Post from: The Paris Traveler

My decision to stop blogging at The Paris Traveler was not an easy one to say the least. Throughout the months that I’ve been blogging here I have gained a faithful readership that I am so grateful for, and I want to thank everyone who has made TPT a part of their day, but as most of you who write blogs know, it takes up a good part of your time.

I thought I would be able to juggle everything, but there are just so many hours in a day and I had to put a number of my things on the back burner while I blogged. Some of the projects I need to devote my time to are: doing the art work for a book I want to publish, translating/adapting a series of poems I wrote from English into French, and starting on a novel that I want to write that has constantly been on my mind for a number of months.

The Paris Traveler will be on hiatus for a short time, but I hope that many of you will continue to visit and leave comments. (I know I will!) If anyone feels that they would like to perhaps take over this blog and work for b5media, you can e-mail Mary Jo to find out the details. They’re a great group of bloggers to work for!

More than just calling Paris “home”, even when I’ve spent a number of years living in other countries, I have carried on a “love affair” with this wonderful and exciting city for close to 37 years! I’m sure that whoever takes over TPT will be someone who adores Paris as much as I do! It truly is the most beautiful city in the world!

Photo Credits: Rita Crane and Liliana Sanches

Post from: The Paris Traveler

                                                                                                  First of all, I don’t think it would ever happen! What First Lady would decide to throw in the towel even if she was in the midst of some sort of Presidential scandal?! (Hmm, does Hillary ring a bell? As a matter of fact, the French never could understand what all the fuss was about with Bill and Monica!) Still there are countless First Ladies who have suffered silently while their husbands not only carried on affairs of state, but also affairs of the heart; John and Jackie Kennedy come to mind, as well as Danielle and François Mitterrand.

Recent polls show that 92% of the French still have the same opinion of Sarkozy (and why not!) and 79% said that the divorce is not an important event in French politics. It just goes to show that here in France, the French just want Sarkozy to run the country as he has promised and let his personal affairs take care of themselves in private.

Still I can’t help but think what a field day the news media in the U.S. would have had if it had happened with an American president! Especially with all the baggage Cécilia Sarkozy carries! I recently wrote a post about the death of Jacques Martin who was married to Cécilia before she became Mrs. Sarkozy. In case you didn’t read that post, according to legend, (Lol, yes I like to be dramatic!) when Sarkozy, who was mayor of Neuilly at the time, presided over the marriage of a very pregnant Cécilia to Jacques Martin; it was love at first sight for the future president! Twelve days after the marriage Cécilia gave birth to her first daughter and three years later to her second. While her second daughter was only six months old, Cécilia left Jacques Martin to be with Sarkozy.

Now is it only me, or does Cécilia seem to thrive on gossip? As she herself said when she commented on her seperation from her husband (Sarko) in 2005 and moved to New York to be with her lover, “In 2005, I met someone, I fell in love, I left.” Or how many wives would not vote for their husband while they’re running for some political election? In the run off elections for the presidency, Cécilia, for whatever reason, decided not to cast her vote! Or what about Cécilia’s excuse not to attend a picnic with President and Laura Bush because she wasn’t feeling well, but was spotted by photographers out with friends?

Although she would have been a very unpredictable First Lady, she definitely would have been a damn interesting one to say the least (!); sort of in the genre of Margaret Trudeau or Princess Diana. It’s just too bad that she didn’t stick around awhile longer!

Photo Credits: Google Images

Post from: The Paris Traveler

There you’ll find everything you’ll ever want to know about cooking from top chefs taking part in this three day expo. So, from cooking classes for kids, to learning how to make a number of decadent chocolate soufflés, there is truly something here for everyone! Or perhaps you’re more into learning about all the latest gadgets that make cooking now adays so much easier, or you want to get some new recipes from their stellar chefs, again this is the place to be!

You can visit their website for all the different activities taking place during next week-end, and don’t forget many of those activities are geared toward children.

Salon Cuisinez

Carrousel du Louvre
99, rue Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Métro : Louvre-Rivoli

October 26-28, 2007 
Friday from: 14h to 18h
Saturday and Sunday from: 10h to 19h

Ticket prices:
Full price: 10€
Reduced price : 7€ (Children 6 to 18, Fnac memebers, and adults on Friday from 14h to 18h.)  Under 6, free.

Photo Credits: Flickr, Couvert & Découvertes, and Salon Cuisinez

Post from: The Paris Traveler

I know I said back at the beginning of September when I first wrote about the Coupe du Monde de Rugby that I personally would rather go shopping than watch the rugby matches, I was being sincere! I will admit, however, that with the advancement of the French team, I’ve changed my tune and have become one of those fans! Still, as I’ve mentioned about football (soccer) and American football, I’m sort of a fair weather fan! I only watch once my team gets to the quarter-finals and beyond! (Hey! At least I’m honest!)

Anyway, tomorrow is the big game between France (les Bleus) and England. The meeting place will be at the Champ-de-Mars; the square in front of the Hôtel de Ville could no longer hold the number of fans wanting to watch the match, so a giant screen will carry the game with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop! (Be sure to bring a blanket as it can get pretty chilly.)

The match itself will be held in the northern suburbs of Paris at the Stad de France at Saint-Denis as well as Sunday’s game between Argentina and South Africa. If you’re still in a rugby mood on Sunday, and most will be if France wins (!), there’s a whole rugby thing going on at the stadium Charléty in Paris 13e.

There will also be a homage to the great tenor Luciano Pavarotti (It sounds strange to be talking about rugby and Pavarotti in the same sentence unless, of course, you live in Paris! No, I take that back! They would do the same in Italy!) anyway, back to what I was saying. The tribute begins at 18h30, (the game starts at 21h00), so come early and get settled in for an interesting evening!

Oh yeah, one last thing. Now let me put this delicately, if you’re actually attending the match, you should keep in mind that the English fans do tend to be, a little exuberant to say the least, so be careful! (I know, I know! I do have quite a number of readers from England on my blog, but you have to admit that what I’m saying is true! And I did put it nicely, didn’t I!!!)

So, good luck to everyone, and may France win! Lol!!!

Photo Credits: Flickr

Post from: The Paris Traveler

I know my readers come from all over and as the weather begins to turn cooler in some parts of the world; it’s turning warmer in others areas, but I thought it would be nice to share with all of you a recipe for one of my favorite drinks when the weather starts to cool down in the evenings.

What would be more appropriate for a French blog than a Vin Chaud (Hot Wine)?! What I like about this recipe is it’s very basic, so you can use your imagination to add on or take away whatever suits your taste! For example you can add cognac and flambé it, or cassis which is very popular, or add more fruit and take away the sugar or substitute it with honey instead. Anything goes, so be creative! Remember that cooking time is longer when liqueurs are added.

VIN CHAUD

Ingrediants:

1 bottle of red wine (750 ml) (some like dry, others prefer a fruity red wine)
1/2 cup of raw brown sugar (100 g) (more or less to your taste)
1 stick of cinnamon (or 1 tsp. of ground cinnamon)
1 tsp. of nutmeg
Whole clove
Zest of a lemon or an orange (some like both)
1 lemon 
Sticks of cinnamon

Preparations: 

Heat the wine, sugar and spices in a pot over a medium/low flame. Stir occasionally until it simmers (do not boil) and a foam forms. Add the zest but not too much or else it gets a bitter taste. Pour the wine into glasses while hot (or depending on preference, through a strainer). Serve with a slice of lemon in each glass or a stick of cinnamon.

That’s it! Cheers! Cin Cin! Salud!…. Etc.!

Photo Credits: Flickr

Post from: The Paris Traveler

Well, head over to the Paris Info website where they have a whole list of different cafés that specialize in various interests where you can meet Parisians and other locals, and maybe get discovered while having a drink!

What follows is just a short sample of this diverse listing:

(The comments in parenthesis and italics are mine, otherwise the information given for each café is taken from Paris Info.)

1.    La Limonaire – (When you’re in Paris, you want to hear French songs, right?! Or perhaps you now know a number of Piaf tunes, well this is the place to show off all those hours of practicing in a sing-along!)

A bistro for wines and above all for song (listen and join in!) At the Limonaire, Parisians and visitors who love to hear “chanson française” come along to enjoy both up-and-coming and better-known artistes, and now and again everyone is invited to join in, making the performance an interactive one!

Open in September from Tuesday to Sunday. Restaurant from 8pm to 10pm (book first, up to 9.15pm Show at 10pm Free admission – a hat will be passed round at the end of the show for the benefit of the performers at your convenience.

La Limonaire
18 cité Bergère
75009 Paris
Tel: 01 45 23 33 33
Metro : Cadet ou Grands Boulevards

2.    Le Tribal Café – (I love mussels and chips! Or fries, or whatever you want to call them! Now who says Paris has to be expensive?!)

Every Wednesday and Thursday evening, the Tribal Café offers its traditional dish of mussels and chips to its customers. You just need to pay for the drinks.

Le Tribal Café
3, cour des Petites Ecuries
Paris (10e)
Tel: 01 47 70 57 08

3.    L’ Abracadabar – (Poets, recite your poems in exchange for a drink! Or perhaps you know a poem or a text, then get up and deliver it, and a drink will be in your hand in no time!)

L’ Abracadabar
123, avenue Jean-Jaurès
Paris (19e)
Tel: 01 42 03 18 04
Internet: www.abracadabar.fr                                             Métro:  Laumière et Ourcq

4.    La Canaille – (For those interested in writing, meeting authors, and networking in the publishing world, this one is for you!)

Not really a café, more a bistro-restaurant, La Canaille organises gourmet encounters with authors on one Monday per month (at 7.30pm). Three writers present their books, then the discussions continue in a relaxed manner over dinner.

La Canaille
4, rue Crillon
75004 Paris
Tél : 01 42 78 09 71
19 euros debate + dinner (not including drinks)
Find details of several debate cafés on
www.philos.org or www.cafe-geo.net.

5.    Chez Lili et Marcel, Literary Café - (The name says it all! Another place to rub elbows with the literary world!)

Once a month at 7pm, this friendly café in Paris’s 13th arrondissement invites writers from all horizons to come and discuss their work with the customers. 

Chez Lili et Marcel
1, quai d’Austerlitz
75013 Paris
Tél : 01 45 85 00 08

6.    Le 9 Billards – (This is a hodgepodge of various activites!)

From tango to musical blind-tests, concerts, workshops, readings, screening of short films, record swaps, chats over the counter, billiards and even a dance hall, there’s always something to do at the 9 Billards. Open every day from 7am to 1 in the morning. 

Le 9 Billards
179, rue Saint-Maur 75010 Paris
Tél : 01 40 40 05 42
Internet : www.9billards.com

7.    Le Café des Phares – (Anyone who loves to discuss philosophical matters, politics, and other light-hearted issues (lol) should join in the debates going on at this cafe!)

First “café-philo” in the French capital, the Café des Phares hosts discussions every Sunday at 11am on a variety of themes. The spectators can join in and a presenter keeps the debate running smoothly. Each first Thursday of the month at 7pm, a debate on international politics adds to our understanding of world events. 

Le Café des Phares
7, place de la Bastille
75004 Paris
Tél : 01 42 72 04 70

8.    Le Café Universel – (As many of you know, I’m a jazz aficionado, so what better way to spend an evening listening to jazz and making new acquaintances! If you’re a singer trying to break into the business, then this is the place to be!)

This little jazz-pub in the Latin Quarter organises live concerts every evening from 9.30pm, and hosts vocal jams on Tuesdays for budding singers. Young, friendly atmosphere.

Le Café Universel
267 rue St Jacques
75005 Paris
Tél :01 43 25 74 20
Internet : www.cafe-universel.com

9.    Le Cavern – (Musicians and music lovers alike will love the laid back atmosphere!)

Not far from the Latin Quarter, this bar draws crowds of students and tourists come to hear rock, funk, world or jazz concerts in its cellar. On Wednesdays from 10.30pm onwards, the jam sessions are open to musicians who wish to join in.

Le Cavern
21, rue Dauphine
75006 Paris
Tél : 01 43 54 53 82
Internet : www.lecavern.com

10.   Le Zango – (A geography café, where Miss Teenage South Carolina should perhaps think about coming to! I’m kidding! Who wouldn’t get flustered answering questions in front of millions of people! Give the poor girl a break!)

In the relaxed atmosphere of the Zango, a geography or cartography specialist is on hand one Tuesday per month at 7pm to present and comment on the maps displayed on a screen. Highly original, Paris’s first cartography café draws novices and professionals alike.

Le Zango
15, rue du Cygne
75001 Paris
Tél : 01 40 26 27 27
Programme sur www.cafe-geo.net

11.   Le Café de Flore – (Better yet, Miss Teenage South Carolina could have suggested starting a café like this one, and the one above, to help American students learn more about geography!)

Every first Wednesday of the month at 7pm, the celebrated Café de Flore organises philosophy debates in English. And on the last Tuesday at 8pm, there are geography get-togethers, for an entertaining and original approach to world geography.

Le Café de Flore
172, boulevard Saint-Germain
75006 Paris
Tél : 01 45 48 55 26

12.   Le Petit Ney - (Games is the theme of this café and what’s nice is there’s something here for everyone!)

Le Petit Ney, literary café, now organizes a board game evening on the 1st Saturday of each month from 7pm onwards. Feel free to bring your own game(s) in addition to those on offer, but the list of games is not exhaustive. Most of the games are for teenagers and grown-ups, but there is always something for the kids if you’d like to bring the whole family. Free admission. You can also have dinner. Remember to book in advance. 

Le Petit Ney
10 avenue de la Porte Montmartre
75018 Paris
Tél : 01 42 62 00 00
Fax : 01 42 62 12 41
E-mail : lepetitney@free.fr

For the entire lists click here.

Photo Credits: Flickr

Post from: The Paris Traveler

Well, maybe I am a bit harsh, but the truth of the matter is, when you live in Paris it’s really hard to be fat! Why? Because Paris is a city where you walk for miles and no matter if you eat butter or cream, or all those other fattening things, you just burn up all those calories by walking! If you take the Metro you still end up walking through long corridors and up and down stairs and if you live in a 5th, 6th, or 7th floor walk-up to your flat, you go up and down hundreds of stairs several times a day! Who needs a StairMaster?!

The only difference (and it’s a big difference) between the French and Americans (I can’t speak for the Australians, Canadians, British, etc.) is the French in general do not snack. Americans, on the other hand, are eating all the time. Even if the French are hungry, they’ll wait until it’s time to eat. Americans will eat anytime, even when they’re not hungry!

That said, and I’ve talked about this a number of times, I say put a Parisian woman in the States, let her continue eating as she does in Paris, (no snacking, but using butter, cream, wine, etc.) and live the American lifestyle of jumping into a car even if it’s only to go a few hundred yards, never climbing stairs, but taking elevators instead and within a couple of months those pounds will start creeping up.

Put an American in Paris, let her continue snacking all the time, eating junk food more often than not, but give her the Parisian lifestyle of walking for miles everyday and I guarantee the pounds will start melting away. So as far as Guiliano’s book of savouring your food, taking your time to eat, creating an ambiance, eating her healthy recipes, etc. That’s all fine and dandy, but it’s burning those calories that makes a real difference.

The nice thing about Paris, it’s such a joy strolling the streets of this beautiful city that you do it for the pleasure, not the exercise. It’s the best of both worlds….eating great food and staying thin!

Photo Credits: Flickr

Post from: The Paris Traveler

A few days are left for you to take advantage of the Fête des Tuileries, free parking, and the Dalida expo, but don’t worry there’s plenty more things brewing as Paris once again becomes the busy cosmopolitan capital of the world!

Photo Credits: Flickr

Post from: The Paris Traveler

I really haven’t found this phenomenon used so extensively with any other language than French. Do people actually think it’s so chic, or that others will be so impressed, when they sprinkle in a word of French into their blog, their newspaper article, or their autobiography? Probably so! Otherwise, I see no other logical reason for them to do it!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for artistic expression and sometimes it’s imperative in a novel, song, or poem, but I see no value in placing a French word in every third sentence just for the hell of it, or for the reasons I’ve stated above! They don’t seem to take into consideration that if I’m annoyed and I speak French, how annoyed would people be who do not!

I had another blog at one point (which is on hiatus), but I wrote either my entire post in French or in English. I didn’t smatter a word of English here or there in my French articles, or vice-versa! It just drives me up a wall when people do that! I’m convinced (until proven otherwise) that the majority of people who are guilty of this ridiculous habit are people who actually do not have command of the language, but want others to believe they do.

If you go through my posts, you will find that the few times I’ve used a French word or expression, I have put the English translation in parenthesis, or else the French word is a word that you can find in an English dictionary, such as arrondissement, charcuterie, vis-à-vis, etc. I find so many anglophone blogs about France in violation of this crime that I’ve stopped reading them! (Lol, yes I can be dramatic at times!) A pity really, since some of them have interesting things to say; but they have a tendency of doing this constantly that it becomes too damn tedious and annoying to read!!!

When I was in Québec, I was very impressed with the fact that everything is written in French without so much as a smidgen of English cropping up here or there. If only these English speaking people who are guilty of this ridiculous habit could take the Québécois as an example, they may find that they would get a lot more readership!!!

Photo Credits: Flickr

Post from: The Paris Traveler