Paris has implemented a new system of bike rentals around the city. Every 300 metres or so you can find bike stations where you can pick up a bike and then drop it off when you arrive at your destination.
Erik and I have tried it out a couple of times this past week, and have had a lot of fun with it. Despite the fact that it can easily take upwards of five minutes at the one ticket machine for each bike that you rent which means that there's always a line up, the bikes are comfortable, easy to ride, and convenient. There are two stations near our place, however we're less familiar with the locations in the rest of the city, and have spent some time either on bikes, or on foot looking for a point to pick them up or drop them off.
Anyway, in an attempt to speed things up for ourselves, we decided to get the year long pass, which you can have loaded on to your metro card. This should mean that we'll just have to swipe our passes directly at the bike instead of queing at the machine for a ticket.
But, because this is France, nothing is as easy as it seems.
I logged onto the Ve'lib website yesterday to sign up online, and proceeded to happily fill in the boxes while thinking about how easy it was.
Until I got to the last step.
Where it asked me to then print off all the information I had entered and send it to them in the mail.
At least in 15 days I'll be able to ride away from all my frustrations on a shiny rental bike.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Curry Pan
It's 3:00. I'm still in my pyjamas, and still wearing my glasses, and have spent the better part of today (and yesterday) creating this delightful snack and reading Harry Potter.
Yes folks, it's curry-pan, a deep fried bun filled with Japanese-style curry. Erik and I fell in love with this snack that was readily available at all the combinis we visited both times we were in Japan. And since I'm now officially on vacation and have nothing better to do than avoid the rain, I decided I had to give it a try. And despite the amount of time required to make both the curry (dinner last night) and then the buns, both recipes were fairly easy.
So, if you're in the neighbourhood, feel free to stop by for a snack. :)
Recipes can be found here and here.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Lost
I hate losing things. I can never believe that something is really lost. Our living space consists of a mere 38 square metres*. How could two people lose things in such a small space? There's only so many places to look before you go crazy.
Yet, since we've lived here, we've lost more things than I can remember losing elsewhere. The latest missing item, and the cause of our current frustration, is our video card.
Which we of course only noticed was lost as I put my coat on to head out the door and rent the movie (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, for what it's worth. We're in serious HP mode right now. The new book should arrive on Wednesday).
Sigh.
I guess it's time to check my wallet for the fourth time.
*400 square feet
Yet, since we've lived here, we've lost more things than I can remember losing elsewhere. The latest missing item, and the cause of our current frustration, is our video card.
Which we of course only noticed was lost as I put my coat on to head out the door and rent the movie (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, for what it's worth. We're in serious HP mode right now. The new book should arrive on Wednesday).
Sigh.
I guess it's time to check my wallet for the fourth time.
*400 square feet
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The Day After
On Sunday, after a night of celebrating the anniversary of the storming of Bastille we dragged ourselves to the Parc Floral for a picnic, some jazz and some petanque.
Erik couldn't be bothered to sit up
I wish I were still in bed
The twins are looking cheery
And lucky Alex apparently took all these shots, because there aren't any of her. The petanque game that followed got off to a bad start, with the non-French (Alex, Erik and I) losing quite badly to the French (Eric and Philippe), until Alex and I took a break. Then Erik got to play on a winning team.
Erik couldn't be bothered to sit up
I wish I were still in bed
The twins are looking cheery
And lucky Alex apparently took all these shots, because there aren't any of her. The petanque game that followed got off to a bad start, with the non-French (Alex, Erik and I) losing quite badly to the French (Eric and Philippe), until Alex and I took a break. Then Erik got to play on a winning team.
Happy Bastille Day
Of course there are still good times to be had here in Paris, and last Saturday was the Fete National, or what we like to call Bastille Day.
Instead of fighting the massive crowds at the Champ de Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower to see the fireworks, we happily accepted an invitation to dine and drink on the roof of our friend Philippe's apartment in the 2e arrondissement.
After climbing up all seven flights of stairs, we then continued to climb, up a rickety ladder through an open skylight and onto the roof. Now, this wasn't any fancy terrasse, it was literally a roof, that was probably not designed for entertaining 30-odd people. But the views were fantatstic, and the trip to the bathroom an adventure after more than one glass of wine. The twins had cleverly rigged up three electric barbeques, threading the cords down through Philippe's window, and everyone enjoyed a bbq of sausages and brochettes. When it finally got dark around 10:30 the fireworks could be seen at the Eiffel tower, and afterward, when the sun set, we made ourselves comfortable, enjoying the view over the rooftops of this fabulous city.
The view
the way up
Seriously, I left my skinny arms in TO.
Sometimes I have too much fun trying to figure out the settings on the camera. I took a lot of blurry photos that night.
The token fireworks shots
maxing and relaxing
Instead of fighting the massive crowds at the Champ de Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower to see the fireworks, we happily accepted an invitation to dine and drink on the roof of our friend Philippe's apartment in the 2e arrondissement.
After climbing up all seven flights of stairs, we then continued to climb, up a rickety ladder through an open skylight and onto the roof. Now, this wasn't any fancy terrasse, it was literally a roof, that was probably not designed for entertaining 30-odd people. But the views were fantatstic, and the trip to the bathroom an adventure after more than one glass of wine. The twins had cleverly rigged up three electric barbeques, threading the cords down through Philippe's window, and everyone enjoyed a bbq of sausages and brochettes. When it finally got dark around 10:30 the fireworks could be seen at the Eiffel tower, and afterward, when the sun set, we made ourselves comfortable, enjoying the view over the rooftops of this fabulous city.
The view
the way up
Seriously, I left my skinny arms in TO.
Sometimes I have too much fun trying to figure out the settings on the camera. I took a lot of blurry photos that night.
The token fireworks shots
maxing and relaxing
From the Archives...
I am in the process of cleaning up my computer, and I stumbled across these gems. I love looking through old photos!
Summer 2005
At the parkette on Augusta the morning after Erik's defense. I love the fact that Erik is wearing pyjamas. We're on our way either to or from the following four drink breakfast at Sneaky Dee's.
Good times.
November 2005
Us on one of our last nights in Toronto, expressing our true feelings about moving to Paris.
And a few wedding shots, just cause it was so fun. Can we have another one?
August 2005
Conclusions: I had better eyebrows and skinnier arms in Toronto. We drank more beer. We wore more casual clothes. We looked younger (kind of scary to be saying that, and hard to believe cause I still wear my hair in a ponytail, and Erik still owns and wears shirts with slogans such as 'Trust me I'm a Doctor' and 'I love Jesus').
And we had some pretty awesome times.
Summer 2005
At the parkette on Augusta the morning after Erik's defense. I love the fact that Erik is wearing pyjamas. We're on our way either to or from the following four drink breakfast at Sneaky Dee's.
Good times.
November 2005
Us on one of our last nights in Toronto, expressing our true feelings about moving to Paris.
And a few wedding shots, just cause it was so fun. Can we have another one?
August 2005
Conclusions: I had better eyebrows and skinnier arms in Toronto. We drank more beer. We wore more casual clothes. We looked younger (kind of scary to be saying that, and hard to believe cause I still wear my hair in a ponytail, and Erik still owns and wears shirts with slogans such as 'Trust me I'm a Doctor' and 'I love Jesus').
And we had some pretty awesome times.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
300
I just realized that the last post was number 300!!
I hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as I enjoy writing it. It's been a great way for me to record the trials and tribulations of our life since the wedding (almost two years! Time flies when you're having fun) and of our adventures here in gay Par-ee.
Hopefully you are all having a warmer summer than we are. Last summer might have been a canicule, but this summer feels more like November, but with longer days.
A bientot! And leave me some comments. I always love reading them. :)
I hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as I enjoy writing it. It's been a great way for me to record the trials and tribulations of our life since the wedding (almost two years! Time flies when you're having fun) and of our adventures here in gay Par-ee.
Hopefully you are all having a warmer summer than we are. Last summer might have been a canicule, but this summer feels more like November, but with longer days.
A bientot! And leave me some comments. I always love reading them. :)
Bad, Bad, Banking
After having been here for for almost two years, you'd think I'd be used to all the 'quirks' that France has to offer in terms of service. But I was reminded today of one particular quirk, that irritates me to no end, mostly because it just doesn't make any sense.
So, here's the background: Bank machines in France do not accept deposits. They operate on a 'lets give you cash' only basis.
I often have cash that I need to deposit, and have gotten used to the fact that I have to actually go into the bank, wait in line, fill out a complicated form, speak to someone, etc, etc, all to do something that I know I could do in five minutes at a machine in Canada, but its ok, because I can buy wine with my groceries here. So I go into my friendly neighbourhood Tour Montparnasse branch of Societe Generale, and wait in line with my previously filled out form and envelope of cash, and when I finally get to the teller he looks at me and says: "oh, if you have money to deposit, you have to go see another teller. I don't take cash."
Right.
You're a bank.
Only one of the four tellers working accepts cash.
Let me repeat.
You're a BANK.
Clearly, I was wrong in thinking that banks were establishments that TOOK your money for you. Not only does our bank not provide machines to take our money, they also have employees that don't take money.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but what else could they possibly be doing?
Sigh. At least the Monoprix had a Champagne special on today. Otherwise it would have been a really rotten day.
So, here's the background: Bank machines in France do not accept deposits. They operate on a 'lets give you cash' only basis.
I often have cash that I need to deposit, and have gotten used to the fact that I have to actually go into the bank, wait in line, fill out a complicated form, speak to someone, etc, etc, all to do something that I know I could do in five minutes at a machine in Canada, but its ok, because I can buy wine with my groceries here. So I go into my friendly neighbourhood Tour Montparnasse branch of Societe Generale, and wait in line with my previously filled out form and envelope of cash, and when I finally get to the teller he looks at me and says: "oh, if you have money to deposit, you have to go see another teller. I don't take cash."
Right.
You're a bank.
Only one of the four tellers working accepts cash.
Let me repeat.
You're a BANK.
Clearly, I was wrong in thinking that banks were establishments that TOOK your money for you. Not only does our bank not provide machines to take our money, they also have employees that don't take money.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but what else could they possibly be doing?
Sigh. At least the Monoprix had a Champagne special on today. Otherwise it would have been a really rotten day.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Zoe and Mark
A week ago today, we were happy to welcome a surprised Zoe and a scheming Mark back to Paris. Mark surprised Zoe with a trip to this beautiful city.
And because the trip itself wasn't enough of a surprise, he also proposed on Saturday night on Ile de la Cite.
We couldn't be happier for them!
Shortly after the proposal, enjoying a celebratory drink at St Michel
Canada Day dinner chez nous
Out for dinner at Ave Maria on Thursday night
One of our favorites...the happy meal of wines, Sangre de Torro
No night out in the 11th is complete without a trip to the scary bathroom bar. Erik and the girls display the complimentary beer Erik got as we left for the evening.
A chilly picnic on Friday night at Quai St Bernard
Watching the sunset
Tango dancing along the Seine
It's been a great week, and I have to say, I'm getting used to having Zoe back in Paris. Wish she could stay!
And because the trip itself wasn't enough of a surprise, he also proposed on Saturday night on Ile de la Cite.
We couldn't be happier for them!
Shortly after the proposal, enjoying a celebratory drink at St Michel
Canada Day dinner chez nous
Out for dinner at Ave Maria on Thursday night
One of our favorites...the happy meal of wines, Sangre de Torro
No night out in the 11th is complete without a trip to the scary bathroom bar. Erik and the girls display the complimentary beer Erik got as we left for the evening.
A chilly picnic on Friday night at Quai St Bernard
Watching the sunset
Tango dancing along the Seine
It's been a great week, and I have to say, I'm getting used to having Zoe back in Paris. Wish she could stay!
Tears of Joy
otherwise knows as TGIWs (or Thank Goodness it Works!!!).
I couldn't have been happier this afternoon.
After a long week of summer school, which involved lots of squeezing my hips into chairs built for three year olds, convincing kids to eat lunches that were really not that appetizing, and repeatedly trying to get the same three boys to stop wrestling each other, not to mention setting off the school alarm and my colleague breaking a molar on a piece of bread, I was quite happy to discover upon my return home today that our beloved elevator WAS WORKING!!!
Nothing tarnishes the joys of returning home after a gruelling day at work more than the thought of climbing up seven flights of stairs, especially after having stood on the two different metro trains home, and for most of the day. I can't say that we've gotten used to taking the stairs in the month or so that the elevator has been out of service as it's been a bit of a tease to come into the building and see the elevator RIGHT THERE, and then notice the sign that announces it's unavailability until July 15th (yes, it's done early!!!). I have gotten into the habit of planning my day to involve the LEAST amount of trips up the stairs of death, and it is slightly amusing to welcome guests into your home in the very breathless state that most people assume after finishing the climb (well, the breathlessness starts around the third floor, I think, for most people).
Anyway, that's my exciting news for today. There have been many other exciting things that have happened this week, but I'll have to share them with you tomorrow, because I am Tired.
Bonne Nuit!
I couldn't have been happier this afternoon.
After a long week of summer school, which involved lots of squeezing my hips into chairs built for three year olds, convincing kids to eat lunches that were really not that appetizing, and repeatedly trying to get the same three boys to stop wrestling each other, not to mention setting off the school alarm and my colleague breaking a molar on a piece of bread, I was quite happy to discover upon my return home today that our beloved elevator WAS WORKING!!!
Nothing tarnishes the joys of returning home after a gruelling day at work more than the thought of climbing up seven flights of stairs, especially after having stood on the two different metro trains home, and for most of the day. I can't say that we've gotten used to taking the stairs in the month or so that the elevator has been out of service as it's been a bit of a tease to come into the building and see the elevator RIGHT THERE, and then notice the sign that announces it's unavailability until July 15th (yes, it's done early!!!). I have gotten into the habit of planning my day to involve the LEAST amount of trips up the stairs of death, and it is slightly amusing to welcome guests into your home in the very breathless state that most people assume after finishing the climb (well, the breathlessness starts around the third floor, I think, for most people).
Anyway, that's my exciting news for today. There have been many other exciting things that have happened this week, but I'll have to share them with you tomorrow, because I am Tired.
Bonne Nuit!
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