Now that the fun of the transit strike is over, France has moved on to one of it's other favorite pastimes.
I wonder what will be next?
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Salon des vins
Eh, it's late, and it's been a long day, so you'll have to make do with these pretty lousy pictures. We were very excited about having remembered the camera this time, but seemed to forget about it pretty quickly once the fun got started.
Oh, and mental note: spending the afternoon at the wine show, then having people over for dinner on a Sunday night may make Monday morning a bit more difficult than usual. At least I didn't have a presentation to do....
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Sunday Afternoon
Today I took a day off from the gym, partly due to utter physical exhaustion, and partly due to the extreme hassle of getting there because of the transit strike.
It was nice to have a day to myself, except it's been so long I almost didn't know what to do.
First on the list of things I wanted to was baking, but our lack of sufficient butter meant that a trip out of the house was going to be necessary. We decided to take a walk down to the park before hand, as it's been awhile since we've been there.
Unfortunately for us wimpy Canadians, it was absolutely freezing today. We wandered through the art market on our way to the park, and quickly decided that a having hot chocolate in the cafe near the park would be much more enjoyable than actually walking through the park. And it was, especially for Erik who ordered a shot of Bailey's to go with his.
Once the butter was procured, we headed home. I started baking, and Erik set out once again on video detail. We rented Amelie and C.R.A.Z.Y., and enjoyed a cozy afternoon watching French movies and eating cookies. In bed. Cause we don't have a couch, and it's cold outside.
And now we return to our regular Sunday Night Routine, where Erik cooks, we listen to our Sunday Night Dinner playlist and drink wine. C'est la vie!
***
On an unrelated note, we went out for an Argentinian dinner last night to celebrate our Franceversary. I started with empanadas, Erik with grilled Boudin sausage, and we shared 650grms of Baby Beef, an absolutely delicious peice of Argentine beef grilled to perfection and served with salad and fries. We really didn't have room for dessert, but I am physically incapable of saying no to anything sweet, so we both had things featuring dulce de leche. Mine was a simple banana smothered in the stuff, and Erik's a sort of pastry with rum filling and cream cheese/whipped cream on the side. Yum.
Les Grillades de Beunos Aires
54 rue du Montparnasse,
75014 Paris
01 43 21 56 74
It was nice to have a day to myself, except it's been so long I almost didn't know what to do.
First on the list of things I wanted to was baking, but our lack of sufficient butter meant that a trip out of the house was going to be necessary. We decided to take a walk down to the park before hand, as it's been awhile since we've been there.
Unfortunately for us wimpy Canadians, it was absolutely freezing today. We wandered through the art market on our way to the park, and quickly decided that a having hot chocolate in the cafe near the park would be much more enjoyable than actually walking through the park. And it was, especially for Erik who ordered a shot of Bailey's to go with his.
Once the butter was procured, we headed home. I started baking, and Erik set out once again on video detail. We rented Amelie and C.R.A.Z.Y., and enjoyed a cozy afternoon watching French movies and eating cookies. In bed. Cause we don't have a couch, and it's cold outside.
And now we return to our regular Sunday Night Routine, where Erik cooks, we listen to our Sunday Night Dinner playlist and drink wine. C'est la vie!
***
On an unrelated note, we went out for an Argentinian dinner last night to celebrate our Franceversary. I started with empanadas, Erik with grilled Boudin sausage, and we shared 650grms of Baby Beef, an absolutely delicious peice of Argentine beef grilled to perfection and served with salad and fries. We really didn't have room for dessert, but I am physically incapable of saying no to anything sweet, so we both had things featuring dulce de leche. Mine was a simple banana smothered in the stuff, and Erik's a sort of pastry with rum filling and cream cheese/whipped cream on the side. Yum.
Les Grillades de Beunos Aires
54 rue du Montparnasse,
75014 Paris
01 43 21 56 74
Friday, November 16, 2007
Happy France-iversary to Us!
Yesterday, November 15 was the two-year mark of our lives in France.
And you know what, France was nice enough to get us a gift.
A lovely transit strike, that started on Wednesday.
But I have to say, that despite the hassles of extremely limited service, it hasn't really been too bad (ha ha, I say that now that I'm home on a Friday afternoon, with the heat on). On Wednesday morning I enjoyed a nice Velib ride up to St Lazare train station to catch one of the few trains that took me out to the American School, two hours early. On Thursday morning I squeezed my way onto the metro after a 25 minute wait, then walked from Passy to school. That evening I walked 40 minutes to the line 1 station at the Etoile to catch the train out to Nation so I could teach a fitness class. Luckily I didn't have to wait too long for the line 6 once I was done, and enjoyed a much needed seat on a quite empty train all the way home. And today I was lucky in the morning to catch both of my very crowded trains and make it to school early. On all of the way-overpacked trains I've been on the last couple of days, people have been generally pleasant, and even helpful. We're all in the same boat, I guess, and I'm sure none of us would choose to get sucked into a stampede of people while entering a train, or to spend our ride with our cheeks pressed up against the glass, praying that no one will get off or on at the next station.
And there is some consolation in knowing that despite the fact that I have spent more time walking and biking in the cold than I would normally do, I've also gotten to spend more time appreciating how beautiful this city was.
I biked all the way home from school today and as I cursed the cold and choked back exhaust, I couldn't help but appreciate the view as I crossed over the Seine. Eiffey on one side, the Statue of Liberty on the other, and calm river waters as far as the eye can see . A wrong turn took me through an interesting neighbourhood that we'll have to check out some day. Warmed my heart enough to get me home.
And so, here I am, feeling very at home in Paris, and also excited about the year to come. We still face all the same unknowns (dare I say that I'm getting used to not knowing what our plans are?) that we have for the last two years, but we're also getting quite used to our lives here, and feel more and more each day like we 'belong'. We handled the renewal of our cartes de sejour like pros, scowling for photos, lining up in the cold and leaving everything to the last minute. We are starting to forget what it was like to have more than 36 square metres of living space. We think it's incredibly strange to eat before 8:00 (and the one night we did, we both woke up starving in the middle of the night). And, I can't imagine life in a city that doesn't sell fresh bread and pastries at every street corner and wine at the grocery store.
So let me raise my (imaginary--it is after all 3:00 in the afternoon) glass of Beaujolais Nouveau (plus if I was to have a glass of wine right now, I'd want a good one, not the banana-y stuff we had last night) and toast our vie a Paris. Let's hope this third year is the best one yet.
And you know what, France was nice enough to get us a gift.
A lovely transit strike, that started on Wednesday.
But I have to say, that despite the hassles of extremely limited service, it hasn't really been too bad (ha ha, I say that now that I'm home on a Friday afternoon, with the heat on). On Wednesday morning I enjoyed a nice Velib ride up to St Lazare train station to catch one of the few trains that took me out to the American School, two hours early. On Thursday morning I squeezed my way onto the metro after a 25 minute wait, then walked from Passy to school. That evening I walked 40 minutes to the line 1 station at the Etoile to catch the train out to Nation so I could teach a fitness class. Luckily I didn't have to wait too long for the line 6 once I was done, and enjoyed a much needed seat on a quite empty train all the way home. And today I was lucky in the morning to catch both of my very crowded trains and make it to school early. On all of the way-overpacked trains I've been on the last couple of days, people have been generally pleasant, and even helpful. We're all in the same boat, I guess, and I'm sure none of us would choose to get sucked into a stampede of people while entering a train, or to spend our ride with our cheeks pressed up against the glass, praying that no one will get off or on at the next station.
And there is some consolation in knowing that despite the fact that I have spent more time walking and biking in the cold than I would normally do, I've also gotten to spend more time appreciating how beautiful this city was.
I biked all the way home from school today and as I cursed the cold and choked back exhaust, I couldn't help but appreciate the view as I crossed over the Seine. Eiffey on one side, the Statue of Liberty on the other, and calm river waters as far as the eye can see . A wrong turn took me through an interesting neighbourhood that we'll have to check out some day. Warmed my heart enough to get me home.
And so, here I am, feeling very at home in Paris, and also excited about the year to come. We still face all the same unknowns (dare I say that I'm getting used to not knowing what our plans are?) that we have for the last two years, but we're also getting quite used to our lives here, and feel more and more each day like we 'belong'. We handled the renewal of our cartes de sejour like pros, scowling for photos, lining up in the cold and leaving everything to the last minute. We are starting to forget what it was like to have more than 36 square metres of living space. We think it's incredibly strange to eat before 8:00 (and the one night we did, we both woke up starving in the middle of the night). And, I can't imagine life in a city that doesn't sell fresh bread and pastries at every street corner and wine at the grocery store.
So let me raise my (imaginary--it is after all 3:00 in the afternoon) glass of Beaujolais Nouveau (plus if I was to have a glass of wine right now, I'd want a good one, not the banana-y stuff we had last night) and toast our vie a Paris. Let's hope this third year is the best one yet.
Friday, November 02, 2007
A True Scientist
Erik sent me this article today. I'm always asking him to give me sources when he tells me 'facts', and well, look what he found today. Looks like we're going to be spending more post-gym time at the Raspail Vert from now on. :)
Study: Beer beats water for hydration
GRENADA, Spain, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Researchers at Granada University in Spain said drinking beer after strenuous physical activity can be beneficial for the body.
The scientists said their study found beer can help dehydrated people retain liquid better than water alone, The Telegraph, a Biritsh newspaper, reported Friday.
Professor Manuel Garzon, who led the study, said the bubbles in beer can help quench thirst and the carbohydrates in the beverage can help make up for burned calories.
The study involved a group of students asked to perform strenuous activities at a temperature of about 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Half of the students were given a pint of beer after their exercise and half were given a pint of water. Garzon said the hydration affect on the beer drinkers was "slightly better" than the sober group.
Juan Antonio Corbalan, a cardiologist who has worked with Real Madrid football players and Spain's national basketball team, told The Telegraph he has long recommended beer to professional sportsmen after exhausting activities, as the drink is optimal for rehydrating the body.
Study: Beer beats water for hydration
GRENADA, Spain, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Researchers at Granada University in Spain said drinking beer after strenuous physical activity can be beneficial for the body.
The scientists said their study found beer can help dehydrated people retain liquid better than water alone, The Telegraph, a Biritsh newspaper, reported Friday.
Professor Manuel Garzon, who led the study, said the bubbles in beer can help quench thirst and the carbohydrates in the beverage can help make up for burned calories.
The study involved a group of students asked to perform strenuous activities at a temperature of about 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Half of the students were given a pint of beer after their exercise and half were given a pint of water. Garzon said the hydration affect on the beer drinkers was "slightly better" than the sober group.
Juan Antonio Corbalan, a cardiologist who has worked with Real Madrid football players and Spain's national basketball team, told The Telegraph he has long recommended beer to professional sportsmen after exhausting activities, as the drink is optimal for rehydrating the body.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Field Trip
Today is All Saints Day, a holiday here in France. Since I'm already on holiday, it was business as usual for me, or almost as usual because lucky Erik also took the day off.
A journee feriee calls for a sleep in, my first in almost two weeks (it's been a busy vacation so far!). Also on our list for the day were a trip through the brocante along Edgar Quinet (Erik is looking for a guitar) and a trip out to the magasin d'usines on Ile St Denis, north of the city.
Unfortunately we didn't find any guitars at the brocante, but had more luck at the outlet store. We were both in the market for new running shoes, and Erik was desperately in need of new work shoes. This mall is currently having a promotion where if you buy three items, the third is only 1 euro. So, we walked out of the Nike store with three pairs of baskets for only slightly more than the price of one new pair at a regular store. Erik also found a suitable (read: exactly the same) replacement for his work shoes, so he can now enjoy the walk to work without any unwanted ventilation. :)
We've just enjoyed a typical Sunday evening of cooking, kir and iTunes, enhanced by the fact that it's not Sunday yet, and we'll get to do it again in a couple of days. Sometimes we're just so lame.
Oh, we've also managed to squeeze in as many episodes of the Office as we can. So. Freaking. Funny. And to think we didn't think we'd enjoy it cause neither of us work in an office. Hah.
So there you go, a glimpse into our glamorous lives here in Paris. (insert eye roll here)
Hope everyone had a scary Halloween.
A journee feriee calls for a sleep in, my first in almost two weeks (it's been a busy vacation so far!). Also on our list for the day were a trip through the brocante along Edgar Quinet (Erik is looking for a guitar) and a trip out to the magasin d'usines on Ile St Denis, north of the city.
Unfortunately we didn't find any guitars at the brocante, but had more luck at the outlet store. We were both in the market for new running shoes, and Erik was desperately in need of new work shoes. This mall is currently having a promotion where if you buy three items, the third is only 1 euro. So, we walked out of the Nike store with three pairs of baskets for only slightly more than the price of one new pair at a regular store. Erik also found a suitable (read: exactly the same) replacement for his work shoes, so he can now enjoy the walk to work without any unwanted ventilation. :)
We've just enjoyed a typical Sunday evening of cooking, kir and iTunes, enhanced by the fact that it's not Sunday yet, and we'll get to do it again in a couple of days. Sometimes we're just so lame.
Oh, we've also managed to squeeze in as many episodes of the Office as we can. So. Freaking. Funny. And to think we didn't think we'd enjoy it cause neither of us work in an office. Hah.
So there you go, a glimpse into our glamorous lives here in Paris. (insert eye roll here)
Hope everyone had a scary Halloween.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Slacking....
Yes, the blog has been a bit slow lately. I've been on strike. Still waiting for Erik to write about his trip to the rugby game.
However, I realize that I might be fighting a losing battle, and I do really like blogging, things have just been a bit quiet around here lately. So, in honour of Sunday afternoons, here's a mishmash of the goings on of our lives lately...
Thursday was the start of the lovely transit strike here in France. The big train unions are fighting changes to their pension plans that the government is proposing. This meant that as of Thursday morning, all trains, buses and trams were to be severely perturbe-d, or quasi nul. Teachers at school were predicting that all metro stations would be completely closed, but lo and behold, on Wednesday night I discovered that certain lines would have limited service, including one of the ones I use on Thursdays. So, I set out 30 minutes earlier than usual on Thursday morning to try and catch the line 6 to Passy. The train came after a brief wait on the platform, and was emptier than usual. The walk from Passy to school is a window shoppers treat, and only 15 minutes to boot, so I was feeling pretty positive about things by the time I got to work (early).
The way home was another story.
The walk to Passy was less fun after a day on my feet. After waiting for 20 minutes, a train pulls into the station, absolutely packed. People are crammed into the cars with their cheeks glued to the windows. I think only three people got off, and I certainly couldn't get on. The line 6 is above ground from Passy almost all the way to Montparnasse, so I set out to the next station, hoping that more people would be getting off at that station by the time the next train came. After 15 minutes on the platform at Bir Hakeim (about 25 minutes since that last train), I finally decided it was time to start walking. I walked under the train tracks all the way to Cambronne before finding a Velib station, only to choose a bike with a broken chain (mental note--check chain before taking next bike). You have to wait about five minutes between returning a bike and renting a new one, and I was pretty cranky by this point, so I just kept walking. The next Velib station was only two metro stops before Montparnasse, and there was only one bike, which I snapped up quicker than you can say 'stupid train strike'. Ten minutes later I was at home drinking kir royale (I have a great husband :) ).
Two hours of walking, however, and I still like France. Service was perturbe-d all weekend, and Erik had to work from home both Thursday and Friday, but I think things are finally back to normal.
Now isn't this exciting stuff?
What else...
Rugby. In case you didn't know, France came in fourth, they lost a second time to Argentina on Friday night. The final between England and South Africa was Saturday, and although I watched the. entire. game. I have to say that the most entertaining parts were at the very end. The shots of the guy engraving South Africa onto the cup. No pressure there. The kid who threw a temper tantrum while walking the cup out onto the field. Classic. He'll love that footage when he's 16. And then, after all that, the freshly engraved base FALLS OFF the cup. More than once. It doesn't get much better than that.
Gymming. I've turned my obsession into a potential fourth job. I've been teaching classes with another instructor every weekend for the past month or so, and taught all by my lonesome a couple of weeks ago. In French, thank you very much. You'll be relieved to know that a grapevine in French is, wait for it, grapevine. Step touch, yup, still a step touch (although I try and say it more like steep tooch). Jumping jacks? Just call 'em jacks over here. It's not too tough, although I'm still not super keen on hearing my accent over the mic. This coming weekend I'm going to a BodyPump formation, which is one of the classes I've been teaching.
And then, I'm on vacation for ten days. Because god forbid I should work more than six weeks without some time off. I know, la vie est dur. And because French kids spend too much time in school, its been decided that as of next year, they won't be going to school on Saturdays anymore. They'll have to make up the time somehow, but people don't seem to keen to give up their Wednesdays off. Heck, I'd give up a free Wednesday if the alternative was less vacation time. But I don't get Wednesdays off, so I guess what I want doesn't really matter.
There. I think I've written enough about nothing.
Now it's your turn. If I can do it, so can you. Drop us a line and let us know how you're doing.
:)
ps. No, I didn't make a pumpkin pie. It's still on the 'must bake' list, but I haven't found any pumpkin yet. I did make cinnamon buns this morning (well, it was 5:00pm by the time they were finally finished) and Erik and I ate half of the pan. We were pretty sure we could finish the entire thing, but apparently we have some kind of self control.
However, I realize that I might be fighting a losing battle, and I do really like blogging, things have just been a bit quiet around here lately. So, in honour of Sunday afternoons, here's a mishmash of the goings on of our lives lately...
Thursday was the start of the lovely transit strike here in France. The big train unions are fighting changes to their pension plans that the government is proposing. This meant that as of Thursday morning, all trains, buses and trams were to be severely perturbe-d, or quasi nul. Teachers at school were predicting that all metro stations would be completely closed, but lo and behold, on Wednesday night I discovered that certain lines would have limited service, including one of the ones I use on Thursdays. So, I set out 30 minutes earlier than usual on Thursday morning to try and catch the line 6 to Passy. The train came after a brief wait on the platform, and was emptier than usual. The walk from Passy to school is a window shoppers treat, and only 15 minutes to boot, so I was feeling pretty positive about things by the time I got to work (early).
The way home was another story.
The walk to Passy was less fun after a day on my feet. After waiting for 20 minutes, a train pulls into the station, absolutely packed. People are crammed into the cars with their cheeks glued to the windows. I think only three people got off, and I certainly couldn't get on. The line 6 is above ground from Passy almost all the way to Montparnasse, so I set out to the next station, hoping that more people would be getting off at that station by the time the next train came. After 15 minutes on the platform at Bir Hakeim (about 25 minutes since that last train), I finally decided it was time to start walking. I walked under the train tracks all the way to Cambronne before finding a Velib station, only to choose a bike with a broken chain (mental note--check chain before taking next bike). You have to wait about five minutes between returning a bike and renting a new one, and I was pretty cranky by this point, so I just kept walking. The next Velib station was only two metro stops before Montparnasse, and there was only one bike, which I snapped up quicker than you can say 'stupid train strike'. Ten minutes later I was at home drinking kir royale (I have a great husband :) ).
Two hours of walking, however, and I still like France. Service was perturbe-d all weekend, and Erik had to work from home both Thursday and Friday, but I think things are finally back to normal.
Now isn't this exciting stuff?
What else...
Rugby. In case you didn't know, France came in fourth, they lost a second time to Argentina on Friday night. The final between England and South Africa was Saturday, and although I watched the. entire. game. I have to say that the most entertaining parts were at the very end. The shots of the guy engraving South Africa onto the cup. No pressure there. The kid who threw a temper tantrum while walking the cup out onto the field. Classic. He'll love that footage when he's 16. And then, after all that, the freshly engraved base FALLS OFF the cup. More than once. It doesn't get much better than that.
Gymming. I've turned my obsession into a potential fourth job. I've been teaching classes with another instructor every weekend for the past month or so, and taught all by my lonesome a couple of weeks ago. In French, thank you very much. You'll be relieved to know that a grapevine in French is, wait for it, grapevine. Step touch, yup, still a step touch (although I try and say it more like steep tooch). Jumping jacks? Just call 'em jacks over here. It's not too tough, although I'm still not super keen on hearing my accent over the mic. This coming weekend I'm going to a BodyPump formation, which is one of the classes I've been teaching.
And then, I'm on vacation for ten days. Because god forbid I should work more than six weeks without some time off. I know, la vie est dur. And because French kids spend too much time in school, its been decided that as of next year, they won't be going to school on Saturdays anymore. They'll have to make up the time somehow, but people don't seem to keen to give up their Wednesdays off. Heck, I'd give up a free Wednesday if the alternative was less vacation time. But I don't get Wednesdays off, so I guess what I want doesn't really matter.
There. I think I've written enough about nothing.
Now it's your turn. If I can do it, so can you. Drop us a line and let us know how you're doing.
:)
ps. No, I didn't make a pumpkin pie. It's still on the 'must bake' list, but I haven't found any pumpkin yet. I did make cinnamon buns this morning (well, it was 5:00pm by the time they were finally finished) and Erik and I ate half of the pan. We were pretty sure we could finish the entire thing, but apparently we have some kind of self control.
Monday, October 08, 2007
We're still here! I know it's been awhile, but the most exciting thing that has happened in the past couple of weeks is the rugby game that Erik went to see, and so the pressure's on him to write about that.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! No turkey for us, although maybe I'll see if I can make a pumpkin pie...
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! No turkey for us, although maybe I'll see if I can make a pumpkin pie...
Monday, September 17, 2007
Happy Retirement, Joan!
Erik is actually currently in St Albert, helping his mom celebrate her retirement. Joan was lucky enough to have not only Erik, but Steve arrive for the weekend, and I have to say I'm very sorry I wasn't able to go. I hear the party was wonderful, and judging from the pictures, it looks like everyone had a good time (apparently it was so fun Steve felt he needed to wear a helmet?)
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Still Kickin'
Just want to let everyone know that we're still alive and kicking. Haven't had much to blog about since our 'social coordinator' moved to Switzerland and left us to our own devices.
Paris has come alive again after a nice quiet August, and with the rentree brings the delight of marathon queuing at the grocery store as everyone stocks up on school supplies (have I already written about this???? I'm having 'deja typed'). To add to that fun, last week we got to deal with not only the Canadian International Tax Office (whose phone was busy for what seemed like a week straight. Never did get to talk to them) but the Centre des Impots here in France. Let me tell you, you haven't had a good time till you've spent the night dealing with French taxes. Not even a bottle of red wine can numb the pain.
Other than that, things have been pretty quiet around here, getting back into the routine of working (gasp!) has left me pretty exhausted, and with the standard 'back to school' cold that's just bad enough to make you feel tired and achy, but not bad enough to actually call yourself sick. Fun times.
Hope everyone is doing well.
:)
Paris has come alive again after a nice quiet August, and with the rentree brings the delight of marathon queuing at the grocery store as everyone stocks up on school supplies (have I already written about this???? I'm having 'deja typed'). To add to that fun, last week we got to deal with not only the Canadian International Tax Office (whose phone was busy for what seemed like a week straight. Never did get to talk to them) but the Centre des Impots here in France. Let me tell you, you haven't had a good time till you've spent the night dealing with French taxes. Not even a bottle of red wine can numb the pain.
Other than that, things have been pretty quiet around here, getting back into the routine of working (gasp!) has left me pretty exhausted, and with the standard 'back to school' cold that's just bad enough to make you feel tired and achy, but not bad enough to actually call yourself sick. Fun times.
Hope everyone is doing well.
:)
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Questions
My summer vacation is almost over. As much as I am going to miss surfing the Internet and reading Anthony Bourdain books (highly recommend Kitchen Confidential, A Cooks Tour and The Nasty Bits) I am looking forward to seeing the kids and teachers again on a regular basis. The start of all school years seem to involve some sort of shopping, it wouldn't be a new year after all without some retail therapy to numb the pain of the end of your freedom. As a result I spent some quality time at WH Smith picking up some books for school, and I also splurged on some new clothes for the fall (a necessity seeing as I've been wearing the same clothes for almost 12 straight months now. The summer skirts and dresses never stood a chance in this weather).
Hmmm...that was a bit of a tangent. My whole point today was that I was checking my stat counter today (something that I probably won't get around to doing very often once school starts), and I'm always surprised by who is reading this blog. StatCounter is a handy little tool that can tell you the countries and sometimes the cities of the people reading this blog. I like to think that it's mostly people that we know who are reading, but I'm not so naive to think that anything on the Internet is that private. I think I can make some pretty good guesses about the make up of the Canadian contingent, and I'm going to assume that Steve makes up the 3% Japanese readership but almost 50% of the readers are apparently coming from the States and someone in Germany logged on yesterday. So, who are you? I know you're reading :)
Leave me a comment, or send me an email. The curiosity is killing me!
Hmmm...that was a bit of a tangent. My whole point today was that I was checking my stat counter today (something that I probably won't get around to doing very often once school starts), and I'm always surprised by who is reading this blog. StatCounter is a handy little tool that can tell you the countries and sometimes the cities of the people reading this blog. I like to think that it's mostly people that we know who are reading, but I'm not so naive to think that anything on the Internet is that private. I think I can make some pretty good guesses about the make up of the Canadian contingent, and I'm going to assume that Steve makes up the 3% Japanese readership but almost 50% of the readers are apparently coming from the States and someone in Germany logged on yesterday. So, who are you? I know you're reading :)
Leave me a comment, or send me an email. The curiosity is killing me!
Monday, August 27, 2007
How to ruin a good night
1. Arrive at Alex's with two bottles of Champagne in tow (the payment she requested for the bookshelf she is selling us)
2. Pop the champagne, and enjoy it with a delicious meal prepared by your host.
3. When the champagne is gone, drink the 'coke-hitos' that Alex has created in an attempt to finish up the duty free vodka that she has (yes, the drinks contained neither rum, nor lime, but since we are mojito obsessed, and had mint, we figured the name was appropriate).
4. Open up the bottle of Baron to drink with the cheese course, and dessert (pain perdu)
5. Head out for the Scary Bathroom Bar. Enjoy the 15 minute walk through the deserted streets of Paris.
6. Arrive at SBB and greet the owner with kisses (us) and handshakes (Erik).
7. Order the obligatory bottle of rose, and inform the owner that this is Alex's last weekend in Paris.
8. Begin taking the necessary drink induced silly photographs.
9. Realize that Alex's bag is missing when she reaches for her camera (camera was actually forgotten at home).
10. Sober up quickly when you realize that Alex's bag is REALLY missing, search the entire bar, the streets, and the bar again.
11. Try and figure out how it could have disappeared when there were only about ten other people in the bar, the bag was on my chair, and none of us saw anyone pass behind us.
12. Leave SBB without even using the bathroom, and hop in a cab so that Alex can begin cancelling all her cards.
13. Have an impromptu sleep-over because Alex's house keys were in the bag that was taken.
Luckily Alex was able to get back into her apartment the next day, and all her cards were cancelled on time. We all went to Rock en Seine on Sunday, and although the weather was great, the bag theft certainly cast a grey cloud over the remainder of the weekend.
2. Pop the champagne, and enjoy it with a delicious meal prepared by your host.
3. When the champagne is gone, drink the 'coke-hitos' that Alex has created in an attempt to finish up the duty free vodka that she has (yes, the drinks contained neither rum, nor lime, but since we are mojito obsessed, and had mint, we figured the name was appropriate).
4. Open up the bottle of Baron to drink with the cheese course, and dessert (pain perdu)
5. Head out for the Scary Bathroom Bar. Enjoy the 15 minute walk through the deserted streets of Paris.
6. Arrive at SBB and greet the owner with kisses (us) and handshakes (Erik).
7. Order the obligatory bottle of rose, and inform the owner that this is Alex's last weekend in Paris.
8. Begin taking the necessary drink induced silly photographs.
9. Realize that Alex's bag is missing when she reaches for her camera (camera was actually forgotten at home).
10. Sober up quickly when you realize that Alex's bag is REALLY missing, search the entire bar, the streets, and the bar again.
11. Try and figure out how it could have disappeared when there were only about ten other people in the bar, the bag was on my chair, and none of us saw anyone pass behind us.
12. Leave SBB without even using the bathroom, and hop in a cab so that Alex can begin cancelling all her cards.
13. Have an impromptu sleep-over because Alex's house keys were in the bag that was taken.
Luckily Alex was able to get back into her apartment the next day, and all her cards were cancelled on time. We all went to Rock en Seine on Sunday, and although the weather was great, the bag theft certainly cast a grey cloud over the remainder of the weekend.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
More pictures
On the road
Looking through the vineyards to the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot
Standing next to one of the huge grape presses at the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot
In the caves at the Marche des Vins in Beaune
We are wine tasting experts!
Yes, we are drinking out of metal saucer shaped things called tastevins
We thought this was a pretty funny thing to have written on a wine glass.
And then the camera battery died. You know how you always forget one thing when you go away? We forgot the battery charger.
Looking through the vineyards to the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot
Standing next to one of the huge grape presses at the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot
In the caves at the Marche des Vins in Beaune
We are wine tasting experts!
Yes, we are drinking out of metal saucer shaped things called tastevins
We thought this was a pretty funny thing to have written on a wine glass.
And then the camera battery died. You know how you always forget one thing when you go away? We forgot the battery charger.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Happy Anniversary to Us!
On Monday August 13th, we celebrated our second wedding anniversary by getting up really early and catching the TGV to Dijon.
We spent the day climbing towers
Checking out the lucky 'chouette' (owl)
and having cocktails on a patio.
Apparently two years of marriage doesn't agree with me. Or maybe after two years of marriage Erik is getting better at catching some of my finer faces on camera.
Then we got dressed up and treated ourselves to our first one-Michelin-starred restaurant dining experience at the Hostellerie du Chapeau Rouge. It was fantastic. I now want to eat like that all the time.
And here's a particularly unflattering picture of us before dinner.
We spent the day climbing towers
Checking out the lucky 'chouette' (owl)
and having cocktails on a patio.
Apparently two years of marriage doesn't agree with me. Or maybe after two years of marriage Erik is getting better at catching some of my finer faces on camera.
Then we got dressed up and treated ourselves to our first one-Michelin-starred restaurant dining experience at the Hostellerie du Chapeau Rouge. It was fantastic. I now want to eat like that all the time.
And here's a particularly unflattering picture of us before dinner.
Ouch!
We were so convinced it was going to rain, we forgot to put on sunscreen. We did however learn that 'farmer's tan' translates quite literally into 'bronzage de fermier'.
Compare and Contrast
Biking day one Germany, last summer
Biking, day one Dijon on Monday. Less rain, more maps, and more fun. Oh, and better bikes.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Visitors
Steve and Christy arrived in Paris, and we had a great weekend catching up, and enjoying the fantastic weather. We spent Saturday afternoon taking advantage of various patios, then on Sunday they came over for dinner.
The joys of Ve'lib. We ended up walking all the way home from Hotel de Ville because we couldn't find two bikes. We stopped at all the stations on our route home, finally returning my bike after our fifth stop. What a pain!
The joys of Ve'lib. We ended up walking all the way home from Hotel de Ville because we couldn't find two bikes. We stopped at all the stations on our route home, finally returning my bike after our fifth stop. What a pain!
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