Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Paris isn't...


 Paris isn't all wine and pots of muguet for your balcon ya know.
 1st things first.
Get a Brita water purifyer.
Paris water is full of calc.
It will stain every bit of the cuisine/kitchen.
Buy some white vinegar to get rid of the marks!
 You don't want to have to load up on non-green bouteille de plastique oui?
 Your 'bedhead' hair doesn't like Paris water either.
No wonder all the hairdressers in this town.
 Paris layers - don't we love the way Parisians layer on those scarves and pulls/sweaters. There's a method to their madness. Be prepared to strip off your morning clothes by noon. Then put them back on again for evening. And for Gawd's sake follow the weather report.
 If you're dying to live in Paris learn to love map reading and I don't mean chocolate maps
 Start boning up on politics.
You have a lot of catching up to do.
 Paris adores New York.
Meh
Why oh why?
Just accept.
c'est la vie.
 Paris LOVES lollie pops/sucettes.
Pourquoi? Qui sait?
But you'll find them at all price points. These jazzy jaguar numbers were in La Grande Epicerie and I don't like to think what they cost. Stick with Chupi Chups at 39 centimes a pop (no pun intended).
 Temptation lurks on every coin/corner in Paris. Here at Georges Larnicol kouign Amann in 18 flavors at the very least.
 Or creme puffy wonders at Ble sucre.
maim maim
 For every tempting morsal Paris offers up there is (for balance) reminders at Bus stops...oh everywhere to watch/control your ligne/figure.
 Wanna live in Paris?
Learn to love lapin/rabbits.
 And poule/chickens - this chick belongs to Chef Marthe.
 Find your inner child.
Paris may be the goofiest town on the planet.
Get SILLY.
 Learn to LOVE Coca!
 Loving stripes is easy.
 And loving red.
Red shoes = perfection with all-black
 But bring shoes with traction for wet cobblestones.
 READ ALL THE RULES
There are many in Paris.
 Guard your key/cley.
Wear it at all times on your person.
 Losing your cley can cost and arm and a leg and much ire from the rentor/guardien. I know someone who locked herself out THREE times. The key was hanging inside the door. Easily $300 bucks a pop to open her door.
Pas Bon.
 Paris dogs are a joy.
No complaints in this area.
Letting in the morning fresh air into your place is cool too. I suppose Paris isn't so bad

32 comments:

  1. When I first saw that Chantier Inderdit sign a few years ago in Luxembourg, I thought it said Chanter Interdit! Which I thought was rather draconian.... Sure not everyone can sing, but it's not usually that bad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahahaha
      I thought the same thing Louise.
      I wouldn't put it past the French.
      There are probably rules/regles for breathing

      Delete
  2. Adorb list of to-dos comme d'habitude
    xxLou

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  3. Sweet doggies...
    Doing the Bisous, bisous
    xxannie

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  4. Yesterday, I took the high road and did not comment on the rabbits. But TWO days in a row? You have thrown down the gauntlet! I plan to cope with the constant bunny transgressions in Paris by succumbing to every single temptation dans les vitrines....so there!
    also interesting to know that the corners are les coins....in architecture- speak the coins are those big stones on the corners of buildings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. but that's exactly it J
      There IS no gauntlet
      The bunny invasion is here.
      It may have to do with the high birth rate.
      France has the highest in Europe.

      Interesting about the word 'coin'
      Boy does this town have les coins!

      Delete
  5. "not so bad" is the understatement of the century

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  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  7. I'm laughing--I thought of the Mistress when I saw your notes on lapins. I love an open window to let in the fresh air. Way to go

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  8. I just love your stream of consciousness in Paris...it captures such lovely little details.

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    Replies
    1. THANKS!
      You know it is just the facts mam...
      The hard cold realities of living in Paris are not always so poetic...
      merci carolg

      Delete
  9. Enjoy every minute...Paris is magical!

    And of course guard your key! have a great time.

    Elizabeth

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  10. I watched an episode of House Hunters International ..recently and a young Dallas Texas woman was looking for the perfect Paris Apt.I thought of you..
    You are back so soon? To stay?

    Love the red flats..:)

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    Replies
    1. Hi NANA!!
      But I sm NOT looking for the 'perfect' Paris apartment at all!
      I just found out my little dream studio of last visit was all of 15 METERS small and it suited me to a T.
      The sink, fridge and stove were right behind my back as I sat at the computer.
      Perfection in my books! :)

      Delete
  11. Everything you wrote, applies to Buenos Aires ... if only they spoke French here :)
    besitos..

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  12. Your glimpses of Paree are such a delight!
    New York is damp and misses you!

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    Replies
    1. Get used to it NEW YORK!!
      I think I'll be back for the summer here..
      croise les doigts...
      Hi Buster!

      Delete
  13. Anonymous3:17 PM

    I love this pastries book, it is so fabulous
    and the photo with the dogs are so cute

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    Replies
    1. So funny TheKitchen..
      Some French guys on the NY metro were saying to me (in French) the grass is always greener.
      Something new always wins the day I suppose..oh my

      Delete
  14. Elizabeth3:25 PM

    Here's a Paris observation for you.
    Twice while I was in Paris, I saw things in stores that I thought were _black_, but were actually a very _dark navy_. It occurred to me that the French seem to really love navy blue...much more than Americans where the color is kind of relegated to spring and perhaps viewed as a bit old-fashioned (except for pea jkts. and jeans).

    In Paris, dark navy seems to be a hot color. My Paris navy purchase was a mini-LL Bean bag at Muji for only 12 Euros. What a bargain!

    See if you see any more of this 'off-black' navy color.

    Hope you are grignote-ing up (snacking) a storm!
    Hope it's a bit warmer.
    Elizabeth

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    Replies
    1. Yes today, premiere du mai was lovely and sunny.
      Impossible to stay inside though I have so much homework.
      Yes I have noticed that blue-black navy color
      It's a favorite of Comme des Garcons as well or maybe she started the trend 20 yrs ago.
      Too subtle for NYC I think which is more flash and less dash.

      Delete
  15. Great post, Carol, so many great photos!
    I love the "bedhead," that very charming little girl looking at the political posters, the dogs,the red shoes,the pastries.....:)

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  16. Some great photos here. I think I saw that same House Hunters international. I love watching them as I am so surprised at how little space you get for the money and people are happy. :) I love the last two photos. I am surprised to see a bigger dog. Usually you show mostly small dogs. Enjoy it all. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. I became very comfortable with my inner child eons ago, and I even accept and indulge the female side of me that surely contributes to the artist that is ME.
    But my GAWD; so many rules in the French/Parisian world.!

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  18. Forget rules. I just want one of those creme puffy wonders!

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  19. Bonjour!
    your Bear has a counterpart in my Mr. Bunny, who also enjoys seeing the world.
    he is especially looking forward to his visit to Paris, now that he knows lapins abound there! (he also knows actual lapin is on many menus, and is sorrowful)

    Jane

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  20. Interesting to see you observing some of the downsides to Paris, given that this must be the most romanticized city in the world.
    I love the little girl seemingly weighing up Sarko vs Hollande in the shop window!
    And re the rules/regles, I thought Britain was bad (their obsession with rules drives me nuts) ... but at least in France they rebel against the regles (greves, manifestations etc as you pointed out in your last post) - I think I prefer this attitude to the British "mustn't grumble" passive acceptance.

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    Replies
    1. I'm not so sure you would agree with all the 'mani' taking place.
      French people see it as one big picnic :O
      There were many yesterday!!

      Delete
  21. I LOVE someone who doesn't present Paris as this romantic, fantastic and must go destination for tourists..

    Your photo diary is excellent as always and I love that you make people aware that buying 'plastic' water bottles isn't really good. I love "Vichy" from glass, my preferred drink when in France.

    Do you ever come to London?

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  22. I am deathly afraid of losing my keys. But you are missing a picture of the dreadful weather this last week!

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  23. Carol, dear, love all the insightful pics and following along with you on your walks. But, I must ask, where can I get my hands on those adorable mini suitcases? I'm as silly as the Parisiens when it comes to miniatures and toys and I must have the one with the Eiffel Tower! What shop did you snap that picture? Please, oh please, oh please?

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  24. 1, rue Cassette at Il Etait Une Fois 75006
    I love this shop
    do say I sent you
    they are very sweet inside.
    bon chance

    ReplyDelete

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