Three Days Late (trois jours de retard)

Happy three days after Christmas or Joyeux Noël trois jours après.

I'm pretty sure no french person ever uttered these words. Have you noticed that I'm pretty sure about a lot of things? But this I know, the French are all about manners and decorum. In the unlikely event that one forgot to wish another a Joyeux Noël, the apologies would fly in a frenzy de la passion.

I regret that I have had too many irons in the fire to post something before Christmas, but alas, c'est vrai.  What has been stealing my time you ask? As most of you know, I have a pet sitting business, Your Place or Mine (shameless advertising). It gets quite crazy at this time of the year, yet I can't seem to say no. This year, I was forced to turn down two clients, though it pained me to do so.

Back to Paris - This is the first time in its history that an ice skating rink has been set up at the La Grand Palais. This is one link on which you must click. The photos are incredible.  I'm still trying to find time to try out the ice skating rink at Whole Foods in Austin.

La Grande Palais - Paris

Whole Foods - Austin

Other fun french news - I've been talking (actually writing) to a real live Frenchman who lives just outside of Paris. I shan't reveal his name, but c'est très français.  There is usually only a small window in which to "talk" due to the seven hour time difference.  He writes to me mostly in English, and I to him in French.  The idea is to correct one another's mistakes thus helping us learn each other's respective language.

The French are on a much later schedule than we are, so that helps a bit. My french class does not resume until January 19th, so this is excellent practice and will keep me from forgetting everything I've learned so far. And get this - he sent me a voice message. What a delightful surprise! At first, I only understood every fourth word, but it sounded incredible. I've listened to it numerous times. Yes, I sent him one as well. It only took me twelve takes to get it right. It's fun having a French friend!

Anyway, that's what's been going on in my fabulously french focused world. I hope your holidays have been filled with wondrous delights. Speaking of, here are some delightful images..

Trail of Lights - Austin

Zilker tree - Austin

La Grande Roue de Paris

Notre Dame - Paris

bonne année tout le monde! happy new year everyone!  

GlouGlou

Hope everyone had a lovely le Jour de Merci Donnant. Literal translation: Day of Thanks Giving. 

Just wanted to share this fab photo, courtesy of the French Embassy in the US. I don't recall seeing a more impressive dinde (turkey) than this fancy feathered fellow. To be honest, I haven't seen many turkeys.

Did you figure out what glouglou means? Hint: The turkey says....

bonne nuit ~

Poppy Day

photo by Eric Tennin - Paris Daily Photo 

Today is Veteran's Day here in the U.S., a federal holiday honoring armed service veterans. It coincides with  Remembrance Day or poppy day as it's called in England and other commonwealth countries, as the poppy is used to commemorate the day. France does not have this tradition, but here is a drawing by artist Fred le Chevalier found in Paris. It may not be a poppy, but let's pretend that it is.  

Note: The Germans signed the Armistice  November 11th at 11:00 in l918.

photo by Laura Skelding

To commemorate Veterans Day in southwest Austin, students at St. Gabriel's Catholic School are planting flags. This year, the 3,000 flags will be on display honoring the U.S. service members who are currently living in Texas. When the display is completed, it will represent over 1.7 million veterans currently residing in Texas.

I love this photo.

à bientot ~

Zombies in Paris

I thought I'd show you what Parisians are doing this Halloween. Seems they are getting into the spirit of the holiday. My teacher, Madame Didnee, told us that France didn't much participate in Halloween in years past. Can you believe Paris Zombies still manage to look fabulous? I can.

I threw in another scary tidbit from another part of Europe. I can't get it out of my mind, so I'm attempting to embed it in yours. ;-} (that's my attempt at an evil, I'm just kidding smile.)


translation below
L’occasion annuelle de venir  trimbaler vos carcasses faisandées à l’air libre dans les rues de Paris approche ! Combien de zombies répondront à l’appel ?Vous étiez environ 2000 l’année dernière, est-ce que le nombre de morts désireux de marcher fièrement dans les rues de Paris continuera de croître ? Des stands de maquillages gratuits, animés par des maquilleuses et maquilleurs professionnels et amateurs seront à la disposition des « manifestants », même si vos propres créations sont plus que bienvenues ! La séance de maquillage se déroulera devant le dernier bar avant la fin du monde Avenue victoria à partir de 14h (le long du théâtre du châtelet). 

Remember, French doesn't always translate wellCalling all you other corpses, the date of the Zombie Walk this year is formally arrested October 13! annual opportunity to come lugging your faisandées carcasses in the open air in the streets of Paris near! zombies How to answer the call? You were about 2,000 last year, Is that the number of deaths willing to walk proudly in the streets of Paris continue to grow?Of stands makeup free makeup and led by professional makeup artists and amateurs will be available to the "protesters", even if your own are more than welcome! The make-up session will be held before the last bar before the end of the world Victoria Avenue from 14h (along the Châtelet Theatre)

 Paris Zombie Walk 2012



How to transform yourself into a Zombie

Tutorial d'un zombie by QRM_production


Now for  the Brits
The final episode of Doctor Who was weeks ago, but every time I see a statue around town, I'm afraid to look away. Trust me,The Weeping Angels are seriously scary. I'm not the only one who thinks they're creepy, see for yourself -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0XvSKupIQ4 

Lovely while you're looking at them.....

...fretfully frightening when you look away

I think we're going to see a lot of this type of costume here in Austin.

scary - effrayant

ghost - fantôme

candy - bonbons

Happy Halloween and à bientot ~

Squash or Stomp?

The French say *squash. We say stomp. Sounds about right; stomp seems to have violent undertones (in my opinion). Anyway, get this - a couple of weeks ago in Paris, the grape harvesting party of Mélac was held in the 11th arrondissement. And I do mean party! The restaurant set up 500 tables - c'est beaucoup! Food was plentiful, and the wine festally flowed. Besides sausage, ham, and cheese, seems that Parisians are quite keen on Aligot (ah-lee-go), which is made from mashed potatoes blended with butter, crème fraiche, crushed garlic, and melted cheese. After reading recipes, I'm quite keen on it aussi, and just might attempt to make it. I even found one for Aligot and Bacon Pizza! Back to the party. Kids get to squash the newly harvested grapes into giant buckets. I suppose adults can squash, as well. Wonder if the trottoirs (sidewalks) of Paris are covered in purple footprints...

photo by Eric Tennin  http://www.parisdailyphoto.com

photo by Eric Tennin  http://www.parisdailyphoto.com

In Austin, Water 2 Wine, a local winery, will be the place to be for a grape stompin' good time this weekend! I wonder if I can find anyone to go with me.. I shall be in the mood to smash some grapes come Friday. There will be merry music, awesome appetizers, and wonderful wine of course. The stomp and 2 t-shirts are free if you buy a batch of their premier wine. Batch? Is that the proper term? Doesn't really sound very wine-like to me. You can even put your footprints on the t-shirts!  Ooh! Les t-shirts avec mes empreintes pourpre (purple footprints) will make fantastic Christmas gifts.

http://www.water2wine.com/southaustin

Do you see what I see in the background?

* Squash it is.
écrase - crush, smash, mash, squash, run over
rembarrer - squash
se serrer - squeeze, squash, pack
s'empiler - squash
réussir à faire rentrer - squash

Santé!

What's Your Idea of Romance?

Let’s see, what is the most romantic thing to do in Austin ? I don't have romance on my mind too much these days, alas, I am très single. Also, I think one tends to take things for granted in the city in which they live. Personally, watching the bats emerge from the Congress Ave. Bridge, flying down the bank of the river at dusk is terribly romantic.

Elegance and romance, a combination magnifique!

The Driskill Hotel was built in 1886, and is quite romantic. And it's haunted!  Seems the older the building, the more romantic, d'accord? There are some who believe that the Driskill is among the most haunted hotels in the United States. The ghost stories about the hotel include the story of a young girl playing with a ball, a jilted bride and the cigar smoking original owner. I know what you're thinking, when is she going to talk about Paris? In two more pictures...

I like that the Driskill sits smack dab in the middle of downtown Austin.

There are many different room styles, all romantic, but this one speaks to me.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Now for Paris - how in the world can I narrow it down? I could go on for days, but I shan't.

You could be standing almost anywhere in Paris, and romance would ooze from the cobblestones. There is always a spectacular view of something magnificent. Imagine you're strolling along the Seine in the evening, the full moon's reflection on the water and the only sounds you hear are of the booksellers packing up for the night. Wait til you see what follows, I hit the jackpot when I stumbled across this romantical jewel.

   
Are your romantic ideas coming up short? Then you must check out this Paris based company http://www.justfortwo.fr/fr/29-nouveautes . They specialize in romantic (seriously romantic) getaways, among other things, for couples in love.

Paris Under the Stars

Is this the dreamiest hotel room you've ever seen?  Talk about seventh heaven!. I would certainly have a hard time checking out of this floating universe. Maybe that's the idea. So much for stashing the room service guy under the bed.

Just For Two doesn't just book you a room, the suite is just one of the components. There are many surprises included, such as best seats in the Secret Square Cabaret, aphrodisiac dinner or pleasure game kit (all that if you want to get into details)....

Route 66

Now to make your dreams come true. For Parisians dreaming of visiting Texas, check out "Route 66". It is a part of a bigger idea "Just your Dream" (cute video). In this concept, the couple describes their dreams and desired experiences and the Just For Two private concierge organizes it all for them. It can be a fully customized trip to the States, from the Northeast to the Southwest, taking a historical "Mother Road". You can have a Cadillac, a private driver, you can stop in each state, and they can even organize the activities in each of the places you stop. It is a long journey, but it gives an opportunity to experience the "American Dream" and visit many places at once. Remember, it is a fully customized experience, so you can imagine it however you want and voila - your dream becomes a reality.
       
J'adore cette piscine de rêve. I adore this swimming pool. Imagine the view of Paris from here!

Midnight Swim

vive la romance!

Follow @operation_paris

What Are Hot Parisians To Do?

Once again an entire month has passed since my last post. How does this happen?
More importantly, this is the last day de Paris Plages- bummer! I am so disappointed and I'm not even there. Wonder why les plages are only open for one month? What do they do with all that sand? Where are all the beach chairs stored? Are all des Plagistes now unemployed?  I need to know the answer to these questions (and more). Maybe a lovely Parisian will read this, and be compelled to answer my questions. Maybe Eric Tenin would consider providing some insight. He beat me to this blog topic, but only because he is seven hours ahead!

Holy Vache - it is expected to reach 100 degrees in Paris today! I'm pretty sure they do not use vache (cow) in this context.

Paris Plages 2012 Crédits: Sophie Robichon / Mairie de Paris

How très Parisian! When is the last time you (Americans) witnessed this activity on the beach? I'm going to guess... never

Paris Plages 2012. Crédits : Clémentine Roche / Mairie de Paris 

As you may or may not know, most Parisians leave en vacances during the month of August. The French Austin dwellers do the same! This is why we're having such a long break before the start of our next French class. My teacher is in Toulouse as we speak. I am vert (green) with envy. Again, vert is not used this way. Maybe I should spend some time looking up des phrases françaises to use in circumstances such as these.

Stay cool et bonne semaine!

Bastille Day continued...

Alanna perusing auction items

Here, are some photos from the Bastille Day fête last night at the French Legation Museum. They are not the best quality, in fact, they are quite pas bien. I decided to share them anyway. The weather was much more tolerable than in years past; the clouds saved us from heat stroke. However, the band did end a bit early due to the lightening headed our way. We didn't get to sing La Marseillaise - quel dommage!


My classmate, Alanna joined me, as did my friend, Nicole.  Un bon temps a été pour tous!

Nicole

Hoopin'

The Alliance Française d'Austin

Christine Albert French Show

 chat français sympathique (friendly French cat)

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Joyeux 14 juillet!

My favorite holiday is here! What I wouldn't give to be in Paris this weekend. The feux d'artifice (fireworks) are utterly incredible. Every year is a different musical genre, this year is disco! They have even hoisted a giant disco ball underneath the Eiffel Tower.


Everyone can watch the fireworks via live web cam here. Around 3:30 - 4:00 cst should be about right. It doesn't get dark in Paris until 10:30!

As I am scrambling to finish my devoirs de français, I'll trust you to follow the links and read up on the Bastille Day activities in Paris.  Wait until you see the playlist of disco classics! You may as well refresh your memory on the French Revolution while you're at it.

"The City of Paris has given this year to the company and holiday lights, the design of the fireworks of July 14 dedicated to disco. An exceptional evening that promises to fever invite with a fireworks explosive neon colors , dazzling lights and installing a giant mirror ball of 7.5 m "the mistress of the Eiffel Tower" and 1200 mirrors , created by artist Michel de Broin!

A unique show where everyone can dance and sing the greatest hits disco domestic and international, on the Champ de Mars transformed for the occasion into a huge nightclub cheerful, friendly and feverish."  (Google translation,not mine)

Bastille Day is the French National Day which is celebrated on 14 July of each year. In France, it is formally called La Fête Nationale (The National Celebration) and commonly le quatorze juillet (the fourteenth of July). It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution. Festivities and official ceremonies are held all over France. The oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe is held on the morning of 14 July, on the Champs-Élysées avenue in Paris in front of the President of the Republic, French officials and foreign guests.

Place de la Bastille - Photograph by Getty Images

Vive la France!

Follow @operation_paris

La Plage! La Plage!

Paris Plages ouvrent en juste deux semaines!
(Paris Beaches open in just two weeks!) 

Every year, Paris Plages begins around July 20th, and lasts four weeks. The 2012 edition of Paris Plages will take place de 20 Juillet en 19 Août (from July 20 to August 19). The beaches are open non-stop from 8:00 a.m. to midnight. 

Tons of sand (3,000 to be exact-ish) will be spread over the roads that line the banks of the Seine in central Paris from the Tuileries to the Île Saint-Louis. 

Sandy beaches, deckchairs, omniprésent ice cream sellers, and concerts for French and foreign guests is what Paris Plages is all about. Play beach volley, or kayak around the lake - or, of course just bask in the Paris sun and enjoy. The beaches are spread across three spots (Louvre/Pont de Sully, Port de la Gare and Bassin de la Villette).  

L'imaGigraphe (en travaux)'s photostream

This video shows the constructing of the 2011 Paris Plages in warp speed. So cool!


Paris Plages vient d'ouvrir, on attend votre... by mairiedeparis

Along la plage you will find: bars, petanque, pedal boats, tube rollers (also known as bubble spheres), mini golf, mountain bike lessons, and yes, surfing.

Musically, the festival welcomes Fnac Live at the Town Hall  July 19 to 22 for four days of free concerts.

Bathers can also follow the entire Olympic Games in London on the big screen. I'm thinking that will be a first for most.

I particularly like the manta-ray-shaped inflatable boards.



Ne pas oublier la crème solaire!
(don't forget the sunscreen)

bonne semaine ~

"Play me, I'm yours"

How culturally fun is this? 40 pianos will be scattered about the streets of Paris between June 22 and July 8, 2012.

 J'adore!  This is much like our painted les vaches, but Parisian. The pianos are placed mainly around popular tourist areas, so hopefully the locals don't become too ennuyé (annoyed) with spontaneous concerts.

The pianos have been touring internationally since 2008, started by British artist Luke Jerram. 40 pianos have been placed throughout Paris for all to play from 9:30 to 8:30 every day. 

After 17 days in Paris, the pianos will be lent to a local non-profit organization until next year.

read more...

http://www.streetpianos.com/

Paris has painted pianos, we have painted cows. Seems approprié.

Batsy at Twilight by Linda Figg

Moo-sy in the Sky With Diamonds by Allison Gregory














Found a piano cow!      

http://johnrrogers.com/

c'est all for now (rhymes with cow-hehehe)

Jour du Souvenir

U.S. soldiers of Pennsylvania's 28th Infantry Division march along the Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe in the background, on Aug. 29, 1944, four days after the liberation of Paris.

Remembering..

I tend to "remember" World War II more than the others. I wasn't actually alive at the time, but in some ways wish that I had been. So many men gave their lives for so many. Of course, I tend to be more knowledgeable about the occupation of Paris and more importantly, the liberation of Paris. To think how close they (we) came to la Tour Eiffel's destruction, along with numerous other treasures of this city magnifique, literally makes my stomach turn.

I spent most of yesterday watching war movies, teary-eyed and being ever so grateful.

Since I don't have any war-related tales of my own, thought I'd share quite an interesting and poignant story that I came across recently. How did I miss this? Some of you may already know of this story; Parisians more so than the rest of us.

(watch the video of the Marseillaise - so moving)

French war flag, 'liberated' from Arc de Triomphe, returned to Paris by remorseful U.S. veteran

Published: Sunday, September 19, 2010, 7:39 P

ANGELA DOLAND, Associated Press Writer

PARIS, France — On the day Paris was liberated from the Nazis in 1944, a young American soldier nabbed a souvenir of epic proportions: He took home the French flag that hung from the Arc de Triomphe, a symbol of the end of four years of struggle and shame. Six and a half decades later, the aging veteran has given the flag back to the city of Paris.

Officials from Paris City Hall took possession of the 12-meter (13-yard) tricolor flag Saturday in a ceremony in southern France, a step in its unusual journey from New York state back home to Paris. The American veteran remains anonymous, too ashamed to come forward.

French officials have no intention of scolding him: They have only thanks and kind words for him, pointing out that he once risked his life for France.

"I'm infinitely grateful," Catherine Vieu-Charier, deputy to the mayor of Paris, told The Associated Press. French historian Christine Levisse-Touze insisted his act couldn't be considered a theft.

"If an American GI wanted to take home a souvenir, I'd say there was nothing reprehensible about that, it's an act you can easily understand," said Levisse-Touze, director of a Paris museum with exhibits on the city's liberation.

Levisse-Touze is studying the flag to verify its authenticity, but she said it appears to be the real thing, based on comparisons with archive footage and based on the straps used to tie it to the monument. The cotton flag is still in excellent condition and has been carefully preserved.

Paris firefighters in the Resistance hung the flag on the Arc de Triomphe on Aug. 25, 1944. After Gen. Philippe Leclerc's 2nd Armored Division, backed by the Americans, rolled into Paris, the occupiers surrendered, ignoring Hitler's order to demolish much of the city.

The flag quickly disappeared, and its absence was barely noticed during the tumult. Levisse-Touze believes a different, larger French flag was hanging under the Arc de Triomphe the next day, when Gen. Charles de Gaulle led a victory parade down the Champs-Elysees.

The flag didn't resurface until 2008, when Armand Lourdin, a French chef who has lived in the United States for three decades, was cooking for a group of U.S. veterans he had gotten to know in his job at a private club in Chappaqua, New York. After dinner, the veterans sent for him.

"Everybody was standing up, they had opened up the flag and they were all singing the Marseillaise in French - they had learned the words," Lourdin told the AP by telephone from his home in New York. One of the men told him that he had taken the flag as Paris was liberated, and asked Lourdin to carry it to France on his upcoming vacation.

Lourdin turned it over to the town where his relatives live, Chandolas, in southeastern France, sparking the long process of checking its authenticity. In Saturday's ceremony, French firefighters hung the flag from the town hall.

Afterward, local mayor Alain Mahey entrusted the flag to Paris officials. There is no official protocol for folding a French flag, Mahey said, but this one was sent back to Paris folded into a small triangle, American-style. 


In this Aug. 25, 1944 handout photo made available by Memorial Leclerc/Musee Jean Moulin City of Paris, a French flag is displayed on the Arc De Triomphe on the day Paris was liberated from the Nazis. On the day Paris was liberated from the Nazis in 1944, a young American soldier nabbed a souvenir of epic proportions: He took the French flag that hung anew from the Arc de Triomphe, a proud symbol marking the end of four years of struggle and shame. Now, six and a half decades later, the aging veteran has given it back.