10 favorite things in Paris this week
In a spin off of Josh’s vignettes, I’m opting for an even briefer glimpse into life here in Paris these last few days. The reality is that this city continues to amaze me in 100 small ways each day. So, for anyone from 2T (you know who you are…) , this may seem a bit like the old days…
10. Cheap Vegetable Bins—I know I mentioned these in my last entry, but I love them! Today for 1 and a half euros, I got a bunch of mushrooms and two tomatoes.
In a spin off of Josh’s vignettes, I’m opting for an even briefer glimpse into life here in Paris these last few days. The reality is that this city continues to amaze me in 100 small ways each day. So, for anyone from 2T (you know who you are…) , this may seem a bit like the old days…
10. Cheap Vegetable Bins—I know I mentioned these in my last entry, but I love them! Today for 1 and a half euros, I got a bunch of mushrooms and two tomatoes.
9. The Buttes-Chaumont Park—it’s like Central Park, but on the edge of Paris. Josh and I visited 
the first time, and I returned yesterday to sit in the sun (and sip wine) with my friend Angie.
8. Student discounts—Josh and I have been flashing student IDs left and right, each time saving us a few euros. My ID is from the Alliance Francais (French classes are over, but the ID is still valid), Josh’s is from 1892 (aka 1998 when he was “researching” as part of a fellowship in France—they don’t check too closely). We have gotten discounts at the following places in the last week: the French Agricultural Fair, the Erotic Museum and the Louvre—oh wait, we didn’t go to the Louvre, but I am planning on trying to use it to get a cheaper haircut. My goal is to make back my tuition with discounts before we leave.
7. My Tuesday Coffee Group—Each week several of my former French classmates meet for coffee at 11:30AM. The regulars include: Angie (an American flight attendant), Ali (a Turkish journalist), Shell (a Canadian student), Eric (an Australian Chef) and myself. It’s a random group of people who make me laugh and gratefully speak English. We also swap English books and rugby has been the topic of conversation this week since the European playoffs have been going on.
6. Flowers—It really feels like spring has sprung here in Paris. The flower shops are outdone only by the flowering trees and the tulips that are starting to bloom. In a related note, you can also tell its spring because I think every other person is making out with someone, but it might also be that the city is just that romantic!
5. Ecole Koenig—My first real French job is with a music school that teaches over 350 students music and theater—sound familiar? I am thrilled to be in a place that feels so committed to good teaching and in an environment that inspires the children.
4. St. Chinian Wine—We continue to drink fabulous wine at every turn, but our “house wine” continues to be a favorite. As a true sign of our devotion (or slight insanity), we took a special trip to a store to stock up on Friday night. We just keep thinking that they have put the decimal point in the wrong place because surely no good wine could really only cost 1.25.
3. Marco Polo Vert Tea—I had the best cup of tea I’ve ever had at my French teacher’s apartment last week. Immediately after the lesson, Angie, Josh and I set out to find the tea (which we found for a good price at Bon Marche). It is made by Mariage Freres, a famous French tea company, and I’m drinking a cup as I type this. I will say, the French do coffee extremely well, but tea is a regular part of my life here in a way that it wasn’t in DC.
2. Metro musicians—I know it might be annoying to some people, but I adore the accordion players, singers and drummers who hop between cars, hoping for a euro from the crowd. This week I heard a fabulous violin player and found myself smiling (JN, I couldn’t help but think of you…)
1. Champagne—I know its no surprise that champagne in Paris is wonderful, but we’ve had only a few glasses and last night Josh bought a bottle to celebrate my new job. It was light and fruity (but yet complex and interesting). It was a special night and surely drinking champagne at our kitchen table will always be one of my favorite memories of this year.
A more traditional entry will follow soon, but I didn’t want to miss a chance to offer just a few tidbits from across the Pond.
sPg
the first time, and I returned yesterday to sit in the sun (and sip wine) with my friend Angie.8. Student discounts—Josh and I have been flashing student IDs left and right, each time saving us a few euros. My ID is from the Alliance Francais (French classes are over, but the ID is still valid), Josh’s is from 1892 (aka 1998 when he was “researching” as part of a fellowship in France—they don’t check too closely). We have gotten discounts at the following places in the last week: the French Agricultural Fair, the Erotic Museum and the Louvre—oh wait, we didn’t go to the Louvre, but I am planning on trying to use it to get a cheaper haircut. My goal is to make back my tuition with discounts before we leave.
7. My Tuesday Coffee Group—Each week several of my former French classmates meet for coffee at 11:30AM. The regulars include: Angie (an American flight attendant), Ali (a Turkish journalist), Shell (a Canadian student), Eric (an Australian Chef) and myself. It’s a random group of people who make me laugh and gratefully speak English. We also swap English books and rugby has been the topic of conversation this week since the European playoffs have been going on.
6. Flowers—It really feels like spring has sprung here in Paris. The flower shops are outdone only by the flowering trees and the tulips that are starting to bloom. In a related note, you can also tell its spring because I think every other person is making out with someone, but it might also be that the city is just that romantic!
5. Ecole Koenig—My first real French job is with a music school that teaches over 350 students music and theater—sound familiar? I am thrilled to be in a place that feels so committed to good teaching and in an environment that inspires the children.
4. St. Chinian Wine—We continue to drink fabulous wine at every turn, but our “house wine” continues to be a favorite. As a true sign of our devotion (or slight insanity), we took a special trip to a store to stock up on Friday night. We just keep thinking that they have put the decimal point in the wrong place because surely no good wine could really only cost 1.25.
3. Marco Polo Vert Tea—I had the best cup of tea I’ve ever had at my French teacher’s apartment last week. Immediately after the lesson, Angie, Josh and I set out to find the tea (which we found for a good price at Bon Marche). It is made by Mariage Freres, a famous French tea company, and I’m drinking a cup as I type this. I will say, the French do coffee extremely well, but tea is a regular part of my life here in a way that it wasn’t in DC.
2. Metro musicians—I know it might be annoying to some people, but I adore the accordion players, singers and drummers who hop between cars, hoping for a euro from the crowd. This week I heard a fabulous violin player and found myself smiling (JN, I couldn’t help but think of you…)1. Champagne—I know its no surprise that champagne in Paris is wonderful, but we’ve had only a few glasses and last night Josh bought a bottle to celebrate my new job. It was light and fruity (but yet complex and interesting). It was a special night and surely drinking champagne at our kitchen table will always be one of my favorite memories of this year.
A more traditional entry will follow soon, but I didn’t want to miss a chance to offer just a few tidbits from across the Pond.
sPg
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2 comments:
This cabbage, these carrots, these potatoes, these onions ... will soon become me.
Such a tasty fact!
- Mike Garofalo
Love the latest entries! Especially the vegetables and especially the fennel. Finally got through many of the pictures too - great stuff. Keep it coming!
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