classified websites like <a href="http://seloger.com/">se loger</a>, <a href="http://explorimmo.com/">explorimmo</a> and <a href="http://pap.fr/">pap.fr</a> which fortunately permit us to visit units <em>sans</em> charge (rejoice!) In other cases, as with one real estate agency we visited, a downpayment of 400 euros was required just to have access to their roster of apartments and logically, you would assume some sort of guarantee as well, right? Ha, that would be wishful thinking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Is this horrid apartment game of “search-find-wait-rejected” a harsh reality in France which we must learn to perfect or are we victimized newbies playing with the wrong strategy?</span> <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oguc9OIFG7zKZ4qGUwk_fkALjhPzxs5_12IOT84FJrjZAbjn81z9tiA12Aw-m1xS-OTy4GyOusMIvM2A6R63vWMcgMXIRwxTnCOx7DHQE2FWd7WExapxTXXLw-kLQCtOCR3IZSub_KQY/s640/P1060318.JPG" yr="true" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em></em></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em> <span style="font-size: small;">at a recent visit across the street of UNESCO, former workplace</span></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Out of the 20 visits, we had our eyes glued on 3 nearly perfect apartments, submitted 16 application forms with only 1 positive response and dealt with 15 rejected <em>dossiers</em> (file; application). </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2EctDZypfxOQv4Rbf61PMDlejhzIRkRlXL4CP44FC71aEqYp3XymBF3MDWBRbuxXu4fMA8sg7htd-8n5fxDmBC08xtMRjrakAbwPkHOM6-EXzBcGwUiB5Dnu8KQy5I0LRB8lqtvWRWdN/s1600/P1060320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2EctDZypfxOQv4Rbf61PMDlejhzIRkRlXL4CP44FC71aEqYp3XymBF3MDWBRbuxXu4fMA8sg7htd-8n5fxDmBC08xtMRjrakAbwPkHOM6-EXzBcGwUiB5Dnu8KQy5I0LRB8lqtvWRWdN/s640/P1060320.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>pretty courtyard</em></span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Since the nature of my blog is to share tips and secrets for an easier, happier Parisien living, I am gladly attempting to fulfill this duty below. I do not wish for any of you , future or new Paris dwellers, to make the same mistakes as we did.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxT4OLsb5pqVXxSWAOh-sNhdaRxPHZBLUNkQ_lAvcQZb3x_duqmhKVuqCDLw0MGBjboajHb6Cdusco54EdfcqnzW0__fBDV9ADkb9IZ6PkZe2duaHqzU-vDIiD7eoL4sCZPcMmD-3y-_x/s1600/P1060315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxT4OLsb5pqVXxSWAOh-sNhdaRxPHZBLUNkQ_lAvcQZb3x_duqmhKVuqCDLw0MGBjboajHb6Cdusco54EdfcqnzW0__fBDV9ADkb9IZ6PkZe2duaHqzU-vDIiD7eoL4sCZPcMmD-3y-_x/s640/P1060315.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>hallway to the salle de bain (bathroom). not so pretty ceiling</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>What are the major points in scoring an apartment in Paris?</strong> </span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">photocopy of your <em>carte d'identité</em>/<em>carte de séjour</em> ( resident ID card/permit )or passport </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3 latest pay sheets</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">a permanent job contract (you’ll have better chances if each partner is working) also dubbed in France as <em>CDI, Contrat à Durée Indéterminée,</em> a work contract with an unlimited term. Naturally, your file will be considered “risky” if you’re still in the probation/trial period of your job, which over here is the first four months. They require this contract to be given in original copy with details like entry date into the company, functions etc.. <br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If neither of you are working--granted they will even look at your <em>dossier</em>-- have your parents, preferably French citizens residing in France, act as your guarantors. </span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Have guarantors-- just in case your salary is way below the monthly rent or your job post is temporary. They can be your parents or employer. You must insert a copy of their identity cards and<em> avis d'imposition</em> (which is explained below).</span></li>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsfilQDfjw1FPY3lsF8GxOiv4aNP8TYqxXkhCgm8BTkLkvy1S1rnGVL7f6Sh4DqqRk_kRVrsq5-290BBIq2byfikRVe24SN_jd7UpbrEIF4Zv_Awu2D-7ckVsw4A2gLUgg4pyB-KHRgb_/s1600/P1060310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsfilQDfjw1FPY3lsF8GxOiv4aNP8TYqxXkhCgm8BTkLkvy1S1rnGVL7f6Sh4DqqRk_kRVrsq5-290BBIq2byfikRVe24SN_jd7UpbrEIF4Zv_Awu2D-7ckVsw4A2gLUgg4pyB-KHRgb_/s640/P1060310.JPG" yr="true" /></a>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">love the salon(living room)</span></em>
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3 <em>dernieres quittance de loyer </em>:a certification by your landlord confirming that you have paid your rent for the last 3 months</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>dernier avis d'imposition:</em>a most recent notice of tax assessment based on what you declare on your income, earnings, deductions etc..which you owe the governement. </span></li>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <em>lovely bedroom</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">These are the A,B,Cs of apartment hunting and if some items mentioned above are out of reach for now, perhaps you should give your present quarters a second chance and consider playing the field another time. Trust me, because once you enter it, you better get ready to rumble!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Useful Tips:</span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do not make the same mistake we made. Notify your present landlord of your last day (in the apartment) only once you have in your hand the signed contract to your new apartment! Keys would be good ,too!</span></li>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em> </em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhyphenhyphenk4uuSq8Udt6L1BcUx2TWoBkeR7K01Z4x1JFOP4T7GOuP_dTChyphenhyphenW1GphsAsRmdScKK-vEYx_5Kf_gtgDgHKpiXDpde0pUT7ZllxKjaxEDQYsUQObM1jKOYEy3Z0yASNvqF6xZkZ7sNj/s1600/P1060312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhyphenhyphenk4uuSq8Udt6L1BcUx2TWoBkeR7K01Z4x1JFOP4T7GOuP_dTChyphenhyphenW1GphsAsRmdScKK-vEYx_5Kf_gtgDgHKpiXDpde0pUT7ZllxKjaxEDQYsUQObM1jKOYEy3Z0yASNvqF6xZkZ7sNj/s640/P1060312.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> an ok dining area. kitchen is before the counter</span></em><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Before going through agencies with hefty honorary fees to pay, rid yourself of these 3rd party arrangements and try to benefit from some precious family connections and leads from friends. The process will be faster, cheaper and less painful without the many documents to submit.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Know which arrondissement of Paris you wish to live in and this comes with good research considering important factors like nearby groceries, public transport options and noise & safety conditions.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Watch out for those fake agencies publishing ads that are <em>très </em>obscure and too-good-to-be-true, fooling you into giving a deposit! Kiss that goodbye.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">blah bano</span></em>
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">An absolute time (and environment) saver is to have all the required documents scanned. When you attend visits, get the agent’s business card and simply email her the necessary files the next day. We learned the long and hard way, at our 10th visit, after detesting all the wasted trips to the photocopying machine.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Don’t forget to take pictures during your visits so you have something to look back on when your mind turns fuzzy from the many layouts you’ve seen. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you have particularities which you want met like an elevator, top floor, parking or whatever else, make sure you inquire in advance instead of losing your time with the visit. Sometimes those details are indicated in the apartment description and if not, ask the agent on the phone.</span></li>
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</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_bOI6M0kfXiQVD92xTOcuU_i5vFvvzzIoY5HQpFbHauXyUmi7W17t2v_bw5cjt2UAIJBKI6oXGTCadVZqGesqiuUuFrOA9bh1bSLDjrP2qlTvm2ccLp-6m9D7Ito6IOLAGNAl4Lj4UNZ/s1600/P1060319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_bOI6M0kfXiQVD92xTOcuU_i5vFvvzzIoY5HQpFbHauXyUmi7W17t2v_bw5cjt2UAIJBKI6oXGTCadVZqGesqiuUuFrOA9bh1bSLDjrP2qlTvm2ccLp-6m9D7Ito6IOLAGNAl4Lj4UNZ/s640/P1060319.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <em>we didn't bother applying for it. goodbye!</em></span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">If you are a part of the lucky folk depending on daddy's bucks or your office's housing (unlimited) budget, then this so-called hunt might be nothing but an adventurous shopping spree for you. Truly, each hunter's experience is uniquely, different. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Best of luck to your search and I assure you I will let you know once we've succeeded in ours! Don't forget to share some of your stories!</span>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-9738188135381055982009-11-11T13:21:00.012+01:002009-12-09T16:19:28.051+01:00A Bag of Trucs (not tricks)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In my <a href="http://paris-trotting.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-is-there-to-look-forward-to-in.html">last entry</a> I encouraged and did my share of in-store hibernation from (pre)winter wonderland chills and as a result of doing so, here are some <em>trucs</em> (things) which caught my eye.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">It wants to shake you up when your food is cooked! Hands down to the kitchen body-shaking timer.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhhVzfLQoD-yZCoKrwT5CjWA8q-fqnSRh_M6r9HpKULk3DBVPlt6XmOckMQhYyQ6KOruTFDwjZk2A6l3PAFS5RAWjnASpTaUQBUW6iQrPbN4Rt6Ae854OQO-8BkXWD_OFytf0QVAfDrwl/s1600-h/P1060357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhhVzfLQoD-yZCoKrwT5CjWA8q-fqnSRh_M6r9HpKULk3DBVPlt6XmOckMQhYyQ6KOruTFDwjZk2A6l3PAFS5RAWjnASpTaUQBUW6iQrPbN4Rt6Ae854OQO-8BkXWD_OFytf0QVAfDrwl/s640/P1060357.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We all need our apero tray to assist us during our favorite hour. </span><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_kfPKm2wmZwjFPZUmp1br3tM2H-l6GEw0Vf9Sc8dCMhmrguUPhhlm0Y49mUI9RhL-2kq1ExoqgP1eUrAguV0BJDQfS01fsRXxV0dN5QUHIDPKuPOckGFZT3bfyw2wSF3PtXnEsQ1nxj5/s1600-h/P1060273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_kfPKm2wmZwjFPZUmp1br3tM2H-l6GEw0Vf9Sc8dCMhmrguUPhhlm0Y49mUI9RhL-2kq1ExoqgP1eUrAguV0BJDQfS01fsRXxV0dN5QUHIDPKuPOckGFZT3bfyw2wSF3PtXnEsQ1nxj5/s400/P1060273.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">And this is for the stylista dog owners out there, <em>voila,</em> "Monsieur Woof Woof, dinner is served (on your fine china dish bowl) ." Hmm, I can see my friend T owning one for her cutie.</span><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGLHOmlAxERxfP0JYWBgvY7n7zy8LyUedcVrkkOhcleHeO4ycfENdISuXbdHWWinm6n4vGNAVvlOqHWRIcdMhVhZKlwWxdRthqCfZsDCDDYMQgcr4AeJ13FxoL9LQJDFk7fbvyDkjB05a/s1600-h/P1060275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGLHOmlAxERxfP0JYWBgvY7n7zy8LyUedcVrkkOhcleHeO4ycfENdISuXbdHWWinm6n4vGNAVvlOqHWRIcdMhVhZKlwWxdRthqCfZsDCDDYMQgcr4AeJ13FxoL9LQJDFk7fbvyDkjB05a/s640/P1060275.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Your kid's or niece's play kitchen tools? No, I don't think so.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3vAY-qPI3FlW4sL1N10wk6k-uo5_uZG-k93UjFh00KE5kC5O_CLi12E-SfDqY44t7a89eNy3K3YrGZp4xWJGmlSRSTzl3Ilvx62a-djL_0rJaGCMqfUZvlwd8ueO7N2LbfcHMzHljASr/s1600-h/P1060359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3vAY-qPI3FlW4sL1N10wk6k-uo5_uZG-k93UjFh00KE5kC5O_CLi12E-SfDqY44t7a89eNy3K3YrGZp4xWJGmlSRSTzl3Ilvx62a-djL_0rJaGCMqfUZvlwd8ueO7N2LbfcHMzHljASr/s640/P1060359.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I couldn't quite figure out this one--anyone care for some chocolate, mint or strawberry inhalation? Dessert-in-a-whiff for people on the go, I guess.</span><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8N-OoUbzE6gXZrsJe1ROyzAcTJIL5YlAp_4l8OhWYraTuVrOCmLhaWsOqqCUNuJCHHQmKjM8reFPle1lv4Hw0i_mNrkhJajLZjM9qAgV2qh2aFmGwk2jj2Yp00AMAn9OKV9gBo2oovD_R/s1600-h/P1060293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8N-OoUbzE6gXZrsJe1ROyzAcTJIL5YlAp_4l8OhWYraTuVrOCmLhaWsOqqCUNuJCHHQmKjM8reFPle1lv4Hw0i_mNrkhJajLZjM9qAgV2qh2aFmGwk2jj2Yp00AMAn9OKV9gBo2oovD_R/s640/P1060293.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A cooking necessity for the eco-friendly chefs: green pots and pans.</span><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj162FiKktXohkZvrVm8RMmz46_-sFlZpX9PMVKLiCkjuwXdi2uEtMtvjOOMW1wwE-axXEbg49gyvtn5iJwJtMHJTuXKoOdIvt1fobi-ipd8loIoEAaboeMUynxH9UHO3Cc0uOQ8E4HYsNz/s1600-h/P1060363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj162FiKktXohkZvrVm8RMmz46_-sFlZpX9PMVKLiCkjuwXdi2uEtMtvjOOMW1wwE-axXEbg49gyvtn5iJwJtMHJTuXKoOdIvt1fobi-ipd8loIoEAaboeMUynxH9UHO3Cc0uOQ8E4HYsNz/s640/P1060363.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The last two finds are in my kitchen wishlist.</span><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUmZebz64DIH7tu3myW4syiQF0CmvBA4TWmiwz9BHkQ3DS7b0c2QE_8TKEUVmXAhK1D7NvqwP8jvWh-wrLaApCUWPmM8Gibs6Jzxw4u281lZWhz-AREBaXv0IAXWZenD9Raghy1icJVTf/s1600-h/P1060356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUmZebz64DIH7tu3myW4syiQF0CmvBA4TWmiwz9BHkQ3DS7b0c2QE_8TKEUVmXAhK1D7NvqwP8jvWh-wrLaApCUWPmM8Gibs6Jzxw4u281lZWhz-AREBaXv0IAXWZenD9Raghy1icJVTf/s640/P1060356.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You simply cannot go wrong with France's <a href="http://www.lecreuset.co.uk/en-gb/">Le Creuset's</a> line of lifetime cookware: cast iron pots, <em>cocottes(</em>mini pot as seen above in blue and red) perfect for slow-cooking stews, soups and almost everything else! Thanks to my mother-in-law who introduced us to this useful <em>faitout</em>, my husband and I can no longer cook quality meals without it!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlI2YP-D1kplGRwkeeq-Id98tCf7iuljGD50rbn1vcAMSUHXfUNDjwVq5KaqZaJsQ2zbmHMWaGHojWBbs2NpKtncWZi3CWzzGSKkGmjQSbzzWwJ0yZk4Q7GRgUhoGbCn371Xn3jMIciVY/s1600-h/P1060360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlI2YP-D1kplGRwkeeq-Id98tCf7iuljGD50rbn1vcAMSUHXfUNDjwVq5KaqZaJsQ2zbmHMWaGHojWBbs2NpKtncWZi3CWzzGSKkGmjQSbzzWwJ0yZk4Q7GRgUhoGbCn371Xn3jMIciVY/s640/P1060360.JPG" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I assure you I am not getting paid by these companies. For salads and prep work, I would love to own this convenient tool to grate or thinly slice away veggies like carrots and <em>courgettes</em>(zucchini) to name a few, gaining me some time! Only problem is that it could also take up some precious kitchen space.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Let me know what you think about any of these finds. <strong>To BUY or bid goodBYE?</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">*<em>This post is dedicated to my brother-in-law G, a soon-to-be famous sports shoe designer now with Addidas, who pushed me to feature unique "art" in my blog--of course, my interpretation of art in the world of food!</em></span>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-84948889868666880552009-11-06T18:35:00.654+01:002009-12-09T16:20:11.580+01:00Freezing Frenzy in Paris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span id="goog_1257524479495"></span><span id="goog_1257524479496"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What do you look forward to in Paris at a time of sporadic showers, cold weather and gray skies? No, not depression, but I assure you there is a way to cope with Autumn/Winter chills and even enjoy it!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatHOvAVrPo96_pMDgQuqcUmAv7adEXUornrJDUGQxRPAO5767RbxqQj0bS1W_uB2pLPjb6ugDIae4ViO151Ub9Fcs64vzb73ZiVb3Dr9Ln3bdCzXPs93qWB3oIAY_5ZJBslvZ0n4cxDCW/s1600-h/P1010858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatHOvAVrPo96_pMDgQuqcUmAv7adEXUornrJDUGQxRPAO5767RbxqQj0bS1W_uB2pLPjb6ugDIae4ViO151Ub9Fcs64vzb73ZiVb3Dr9Ln3bdCzXPs93qWB3oIAY_5ZJBslvZ0n4cxDCW/s400/P1010858.JPG" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Being a native of a country with only warm and wet weather, I welcome the cold season and fancy the opportunity to compose winter outfits combining coats, vests, scarves, hats, gloves and boots--and maybe sometimes even wearing all at the same time..haha!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkeqGgLfbFu0kCiP6P9XXJd0hTj0EH4WP24dI1qwsOIHArSL49_msIJzL9XtsRTcZGdnpvi0pIPjX16bkveNu4Xxjl_tirMX5htOcEa9LPahNunDt15-bl0F4QSwxTCkJTVS-_h8D_lHZ/s1600-h/P1060255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkeqGgLfbFu0kCiP6P9XXJd0hTj0EH4WP24dI1qwsOIHArSL49_msIJzL9XtsRTcZGdnpvi0pIPjX16bkveNu4Xxjl_tirMX5htOcEa9LPahNunDt15-bl0F4QSwxTCkJTVS-_h8D_lHZ/s640/P1060255.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's understood that we each have our technique in keeping warm whether it be layering or accessorizing with textiles like cashmere, wool, fleece, knits or leather but more importantly, the primordial step is to be well- equipped! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4_n7P2bmPnwMAjl4gN34lRjGPk3vABiBK9lfgDkd6YpCk5ao58QMa3bs-_CullTfIBS1RDy3TlmQL2RNosoMC5bxBwSk3hcfz1KIYaculnq009QvoyfyPrj1kDJUfM65hMnww60sXkuc/s1600-h/P1060257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4_n7P2bmPnwMAjl4gN34lRjGPk3vABiBK9lfgDkd6YpCk5ao58QMa3bs-_CullTfIBS1RDy3TlmQL2RNosoMC5bxBwSk3hcfz1KIYaculnq009QvoyfyPrj1kDJUfM65hMnww60sXkuc/s400/P1060257.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-GXhug6c5kayIshGrKsV3uBBQzWkekZCTPRExD5XoLXwoTrHFCk0ysHQQS5qZHnFXhaLdJNLllW1B-Q6TdhVexHi1fUG3tEtV3ColCFoqdy-wXWwDmp4FN5tt6rI56d4c1CPGx0z5I7-/s1600-h/P1060256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-GXhug6c5kayIshGrKsV3uBBQzWkekZCTPRExD5XoLXwoTrHFCk0ysHQQS5qZHnFXhaLdJNLllW1B-Q6TdhVexHi1fUG3tEtV3ColCFoqdy-wXWwDmp4FN5tt6rI56d4c1CPGx0z5I7-/s640/P1060256.JPG" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Preparing for the cold season, I would think, is every woman's dream as it gives us valid reason to shop for warm clothes , beddings and pick out fat-storing ingredients for winter recipes like in Paris' iconic 19th century old department store, <a href="http://www.galerieslafayette.com/">Galeries Lafayette</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">With its </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">glass-stained roofing and iron dome looking </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">almost as regal as a museum, who </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">wouldn't have the urge to buy, buy and beautify </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">especially during its seasons of discount (<i>soldes</i>)!? </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiyYciZkjcST3qn0clCwh3H6gZjdaTsvyyq7-GAZoJ-SpK36buZdvNmIcZYlLCAWbJbJcqT6lxmoXAz_pAqeOCYwTfIIr2D_TijiU1T_yVvSUG44EIg0fcKOFUqvUQ_jPeWNo6SDv5s20/s1600-h/P1060252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiyYciZkjcST3qn0clCwh3H6gZjdaTsvyyq7-GAZoJ-SpK36buZdvNmIcZYlLCAWbJbJcqT6lxmoXAz_pAqeOCYwTfIIr2D_TijiU1T_yVvSUG44EIg0fcKOFUqvUQ_jPeWNo6SDv5s20/s400/P1060252.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And these are clearance sales --winter and summer-- as high as 70% off from bare necessities, house ware, designer labels to specialty foods! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyAx0BCRKj9kLqkzJpnQZpv0qtRmv0cy8lMFSOoQlm47YrwnQX1gAeiSOlc0jMCZMRjOB8O9hW2rvHcsksLPEN4v6mAgJ5Vb-MeH8lD0kZUcHd8HcFm6llY9lFPC-Uu1Lo1KvM9p2o8gO/s1600-h/P1060253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyAx0BCRKj9kLqkzJpnQZpv0qtRmv0cy8lMFSOoQlm47YrwnQX1gAeiSOlc0jMCZMRjOB8O9hW2rvHcsksLPEN4v6mAgJ5Vb-MeH8lD0kZUcHd8HcFm6llY9lFPC-Uu1Lo1KvM9p2o8gO/s640/P1060253.JPG" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Galeries Lafayette also devotes a building each for items catering to men/ <i>Lafayette homme, </i>and for the home/<i>maison. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My favorite section to visit after scoping the shoes and bags is the <i>Lafayette Gourmet--</i> what a surprise, huh? It is located on the 1st level of <i>Lafayette Homme </i>and is composed of a wine shop and a specialty food grocery tempting shoppers to pause for a quick bite at its international food stalls. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTDen279nSilVMQ4nZcM3P3aN27EQQOuwNPZ8SuwE0WmIXJKBbxR5AHgjrNGWbqtAqkZbZrB4h2QShvdCDt9SD2KSZZbJ_gQH3mtD3J-DhipslV17aXb8vxRyWkEYjItUl_lQTpTHqHam/s1600-h/P1060294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTDen279nSilVMQ4nZcM3P3aN27EQQOuwNPZ8SuwE0WmIXJKBbxR5AHgjrNGWbqtAqkZbZrB4h2QShvdCDt9SD2KSZZbJ_gQH3mtD3J-DhipslV17aXb8vxRyWkEYjItUl_lQTpTHqHam/s640/P1060294.JPG" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the middle of a shopping frenzy, how about warming up with a glass of wine and choosing between Greek appetizers, Spanish jamon serrano, Chinese noodles, Italian pastas and Moroccan stews?</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3bxAJzuji8kqisYI_NT1iweJNvEOeGipuXD8Hjrxq5enY3475xQnKQMivYKdVnVRHcZs-5BVMmE1na8-eXWbwOen_AW7NSnVunFNk6NRwAdOLIA66F_ozqAqPopP1YAj-94Kmukx9BoJ/s1600-h/P1060287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3bxAJzuji8kqisYI_NT1iweJNvEOeGipuXD8Hjrxq5enY3475xQnKQMivYKdVnVRHcZs-5BVMmE1na8-eXWbwOen_AW7NSnVunFNk6NRwAdOLIA66F_ozqAqPopP1YAj-94Kmukx9BoJ/s640/P1060287.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Reputable Petrossian stall selling its famous caviar, smoked salmon and vodka</em></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yQhRDEVqsINvv0Bg8PobP-vRIkClfNbgxQr0FbfMwbtExvwKJF4cA50ITbznXgszfavr1PhTXAi2jyXtSbf7fsYX5fJDAHTcLxM78bkZErBoMlVGHPQ4kUAIIUbDSIeh1iNokWm8r43I/s1600-h/P1060292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yQhRDEVqsINvv0Bg8PobP-vRIkClfNbgxQr0FbfMwbtExvwKJF4cA50ITbznXgszfavr1PhTXAi2jyXtSbf7fsYX5fJDAHTcLxM78bkZErBoMlVGHPQ4kUAIIUbDSIeh1iNokWm8r43I/s400/P1060292.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>All about</em></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Jamon Serrano: sandwiches, charcuterie </em></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiws3UrXbfifGwydUmAonVjRbGTJ4UrdhLfCOq2VSwMC4ikZB6hyphenhyphenShq1PJR3Mpo-Osd1yzqDLzjc_6nBhGDE3-T6yW5CFvaCgvZmiiIhho6LYLYrAsisbsVzM7PH7jwJzHN9gDpbDfjtoXf/s1600-h/P1060288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiws3UrXbfifGwydUmAonVjRbGTJ4UrdhLfCOq2VSwMC4ikZB6hyphenhyphenShq1PJR3Mpo-Osd1yzqDLzjc_6nBhGDE3-T6yW5CFvaCgvZmiiIhho6LYLYrAsisbsVzM7PH7jwJzHN9gDpbDfjtoXf/s640/P1060288.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">Morrocan delicacies: couscous, taboule and numerous tagines</span></em></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwMXpgN0V6QSIgyMnn2NlyIk2fJ92R6SI3LpXWFg4BjuidTtI4Kgs2nTvwwgjuXsbWG4ZD57q8A4kvr9AbblNt4N7NKEoCjlWFHSfkGPjIqS8jcVK8b6-CCDVO3e0ZgNMp5ub0WMCyGsd/s1600-h/P1060289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwMXpgN0V6QSIgyMnn2NlyIk2fJ92R6SI3LpXWFg4BjuidTtI4Kgs2nTvwwgjuXsbWG4ZD57q8A4kvr9AbblNt4N7NKEoCjlWFHSfkGPjIqS8jcVK8b6-CCDVO3e0ZgNMp5ub0WMCyGsd/s400/P1060289.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Greek appetizers from Mavrommatis , a Mediterranean gastronomy restaurant</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Recently I headed my way up to dine at another food area, <em>Galeries Cafe</em>. It is a good alternative to the busy ambiance of <em>Lafayette Gourmet,</em> where you can comfortably sit down, profit from some rare sunshine--surprisingly I did!--and enjoy the view from above. Food options with typical canteen prices(less than 10 euros per main dish) include grilled meats and fish, salads, pastas, french plates and sandwiches.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPmyfkEoizXfCr6nLbm4zBZIOIieZY1GhBTV2FIhsJ8ES7hpP6ha4LJCe09eK6VkaeDJMHpmO94tT8H7vuAnCOoCAVJyjcARNeec6v0OQw6VWDPuKKDPJlmWQT-BG9qyU_SRk9Fij34hm/s1600-h/P1060277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPmyfkEoizXfCr6nLbm4zBZIOIieZY1GhBTV2FIhsJ8ES7hpP6ha4LJCe09eK6VkaeDJMHpmO94tT8H7vuAnCOoCAVJyjcARNeec6v0OQw6VWDPuKKDPJlmWQT-BG9qyU_SRk9Fij34hm/s640/P1060277.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>located on the 6th floor</em></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Vb4mk41ny8iGQ4ox0ZQU8vqcIVnrzev_paF_RdWcq6I00s38X_EK9TAcx_I-u3hX2-19pjNFyKa_FVj-FMAumGgSUBW8F7NnmlvFkE4Bf-hD-R4qYC4lYv1-IIkKFDFDYX7U35xKFUY8/s400/P1060278.JPG" /><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Happy Spectator turns hungry--</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">a glass of Merlot and lasagne for 10,60</span></em><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsdTFQ_YS23E7oS2fCGcTer5PpLEQOSnJjpSoB573FfEMQw4hghJTyfSFmmzudJHm5yUNL3ObDfaAm6laC0T0xNvs0tKF_WCU1_K9vPvWW-BQws5iuMJyF4nxju5eJhwiMcUutnqK6lCt/s1600-h/P1060281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsdTFQ_YS23E7oS2fCGcTer5PpLEQOSnJjpSoB573FfEMQw4hghJTyfSFmmzudJHm5yUNL3ObDfaAm6laC0T0xNvs0tKF_WCU1_K9vPvWW-BQws5iuMJyF4nxju5eJhwiMcUutnqK6lCt/s640/P1060281.JPG" /></a><br />
</div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>rear view of l'Opera Garnier</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Another department store I like to coze up in is <em><a href="http://www.bhv.fr/magasins/en-region-parisienne/bhv-homme.html">Bazaar d' Hotel de Ville/BHV</a> </em>known for its its wide selection of home products.<em> </em>I adore kitchenware and ever since I moved to Paris, shopping for our home somehow lessens the guilt of buying items which not only benefit me but my husband, too. All year round they seem to have promos and discounts which, I, a gullible consumer, fall for in a snap. Although stay away from their online shopping. We bought a set of Tefal pots on sale and it took several charged calls to their customer service and another re-ordering to get it safely delivered to our home after 2 months! More of BHV in another entry but had to mention it in this post as it serves as another warm refuge from the outside chill. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsb2cu0Rp8C7UNtMafiEq6dalXgc0mb59PQ0GcJeOH1GBq-UWjJdFJLsfZ8jlA-5KzeVaeYfX1dfeJixa5pOOjFkZuZWP3UF82fMkwXGwtgp5OIgdgfmPFgGH16KbLoBUraA9ojIie9Nzk/s1600-h/P1010798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsb2cu0Rp8C7UNtMafiEq6dalXgc0mb59PQ0GcJeOH1GBq-UWjJdFJLsfZ8jlA-5KzeVaeYfX1dfeJixa5pOOjFkZuZWP3UF82fMkwXGwtgp5OIgdgfmPFgGH16KbLoBUraA9ojIie9Nzk/s640/P1010798.JPG" /></a><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">BHV located in front of the famous Hotel de Ville</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So the next time you wake up to a seemingly tragic, icey morning, steer clear from the alarm snooze button, benefit from your morning's coffee high and start mapping out a full winter shopping itinerary! It could be freezing outside but imagine a well-heated home, cashmere robe, fuzzy slippers, lambswool sofa blanket and specialty ingredients for <em>soupe d'oignon</em> --a worthy cause to thaw yourself in Paris stores and go on a shopping spree, a valid one, that is! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Bonnes courses!</em> Have a happy winter shopping frenzy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Useful Tips:</strong></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Summer and winter sales, during the months of July and January respectively, are state-regulated and dates have not been announced as of yet. Normally they last for 5 weeks ranging from 20-70% discount.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">For tourists or non EU resdients, you can avail of a 12% tax refund so don't forget to inquire with the stores' representatives.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Mostly all stores welcome exchanges and refunds on items newly purchased. Be careful with the price tags!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Not only are the stores well-heated, likewise are Paris' outdoor terraces, so go ahead if you feel the need to sip on hot chocolate, <em>chocolat chaud,</em> while observing chic Parisians decked out in winter clothes<em>.</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Since food plays an important role during the cold, below is my Onion Soup recipe totally easy to do!! Try it and let me know how it turns out!</span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Onion Soup in 4 Steps!</strong></span></em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Preparation : 10 min</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cooking Time : 40 min</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Ingredients (for 6 persons) :</strong></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">- 12 onions medium-sized</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">- 45 g or 1/4 cup of butter</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">- 2 cloves of garlic</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">- 15 g or 2 tablespoons of flour</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">- 1.5 l or 7 cups of water boiled with 2 beef or chicken cubes (boullion)</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">- 1 laurel leaf</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">- pepper, salt</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">- 6 slices of bread</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">- 60 g or about 2 cups of grated gruyere cheese</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Preparation:</strong></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pre-heat your oven to 450 F, 220 C.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1. Chop the onions lengthwise and leave to cook with the butter in a pot for about 15 minutes, medium fire. Onions must be transparent.*</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2. Add the flour and garlic to the pot. Stir in the flour properly and when it changes color, pour in the hot water-bouillon mixture, together with the laurel leaf and let it cook for 15 minutes. </span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3. Season accordingly with pepper, salt and herbes de provence (mixture of dried thyme, rosemary leaves, sage, basil). All supermarkets carry these combined dried herbs in a bottle. Its price is very affordable and I must say, a key ingredient in most of my cooking.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4. Rub some garlic on the slices of bread. Pour over soup in 6 bowls topping it with the bread and a generous sprinkle of cheese. Leave to grill inside the oven until the cheese melts (5-8 minutes. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Serve soup while hot. </span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> *Optional:</strong></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">After step 1. , add 1-2 cups of white wine and leave to cook for 2 minutes before proceeding to step 2.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Bon Appétit!</span><br />
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</div>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-65833047777988421122009-10-06T12:26:00.014+02:002009-11-09T19:45:40.810+01:00My Guilty, Greasy Pleasure in Paris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Some cravings never change. Just like the ones I get every time I am hungover, anxious or in self-destruction mode, and hence need the greasiest of the greasy, comfiest of the comforting Chinese food!! I thought bad habits would veer to happy transformations especially after being married for 2 years and as an inhabitant of a city with a penchant for clean, healthy living</span>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But no, no, no!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Quite frankly, it's a joy that I still have my </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">MSG-infused happiness in a bowl here in Paris and don't need to dream about dim-sum Sunday lunches at Gloria Maris or Zong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Opening scene.</i></b> The Happy Spectator (THS) wakes up with a hangover, parched throat and hungry stomach. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mad fireworks sparkle in her head , magically spelling out CHINATOWN! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">THS with her husband in tow hops in the bus, leading them straight to their latest discovery in the 13th arrondissment along Avenue de Choisy. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSm6aLbb56VNCQqZUSai-MJCr2W08XlUeHmcruaoxW9MxeXz4bIg09JRiqghkg-waedsC_8caKV9STZenbmwATj6eVWCxikpZSoxZ_PEzgvntz_fo-H1TRDXpLN5LAx2bbnwXQOPE6CC5/s1600-h/P1050643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSm6aLbb56VNCQqZUSai-MJCr2W08XlUeHmcruaoxW9MxeXz4bIg09JRiqghkg-waedsC_8caKV9STZenbmwATj6eVWCxikpZSoxZ_PEzgvntz_fo-H1TRDXpLN5LAx2bbnwXQOPE6CC5/s320/P1050643.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Mental checklist ongoing</i> </b>: wallet with some cash, shades for tired eyes and camera!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>TANG GOURMET</b>. The Chinese fast food's red and white signage puts a smile on THS' face and awakens the growling stomach.</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPo_8PDCiuC45IqCoP0lzNZ04Jj3aDwIanL3D5q3hEsUQgcr60uBbgFdYcDLeTnXV9UKS3WzfV7gJ1iCwWkcyuDqDJnPFl68xfQceICxTrIYGfGEZkIpbMPQSzF2XJnOKBIgDzjHTQ3I2/s1600-h/P1050629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPo_8PDCiuC45IqCoP0lzNZ04Jj3aDwIanL3D5q3hEsUQgcr60uBbgFdYcDLeTnXV9UKS3WzfV7gJ1iCwWkcyuDqDJnPFl68xfQceICxTrIYGfGEZkIpbMPQSzF2XJnOKBIgDzjHTQ3I2/s400/P1050629.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Menu Inspection:</i></b> Hong Kong style noodles, roast duck rice bowl, or sweet/crunchy pork in a bowl?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjls4Tt3jzPmwrAIIYA9pEhms_w_AQ3SiU-ZPN2QMug8CWAwR-JncQq5zxniEp7srZtYK6lD4htA3xTltjFjjQUiZp-horPIxzXmfjv3_WU7AfunW5A1NJ0l6iZVeuJxN1nueWjEXqwvsj/s1600-h/P1050632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjls4Tt3jzPmwrAIIYA9pEhms_w_AQ3SiU-ZPN2QMug8CWAwR-JncQq5zxniEp7srZtYK6lD4htA3xTltjFjjQUiZp-horPIxzXmfjv3_WU7AfunW5A1NJ0l6iZVeuJxN1nueWjEXqwvsj/s400/P1050632.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhsJ3J4Df2BDGTZYicOe-W_lgK628SctD_pCdm_mdihlnTX9mgqRS-U5dHBLdnmOTlZX-6iXIsxCenVAbqhH5KwHQGuOproPc__4_Vvipcd0VU-V0v5Ix7AAg8S9hPno0VAXBy5QvsnHZ/s1600-h/P1050633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhsJ3J4Df2BDGTZYicOe-W_lgK628SctD_pCdm_mdihlnTX9mgqRS-U5dHBLdnmOTlZX-6iXIsxCenVAbqhH5KwHQGuOproPc__4_Vvipcd0VU-V0v5Ix7AAg8S9hPno0VAXBy5QvsnHZ/s400/P1050633.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>Collateral Damage.</b> </i>THS is surprised to find out how cheap everything is. She thinks she could be back home in Manila. (6.50 each for <i>canard laquee</i> + rice and <i>pork laque</i> + rice)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKot773eOdHUm2WKYcT9Byok__YVQTmxP3r_auLyWH4NiB-auC5tUkSxQAetHSRZI35Qu4pV9uP35JMkp3QgpVDLIsv9yU2eZ_3eCCb5-Qe-b1BP52G5mXYvT6mN2ZhTjtskQPiY2q7Hj_/s1600-h/P1050631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKot773eOdHUm2WKYcT9Byok__YVQTmxP3r_auLyWH4NiB-auC5tUkSxQAetHSRZI35Qu4pV9uP35JMkp3QgpVDLIsv9yU2eZ_3eCCb5-Qe-b1BP52G5mXYvT6mN2ZhTjtskQPiY2q7Hj_/s400/P1050631.JPG" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Diners and servers</i>.</b> Yes, black-haired vendors = Asians! AAh, I am home sweet home.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdf7_dVZz0b6CFQjfgdksZo8FFgYbKL3LN2p0cAb-Uci7bv8Skmk_EEnVD8-48XRGPlIbN20QhpRJFoWs5P7pB90bBolSFb7BOdT534EF8ohJfxTZP3B8PNZ3XQa_ape5duZrurUnZ6ruS/s1600-h/P1050639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdf7_dVZz0b6CFQjfgdksZo8FFgYbKL3LN2p0cAb-Uci7bv8Skmk_EEnVD8-48XRGPlIbN20QhpRJFoWs5P7pB90bBolSFb7BOdT534EF8ohJfxTZP3B8PNZ3XQa_ape5duZrurUnZ6ruS/s320/P1050639.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0G6wh14DowyzcBAlkW7v2ft7ZkcoxoZ53SUg9pvmlf1UX53VMiJ9FioKxk5spHhOlx-0i1mw_A2DRdylhOz3msoTHhCpU-n2trXKu5Do3TTurAWS2Njzbh-ow0nj9odh3sXbvqjxg9_Hl/s1600-h/P1050640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0G6wh14DowyzcBAlkW7v2ft7ZkcoxoZ53SUg9pvmlf1UX53VMiJ9FioKxk5spHhOlx-0i1mw_A2DRdylhOz3msoTHhCpU-n2trXKu5Do3TTurAWS2Njzbh-ow0nj9odh3sXbvqjxg9_Hl/s400/P1050640.JPG" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>The Taste test.</i></b> MMMMmmm. the crunchy, fatty skin of the roast duck reminds THS of lechon. She is comforted by the rice and sweet soy sauce--perfect!--but thinks that Mang Tomas still rocks.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UDCYZXaFAUZ2Ub9iJSZn7HvbK5cIU9QCKFjMK1KmelFO2YbvegLMxbIk9ImpY7TAH9WLlVulrc207BSi36xwrtxbR6KbjfOjlw-RkxIAHVzbSqD8t-869729iabvJHdV1jNaOCTzp8tQ/s1600-h/P1050641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UDCYZXaFAUZ2Ub9iJSZn7HvbK5cIU9QCKFjMK1KmelFO2YbvegLMxbIk9ImpY7TAH9WLlVulrc207BSi36xwrtxbR6KbjfOjlw-RkxIAHVzbSqD8t-869729iabvJHdV1jNaOCTzp8tQ/s400/P1050641.JPG" /></a><br />
</div> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Roast pork and crunchy pork</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Overall feedback.</i></b> The greatest quick fix for a hangover when you don't have your Purefood's Corned Beef or Sugared SPAM. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Next problem ecountered--THS needs her bed!</span><br />
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</b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Useful Tips:</span></b><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's best that you bring cash when you hop over to this district. Most shops and fastfood joints like Tang Gourmet either don't accept credit cards or have a 'problem' with their card-reader machines.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-2talIHQzQ_diuap6rVi0xjLlCw2gGTZZW90wIqtyhqr0xVVu0mifImieGdC6J5UlAXDBRboYTjzeAv0h47vgLyHQWAiSTJlOu5zlqgiWFu54lioi8t1x3BDTh21m_1g7eo755FqyspD/s1600-h/P1050647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-2talIHQzQ_diuap6rVi0xjLlCw2gGTZZW90wIqtyhqr0xVVu0mifImieGdC6J5UlAXDBRboYTjzeAv0h47vgLyHQWAiSTJlOu5zlqgiWFu54lioi8t1x3BDTh21m_1g7eo755FqyspD/s400/P1050647.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> my preferred </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Chinese pastry shop along Ave. de Choisy where they also sell siaopao</span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just as we do, digest your meal and walk along avenue Choisy to discover its bakeries, shops and parks. </span></li>
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> uh, you are not allowed to lie down?<br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">my <i>galette de soja coco </i>and some other pastry which tastes like pinoy macaroons <br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There are other restaurants to choose from along the avenue which garner just as many loyal diners as Tang Gourmet. There is an 'always-full' Vietnamese one which we have yet to try. </span></li>
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Vietnamese guilty pleasure<br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">While you are at the 13th arrondissement, might as well pass by an Asian grocery like Tang Freres which has all the 'exotic' ingredients and produce from Thailand, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Korea etc..It is open from Tue-Sunday , 9am-7:30pm. Address: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">48 Avenue d'IvryParis. Total price of shopping in these supermarkets is very LOW. Oh, and if you are dumpling fanatic, the selection of frozen yummy goods like kimchi vegetable ravioli is heavenly.<br />
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</div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For some trivia, it is in this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_arrondissement_of_Paris">quartier</a> where you have the most residential high-rise buildings which in the past provided low-cost housing for Asian immigrants. (Even I get that happy feeling of being in Hong Kong when I am walking aimlessly in this district.) Apparently, in the early 70s the local government disallowed the construction of these apartments in order to maintain and untaint the skyline of Paris.</span><br />
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</ul>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-28581244686707262842009-10-02T13:56:00.020+02:002009-11-09T19:50:29.944+01:00Enjoying Romantic Paris....with the kids!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It is evident that Paris is for the beautiful, the luxe fashionista, the intellectual, the art connoisseur, the food and wine lover, the architecture enthusiast and the party-goer. But the million dollar question is if this city can also extend its welcome to an audience that is demanding, moody and hyper-- KIDS!!? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Answer:</b> </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bien</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">sûr</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">!! But of course! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZp4wjTOAAxoA8vyRLkZtx_-UmOr06GAyNQ7YYR911l847eQqEhRixkUzWdDuHjPdRi3QPUo4reKj_Kyysh64afeveErAQ9mQG2R4OPcgLAuEKPdto9vs-WuzTcR7j6qIxFasYSkBaeNTq/s1600-h/Copy+of+IMG_5850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZp4wjTOAAxoA8vyRLkZtx_-UmOr06GAyNQ7YYR911l847eQqEhRixkUzWdDuHjPdRi3QPUo4reKj_Kyysh64afeveErAQ9mQG2R4OPcgLAuEKPdto9vs-WuzTcR7j6qIxFasYSkBaeNTq/s400/Copy+of+IMG_5850.JPG" /></a><br />
</div> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Louvre's courtyard (window view from the museum)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWdsl8c5IgfCck3RmkHNpEkhMN2Fg2r7UFUdnkGrv4mApkXHj_4YS9t6bCscnV7J1po3Dj_ji5IDRXiUHuA1G_w8Tte8WxflM7VGRl8KPaT1S-6pd7-j1qlF7uQWTJlOwEBcJBHGAH8I-/s1600-h/matoto+NY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWdsl8c5IgfCck3RmkHNpEkhMN2Fg2r7UFUdnkGrv4mApkXHj_4YS9t6bCscnV7J1po3Dj_ji5IDRXiUHuA1G_w8Tte8WxflM7VGRl8KPaT1S-6pd7-j1qlF7uQWTJlOwEBcJBHGAH8I-/s400/matoto+NY.JPG" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">La belle France loves them, kids! All the time I notice how the streets are filled with happy-looking children strolling with their parents particularly on Wednesdays, the official day granted for working mothers to spend time with their kiddoes either at home or in the office. When I was working, I remember how it pleased me during lunch break to see 4-year olds eating in the cafeteria beside their mothers or in the hallways, to cross a line of toddlers holding hands as they would walk towards the office playroom. Now that's what I call real benefits for families raising their kids in France!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_fv1nUD_StvCtWBzPAufF1VQDlDdXfU3N_XmPb7-pXWOI1AnrbMN5F3VuEK6pgFcgghW73LaElmScmEl3NBcxEGLo61vB5Ez_DdO-kOeaNW7qzWlhPPJ-nh5bps1Ysq6rRqPJnWxeNML/s1600-h/hotel+matoto+NY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_fv1nUD_StvCtWBzPAufF1VQDlDdXfU3N_XmPb7-pXWOI1AnrbMN5F3VuEK6pgFcgghW73LaElmScmEl3NBcxEGLo61vB5Ez_DdO-kOeaNW7qzWlhPPJ-nh5bps1Ysq6rRqPJnWxeNML/s400/hotel+matoto+NY.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> New Yorkers at the <i>bazaar</i> of <i>Hotel de Ville</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Although now, let's consider families on vacation in Paris. For parents who are wondering how to keep their kids satisfied and entertained without destroying their time in the city</span>, <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">do not fret! Below are some spots or activities that you could consider inserting in your itinerary.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRczBu45tZB3NfNFN76lkpzn-SQy77jST5jf5Y89tL0pMhxpG1hthyphenhyphenh5ZRfilENSnzz1vUWVgHfNH4gsFS3UoCjRHS71ntT_PT0CF2XdG6YeiHw7BUkY4osQw3unFF0U9mx7uLR73cB1d/s1600-h/P1000504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRczBu45tZB3NfNFN76lkpzn-SQy77jST5jf5Y89tL0pMhxpG1hthyphenhyphenh5ZRfilENSnzz1vUWVgHfNH4gsFS3UoCjRHS71ntT_PT0CF2XdG6YeiHw7BUkY4osQw3unFF0U9mx7uLR73cB1d/s400/P1000504.JPG" /></a><br />
</div> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">almost itching to get out of her stroller at the Louvre</span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you notice that they are feeling stifled in their strollers after being in their best museum behavior for hours in the Louvre, get their blood circulation going and have them run freely in one of the many parks or gardens of Paris! </span></li>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuvLY3NAl4JZoMAAwMFXiz-DQsAEkBYAbisTqi5ol_ALCQPXf7lmjd7CsdwfwtRk7ptNSmo2g94AHj22iLX9LPLY1U6UQlbpCaMPuUeYSzhmowPpYanowdnjMGU2PwsIMk4eKm7vn3HVe/s1600-h/P1000363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuvLY3NAl4JZoMAAwMFXiz-DQsAEkBYAbisTqi5ol_ALCQPXf7lmjd7CsdwfwtRk7ptNSmo2g94AHj22iLX9LPLY1U6UQlbpCaMPuUeYSzhmowPpYanowdnjMGU2PwsIMk4eKm7vn3HVe/s400/P1000363.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> at the Pavillion of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_des_Vosges">Place des Vosges</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I personally love the <a href="http://www.senat.fr/visite/jardin/index.html">Luxembourg Gardens</a>, with features like the center-piece fountain facing the Senate Palace, the Italian style Medici fountain and the garden's botanical diversity from orchids to stylized trees. It is definitely a kid-magnet park as it has an installed carousel and junior playground. Many times I have also come across performers sing and play music at their mini stage. </span><br />
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</div> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">the fountain of<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Jardin du Luxembourg</i> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">encircled by happy sitters</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QTaePcBhy0ThywkkhRV0w1YydBJwdsLbtDgNW-pePR1AIFrZTvWteUUTzqHrV9L3K6jVwWxj4SjPsidX-5lq4NEq6SQ4KWtjYyHDdSncvhkcEXLqfCx_rdcWBSv59XAYxpuXIZEZZNm1/s1600-h/IMG_7628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QTaePcBhy0ThywkkhRV0w1YydBJwdsLbtDgNW-pePR1AIFrZTvWteUUTzqHrV9L3K6jVwWxj4SjPsidX-5lq4NEq6SQ4KWtjYyHDdSncvhkcEXLqfCx_rdcWBSv59XAYxpuXIZEZZNm1/s400/IMG_7628.JPG" /></a><br />
</div> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">exterior of the Luxembourg Gardens</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> and the Senate Palace</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtpnubYTmlFcPian4Odn9qXj8NVtf1jokd6KbENVGfExrIZBnisBPxaQDR9Zb3IbQyI0GnVCVysLlDsGidJGgYt7rfiY5FlQHUFt_t04hqrxPL69shsZt7PZUoknsl1d58K9e9nxh9mQ-/s1600-h/IMG_3879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtpnubYTmlFcPian4Odn9qXj8NVtf1jokd6KbENVGfExrIZBnisBPxaQDR9Zb3IbQyI0GnVCVysLlDsGidJGgYt7rfiY5FlQHUFt_t04hqrxPL69shsZt7PZUoknsl1d58K9e9nxh9mQ-/s400/IMG_3879.JPG" /></a><br />
</div> a <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">cocoon feel at the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fontaine Médicis with its cave and statue nymphs</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZLnrLoJEIIR_c6GV9sMqwDr1x-E0NEl4RdXoTEpDehbSmesFpr7VVO3LQPfdagEXlucJC-8w_azAouAmXu4VNXEBmNfXkdrHtJvNvEQ-lQQKQK0cT3pvU9MDzUau-wmRO_DQBlK5bMqT/s1600-h/IMG_3907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZLnrLoJEIIR_c6GV9sMqwDr1x-E0NEl4RdXoTEpDehbSmesFpr7VVO3LQPfdagEXlucJC-8w_azAouAmXu4VNXEBmNfXkdrHtJvNvEQ-lQQKQK0cT3pvU9MDzUau-wmRO_DQBlK5bMqT/s400/IMG_3907.JPG" /></a><br />
</div> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">its</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">manicured trees</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And if the kids need their sugar fix, right by the entrance of Luxembourg (next to RER station, Luxembourg) there is an ice cream vendor</span>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkHzGdGvVgRcRpAwTm3rf9lc6_Ax0AouGPMZMYGXUzr22g1qb9nnik2CSdO7Q6g_Ry4tO8tHsrKQIukNVs9ihOEEXv6L-yp27AFPgLq4rL3J_Gv9t_u3K9XD4xuynjxkuBGHFtueuzyu_/s1600-h/IMG_7622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkHzGdGvVgRcRpAwTm3rf9lc6_Ax0AouGPMZMYGXUzr22g1qb9nnik2CSdO7Q6g_Ry4tO8tHsrKQIukNVs9ihOEEXv6L-yp27AFPgLq4rL3J_Gv9t_u3K9XD4xuynjxkuBGHFtueuzyu_/s400/IMG_7622.JPG" /></a><br />
</div> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> its gates of steel</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> closing us out<br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Take them to Bois de Vincennes where you have fun-filled activities like </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">canoeing </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> on <a href="http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lac_Daumesnil">Lac Daumesnil</a></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">( I tried this with my husband it was an enjoyable workout!)</span> , <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">bird watching with the help of several poster boards illustrating the species found in the area, pony-riding through the oval path, merry-go-round-ing in the gardens and biking on fun paths. </span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzYzwGwp6m6DeiRBSmXRtSxl5WlL56eiIWB2OE8Cn-rMTUxGlmZEhUiqLFDNZ_rnNogqzifByfzBio0S-PkvH6CywTLq6vlKM_YMEGmEC7SxPPfRPqFeBPnQ8hzcKTpBNfFEkkMi2VV7m/s1600-h/P1050728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzYzwGwp6m6DeiRBSmXRtSxl5WlL56eiIWB2OE8Cn-rMTUxGlmZEhUiqLFDNZ_rnNogqzifByfzBio0S-PkvH6CywTLq6vlKM_YMEGmEC7SxPPfRPqFeBPnQ8hzcKTpBNfFEkkMi2VV7m/s400/P1050728.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> for 2 persons/boat is 10,80 and 11,80 for 3-4 persons for an hour</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Take note that boat and pony rentals(2,50 euros for one round) are offered all year round on Wednesdays and weekends (except for winter).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdf5sLjxb0AK3YJKE8KzXOkcY33hmajEdrYyFjuJyc5oXpCSOVfn9Y6zcpqtK83JZR67bOf1R0qJMQtoM-OsJrc30UCH23StECxlhZpeK5XTwrPkCf-uxal0IRLRtVMQHcN-BCDd3LZDX/s1600-h/IMG_3861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdf5sLjxb0AK3YJKE8KzXOkcY33hmajEdrYyFjuJyc5oXpCSOVfn9Y6zcpqtK83JZR67bOf1R0qJMQtoM-OsJrc30UCH23StECxlhZpeK5XTwrPkCf-uxal0IRLRtVMQHcN-BCDd3LZDX/s400/IMG_3861.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">my jogging path around the lake </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I missed my nieces and nephews when I took this photo <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaG2U0Ju2NgLXmXbu64an1Qw7fuE7BcLs1jEwN414euJVnD5DtIyMdOEA0Fk_Np8gK3nqBiB9umeN4EOEjZkG95n2tli9PEunEhhoaNmuR236zWAuEqupE10bDwM1U7LKiJkKT0MGj6Noz/s1600-h/IMG_4016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaG2U0Ju2NgLXmXbu64an1Qw7fuE7BcLs1jEwN414euJVnD5DtIyMdOEA0Fk_Np8gK3nqBiB9umeN4EOEjZkG95n2tli9PEunEhhoaNmuR236zWAuEqupE10bDwM1U7LKiJkKT0MGj6Noz/s400/IMG_4016.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> feeling at home in <i>parc de Vincennes </i></span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Regarding museums, I would suggest the <a href="http://www.centrepompidou.fr/Pompidou/Accueil.nsf/Document/HomePage?OpenDocument&L=2">Pompidou,</a> Paris' museum of modern and contemporary art. Your children will be instantly drawn to its eye-catching tube facade and playful, trippy showcases at the exhibit halls.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhda-vRLOKS4iGktnWBvDttGcKd4OCI1bbtLJERMcBmD9GF6nBP8xhw_6E6O2L0pMp6cllnAudZzdsyAf8t_6DgB-2sbzAuuHlqrXLoXIRBUVv9WXFbqaWQsaOTfMBh0JmEmdalrLcUpX/s1600-h/P1000090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhda-vRLOKS4iGktnWBvDttGcKd4OCI1bbtLJERMcBmD9GF6nBP8xhw_6E6O2L0pMp6cllnAudZzdsyAf8t_6DgB-2sbzAuuHlqrXLoXIRBUVv9WXFbqaWQsaOTfMBh0JmEmdalrLcUpX/s400/P1000090.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> the museum's industrial architecture</span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> the modern facade</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Pompidou is perfect for children as it hosts educational workshops and events related to music, visual arts, drawing and basic art appreciation. Click on this<a href="http://www.centrepompidou.fr/Pompidou/Manifs.nsf/ProchainementCategorie?ReadForm&RestrictToCategory=Categorie7&count=999&sessionM=2.8.2&L=1"> link</a> to check out the kids' activities which vary each month. You will also be able to buy your child's<i> atelier</i> tickets online.</span><br />
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<ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69_-y2E2Aj3M7G0fXQzqzEt8ztIgrmnx58PiPNkjpObDObj2dclTN_0yXT9Ebo359JOJDxHC5fQl23gTDTrkEIgCOXul_7lcJmyvrJ3FRHRwbTbfMx0PO_6MnuU2kVRbI_k4AB7zYW6Y3/s1600-h/P1000089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69_-y2E2Aj3M7G0fXQzqzEt8ztIgrmnx58PiPNkjpObDObj2dclTN_0yXT9Ebo359JOJDxHC5fQl23gTDTrkEIgCOXul_7lcJmyvrJ3FRHRwbTbfMx0PO_6MnuU2kVRbI_k4AB7zYW6Y3/s400/P1000089.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> colorful art pieces at a <i>place</i>/mini fountain beside the museum <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>CHILDREN WORKSHOP TICKETS</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;">Wednesday Courses - 3 sessions (1 child):<b> full rate €30 / concessions €24</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;">Workshops for 6-10 years old (1 child + 1 adult): <b>full price €10 / concessions €8</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;">Family workshops: <b>full price €10 / concessions €8</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;">All tickets give access to the Children's gallery and the museum right after the visit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;">Impromptu workshops: <b>free / no reservation</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">for an enjoyable meal after some hours in the museum, head to the rooftop where</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> you will find an outdoor/indoor stylish restaurant, <a href="http://www.centrepompidou.fr/Pompidou/Communication.nsf/0/C802434866E91C8CC1256D9800513026?OpenDocument&sessionM=3.8&L=1">George</a>, with a magnificent view of the city!<br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> George's creamy rissotto lobster</span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BxFe9xQe5mRu5wmXWndw4AskVcynsqvEAd6Pn1W0qZ9iM_YBLS1eXvGMWZOb67fzRLOK6KOEnf9vClBxk7Dp-fvcPUhJYxouwUzpxuNhBxe_X6YnokMRX7rHamhk-PvlvuaMK1xhjIOA/s1600-h/P1040261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BxFe9xQe5mRu5wmXWndw4AskVcynsqvEAd6Pn1W0qZ9iM_YBLS1eXvGMWZOb67fzRLOK6KOEnf9vClBxk7Dp-fvcPUhJYxouwUzpxuNhBxe_X6YnokMRX7rHamhk-PvlvuaMK1xhjIOA/s320/P1040261.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> truffle ravioli<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">roof-top view of Paris is second best after what you see from Sacre Coeur in Montmarte. For table reservations, call </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> +33 (0)1 44 78 47 99. <br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> heading up to the roof-top restaurant via escalator </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxsR_uCQyTQ6271Latf6D7N-PvgF9fWTXw4He3aSXTC4JstJfzlRUJofRy7zDQhGxn-k9_SQGHSt6dbGZgBJEEeh_FSKikzTs2g5BprIVcjZvZMYggYGcQUKhqq2abPZynC9vaG_G-qxa/s1600-h/P1000091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxsR_uCQyTQ6271Latf6D7N-PvgF9fWTXw4He3aSXTC4JstJfzlRUJofRy7zDQhGxn-k9_SQGHSt6dbGZgBJEEeh_FSKikzTs2g5BprIVcjZvZMYggYGcQUKhqq2abPZynC9vaG_G-qxa/s400/P1000091.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> George on a sunny day </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b> </b></span><br />
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</div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Another educational activity would be a visit to the <a href="http://www.mnhn.fr/museum/foffice/transverse/transverse/accueil.xsp?cl=en">Museum of Natural History</a> which I would love to check out soon.<br />
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</ul></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b> </b><span style="font-size: small;">For nontraditional modes of transport , consider L'Open Tour with its open top deck buses for an outdoor ride to see Paris' important monuments and sites. Also, Batobus will get get the children excited as they get to hop-on and hop-off the boats along the Seine river from one important site to another. You can check my previous <a href="http://paris-trotting.blogspot.com/2009/09/being-in-paris-for-first-time-can-be.html">entry</a> to get more details on L'Open Tour and Batobus. </span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">In terms of practicality, the most kid-friendly way to get around would be the bus. First, the bus lowers for easy lifting of strollers and more important is its reserved space for the parents and their kids in the strollers. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOFgEL04bZ2LxDqH5VxW0FzI20s6XI1puD2T2wscvsa_3WZyOwgP2coUTxpIUB2O61uqgzCgDgaQj3HOClO_EfSm8EyElU1CQHLrO2q657ojpZoiBpv7xb2CFP5DeXGN55GGr7OIIW1y8/s1600-h/IMG_4191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOFgEL04bZ2LxDqH5VxW0FzI20s6XI1puD2T2wscvsa_3WZyOwgP2coUTxpIUB2O61uqgzCgDgaQj3HOClO_EfSm8EyElU1CQHLrO2q657ojpZoiBpv7xb2CFP5DeXGN55GGr7OIIW1y8/s400/IMG_4191.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Bateau Parisien restaurant <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">An idea I would propose for a different family dining experience, is the lunch cruise along the Seine river. Yes, call it cliche but it is seriously a worthy event! I did it with my parents and we were very pleased (and tipsy) with the service of <a href="http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/EN/offers-cruises-seine-paris/cruise-lunch-restaurant-seine-paris/lunch-gift-cruise-paris-restaurant-seine-prices.html">Bateau Parisien</a> . </span></span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDtFseVKGgqMNuN99Jv8R99Fad_jkS_BWIEPcyCWGaYGfoec4vccDPatEi3WjHgwTne1ZkKrarJhwtlqTb3GOZpcKCCXrsIGn41kk0RyUTWqYCZFbU0nk4qZQM0bL-ALiGQfUT3XeRhpu/s1600-h/IMG_4182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDtFseVKGgqMNuN99Jv8R99Fad_jkS_BWIEPcyCWGaYGfoec4vccDPatEi3WjHgwTne1ZkKrarJhwtlqTb3GOZpcKCCXrsIGn41kk0RyUTWqYCZFbU0nk4qZQM0bL-ALiGQfUT3XeRhpu/s400/IMG_4182.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">posing against the boat's glass canopy--very camera friendly <br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">taking a pause from his meal for a shot</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The cruise runs from 12:45 to 2:30 and within that period expect a great view of the Notre Dame, Tour Eiffel etc.. that is, from the river's perspective; and the quality of the food and wine is surprisingly good considering its 'touristic' value. Depending on where your table is located, cost per person is either 53, 63 or 73 euros.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">If restaurants seem too stressful for you and the toddlers, there is always the grocery/ <i>hypermarche</i>--found in almost every other street-- like Monoprix. It has enough to satiate your appetites and simultaneously gives you a chance to re-load with some bare necessities like diapers, milk etc... There are fresh sandwiches, pastas, salads and pastries that are inexpensive and a solution to emergency feeding of your children. <br />
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<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> For good ol' ice cream to reward your kids with, you must take them to either of these 2 places. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berthillon">Berthillon</a> boasts of healthy ice cream without preservatives/stabilizers and is extra enjoyable while watching some performers show-off their talent on the bridge of </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ãle_Saint-Louis" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;" title="Île Saint-Louis">Île Saint-Louis.</a></li>
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</div> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">musicians performing on the bridges of Paris</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Another</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">yummy place is Italy's finest gelateria, <a href="http://www.grom.it/eng/dettagli_gelateria.php?id_gelateria=130&citt%E0=Paris">GROM</a> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">which uses all bio products</span>!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My husband--a non ice cream fan--and I couldn't </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> stop eating it everyday in Florence thinking we had to relish every opportunity! And all of a sudden, <i>bang,</i> we discover 2</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> branches here in Paris! Must-try <i>parfums</i>: vanilla, pistachio, strawberry sorbet, melon sorbet<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span style="color: #9c4e00; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Boulevard Beaumarchais, 111</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> - 75003 (12pm-7pm)</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #9c4e00;">Rue de Seine, 81</span> - 75006 tel: 01 404 69 260 (12pm-12am)<br />
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</div> GROM's vanilla cream and strawberry sorbet<br />
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I actually got inspired to write this entry for a good friend who asked for some help concerning her dining itinerary in Paris. Important factor of course, was the presence of her 3-year old son and 18th-month old daughter (obviously I got side-tracked with the insertion of activities).<br />
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To end, I , as a non-parent, wish that these basic suggestions will be useful to parents who will one day, also venture to the city of Light with their hyper, moody, and lovable monsters.<br />
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</div> the miracle worker, <i>frites,</i> solving all kiddie dining tantrums<br />
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<b>Useful Tips:</b><br />
<ul><li>If your kid tells you that nature has called, go to the nearest brasserie, order a drink then head straight to the toilets usually located one floor below ground level. Take note that they rarely have areas for diaper-changing. No need to wonder about the ever-so abundant toilet paper and liquid soap for cleaning.</li>
<li>There are also capsule-like single public toilets on main avenues which automatically clean up the entire surface with a water shower after the door is shut.<br />
</li>
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-58957618158648156852009-09-26T20:36:00.030+02:002009-11-18T18:31:44.734+01:00I HEART Bistrots<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My first love for french cuisine started with Je Suis Gourmand at Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. I still miss its quaint vibe, friendly staff and oh-so delicious entrees particularly, the cheese onion tart salad. A major plus, although I'm uncertain if it has changed, are the reasonable prices and portions which always left my stomach and wallet feeling satisfied. Little did I know that my dining experience at Gourmand would be a prelude to my life of bistrot-feasting in France. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYT32Facb4_6_hKRKf0mGhc64tp0jZlb8rFyDG6SAB8BfLiFqeUpcYYJwxP1gtdDJwtmuOFxwQmgxNo6UXrbSsopF_CGu8HO39M4AO46Dc8uqQnf8nuwDKwyBjZxgqqqLX4VG1pQMaJDa/s1600-h/IMG_4206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYT32Facb4_6_hKRKf0mGhc64tp0jZlb8rFyDG6SAB8BfLiFqeUpcYYJwxP1gtdDJwtmuOFxwQmgxNo6UXrbSsopF_CGu8HO39M4AO46Dc8uqQnf8nuwDKwyBjZxgqqqLX4VG1pQMaJDa/s640/IMG_4206.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> duck magret with melon slices</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here, bistrots are everywhere--uh, obviously!? It is a very common type of French dining dating back to 19th century which initially started as a wine and <i>jambon beurre (</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">ham and butter in a baguette) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">joint for the workers. Perhaps it's safe to say that it is like how ihaw-ihaw(or a Chicken House) is to us, Pinoys. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To give a brief history, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bistro"><i>bistrot</i> </a>was coined from the Russian word <i>bystro,</i> meaning "quickly", during Russia's invasion of Paris in 1815 and naturally, its restaurants, too. Another theory just as apt is from the French word <i>bistrouille</i> which is brandy mixed with coffee. Both sound correct to me but there is much more to highlight than just its rapid service and loyal coffee-drinkers.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Especially nowadays where we have bistrots owned by </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">former sous-chefs of Michelin star restaurants producing fine <i>gastronomique</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> quality food for less than 40</span>€<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">! And it is these type of bistrots that I remain loyal to any day over those fancy, trendy restaurants offering stiff dining experiences. </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> at <i>Swann et Vincent,</i> my first date with the hub <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bottom line, I enjoy its cozy, casual and almost rustic setting. I mean who wouldn't want to feel as if they are back home in their mom's country-style kitchen for a Sunday lunch?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I relish the first moment of entering a bistrot in France. Its space is perfectly small; the wooden tables are arranged close together that it could pass as a communal dinner party; there is a friendly noise of chatter among the diners that pretty much replaces the house music; the nearly tipsy state of the guests rubs off a Friday-evening feel to the restaurant's ambiance and the best is the lingering aroma of long-cooked stews infused with melted butter and fresh-baked bread. Aaahhh,<i> incroyable </i>(incredible)! </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> a typical bistrot set-up <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Needless to say, the food plays the starring role in a bistrot spectacular. It is comforting, hearty and has subtle touches of innovation with its presentation and choice of ingredients in season. </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> an unforgettable goat cheese salad with artichokes<br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Autumn <i>parmentier</i> of lamb <i>confit </i> </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <i>chevre</i> salad with bacon</span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> another goat cheese salad with strawberry dressing<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Usually, they ask if you would like to have an </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">apéritif (</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">cocktail, alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink) while either waiting for your table and/or menu ( <i>la carte) </i>or menu chalkboard <i>. </i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One time, my husband was, for some reason(or not), in celebratory mode and ordered absinthe: the potent, classic way. Towards the end of our meal with the help of a bottle of wine, his brain was almost ab-sent. Moderation is key, readers!</span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> order wines from the region you are visiting: a bottle from <i>Vierzon</i>, Centre region of France<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In most bistrots, it is also a custom to serve pica-pica like olives or plainly, bread, before ordering. The French also like their <i>formule </i>, our version of 'combo meals', which is an order of either an entree+main or main+dessert or sometimes, all 3 for a bargain price. Lunch formule could be from 18-25</span>€<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> while dinner is approximately 30-40</span>€<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> French-Basque </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">entrées</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> at our favorite bistrot, Le Troquet, located in the 15th arr<br />
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</div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Summer <i>Pot-au-feu</i> beef stew with truffles</span><br />
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</div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">calamares</span><br />
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</div> <i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">coeur de filet de </span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">beef</span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> sur charlotte de </span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">potatoes</span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Also, they have the <i>degustation </i>which serves you 6 different plates (or less) for 40</span>€<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">; the endpoint being--stuff yourself good! Lord, we did this before and had to refuse the 6th plate --dessert--because it was too much for our over-bloated stomachs. </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDbyieqOO27IJp2yJ8yKgVtzqgO-rhyjA4kmFIzvALUCSnSVvR2y0u8siomnORTGnnOggOtcxTa1zLTI5HJZJ8Iy5wOSF2i3Ddm1xTdqIEI2nDTF75ZMHJMfK_XhTX4aSeX7IezBh-784/s1600-h/P1020190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDbyieqOO27IJp2yJ8yKgVtzqgO-rhyjA4kmFIzvALUCSnSVvR2y0u8siomnORTGnnOggOtcxTa1zLTI5HJZJ8Iy5wOSF2i3Ddm1xTdqIEI2nDTF75ZMHJMfK_XhTX4aSeX7IezBh-784/s640/P1020190.JPG" /></a><br />
</div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Vanilla <i>macaron</i> strawberries<i> gariguette </i> </span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Surprised with our refusal, the servers with great concern had to clarify if there was a problem with their food. Ha, ha. Moderation, where were you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Finally, bistrots are reasonably priced considering the quality of service and food that goes along with it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So if you are a bistrot-lover like me, please do me the favor of sharing some of your favorites as I would love to try them out one day. Whether it is in Manila, Paris, New York or elsewhere, trust that I will always stay true to them, bistros, and be its #1 diner (together with my husband).<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Useful Tips:</span></b><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tap water is potable so don't be ashamed to ask for <i>une carafe d'eau (pitcher of water)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Always check if they accept your credit card (normally VISA, hardly American Express)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Reserve in advance as bistrots, especially the good ones, are always full!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tips are not a mandatory % like in the US so leave the amount you wish. If we are satisfied with the overall meal and service, my husband and I like to give 2-3 euros. To each his own. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For a listing of top bistrots in Paris, check out this link (<a href="http://www.guides-restaurants.fr/guide-gastronomique/meilleurs-bistrots-parisiens-paris.php">le top 5 des meilleurs bistrots parisiens). </a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our all-time favorite, Le Troquet, lands in the #1 spot. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To locate your bistrot via Google Maps, click on my entry "Locate a spot in Paris now!" and you will get directions in a snap. <br />
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</span>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-27555958013941044412009-09-24T13:24:00.012+02:002009-09-28T14:13:26.346+02:00Locate a spot in Paris,now!<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=paris&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.371289,56.513672&ie=UTF8&ll=48.884134,2.367897&spn=0.101634,0.220757&z=12&iwloc=A&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=paris&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.371289,56.513672&ie=UTF8&ll=48.884134,2.367897&spn=0.101634,0.220757&z=12&iwloc=A" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-75524530747740320622009-09-21T18:09:00.101+02:002009-09-27T11:48:11.663+02:00Tourist Tips for a Parisien "Virgin"<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Being in Paris for the first time can be overwhelming. The language barrier and the city's golden treasures could blind a tourist into taking costly 'dead ends' that only wastes one's time, money and patience. This entry hopes to guide first-timers away from expected tourist traps and as much as possible, give them a taste of Parisien living without having to spend a fortune. </span><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="FR"> </span></i><br />
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<i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="FR">Airport Charles de Gaulle (CDG)</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At CDG's Customs and Immigration point, expect some basic questions like length of stay, hotel details etc. If they are rude, which is more likely expected from Parisiens, my never-failing solution is to simply smile and greet them with a "Bonjour!". Don't be offended by their smug nature; blame the cold or their boring job but remember, it's nothing personal.</span><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </i><br />
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<i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Transportation from Charles de Gaulle airport to your temporary residence/vice-versa</i><br />
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<div class="ii gt" id=":ka" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thanks to my friend, Jill, my reliable guide during my first-ever trip to Europe/Paris, I was introduced to <a href="http://www.parishuttle.com/">Parish Shuttle</a>, a cheap airport shuttle service van, which you can choose to rent privately for a higher cost or share with other passengers. Cost for one person each way is 25<sup>€ </sup>. Normally tourists prefer this because the chauffeurs speak English; but to cite a bad experience, I actually had used them another time for my parents' arrival and we waited for our pick-up for almost an hour! Horrible. Although there is a cheaper shuttle service, 19€ each way, <a href="http://www.airport-paris-transfer.com/">Airport Paris Transfer</a>, used by a friend and he had no complaints. <br />
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Now, I prefer to line up at the airport's official taxi stand which costs approximately45€ ( with a 3€ <sup> </sup>tip) to reach my place in Paris(south). Do not go with the unregistered taxis whose drivers wait by the exit doors to propose a 'special' deal. As what happened to a couple I know, the ride was not metered and they were charged an absurd fare per person!<br />
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A more frugal and adventurous option is to take the <a href="http://www.ratp.info/informer/anglais/aeroports.php">RER B subway train</a> from your arrival terminal (either 2 or 3) which will get you to any part of the city. The price of an RER ticket from the CDG airport to Paris (and vice-versa) is 8.50€ . Make sure you grab a <a href="http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan.php?loc=reseaux&nompdf=metro&fm=gif&lang=ang&partenaire=">metro map </a>(free) which you can ask from the representative at the metro ticket booth. You can pay by card when purchasing RER and metro tickets. Take note that the RER--crosses Paris to the suburbs-- and metro trains --only within the city--are entirely different and thus, have their own tickets. A single metro ticket is 1.60€ and for a set of 10 tickets (<i>un carnet</i>), it's 11.60€. <br />
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<i>Lodging</i><br />
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Always asked by many vacationers--which hotel is affordable and nicely located? My recommendation is to steer clear of the predictable hotel scene and try out a French apartment! There are great sites that rent out well-equipped flats for a short period in the district of your choice. <a href="http://www.homelidays.co.uk/">Homelidays</a> is a vacation site we used for apartment hunting in Corsica and Tuscany and they have equally great options in Paris. With apartments, its rates are inexpensive, plus, you have the chance to feel like a local, experiencing a day-to-day life in their quarters!<br />
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If you prefer a more hassle-free nook, then you can check out hotels in the areas which in my opinion are the coziest<a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Paris"> arrondissements</a>: 3rd and 4th -Le Marais for an artsy flavor, 5th and 6th- Latin Quarter where every place is walkable, and 11th and 12th-Place de la Bastille.<br />
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<i>Getting Around</i><br />
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Unless you are with people who have trouble walking, I highly suggest that you put on your comfiest flats/sneakers and roam around the city on your feet! Especially after those foie gras and cheese-filled meals, it is the only way to get you feeling less guilty about the calories and to truly discover your way around Paris even if that means getting lost. Generally the streets of Paris are safe but at night, don't think you can carelessly walk through 18th,19th and 20th arrondissements without a 'local' to guide you.<br />
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If you don't wish to move those buns, try to cruise through the city's monuments via boat, <a href="http://www.batobus.com/english/boat-cruise-paris-seine.html">Batobus</a>, a hop-on hop-off service running from February to November. I also booked my parents on <a href="http://www.parislopentour.com/">l’Open Paris tour</a> which is the same concept but on an open top deck bus with several routes to choose from. For Batobus the adult rates for passes are: one-day(12€) , 2-day(16€) and 5-day(19€) while L'Open Paris tour charges 29€ for a day and 39€ for 2 days.<br />
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</div> commute along the Seine river<br />
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As for taxis, it is not like New York wherein you spot them yellow boxes every minute. Normally you call for a taxi via <a href="http://www.taxis-bleus.com/A_index.html">Taxi Bleus</a> by dialing 0891701010*. They are operational 24 hours a day.<br />
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Metros are the most convenient for me. They are open as early as 5:30 am until 12:30am weekdays and 1:30am during weekends. <i>Important</i>: there are random checks in the metro so never throw away your tickets unless you have completely exited the station.<br />
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<a href="http://www.velib.paris.fr/">Velib</a> is a popular alternative to getting around the city without the hassle of renting a bicycle and storing it. These are generic bikes with its own magnetized pods stationed in almost every avenue of Paris. The idea is to borrow a bike which is possible by registering your credit card onsite and when done, find an available pod for its safekeeping. To use it for a day, it costs 1€ and for 7 days, it is 5€ . Talk about a great initiative to combat car pollution!<br />
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</div> Velib bikes and its 'home' pods<br />
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</div><i>Don't be Fooled!</i><br />
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I know you are a tourist but try not to be spotted and fooled like one.<br />
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People may approach you in the middle of your monument-gazing asking if you speak English. Say "No" and walk past them. If you pause and try to help, they will also try to get you to take out your wallet and trap you. Before as I was walking to work at a very decent neighborhood, a guy stopped me and picked a ring from the floor asking if it were mine. I quickly walked away and snubbed him. Five seconds later, I hear the man performing the same stunt on the person behind me--unbelievable!<br />
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</div> view of the Eiffel tower from the 15th district, former workplace<br />
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Do not get sucked into those trinket shops selling the same tourist souvenirs in<i> </i>every<i> </i>corner of the street. Most products are MADE IN CHINA or elsewhere. If you want authentic French gifts to bring home, go to specialized shops!<br />
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Avoid going to the <i>cafes</i> or <i>brasseries</i> which are a few meters away from an important monument or site because you will be paying the price for your order + the view to go with it as well. And let's not forget the quality of food which is nowhere near its price. Don't be afraid to walk further and explore the streets which don't look too busy.<br />
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</div> Chez Plumeau at Montmarte<br />
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To land in a good bistrot or restaurant, you must do your research. Ask friends, locals or go online and read comments of diners; that way, you are prepared to order the right dish and wine within your spending means.<br />
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Street food equals divine crepe! Hey, that isn't bad at all! To see that it is freshly done, choose a stall which has it prepared before you and as a plus, you get a whiff of some heavenly butter! Another cheap alternative are the bakeries (<i>boulangerie</i>) selling delicious French pastries like croissant( a must-try!!), <i>pain au raisins</i> (raisin bun) and <i>pain au chocolat</i> (croissant bread crust with chocolate); for lunch, they have fresh sandwiches (3,50-4€ each sometimes including a drink), using of course their baked, straight-from-the-oven <i>baguettes</i>, ranging from a club to tuna. <a href="http://www.paul.fr/uk/produits-viennoiseries.php">Paul</a> is a reputable bakery found everywhere in France and they also have quaint tea rooms if you wish to be seated.<br />
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</div> a neighborhood bakery (<i>boulangerie)</i><br />
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For now, I am going to stop here (activities in Paris will be reserved for another entry). These tips should suffice for a Parisien 'virgin' vacationing in the city of Light. Let me end by stating that the FIRST time is always the best and most memorable experience so enjoy every mistake, unintended luck and the sweet romance! <br />
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</div>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-58583732426812968092009-09-18T14:40:00.024+02:002009-09-23T11:23:09.630+02:00Sunday Morning is to Fresh Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3Zln3_jbYfXXgKgM0g0F0S6YggO81dr8O8A5qfuFQv92HKl74_wlUY-rk3lXXTMApySyvfiii16seKbYP8ioMUum-9Q6U19wFViCi2yY6enuC7JMJMmRUIyVuUrgrBS9l0MFswex2lt-/s1600-h/IMG_5936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3Zln3_jbYfXXgKgM0g0F0S6YggO81dr8O8A5qfuFQv92HKl74_wlUY-rk3lXXTMApySyvfiii16seKbYP8ioMUum-9Q6U19wFViCi2yY6enuC7JMJMmRUIyVuUrgrBS9l0MFswex2lt-/s400/IMG_5936.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For the French, going to the fresh market on a Sunday morning is almost a ritual as your breakfast tea or coffee. And for my friends and family who know how much of a morning<i>(le matin)</i> person I am will automatically understand what a delightful duo that is for me--breakfast time + outdoor food stalls</span>! <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It wasn't in Paris where I first fell in love with the fresh food vendor experience but in a farmer's market in L.A. where my sister took me to hunt for <a href="http://www.j-dogs.com/menuimages/30838funnel%20cake.jpg">elephant ears</a> as yummy as the ones we had first tried in Portland.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But here I am now living 5 steps away from an avenue hosting weekly markets of fresh produce from<a href="http://www.agencebio.org/pageEdito.asp?IDPAGE=36&n3=74"> bio</a>(local term referring to a product as organic) fish from Brittany to Provencal olives including oriental ready-to-eat dishes and products</span>! <i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">C'est formidable,</i> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">how great!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;">a <i>biologique</i> (bio) stall, more expensive of course</span></span> <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">artichokes, green olives in different marinades, tapenade</span></span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;">apero delight: calamares, tarama, sun-dried tomatoes</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The first time the hubby took me to a market was at <i>Place de la Nation, </i>a district famous for 2 things in history books:<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_de_la_Nation"> city walls(Wall of the General Farmers)</a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> now destroyed but were used in the 18th century for the control/taxation of goods entering Paris and second, a guillotine area during the french revolution--yikes! To revert to happier things, the market was fabulous and I was stopping at almost every booth asking for translation and demanding my husband to explain how the ingredient is locally cooked. (*Flashback: Now that explains why my husband was horrified in my country to not find 'veal' at our local </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">grocery or market. Frankly, when he first asked me to help him look for it, I had to ask a second time,"uh, you mean beef as in cow right?" He quickly clarifed, "a calf!". ) Well, zorry <i>monsieur</i>! But I don't blame him considering the crazy, quality choices of meat, poultry and fresh produce over here! And believe me, it's easy to get led into a gourmet trance thinking you can cook up a banquet and <i>voila</i>! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXRJAtLHr8f97Pgwfrk65oD1gOyx5l1161y2RDJL9Xw6r3_HDWxSEU9zmBapVJuBcjfY6fSnZyVCQoc5DG_mcVR8rh4p0gPwGBu1hZaWwuxL_gd2ZrvTFmYoJAWyEMLguVXiCv-YSulOX/s1600-h/IMG_3226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXRJAtLHr8f97Pgwfrk65oD1gOyx5l1161y2RDJL9Xw6r3_HDWxSEU9zmBapVJuBcjfY6fSnZyVCQoc5DG_mcVR8rh4p0gPwGBu1hZaWwuxL_gd2ZrvTFmYoJAWyEMLguVXiCv-YSulOX/s400/IMG_3226.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> All was dandy until I pointed out a beef-looking red meat for my husband to name. I asked, "<i>What is Chevaline</i>?"</span>, <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and he nonchalantly responded, "<i>Oh, that's horse</i>". What tha? Oh-kay. Not all that's French is lovable; that's for certain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Another shocker was seeing a furry rabbit carcass hung in the middle of a poultry (<i>volaille</i>) booth. Nope, I never really planned on eating <i>lapin</i> until my mother-in-law cooked it months after at their home in the south of France and you know how that story ends especially when the dish was introduced as a 'specialty'. For those interested, it tastes like tough chicken. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBDei-khZ0_h41p2BAbRRQBsGRac5ySebDpxn9WSHkq5R7QBFIcmJD5DOho42liiJnRTD_MpkC0YWQKUe1-_bdu1BmgV0kcyJkBHXH6V_PqjT3FQBDLIL3lzAHt99sSVFYvzkV-rhoO58/s1600-h/P1010846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBDei-khZ0_h41p2BAbRRQBsGRac5ySebDpxn9WSHkq5R7QBFIcmJD5DOho42liiJnRTD_MpkC0YWQKUe1-_bdu1BmgV0kcyJkBHXH6V_PqjT3FQBDLIL3lzAHt99sSVFYvzkV-rhoO58/s400/P1010846.JPG" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So we ended the tour of stalls with some<i> tapenades</i> (a spread of olives) and a <i>baguette</i> which we couldn't resist feasting on at a<i> brasserie(</i>a typical cafe with a terrace<i>) </i>we stopped by<i> </i> to order a glass of wine (<i>un verre de vin).</i></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77M1ThPOg5XR3AzJPvNH6R0NiAYMqC3O56YPe7FFbA1LDDGxiukSvQLs4tHhtq33bD1whWPQBIR4zioQvURn5eJAhwrLYLsSBuVv1HwwjhrT1F66Xn4BQtx6yxXaBgrR4L2dR5K1eQdCz/s1600-h/IMG_3229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77M1ThPOg5XR3AzJPvNH6R0NiAYMqC3O56YPe7FFbA1LDDGxiukSvQLs4tHhtq33bD1whWPQBIR4zioQvURn5eJAhwrLYLsSBuVv1HwwjhrT1F66Xn4BQtx6yxXaBgrR4L2dR5K1eQdCz/s400/IMG_3229.JPG" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I may not entirely enjoy the taste of the French like <i>charcuterie</i> (cold cuts: precooked & cured meat) and frogs(<i>les grenouilles</i>) but seeing couples, parents, kids or the aged regularly walk through the market stalls whether it be during ice-cold winters or sweaty summer days makes me believe that fresh ingredients sold to you by trusted, friendly faces will probably in the end, make a more scrumptious, soulful Sunday meal! <i>Bon appetit</i>!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiTChrlMMjumFHt4lWq6_gknS2tdTVk-NUKVSZtiZtx0HsgYucRcvfp8N3fKnz7uK16t-LoeSOYBAhIvB5d3w8cgNrMQ5zzL3Bgk7pgz7iC4k1p18Spyg4EmTK32RTcqamTolH-0t4ZNL/s1600-h/P1050318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiTChrlMMjumFHt4lWq6_gknS2tdTVk-NUKVSZtiZtx0HsgYucRcvfp8N3fKnz7uK16t-LoeSOYBAhIvB5d3w8cgNrMQ5zzL3Bgk7pgz7iC4k1p18Spyg4EmTK32RTcqamTolH-0t4ZNL/s400/P1050318.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">a Sunday meal, Lamb Tagine from Mom-in-law's kitchen</span></span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Useful Tips:</span></b><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvCXQXA_WVKxrLX7EamRNaMZnt6stwmwrgXjRpqQOFVmKFTVH_SYXA8ERNMvyG3qigTgrv2HhNTjb16WclguZO7z9PWvIIzxh2iRWDSWg6WY_hXFl2J8JkM6XgavQpjBUsqykKsLZrXy4/s1600-h/P1050558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvCXQXA_WVKxrLX7EamRNaMZnt6stwmwrgXjRpqQOFVmKFTVH_SYXA8ERNMvyG3qigTgrv2HhNTjb16WclguZO7z9PWvIIzxh2iRWDSWg6WY_hXFl2J8JkM6XgavQpjBUsqykKsLZrXy4/s320/P1050558.JPG" width="194" /></a><br />
</div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bring change when you go to the market and do not expect the vendors to accept a big bank note like a 50 or a 100 not unless you plan to shop for the same amount. Oh, some stalls accept credits cards (<i>carte blue</i>) so try to inquire in advance.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Vegetables and fruits tend to be a lot cheaper in the fresh market as compared to the <i>hypermarche</i> like Monoprix or Franprix. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sometimes, to get good deals, my husband and I arrive at the market 30 minutes before it shuts so we can avail of their last minute promos. They close shop and dismantle their stalls at 1:00pm.<br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Don't forget to greet the vendors with a "Bonjour!". The French pay attention to that quite well.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Parisians are trying to go GREEN nowadays so avoid using plastics sacs by switching to a rolley-cart (<i>pousette)</i> or a recyclable bag. <br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here is a list of all the <a href="http://www.paris.fr/portail/marches_parisiens/Portal.lut?page_id=5675&document_type_id=5&document_id=10926&portlet_id=12148">fresh markets</a> in each <i>arrondissement</i> ( district) of Paris.</span></li>
</ul>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-51099192926028975962009-09-17T17:49:00.041+02:002009-09-24T13:05:20.121+02:00Picnics in Paris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Everybody loves to picnic. As for me, it brings back childhood memories of my friends and family at our lil green nook, ACC 'polo field'</span>, for <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">some time-out and pica-pica. The best part about picnics are not just the food spread but the leeway granted for everyone to do such things in public: space out, observe surroundings/people, lie down, sleep and read. Although it was only in France that I had experienced an additional item to the list of "things to do in a picnic" --drink wine! <i>Magnifique</i>! To state the obvious, I am older now, therefore, I gladly embrace the joys of wine over shots of Tequila; and second, it is legal in France to be drinking in public so how terrible is it to face the glittering Eiffel Tower as I am lying down next to empty wine bottles munching on husband-made <i>quiche</i>? Boy, am I glad to not be missing out anymore. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHfmTVrpRr3Xb28N6VIBRPX2xXewTyJPLGQgKkaStHmHKAOu5vO3XzSH8QDCihYuS0IpT9NWYEea9ALNife-wEekGcwYmYSINuP61l2_T_aUN_uAtOJhrIeVaWDzLI9kvzTuToC34osro/s1600-h/P1040444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHfmTVrpRr3Xb28N6VIBRPX2xXewTyJPLGQgKkaStHmHKAOu5vO3XzSH8QDCihYuS0IpT9NWYEea9ALNife-wEekGcwYmYSINuP61l2_T_aUN_uAtOJhrIeVaWDzLI9kvzTuToC34osro/s400/P1040444.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;">at the garden of Tuileries with the Louvre behind us </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIwEzWDCZYZZQqKkAQIwgXaUTgo4eaEWpxS5beeg3b2Rt4njaZdKjaR0VO1OxLz_iHEcnWOFh8CZwOq5d1WJncSXBzCST5GVR9C0UHnnKJLWiKyo6SHItvA-p1uVwVtLg98MRYNGfjLiJ/s1600-h/P1010245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIwEzWDCZYZZQqKkAQIwgXaUTgo4eaEWpxS5beeg3b2Rt4njaZdKjaR0VO1OxLz_iHEcnWOFh8CZwOq5d1WJncSXBzCST5GVR9C0UHnnKJLWiKyo6SHItvA-p1uVwVtLg98MRYNGfjLiJ/s400/P1010245.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> a picnic's divine ending</span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As in other beautiful cities like New York, Paris has several outdoor spots for a perfect picnic particularly during the summer</span>. <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My favorite place with the best view of Paris' marvels is at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuileries_Palace">Tuileries Garden </a>which is surrounded by fountains and marble statues and joins into the Louvre's courtyard;</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> in the opposite direction there is the <i>Place de la Concorde</i>,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> piercing its way up into the sky and a decent angle of the Eiffel tower.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO_6DqUNJuTwaIsq8JF7rFI5DhB2y2aWwQbj8365usY0MB0KDR-BAyM0I4-G5Z_1fFdM_61ifHCN6b_DzfHa3dssjy7s07nbiZdUeYcGMZXshVitGydxAiPstcl57z6kaTtYwg6miE58X/s1600-h/P1040447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO_6DqUNJuTwaIsq8JF7rFI5DhB2y2aWwQbj8365usY0MB0KDR-BAyM0I4-G5Z_1fFdM_61ifHCN6b_DzfHa3dssjy7s07nbiZdUeYcGMZXshVitGydxAiPstcl57z6kaTtYwg6miE58X/s400/P1040447.JPG" /></a><br />
</div> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">our picnic spot; conveniently, to the right is the metro stop,<span style="font-size: small;">Tuileries</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Aside from the relaxing vibe of picnics which I normally prefer over bars during the summer, it is no doubt a cheaper option for catching up with friends, partner or husband with everybody arriving with their contribution of wine, cheese, cold cuts <i>(charcuterie) </i>or homemade dish. Even if you run out of wine in the middle of it all, you will be happy and surprised to find people selling some bottles, incognito<i>,</i> but with marked-up prices as what happened to my husband and I with a big group in<i> Champ de Mars. </i>And to the desperate smokers, they sell some, too. Come to think of it, it was almost midnight at that time--a picnic that late? Only in Paris!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJixIDENbymMfK8dKSHvD-pHxBH_0MDj9LhOhGNIS6OdEI2btIDiZ4W81xilsoy5gi49rUTfKb1Z8kgGtk0rhssDRgQHD_EhuYVx-OnTbFEaf8cRLdefSvrD-oFKuO0x-V_W8PIV2XDVJZ/s1600-h/P1040590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJixIDENbymMfK8dKSHvD-pHxBH_0MDj9LhOhGNIS6OdEI2btIDiZ4W81xilsoy5gi49rUTfKb1Z8kgGtk0rhssDRgQHD_EhuYVx-OnTbFEaf8cRLdefSvrD-oFKuO0x-V_W8PIV2XDVJZ/s400/P1040590.JPG" /></a><br />
</div> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">crowded Champ de Mars</span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Useful tips:</span></b><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you are like me who needs to p** almost every other hour, don't go walking in search of a brasserie which could take too long and lead to a messy accident. Instead, remember your camping days and do your business in the bushes. Trust me, you won't feel too bad after seeing the rest of the used tissue lying around (and condoms, too,yuck!). <b>Important</b>, only do this when you are DESPERATE as I don't wish for you to develop a bad habit and worse, get caught by the roving police!<br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Unless it is full-on summertime, bring a shawl or a light cardigan to cover up because Paris weather is just as moody and unpredictable as women tend to be.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And if you get hungry in the Tuileries, there is an outdoor branch of France's famous bakery, <a href="http://www.paul.fr/uk/histoire.php">Paul</a>, which sells country-style savory and sweet pastries and drinks. Facing the Louvre from the garden, it is located just before the museum's courtyard on the sandy surface.</span></li>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvTakDz-VsR0BwNObaYWH3gV6Fy098Z3FqGbGs4p-6mLg9UYZ0qpIuNKzzEpXfHPfEbFhOqvf8oIqq88LBCCtqCPl5N2AU9-meXINESmHsU3dUrdYwGX5PKP0EmQUNaxXkN3l7AtW9qDC/s1600-h/P1010589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvTakDz-VsR0BwNObaYWH3gV6Fy098Z3FqGbGs4p-6mLg9UYZ0qpIuNKzzEpXfHPfEbFhOqvf8oIqq88LBCCtqCPl5N2AU9-meXINESmHsU3dUrdYwGX5PKP0EmQUNaxXkN3l7AtW9qDC/s400/P1010589.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.paul.fr/uk/histoire.php">Paul</a> bakery booth (middle)</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwb8KgIDoFB_NR_SNmGUwcd-vRPXrt2me9nnWbprK3bvFxSCL0SgBaw-f2qBlWvcRqK3Max8H3PoG_AnWacBGoVTBgAz183bsDEqW2cFDaolc1o463uZEXJsJkXVawYfj2xOOOXIpFiHu/s400/IMG_4638.JPG" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">the welcoming bushes of the Tuileries, remember, only if you're desperate!</span><br />
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</div><ul></ul>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455204328336265658.post-20260038007127653292009-09-16T12:52:00.116+02:002009-09-22T21:10:06.956+02:00Smile and Say "Cheese!"<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i><br />
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I arrived in Paris 2 years ago not knowing what to expect. All that was certain was that I left a stable life back home: loving family, childhood friends, awesome career, my dog Popo and all the trifle things which completed a typical, happy and comfortable environment for an independent woman in her late 20's. So why did I leave the picture-perfect home? Simple. I was in love with a French man. Call it <span style="font-style: italic;">clich</span><i>é</i>, a fairytale romance or whatever but I couldn't believe that I was about to live a dream which I thought would only remain as one in my head.<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div style="text-align: left;">My first few days as a 'resident' of Paris were a blur since I was recovering from jetlag and sad "goodbyes" at the airport but my husband-to-be fortunately knew me well and whipped out something which would instantly comfort me--food! I distinctly recall the first cheese platter he prepared at home and the sweet thoughts that swept my head seeing that I was finally living in cheese-and-wineland. It was nothing fancy, I remember, but the display of fresh cheese<span style="font-style: italic;"> (fromage)</span> like goat<span style="font-style: italic;">(chevre)</span> , ewe--mature female sheep--(<span style="font-style: italic;">brebis),</span> hard & soft ones paired with pickles (<span style="font-style: italic;">cornichons)</span> and of course red wine(<span style="font-style: italic;">vin rouge) </span>made me smile..BIG!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69eSxTKMrEfUmXP7KakAuJZlXSvv7lULEdJGwuSrmcP6R0TiGH1YzwF7ZjR4ClQsiNBLanIEY88Zb6sc5SIfsaebLfHUf5Nd4MJ3hzAOHf6rRQH0EYoTI_2XYUuPGEqEr7fSh7wzstoMI/s1600-h/IMG_5958.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382072124977261346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69eSxTKMrEfUmXP7KakAuJZlXSvv7lULEdJGwuSrmcP6R0TiGH1YzwF7ZjR4ClQsiNBLanIEY88Zb6sc5SIfsaebLfHUf5Nd4MJ3hzAOHf6rRQH0EYoTI_2XYUuPGEqEr7fSh7wzstoMI/s320/IMG_5958.JPG" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a>I tell you, back where I am from, the cheese I grew up with, in other words readily available and afforable, were the industrial ones like Kraft Cheddar or <a href="http://www.sanmiguel.com.ph/ourprods.aspx?pID=140&cID=2&COID=1&MID=1">Magnolia Quik Melt</a> and the highly priced imported ones from Europe were normally sold in gourmet stores. It is no hidden fact that the French love their cheese but to be living in a culture where the real cheeses are just as affordable and necessary as it is buying a big 1.5L bottle of water is every foodie's dream! Every supermarket(<span style="font-style: italic;">hypermarch</span><i>é</i><span style="font-style: italic;">)</span> like <a href="http://www.monoprix.fr/">Monoprix</a> will carry a perfect array of cheeses and particularly more charming are the numerous cheese stalls in the Sunday fresh markets (ooh wait for that post).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyYvfK37QJIZG4pVWWTJ20JmmHiinJyRAU2G9pZIygS4ieVN_dw0egXe06zCu_gS7HT9pPY7Tky7bmHp69TTuypPLZZZMVZ8VJBRN860iF-toXQB5wjhNu-6Gdne0hdKxv8AjnnXqJDiK/s1600-h/P1010849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyYvfK37QJIZG4pVWWTJ20JmmHiinJyRAU2G9pZIygS4ieVN_dw0egXe06zCu_gS7HT9pPY7Tky7bmHp69TTuypPLZZZMVZ8VJBRN860iF-toXQB5wjhNu-6Gdne0hdKxv8AjnnXqJDiK/s400/P1010849.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> types of <i>fromage de chevre </i><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKW6xD2ilZMUTdftb4rBDaTrJ5U0h___NauRoZl0abQzB8BljjT_ST1fytvkLmKITyVC0yjeInvO_vockOYpHBkkVcywLtdhlyJwvm1EDPA8nXeiDctQ-iCnc-Bq1VH2ccpoii6Pd9GjQw/s1600-h/P1010848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKW6xD2ilZMUTdftb4rBDaTrJ5U0h___NauRoZl0abQzB8BljjT_ST1fytvkLmKITyVC0yjeInvO_vockOYpHBkkVcywLtdhlyJwvm1EDPA8nXeiDctQ-iCnc-Bq1VH2ccpoii6Pd9GjQw/s400/P1010848.JPG" width="402" /></a><br />
</div> Ashed<i> chevre</i> <br />
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And thanks to the many cheese platters I have feasted on during cocktail (hour) or <i>apéro, </i>a common word uttered by the French every 6pm<i>,</i> I soon developed a better palate to know which ones I prefer the most:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3I3Y8mClKS15fwjbFHWPky4_6BGJ0Lm1uIHmECt6VPb3QO22Rn1fh90RYZ5ktYume7dRkOZa1Fu8CZV7QgiggOidLaS39-dy-NMW88gv9GV2kX4JeKg5rI2t9d0p8Au9pofsAgJhyphenhyphenh3VS/s1600-h/etorki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3I3Y8mClKS15fwjbFHWPky4_6BGJ0Lm1uIHmECt6VPb3QO22Rn1fh90RYZ5ktYume7dRkOZa1Fu8CZV7QgiggOidLaS39-dy-NMW88gv9GV2kX4JeKg5rI2t9d0p8Au9pofsAgJhyphenhyphenh3VS/s320/etorki.jpg" width="197" /></a><br />
<a href="http://iledefrancecheese.com/index.php/Etorki/etorki.html">Etorki</a> a Basque--southwestern France--cheese made from pure <i>brebis</i> which I like to pair with fig or apricot jam<i>(confiture)</i> and <a href="http://www.iledefrancecheese.com/index.php/Comt%C3%A9/comte.html">Comt<i>é</i></a> a strong-flavored cow's milk cheese great to sprinkle over warm soups--heavenly combination of the nutty-tasting melted cheese + soup. I can go on endlessly concerning the godliness of cheese in France and its extreme co-dependence with its French consumers and vice-versa but I will save that for another entry.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgT69rQDaSiiGA6TGZZeRafDdaZeAaERfQU4G-jDTnkLqnjqyUEBgf7Vd1mdUd5FiBKNUcE0mR79nomgtkualTrChwJQ6CM2rIuqm52t8fzx4dmF-lNeIEGGVM7eJwZCFo3rP3rydLfvm/s1600-h/IMG_5483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgT69rQDaSiiGA6TGZZeRafDdaZeAaERfQU4G-jDTnkLqnjqyUEBgf7Vd1mdUd5FiBKNUcE0mR79nomgtkualTrChwJQ6CM2rIuqm52t8fzx4dmF-lNeIEGGVM7eJwZCFo3rP3rydLfvm/s400/IMG_5483.JPG" /></a><br />
</div> fig jam and brebis cheese platter at restaurant in <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/corsica">Corsica</a><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So that was my first happy awakening in Paris. The city has enough <span style="font-style: italic;">fromage</span> to pair with my different moods as I learn to adapt to the French way of life, living it to the fullest and the cheesiest, of course. hee-hee.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx73_SoFMuj1Bk3www5GJdQOvZrxG7LnOLk-EaY8pOrTYTXvpriR25kacX95dgNesKTRhtSt3zV2DdHeifWizqIb2DOxJXU4kShMDHhET5HZhYNsdhV51xHRUn6p-JxSYmMIgVjZbos_Se/s1600-h/IMG_3223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx73_SoFMuj1Bk3www5GJdQOvZrxG7LnOLk-EaY8pOrTYTXvpriR25kacX95dgNesKTRhtSt3zV2DdHeifWizqIb2DOxJXU4kShMDHhET5HZhYNsdhV51xHRUn6p-JxSYmMIgVjZbos_Se/s400/IMG_3223.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>The Happy Spectatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474005938925702664noreply@blogger.com2