I know I don't post all that frequently, and definitely less than I'd like. But I can tell you now, I won't be posting for at least a week, if not 2.
I am going on holiday tomorrow up to Norway - first Oslo, then Tromso. Please hope and pray for clear skies because it's a Northern Lights excursion! And, how cool is this, I'll be in the Arctic Circle!
Then, when I get back (Sunday the 1st), it is moving week. I have my apartment inspection with the landlord, the movers, the plumbing inspection guy, the cable guy and who knows what else? Oh, right - work. I think I'm still on track for being "all settled" here by 1st April!
As for the title of this post : it's because I've started watching Alias again and am caught up in all the jargon.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Random observations (animals)
--Ok, Amy, Gwen, Joe & I went to the first of 3 appointments Thursday to get our Carte de Sejours (residency permit). Amy and Gwen finished and left, I waited around for Joe. Joe was all set, so we thought we'd stop at a cafe and then call it a day (it was about 4:00). Fine.
We are in a cafe in Place de Clichy (17th / 18th arr.) and hear birds chirping. Yes, we are IN the cafe. We look up and in one of the vents (picture your a/c-heat vent that is usually on the floor) there are lots of tufts of feathers sticking out of it and the chirping is obviously from there.
I figure if the economy gets bad in Paris, they could hire a few health inspectors because they're obviously low on them right now. Or, hire trainers for them!
--After leaving the cafe, I go "home" and drop off my stuff, have dinner and then start walking to bell choir. As I'm waiting to cross the street, a guy holding a rope that is attached to 4 donkeys/ponies comes strolling along down the street behind a car. Huh? All I can figure is these poor animals are used in some way at the Eiffel Tower for children to sit on or tourists to take pictures or some undignified thing. Of course, didn't have my camera.
We are in a cafe in Place de Clichy (17th / 18th arr.) and hear birds chirping. Yes, we are IN the cafe. We look up and in one of the vents (picture your a/c-heat vent that is usually on the floor) there are lots of tufts of feathers sticking out of it and the chirping is obviously from there.
I figure if the economy gets bad in Paris, they could hire a few health inspectors because they're obviously low on them right now. Or, hire trainers for them!
--After leaving the cafe, I go "home" and drop off my stuff, have dinner and then start walking to bell choir. As I'm waiting to cross the street, a guy holding a rope that is attached to 4 donkeys/ponies comes strolling along down the street behind a car. Huh? All I can figure is these poor animals are used in some way at the Eiffel Tower for children to sit on or tourists to take pictures or some undignified thing. Of course, didn't have my camera.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Random Observations
Just some observations from the week so far...
Random : In Europe, paper notebooks do not contained lined paper. Rather, the paper is some sort of graph paper. Either the usual tiny squares, or some even more miniscule rectangles. Really, what are they expecting of me besides sitting in boring meetings and coloring in the squares?
Random : Hardware stores in Paris (e.g. Castorama) are not nearly as fun as in the U.S. (Home Depot) or UK (Home Base). In the particular location I visited Monday, the aisles were narrow, some were mazes (i.e. you couldn’t go up one and down another and end up where you started), they were playing techno music on the loud speakers, and it was grungy. But not grungy in the way a good hardware store is (like the one up in Canada my family always used before it closed). A good grungy makes you think of progress, of people building things, tools being used, power and machinery… This place just gave the feeling of being grungy in terms of dirty, disorganized, and old. Oh well. I got my drill (although not the one I have seen on countless Metro advertisement billboards). Now I just have to wait for my drill bits to arrive w/ the rest of my goods and then it is the oh so fun times of putting furniture together, hanging curtain rods, hanging pictures and other such things that are more fun with two or three people, but which I have become accustomed to doing on my own.
Random : Just this week it has gotten lighter in the evenings, so when I leave the office at 18:00 or 18:30 it doesn’t feel like it’s 22:00! Spring might actually be here soon!!
Random : The US Embassy in France website has lots of good information for people living in France. In their list is a link for “Websites of interest” ; at the bottom of this is “Other sites of interest”. The list? Current Avian flu information ; Democrats Abroad ; and, Republicans Abroad. Really – Avian flu, Dems and Reps? What? Certainly Avian flu would fall under the “Health Care” title. Or, as Marissa said, is that the Independents?
Random : In Europe, paper notebooks do not contained lined paper. Rather, the paper is some sort of graph paper. Either the usual tiny squares, or some even more miniscule rectangles. Really, what are they expecting of me besides sitting in boring meetings and coloring in the squares?
Random : Hardware stores in Paris (e.g. Castorama) are not nearly as fun as in the U.S. (Home Depot) or UK (Home Base). In the particular location I visited Monday, the aisles were narrow, some were mazes (i.e. you couldn’t go up one and down another and end up where you started), they were playing techno music on the loud speakers, and it was grungy. But not grungy in the way a good hardware store is (like the one up in Canada my family always used before it closed). A good grungy makes you think of progress, of people building things, tools being used, power and machinery… This place just gave the feeling of being grungy in terms of dirty, disorganized, and old. Oh well. I got my drill (although not the one I have seen on countless Metro advertisement billboards). Now I just have to wait for my drill bits to arrive w/ the rest of my goods and then it is the oh so fun times of putting furniture together, hanging curtain rods, hanging pictures and other such things that are more fun with two or three people, but which I have become accustomed to doing on my own.
Random : Just this week it has gotten lighter in the evenings, so when I leave the office at 18:00 or 18:30 it doesn’t feel like it’s 22:00! Spring might actually be here soon!!
Random : The US Embassy in France website has lots of good information for people living in France. In their list is a link for “Websites of interest” ; at the bottom of this is “Other sites of interest”. The list? Current Avian flu information ; Democrats Abroad ; and, Republicans Abroad. Really – Avian flu, Dems and Reps? What? Certainly Avian flu would fall under the “Health Care” title. Or, as Marissa said, is that the Independents?
Sunday, February 15, 2009
"Bucket List"
I just posted this to Facebook, so thought I'd repeat here in case you are not on the dreaded thing :
Gone on a blind date – yes
Donated blood – yes (but not anymore, I always pass out, and the US won’t take my blood after living in Europe)
Skipped school - no
Watched someone die - no
Been to Canada - yes
Been to Mexico - yes
Been to Florida - yes
Been to Hawaii - no
Been on a plane - yes
Been on a helicopter - no
Been lost – yes (but never for long as I have a great sense of direction, and am fantastic at reading maps)
Gone to Washington, DC - yes
Swum in the ocean - yesS
wum with stingrays - no
Been sailing in the ocean - yes
Cried myself to sleep - yes
Played cops and robbers - yes
Recently colored with crayons - no
Run a marathon - no
Sung karaoke – yes, but only in a group, and I just mumble along
Volunteered at a soup kitchen - yes
Paid for a meal with coins only - yes
Seen the Northern Lights – not yet (10 more days! Hopefully not cloudy!!!)
Been parasailing - no
Been on TV - yes
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't – I’m sure, although I cannot remember what
Made prank phone calls – not personally, but in the room when others did
Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans - yes
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out my nose - yes
Fired a gun - no
Danced in the rain naked – no, but yes in a bathing suit
Been to the opera - yes
Written a letter to Santa Claus - probably
Skinny dipped - no
Serenaded someone – no, although that would be a good way to torture someone
Had someone serenade me – not that I recall
Seen a U.S. president in person – G HW Bush, in 2006 I believe, on Valentine’s Day, at Fuzzy’s Pizza in Houston
Been kissed under the mistletoe - no
Watched the sunrise with someone – no, but have watched it by myself
Driven a race car - no, unless you count those mini-racetrack things
Been to a national museum - yes
Been to a wax museum – no, and no desire to
Eaten caviar - yes
Gone ice-skating - yes
Been deep sea fishing - no
Driven across the United States – yes , 5 round trips
Been in a hot air balloon - no
Been skydiving – no ; once had a dream I did, ‘chute didn’t open, was at my own funeral
Gone snowmobiling - no
Lived in another country – yes, 4 of them
Lie down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets – yes, although listening to mosquitos is more accurate
Seen a falling star and made a wish – yes, and have also mistakenly wished on satellites
Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful geyser – no (stupid wildfires blocking the southern entrance to the park!)
Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch - yes
Seen the Grand Canyon - yes
Seen the Statue of Liberty - yes
Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle – no, but have been to the top of the CN Tower in Toronto
Been on a cruise – no, and absolutely no desire to
Traveled by train - yes
Traveled by motorcycle - no
Been horseback riding – yes
Ridden on a San Francisco cable car – yes, and actually drove one
Been to Disneyland or Disney World – yes to former (and was a kid and disappointed there weren’t more roller coasters and spin-you-around rides), no to latter
Been in a rainforest - no
Seen whales in the ocean - no
Been to Niagara Falls - yes
Ridden on an elephant – yes (at the zoo)
Swum with dolphins - no
Been to the Olympics – no, although have seen several Olympics parks after the fact. I actually don’t like the Olympics
Walked on the Great Wall of China - yes
Seen and heard a glacier calf – no, but I have seen glaciers
Been spinnaker flying - no
Been water skiing – yes!
Been snow skiing - yes
Been to Westminster Abbey - yes
Been to the Louvre - yes
Swum in the Mediterranean – no, but I did wade in
Been to a Major League Baseball game - yes
Been to a National Football League game – not yet (October, Pats v/s Bucs at Wembley!)
Been to an NBA game - yes
Been to an NFL game - yes
Been to an major league soccer (football) game – yes, 2 in Europe ; none in US
Been whitewater rafting - yes
Gone on a blind date – yes
Donated blood – yes (but not anymore, I always pass out, and the US won’t take my blood after living in Europe)
Skipped school - no
Watched someone die - no
Been to Canada - yes
Been to Mexico - yes
Been to Florida - yes
Been to Hawaii - no
Been on a plane - yes
Been on a helicopter - no
Been lost – yes (but never for long as I have a great sense of direction, and am fantastic at reading maps)
Gone to Washington, DC - yes
Swum in the ocean - yesS
wum with stingrays - no
Been sailing in the ocean - yes
Cried myself to sleep - yes
Played cops and robbers - yes
Recently colored with crayons - no
Run a marathon - no
Sung karaoke – yes, but only in a group, and I just mumble along
Volunteered at a soup kitchen - yes
Paid for a meal with coins only - yes
Seen the Northern Lights – not yet (10 more days! Hopefully not cloudy!!!)
Been parasailing - no
Been on TV - yes
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't – I’m sure, although I cannot remember what
Made prank phone calls – not personally, but in the room when others did
Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans - yes
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out my nose - yes
Fired a gun - no
Danced in the rain naked – no, but yes in a bathing suit
Been to the opera - yes
Written a letter to Santa Claus - probably
Skinny dipped - no
Serenaded someone – no, although that would be a good way to torture someone
Had someone serenade me – not that I recall
Seen a U.S. president in person – G HW Bush, in 2006 I believe, on Valentine’s Day, at Fuzzy’s Pizza in Houston
Been kissed under the mistletoe - no
Watched the sunrise with someone – no, but have watched it by myself
Driven a race car - no, unless you count those mini-racetrack things
Been to a national museum - yes
Been to a wax museum – no, and no desire to
Eaten caviar - yes
Gone ice-skating - yes
Been deep sea fishing - no
Driven across the United States – yes , 5 round trips
Been in a hot air balloon - no
Been skydiving – no ; once had a dream I did, ‘chute didn’t open, was at my own funeral
Gone snowmobiling - no
Lived in another country – yes, 4 of them
Lie down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets – yes, although listening to mosquitos is more accurate
Seen a falling star and made a wish – yes, and have also mistakenly wished on satellites
Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful geyser – no (stupid wildfires blocking the southern entrance to the park!)
Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch - yes
Seen the Grand Canyon - yes
Seen the Statue of Liberty - yes
Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle – no, but have been to the top of the CN Tower in Toronto
Been on a cruise – no, and absolutely no desire to
Traveled by train - yes
Traveled by motorcycle - no
Been horseback riding – yes
Ridden on a San Francisco cable car – yes, and actually drove one
Been to Disneyland or Disney World – yes to former (and was a kid and disappointed there weren’t more roller coasters and spin-you-around rides), no to latter
Been in a rainforest - no
Seen whales in the ocean - no
Been to Niagara Falls - yes
Ridden on an elephant – yes (at the zoo)
Swum with dolphins - no
Been to the Olympics – no, although have seen several Olympics parks after the fact. I actually don’t like the Olympics
Walked on the Great Wall of China - yes
Seen and heard a glacier calf – no, but I have seen glaciers
Been spinnaker flying - no
Been water skiing – yes!
Been snow skiing - yes
Been to Westminster Abbey - yes
Been to the Louvre - yes
Swum in the Mediterranean – no, but I did wade in
Been to a Major League Baseball game - yes
Been to a National Football League game – not yet (October, Pats v/s Bucs at Wembley!)
Been to an NBA game - yes
Been to an NFL game - yes
Been to an major league soccer (football) game – yes, 2 in Europe ; none in US
Been whitewater rafting - yes
Progressive weekend
I call it a "progressive weekend" because it has been getting progressively slower - thank goodness! 5 o'clock Friday couldn't have come soon enough and Kevin, Marissa and I took the bus from work to begin yet another trip down Kevin's memory lane. (Every one of these starts off like a bad joke : an Irishman, a Trini and I were walking through the streets of Paris when...)
Kevin lived in Paris a few summers during university and either worked at or spent a lot of time at many Irish Pubs, so we've been checking up on all these places. We started out in the Chatelet area at McBride's Pub on rue St Denis - a great pedestrian zone full of food stalls, bars, restaurants, etc. We then walked south across Pont au Change, past the entrance to Sainte-Chapelle, hooked a left onto Quai du Marche Neuf and came right upon Notre Dame which looks stunning now that it is fully cleaned, in the nighttime, lights shining, and not full of tourists. We crossed Petit Pont to the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) and continued on rue Saint-Jacques (which has a long history as a major thoroughfare from Roman times to present ; it even was the start of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage walk). Kevin filled us in on all the history, symbolism, legends, etc. - it was great!!!
The whole time on rue Saint Jacques we were walking up a steady incline. When we got to rue Soufflot it was breath-taking! To our left was the Pantheon (which I had never seen before) and to the right was a perfect direct view of the Eiffel Tower. (Since I live close to it, it always seems so big ; from just the other side of town it is smaller, yet stands out wonderfully.)
We walked around the Pantheon and continued down to rue Mouffetard and Place de la Contrescarpe, entering the Latin Quarter. We stopped for rehydration and then meandered down rue Mouffetard and found a fondue restaurant (Assiette aux Fromages) and after a great wine bar just up the street (au Doux Raisin). By this point it was 1 a.m. so we all found our ways home.
Saturday morning had a later start (it had to have been the fondue and bread that made me lethargic, it couldn't have been the apertif, 3 bottles of wine, and digestif that the three of us had!). I met Marissa and we ventured into what no person should have to put up with - running errands and shopping in Paris on a Saturday. Since everything closes by about 8 p.m. (and people work late, so no shopping then) and is closed on Sundays, it leaves Saturday.
We went examining appliances for me (I'll have to buy all for the kitchen in my new flat), then to Decathlon sports to get winter stuff for our Norway vacation in 10 days, then to BHV which is a ginormous store that has everything. By this point, 6 hours after starting our day, I was ready to go home. I was sick of shopping and I was really sick of people. I relished my quiet night at "home" Saturday, especially since the last time I was home before 10 p.m. was Monday night.
Today (Sunday) I am staying in my pj's all day. I've spent several hours online shopping for furniture for my new place and soon will tackle the piles of paper on the floor, and will relax by reading more Duma Key (Stephen King).
Of course, through all the walking this weekend, I didn't have my camera. Figures!
Kevin lived in Paris a few summers during university and either worked at or spent a lot of time at many Irish Pubs, so we've been checking up on all these places. We started out in the Chatelet area at McBride's Pub on rue St Denis - a great pedestrian zone full of food stalls, bars, restaurants, etc. We then walked south across Pont au Change, past the entrance to Sainte-Chapelle, hooked a left onto Quai du Marche Neuf and came right upon Notre Dame which looks stunning now that it is fully cleaned, in the nighttime, lights shining, and not full of tourists. We crossed Petit Pont to the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) and continued on rue Saint-Jacques (which has a long history as a major thoroughfare from Roman times to present ; it even was the start of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage walk). Kevin filled us in on all the history, symbolism, legends, etc. - it was great!!!
The whole time on rue Saint Jacques we were walking up a steady incline. When we got to rue Soufflot it was breath-taking! To our left was the Pantheon (which I had never seen before) and to the right was a perfect direct view of the Eiffel Tower. (Since I live close to it, it always seems so big ; from just the other side of town it is smaller, yet stands out wonderfully.)
We walked around the Pantheon and continued down to rue Mouffetard and Place de la Contrescarpe, entering the Latin Quarter. We stopped for rehydration and then meandered down rue Mouffetard and found a fondue restaurant (Assiette aux Fromages) and after a great wine bar just up the street (au Doux Raisin). By this point it was 1 a.m. so we all found our ways home.
Saturday morning had a later start (it had to have been the fondue and bread that made me lethargic, it couldn't have been the apertif, 3 bottles of wine, and digestif that the three of us had!). I met Marissa and we ventured into what no person should have to put up with - running errands and shopping in Paris on a Saturday. Since everything closes by about 8 p.m. (and people work late, so no shopping then) and is closed on Sundays, it leaves Saturday.
We went examining appliances for me (I'll have to buy all for the kitchen in my new flat), then to Decathlon sports to get winter stuff for our Norway vacation in 10 days, then to BHV which is a ginormous store that has everything. By this point, 6 hours after starting our day, I was ready to go home. I was sick of shopping and I was really sick of people. I relished my quiet night at "home" Saturday, especially since the last time I was home before 10 p.m. was Monday night.
Today (Sunday) I am staying in my pj's all day. I've spent several hours online shopping for furniture for my new place and soon will tackle the piles of paper on the floor, and will relax by reading more Duma Key (Stephen King).
Of course, through all the walking this weekend, I didn't have my camera. Figures!
Monday, February 9, 2009
USPS
First of all, let me say I am a HUGE fan of the USPS ; in fact, I think the best speaker I heard in my two years at T-bird was from a USPS man. As a business - logistics, finance, etc. - it is fascinating. I mean, every year more and more addresses are added, and the USPS delivers to them. There is the whole fleet issue - maintenance, fuel, drive times, etc. Health care costs. And all of this with declining usage.
Second of all, for those of you who sent me birthday cards last week - THANK YOU. I got them in office in Paris today - what a great pick-me-up on a Monday afternoon.
My point - how come when the rate is $0.94 to mail a letter, a letter made it through with only $0.84 in postage? And why did some envelopes make it with "U.K." as the country, but one was crossed out by the USPS and "United Kingdom" written in its place. To my knowledge, no other country goes by UK, right?
Yes, things like this are what I think about and what perplex me.
Second of all, for those of you who sent me birthday cards last week - THANK YOU. I got them in office in Paris today - what a great pick-me-up on a Monday afternoon.
My point - how come when the rate is $0.94 to mail a letter, a letter made it through with only $0.84 in postage? And why did some envelopes make it with "U.K." as the country, but one was crossed out by the USPS and "United Kingdom" written in its place. To my knowledge, no other country goes by UK, right?
Yes, things like this are what I think about and what perplex me.
Friday, February 6, 2009
It's Five O'Clock Somewhere
I don't know what it is today, but I'm really missing my "5'o'clock somewhere" time at Cornwall's (well, for me it was my like 4 or 4:30 somewhere). Perhaps it's just the stress of work this week, of finding a flat, a few late nights, and the fact that I'm finally able to articulate more what is bothering me culture-shock wise, I don't know. (As for the latter, it's a somewhat good thing because now I know what to fix!)
I just wish today I could've gone to Cornwall's at 4, sat at the bar reading one of my magazines (Rolling Stone, National Geographic, or Games World of Puzzles), talking with the great people there, and enjoying the food, drink and friendship. Sigh.
So, to all of you who are reading this today and heading to Kenmore, have one for me. And, if you're reading this after the fact, have two for me next week!
I just wish today I could've gone to Cornwall's at 4, sat at the bar reading one of my magazines (Rolling Stone, National Geographic, or Games World of Puzzles), talking with the great people there, and enjoying the food, drink and friendship. Sigh.
So, to all of you who are reading this today and heading to Kenmore, have one for me. And, if you're reading this after the fact, have two for me next week!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Laundry success
Woo Hoo - my first Parisian laundry adventure here in temporary housing was a success. All clothes came out the same size, colour and shape that they were going in!!! Thank goodness it wasn't a repeat of the London fiasco.
Choosing a flat
Today was a very good day flat hunting. I saw 6 places and liked all of them. While the last 2 weren't my favorite, I wouldn't be miserable in them. This is a huge improvement over my search 2 weeks ago where I wasn't crazy about all 7 the relo agent and I saw.
Anyway, I am now trying to choose between two - ave de Suffren and rue Edmond Valentin (photos of all posted on Flickr).
Suffren is classic French with its floor-to-ceiling window/doors in the living and dining room - which are connected but separated by wood/glass doors (ok I have ZERO knowledge of architecture terms). Great crown molding on top of walls/ceiling. Fireplaces in each room. Juliette balcony off both, I think I could squeeze my camping chair there. Good closet space in the hallway (typical). Nice kitchen (I'd have to supply all appliances except cook top). 1 bedroom decent size. Other bedroom would be good for a twin bed. 1 bathroom w/ an EU tub (i.e. shower head isn't up above, but just is handheld) and the other bathroom has a square shower. All stuff in bathroom and kitchen new. There is a courtyard area in the entry where you can store bicycles (unusal to have such space in Paris evidently). I would have to buy all indow hardware and drapes, and there are just lightbulbs hanging from ceiling so it'd be Ikea time for me. It's 5th floor and south facing, so daylight. It's on a pretty major street, but quiet up that high.
Valentin is super modern. It is 6th floor "loft" - super high ceilings with skylights (that actually can open via remote control). It has a "US kitchen" which means it is open to the joint living/dining area. (All other kitchens here are separate rooms w/ doors that close it off.) Off and open to the living/dining area is a tiny area that could have a chair and TV, or a desk. More like a nook, w/o much light. There is a walk-in closet, but more shelf than hanging space. I have zero fashion sense and I still find this appealing. The bedroom is decent sized, but not a rectangle so it was difficult to envision my bed in there. 1 bathroom, off master bed (another toilet is off living area) that has a tub and a shower and is all new. This whole flat is new and no one has ever lived there. If you stand at the living/dining windows are look right, you can see the Eiffel Tower (not my favorite Paris thing). I'd have to get all kitchen appliances, and I'm not crazy about the cabinet layout. It's on a quiet side street between 2 major streets. Very quiet up that high.
I like Suffren because it is more classic French. Valentin's location is closer to church, and to the Seine / Rive Droit. Suffren is just 10m2 larger. I wouldn't have to buy more funiture for Valentin ; but then I wonder if it isn't time I owned more living room furniture than an Ikea chair and footstool and a side table. Suffren is more open in terms of access to air ; while Valentin is super bright, it is due to skylights and windows that are about chest height - i.e. if you're sitting down you don't see out much. And, can you really see me living on a street that has a name close to Valentine? i.e. hearts, love and sentimentality?
Comments / thoughts / suggestions welcome!!! (Remember to check out the photos on Flickr)
Anyway, I am now trying to choose between two - ave de Suffren and rue Edmond Valentin (photos of all posted on Flickr).
Suffren is classic French with its floor-to-ceiling window/doors in the living and dining room - which are connected but separated by wood/glass doors (ok I have ZERO knowledge of architecture terms). Great crown molding on top of walls/ceiling. Fireplaces in each room. Juliette balcony off both, I think I could squeeze my camping chair there. Good closet space in the hallway (typical). Nice kitchen (I'd have to supply all appliances except cook top). 1 bedroom decent size. Other bedroom would be good for a twin bed. 1 bathroom w/ an EU tub (i.e. shower head isn't up above, but just is handheld) and the other bathroom has a square shower. All stuff in bathroom and kitchen new. There is a courtyard area in the entry where you can store bicycles (unusal to have such space in Paris evidently). I would have to buy all indow hardware and drapes, and there are just lightbulbs hanging from ceiling so it'd be Ikea time for me. It's 5th floor and south facing, so daylight. It's on a pretty major street, but quiet up that high.
Valentin is super modern. It is 6th floor "loft" - super high ceilings with skylights (that actually can open via remote control). It has a "US kitchen" which means it is open to the joint living/dining area. (All other kitchens here are separate rooms w/ doors that close it off.) Off and open to the living/dining area is a tiny area that could have a chair and TV, or a desk. More like a nook, w/o much light. There is a walk-in closet, but more shelf than hanging space. I have zero fashion sense and I still find this appealing. The bedroom is decent sized, but not a rectangle so it was difficult to envision my bed in there. 1 bathroom, off master bed (another toilet is off living area) that has a tub and a shower and is all new. This whole flat is new and no one has ever lived there. If you stand at the living/dining windows are look right, you can see the Eiffel Tower (not my favorite Paris thing). I'd have to get all kitchen appliances, and I'm not crazy about the cabinet layout. It's on a quiet side street between 2 major streets. Very quiet up that high.
I like Suffren because it is more classic French. Valentin's location is closer to church, and to the Seine / Rive Droit. Suffren is just 10m2 larger. I wouldn't have to buy more funiture for Valentin ; but then I wonder if it isn't time I owned more living room furniture than an Ikea chair and footstool and a side table. Suffren is more open in terms of access to air ; while Valentin is super bright, it is due to skylights and windows that are about chest height - i.e. if you're sitting down you don't see out much. And, can you really see me living on a street that has a name close to Valentine? i.e. hearts, love and sentimentality?
Comments / thoughts / suggestions welcome!!! (Remember to check out the photos on Flickr)
Here's hoping
Here's hoping that the two loads of laundry I just put in the automatic washers here in temporary housing all come out the same size and shape as they were when I put them in. I had some issues w/ the "darks" - there might quite possibly be 2x or 3x the normal amount of soap in there! I just don't understand the autmatic machines where soap is included somehow, dials, electronic displays, and instructions in "5 words or less French". Deep breaths!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Where the weather suits my clothes
I woke up to snow in Paris today. And I was very very very happy. I know, all of you in the US Midwest and New England are sick of it, but for me, this was my first snow of the season!
I had to pick up my new bank card at HSBC on the Champs Elysee this morning so I thought I'd walk it (about 30 minutes) (more because I'm cheap and didn't want to use another metro ticket). It was quite nice to walk in the snow, enjoy the relative quiet. Not many people were out on bikes, and certainly no one on Velibs - the rent-a-bike option in Paris. (Think Zip Car, but bicycles.)
While Buffett sings that he needs to go to where the weather suits his clothes, I realised that winter climates are where I belong. I was all set in my winter coat, hat, scarf, boots, etc. Function (and comfort) over fashion I say. Well, Parisiens are all-fashion all-the-time. What was this woman thinking out in her non-rubber-soled boots? And not only that, she wasn't using a shovel, but it was more like a push broom / or a giant squeegy thing like you'd use on your car windshield. I saw more fur coats today than I have in the last 5 years. And more women delicately stepping through the snow in high heels (with a cigarette in hand of course). (It is a wonder the French population hasn't died away from lung cancer.) I just have to question the common sense of a population that wears high heels in snow. Sure, I understand you don't have Bean Boots, but at least wear something a bit more practical!
I also saw street workers spreading sand on the sidewalks from a wheelbarrow. Great. But is it really practical to scoop some up in a dust pan and then spread it with your bare hands? Again, I have to question the common sense of a population...
Oh, and one more thing...Why is a grande chai tea latte at Starbucks 4.70 euros? That’s $6.02 and 4.14 GBP! In London, it was only 3.05 and in the US it’s about $3.7. Fastest way to rid me of my addiction.
I had to pick up my new bank card at HSBC on the Champs Elysee this morning so I thought I'd walk it (about 30 minutes) (more because I'm cheap and didn't want to use another metro ticket). It was quite nice to walk in the snow, enjoy the relative quiet. Not many people were out on bikes, and certainly no one on Velibs - the rent-a-bike option in Paris. (Think Zip Car, but bicycles.)
While Buffett sings that he needs to go to where the weather suits his clothes, I realised that winter climates are where I belong. I was all set in my winter coat, hat, scarf, boots, etc. Function (and comfort) over fashion I say. Well, Parisiens are all-fashion all-the-time. What was this woman thinking out in her non-rubber-soled boots? And not only that, she wasn't using a shovel, but it was more like a push broom / or a giant squeegy thing like you'd use on your car windshield. I saw more fur coats today than I have in the last 5 years. And more women delicately stepping through the snow in high heels (with a cigarette in hand of course). (It is a wonder the French population hasn't died away from lung cancer.) I just have to question the common sense of a population that wears high heels in snow. Sure, I understand you don't have Bean Boots, but at least wear something a bit more practical!
I also saw street workers spreading sand on the sidewalks from a wheelbarrow. Great. But is it really practical to scoop some up in a dust pan and then spread it with your bare hands? Again, I have to question the common sense of a population...
Oh, and one more thing...Why is a grande chai tea latte at Starbucks 4.70 euros? That’s $6.02 and 4.14 GBP! In London, it was only 3.05 and in the US it’s about $3.7. Fastest way to rid me of my addiction.
Eiffel Tower as seen from L'Ecole Militaire about 8 a.m. this morning.
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