It's been a few days since I've posted, but worry not, you haven't missed a thing! Sciatic nerve pain and my poorly reconstructed knee's refusal to cooperate with my travel plans, made for a rather uneventful week. This unanticipated break gave me a chance to apply for jobs, fill out visa paperwork, and get my CV (Curriculum Vitae) out to as many employers as possible.
My language skills are really coming along and I'm able to have hours long conversations with people without saying "pardon" every other sentence. It's all about comfort. If I am with people that I am comfortable with, I take in the entire segment of the conversation as a whole, piece it together, and a response has never been a problem for me. When you are confronted with direct questioning, you tend to try to translate word-for-word what the other person has just said and you will sit there like one o'clock half-struck.
It looks as though the weather is improving slightly so I may get a chance to get some new snapshots of the city. Stay tuned and thanks for following!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
faux printemps a Paris!
Today was an absolutely gorgeous day in Paris! It's what the Parisiens call "faux printemps" or in English, false spring. I was in the middle of slicing through a mountain of online "red tape" looking for work when I glanced out my window to see nothing but sunshine and smiling faces. Smiling faces in Paris are more rare than the sun in February.
I wasted no time heading out the door and hitting the Bastille metro station. I knew that if I were to enjoy such a Parisien afternoon, I had to get to the Jardins de Tuileries, that act as a rather picturesque driveway to the Louvre. No changing stations here. I decided to leg it today and took M line 1 La Defense to the Charles de Gaulle Etoile station. You are literally staring straight up at the Arc de Triomphe when you exit the metro.
Strolling the Champs-Elysees is great for people-watching. Resist the urge to do any shopping there as prices are double what they are two blocks away. It's not as hard to fight the urge to sip an 8euro coffee at one of the cafes, as it's 2euros at better cafes.
I spent an hour just sitting in the Tuileries watching tourist and Parisiens alike, taking in this rare afternoon. I flirted with the idea of heading into the Louvre for what will have to be one of many visits, but decided that days like today are meant for being a flaneur.
As I passed by the St. Antoine metro station, I decided that today was meant for walking and that's what I did. Over six miles today. With Sciatic nerve pain shooting from my spine down to my foot. Damn, it was almost perfect! Please enjoy the new pics! The link is located at the bottom of this page. They are also available on facebook and Picasa. Ciao for now!
I wasted no time heading out the door and hitting the Bastille metro station. I knew that if I were to enjoy such a Parisien afternoon, I had to get to the Jardins de Tuileries, that act as a rather picturesque driveway to the Louvre. No changing stations here. I decided to leg it today and took M line 1 La Defense to the Charles de Gaulle Etoile station. You are literally staring straight up at the Arc de Triomphe when you exit the metro.
Strolling the Champs-Elysees is great for people-watching. Resist the urge to do any shopping there as prices are double what they are two blocks away. It's not as hard to fight the urge to sip an 8euro coffee at one of the cafes, as it's 2euros at better cafes.
I spent an hour just sitting in the Tuileries watching tourist and Parisiens alike, taking in this rare afternoon. I flirted with the idea of heading into the Louvre for what will have to be one of many visits, but decided that days like today are meant for being a flaneur.
As I passed by the St. Antoine metro station, I decided that today was meant for walking and that's what I did. Over six miles today. With Sciatic nerve pain shooting from my spine down to my foot. Damn, it was almost perfect! Please enjoy the new pics! The link is located at the bottom of this page. They are also available on facebook and Picasa. Ciao for now!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Quick Comments....
I am looking for input on the design and content of the blog, so please don't be shy. Send me a comment or an email if there is something that you really want to know about here in Paris. Please understand that I will not be able to critique the cuisine of Le Cinq, Guy Savoy, La Tour d'Argent, or Le Grand Vefour. It simply is not in the budget. I will say, however, that the burger at McDonald's topped with goat cheese was not half bad!
One note, the blog is now monetized, so there are a couple of ads that I have no discretion over the content. They are supposed to be relevant to my blog, according to Google. In theory, I receive money when they are clicked on by viewers. I'm sure it would take a million clicks for me to buy a day old baguette, but what the hell. Added bonus: they are in French so you'll be learning too, right?;)
One note, the blog is now monetized, so there are a couple of ads that I have no discretion over the content. They are supposed to be relevant to my blog, according to Google. In theory, I receive money when they are clicked on by viewers. I'm sure it would take a million clicks for me to buy a day old baguette, but what the hell. Added bonus: they are in French so you'll be learning too, right?;)
Lost in Transit
On Saturday, my friends Loriane and Ludo invited me out to their flat in Cergy. I decided that I would prefer to come back home the same evening so I could soak in the outdoor market atmosphere that makes Sunday afternoons so enjoyable. Off to Cergy, relax with friends and a few cocktails, take the last train from Cergy to Gare St. Lazare at midnight. Door-to-door in an hour. Pas de probleme!
As I hopped out of the car at Cergy Prefecture station at 11:55pm, I already knew I was asking for trouble. Before I had left their flat, Ludo had told me to call him if I missed the train and I was more than welcome to stay. After two attempts using the automated-ticket-buying-confusing-as-hell machine, I received my ticket, popped through the gate and just as I came down the stairs to the platform, my train home was pulling in.
Just three hours earlier I had taken the same train out to Cergy and had to stand because all the seats were taken. Now, within the next three cars at least, there was only myself and one other couple. I thought to myself I thought I remembered the train going in the other direction last time? Rushing my French, I asked the couple if I was headed the right way. NON! They shouted (in French) "you had better get off at the next stop and get to the platform on the other side."
Now I'm further outside of Paris standing on a 400yard platform that is completely empty, save for me and a 8oz can, yes can, of wine. Luckily within 14min, my train arrived, and I was headed in the right direction. I knew, however, that heading the wrong way for 5min would cause me to miss my connection at Conflans fin d'Oise, which by the way, is still way out in the 'burbs. On the train, which was a ghost town on tracks, I asked the only person I saw if there was a connection to Paris. I already knew the answer, but fortunately, for the price of one Gauloises, he was nice enough to take me to the FREE bus (for idiots who miss their trains).
After waiting 30min, we all five of us were on a free bus back to Paris. Not quickly, however, as our bus driver like to stop every ten minutes and get out for a cigarette. As we pull into a large park-and-ride type bus stop, the bus driver gets into an all-out screaming match with four of his co-workers, takes off in a huff, drives us around whatever town we were in and comes back to that bus stop a half an hour later. These fellow bus drivers inform our driver, that he needs to get us to Gare St. Lazare and stop fucking about!! I concur!
In Paris, we arrive near the scene of an accident where the police have stopped thru traffic. Our driver informs us politely to "get the fuck off the bus. End of the line." After the police open the road, he picks us up three blocks later, which was nice since we had two and a half miles to go. We finally arrive at Gare St. Lazare....and in a timely...oh la la...TWO AND A HALF HOURS!! The famous "last metro" had come and gone long ago, and I was stuck with a 20euro cab ride back to the 11e.
I decided to post this story as more of a warning than entertainment. If you are in a country where the language is your second language, never take the "last" anything. Metro, train, bus, cab, handsome cab, ect! Take the second to last option and leave yourself a little time cushion. If I did not speak enough French, I would've been stuck 40 miles out of the city, at 1:00am in a less than desireable area with everthing closed.
By the time I got to sleep, had I stayed in Cergy, Loriane would've had a nice espresso and pain au chocolat waiting for me as I woke up. In a foreign country, always accept the hospitality of other, especially at midnight!
As I hopped out of the car at Cergy Prefecture station at 11:55pm, I already knew I was asking for trouble. Before I had left their flat, Ludo had told me to call him if I missed the train and I was more than welcome to stay. After two attempts using the automated-ticket-buying-confusing-as-hell machine, I received my ticket, popped through the gate and just as I came down the stairs to the platform, my train home was pulling in.
Just three hours earlier I had taken the same train out to Cergy and had to stand because all the seats were taken. Now, within the next three cars at least, there was only myself and one other couple. I thought to myself I thought I remembered the train going in the other direction last time? Rushing my French, I asked the couple if I was headed the right way. NON! They shouted (in French) "you had better get off at the next stop and get to the platform on the other side."
Now I'm further outside of Paris standing on a 400yard platform that is completely empty, save for me and a 8oz can, yes can, of wine. Luckily within 14min, my train arrived, and I was headed in the right direction. I knew, however, that heading the wrong way for 5min would cause me to miss my connection at Conflans fin d'Oise, which by the way, is still way out in the 'burbs. On the train, which was a ghost town on tracks, I asked the only person I saw if there was a connection to Paris. I already knew the answer, but fortunately, for the price of one Gauloises, he was nice enough to take me to the FREE bus (for idiots who miss their trains).
After waiting 30min, we all five of us were on a free bus back to Paris. Not quickly, however, as our bus driver like to stop every ten minutes and get out for a cigarette. As we pull into a large park-and-ride type bus stop, the bus driver gets into an all-out screaming match with four of his co-workers, takes off in a huff, drives us around whatever town we were in and comes back to that bus stop a half an hour later. These fellow bus drivers inform our driver, that he needs to get us to Gare St. Lazare and stop fucking about!! I concur!
In Paris, we arrive near the scene of an accident where the police have stopped thru traffic. Our driver informs us politely to "get the fuck off the bus. End of the line." After the police open the road, he picks us up three blocks later, which was nice since we had two and a half miles to go. We finally arrive at Gare St. Lazare....and in a timely...oh la la...TWO AND A HALF HOURS!! The famous "last metro" had come and gone long ago, and I was stuck with a 20euro cab ride back to the 11e.
I decided to post this story as more of a warning than entertainment. If you are in a country where the language is your second language, never take the "last" anything. Metro, train, bus, cab, handsome cab, ect! Take the second to last option and leave yourself a little time cushion. If I did not speak enough French, I would've been stuck 40 miles out of the city, at 1:00am in a less than desireable area with everthing closed.
By the time I got to sleep, had I stayed in Cergy, Loriane would've had a nice espresso and pain au chocolat waiting for me as I woke up. In a foreign country, always accept the hospitality of other, especially at midnight!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
It's a Cergy Thing!
Wow, hey everyone! Please hang with me as I attempt to get the little technical bugs taken care of. I sincerely appreciate everyone signing up as this is a great way to feel like I'm not on the other side of the world by myself! I made some new Parisien friends last night. Of course, I was at Cafe des Anges, having my typical verre de Chinon and writing away in my zombie journal. I was content to sit and write as I usually do.
One really cannot grasp the true cultural differences between two countries without visiting the other. When you are here alone, one stands out. Parisiens do not interfere, or more importantly, include outsiders in their conversations. Now, I feel like I am a very outgoing, friendly (ok, loudmouth) person, who can strike up a conversation with anyone. You can't do that here. Mix in a slight language barrier and it can make for some lonely afternoons.
The solution is to be prepared for any slight in-route to the conversation. Typically, someone ask for a light. Seize the opportunity to throw in the french you do know now! That worked out well last night and I made three new new friends, who thankfully live in my neighborhood.
I'm now stepping out the door to take a 1/2hr ride on the Metro line 1 to La Defense and another 1/2 ride on RER A to Cergy. Maybe I'll post a Cergy update tomorrow as it is a the way of living there is so different from Paris, you wouldn't believe it's only 25min by car.
One really cannot grasp the true cultural differences between two countries without visiting the other. When you are here alone, one stands out. Parisiens do not interfere, or more importantly, include outsiders in their conversations. Now, I feel like I am a very outgoing, friendly (ok, loudmouth) person, who can strike up a conversation with anyone. You can't do that here. Mix in a slight language barrier and it can make for some lonely afternoons.
The solution is to be prepared for any slight in-route to the conversation. Typically, someone ask for a light. Seize the opportunity to throw in the french you do know now! That worked out well last night and I made three new new friends, who thankfully live in my neighborhood.
I'm now stepping out the door to take a 1/2hr ride on the Metro line 1 to La Defense and another 1/2 ride on RER A to Cergy. Maybe I'll post a Cergy update tomorrow as it is a the way of living there is so different from Paris, you wouldn't believe it's only 25min by car.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Settling In.
For those who don't know yet, I'm in Paris. I arrived on the 1st of February with a suitcase and a backpack. Although I spent all of December and January planning, organizing, researching, and googling everything you can about Paris, I was far from ready to land here.
I spent hours and hours each day studying French, watching French cinema, drinking wine and smoking cigarettes, just so I could mentally and physically prepare myself. The moment I stepped of the plane, I had a sinking feeling that the work had just started.
Although I don't want this blog to be geared towards travel advice, if you want to avoid some major hurdles upon arriving in France, make sure your cell phone is GSM compatible and works in France! I was told by my local Verizon flunkies "you won't have any problems, it will just be expensive." Good one. I had zero network service when I arrived. Sure, no big deal unless....maybe you need to contact your landlord. Maybe you need to find out where the hell you are going. You know, little things.
I was not expecting there to be such a language barrier. I was told by a couple of French friends that my French is very, very good and I have great speaking skills, including the correct accent and use of slang. My friends must have meant "compared the the zero other Americans we know." My ability to speak French has so far, been somewhat of a problem for me. When you sound like you know what you are talking about, people assume you actually comprehend what they are saying. I'm not sure how many of you have heard an real Parisien speaking at full thrust, but it's a thing to behold. In just three weeks, however, my comprehension is really coming along. Just today I actually re-loaded my minutes on my French phone (just trust me, it's a big deal).
Too long of post! I'm going to try to post daily. Grammer and spelling mistake annoy me immensely,so if you see any, keep in mind I'm typing this out on a ten inch Netbook, sitting on a lumpy old canape convertible! PS...Steph wins!! She was the first to follow this blog. Steph is rad. Jen, don't try to claim Steph's prize...I can tell you two apart!
I spent hours and hours each day studying French, watching French cinema, drinking wine and smoking cigarettes, just so I could mentally and physically prepare myself. The moment I stepped of the plane, I had a sinking feeling that the work had just started.
Although I don't want this blog to be geared towards travel advice, if you want to avoid some major hurdles upon arriving in France, make sure your cell phone is GSM compatible and works in France! I was told by my local Verizon flunkies "you won't have any problems, it will just be expensive." Good one. I had zero network service when I arrived. Sure, no big deal unless....maybe you need to contact your landlord. Maybe you need to find out where the hell you are going. You know, little things.
I was not expecting there to be such a language barrier. I was told by a couple of French friends that my French is very, very good and I have great speaking skills, including the correct accent and use of slang. My friends must have meant "compared the the zero other Americans we know." My ability to speak French has so far, been somewhat of a problem for me. When you sound like you know what you are talking about, people assume you actually comprehend what they are saying. I'm not sure how many of you have heard an real Parisien speaking at full thrust, but it's a thing to behold. In just three weeks, however, my comprehension is really coming along. Just today I actually re-loaded my minutes on my French phone (just trust me, it's a big deal).
Too long of post! I'm going to try to post daily. Grammer and spelling mistake annoy me immensely,so if you see any, keep in mind I'm typing this out on a ten inch Netbook, sitting on a lumpy old canape convertible! PS...Steph wins!! She was the first to follow this blog. Steph is rad. Jen, don't try to claim Steph's prize...I can tell you two apart!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
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