And, last but by no means least, a headless duck and the ugliest statue I think I've seen to date:
Vultures. Who makes a statue immortalising vultures, without any ironic intent? Even in the 1860s.
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Spring in Paris
I recently mentioned on Twitter that it was very much Spring here in Paris, and was asked for photographic proof. (Hi Tim!) As well as the flowers in Sunday's post, then, here are some photos of spring in Paris, for those of you in more benighted parts of the world that don't get sunshine. (Hi Britain!)
And, last but by no means least, a headless duck and the ugliest statue I think I've seen to date:
Vultures. Who makes a statue immortalising vultures, without any ironic intent? Even in the 1860s.
And, last but by no means least, a headless duck and the ugliest statue I think I've seen to date:
Vultures. Who makes a statue immortalising vultures, without any ironic intent? Even in the 1860s.
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Happy Mothers' Day!
Today is Mothers' Day in France - unlike in the UK, where it's sometime in March - so, Happy Mothers' Day to all of you who are mothers, and to my mum in particular! (It has just dawned on me that she may not yet have the address to this blog - I shall give it to her forthwith...)
Since it would be impractical and unenvironmental to send flowers to all the women I know who are mothers, I have taken some photos of flowers from the park near us, which will have to do instead. I'm sure you'll appreciate them in the spirit in which they were intended...
Flowers!
Since it would be impractical and unenvironmental to send flowers to all the women I know who are mothers, I have taken some photos of flowers from the park near us, which will have to do instead. I'm sure you'll appreciate them in the spirit in which they were intended...
Flowers!
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
3D cinema is awesome!
This post is mostly a placeholder to remind me to write about the magic that is 3D cinema. I'd never seen a 3D film before and was somewhat dubious. But, utterly magic, Even the adverts are magic. I want a 3D telly in my house. Now.
If you've never been to a 3D film either, you should go. It helps if it's a film you want to see, but mostly, it's the 3D-ness of it all that's just magic.
If you've never been to a 3D film either, you should go. It helps if it's a film you want to see, but mostly, it's the 3D-ness of it all that's just magic.
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Presenting: Pasta Kettle!
Breakfast today is pain au chocolate, baguette and jam and coffee. With sunshine and Paris to follow.
Coffee is made in a cafetiere, courtesy of The Pasta Kettle, which amuses me every time I look at it. A Christmas present from my little brother, there's a long and complicated story behind it, but I think the photos are entertaining enough even without that. (Basically, can you cook pasta in a kettle? We eventually concluded that maybe. Hence, the below.) The box is even better, but that's in a cupboard somewhere I can't reach, so another time...
Pasta Kettle, in all its glory:
Some slight water/steam damage has unfortuantely affected the writing in the next couple, but I hope you can still make them out!
Coffee is made in a cafetiere, courtesy of The Pasta Kettle, which amuses me every time I look at it. A Christmas present from my little brother, there's a long and complicated story behind it, but I think the photos are entertaining enough even without that. (Basically, can you cook pasta in a kettle? We eventually concluded that maybe. Hence, the below.) The box is even better, but that's in a cupboard somewhere I can't reach, so another time...
Pasta Kettle, in all its glory:
Some slight water/steam damage has unfortuantely affected the writing in the next couple, but I hope you can still make them out!
Saturday, 21 May 2011
Recipe: Chicken in a mushroom and creme fraiche sauce with rice
I cooked a proper dinner tonight - for the first time in ages. I think it turned out all right, so I shall write the recipe down so I remember it for next time! You lucky, lucky people can share in my new-found domesticity - next time, I might even take photos!
(Properly domestic and talented people are not allowed to laugh at me. It's my blog and I said so.)
Chicken in a mushroom and crème fraiche sauce with rice
(Serves 2)
Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
1 onion
2 cloves of garlic (I like garlic)
a small tube of crème fraiche
120g of rice
Method:
1. Heat olive oil in a frying pan. Sprinkle salt, pepper, oregano and thyme on one side of the chicken breasts, then add that side face down in the hot pan. Add salt etc to the other side and turn after five minutes. Turn the heat down to a medium heat and forget about it for the next ten minutes. (I have an electric stove, so it takes a while for the pan to actually start cooling down - leave to cook for a couple of minutes before turning the heat down if you use gas.)
2. After ten minutes, turn the chicken breasts again. Leave for another ten minutes.
3. While you're waiting, put a couple of litres of salted water on to boil, for the rice.
4. Chop the onion and add to a third pan with a generous splash of olive oil. (I didn't say this was light on the washing up. It's part of why it feels like grown up cooking, so hush with your complaints.) Cook on a medium heat for a couple of minutes, while you chop the garlic. Add the garlic and turn the heat down to low. (Again, I use an electric stove - adjust as necessary if you're using gas.) Chop the mushrooms thinly, but don't add to the pan yet.
5. When the water is boiling for the rice, add the rice and cook according to its instructions. (Mine took 12 minutes. If yours takes longer, you might want to do this stage before the onion...)
6. If things work out well - luckily, they did tonight - 5 or 6 minutes before the rice is ready, the chicken-breast-ten-minutes should be over. Turn the chicken breasts a last time.
7. Add the mushrooms to the pan with the onions and garlic in and stir occasionally.
8. One minutes before the rice is ready, add the crème fraiche to the pan with the mushrooms/onions/garlic and stir well. Add salt and pepper to taste.
9. Drain the rice and put on plates. Put the chicken breasts on plates. When the crème fraiche has warmed through and become runny, spoon over the rice and chicken. Serve immediately.
(I meant to add green beans to the boiling rice a couple of mins before it was ready, but this proved too many things to keep track of and I forgot. I'd recommend it, though, if you're more organised than I am!)
(Properly domestic and talented people are not allowed to laugh at me. It's my blog and I said so.)
Chicken in a mushroom and crème fraiche sauce with rice
(Serves 2)
Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
1 onion
2 cloves of garlic (I like garlic)
a small tube of crème fraiche
120g of rice
Method:
1. Heat olive oil in a frying pan. Sprinkle salt, pepper, oregano and thyme on one side of the chicken breasts, then add that side face down in the hot pan. Add salt etc to the other side and turn after five minutes. Turn the heat down to a medium heat and forget about it for the next ten minutes. (I have an electric stove, so it takes a while for the pan to actually start cooling down - leave to cook for a couple of minutes before turning the heat down if you use gas.)
2. After ten minutes, turn the chicken breasts again. Leave for another ten minutes.
3. While you're waiting, put a couple of litres of salted water on to boil, for the rice.
4. Chop the onion and add to a third pan with a generous splash of olive oil. (I didn't say this was light on the washing up. It's part of why it feels like grown up cooking, so hush with your complaints.) Cook on a medium heat for a couple of minutes, while you chop the garlic. Add the garlic and turn the heat down to low. (Again, I use an electric stove - adjust as necessary if you're using gas.) Chop the mushrooms thinly, but don't add to the pan yet.
5. When the water is boiling for the rice, add the rice and cook according to its instructions. (Mine took 12 minutes. If yours takes longer, you might want to do this stage before the onion...)
6. If things work out well - luckily, they did tonight - 5 or 6 minutes before the rice is ready, the chicken-breast-ten-minutes should be over. Turn the chicken breasts a last time.
7. Add the mushrooms to the pan with the onions and garlic in and stir occasionally.
8. One minutes before the rice is ready, add the crème fraiche to the pan with the mushrooms/onions/garlic and stir well. Add salt and pepper to taste.
9. Drain the rice and put on plates. Put the chicken breasts on plates. When the crème fraiche has warmed through and become runny, spoon over the rice and chicken. Serve immediately.
(I meant to add green beans to the boiling rice a couple of mins before it was ready, but this proved too many things to keep track of and I forgot. I'd recommend it, though, if you're more organised than I am!)
Sunshine in Paris
Things are slowly settling down here - I'm beginning to like Paris again. Which is good, considering as how I live here now. (You'll get a proper update in a bit - I need to find time to sit down and write!)
Sunny photos to celebrate my good mood:
Sunny photos to celebrate my good mood:
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Things to do in Paris: Le Manoir de Paris
Le Manoir de Paris is a new attraction that opened to the public on 6 May. I was lucky enough to get to attend the launch event, and so I feel I ought to spread the word about it (even though, you know, my blog with a readership of 2 in a good week was probably not what they were envisaging their briefing being used for - I went as a guest, in case you're wondering.)
That said, Google brings up odd results sometimes, so maybe people looking for something to do on a rainy day in Paris might find this. I struggled somewhat to work out who Le Manoir's target audience is - and from conversation over drinks at the end, it seems I wasn't alone - but I would recommend it to those with older children, those who visit Paris often and who are looking for something a bit different, Goths and people who like dark rooms where bleeding people jump out at you.
From the promotional blurb, Le Manoir de Paris is "a true living museum. It invites visitors to experience Parisian scenes and legends in winding their way through its labyrinth". It "transposes the concept of the haunted house that we find in the United States and adapts it to French culture and sensibility." The concept was created by Adil Houti, a Belgian by birth, who has lived in the US and now lives in France. I've never seen a US haunted house, but for Brits, I suspect this is similar to the London Dungeon (which is, I have to say, one of those things I've never been to either, but at least have seen - and the guys in costumes at London Bridge look similar to these guys, if less gory - and less interactive.)
The "living museum" brings to life 13 legends from Parisian history - some of which are world famous, like Quasimodo, others are less well-known to foreigners. (Well, I didn't know them all, anyway...) It has to be said that this doesn't detract particularly from the experience, though I suppose that recognising the stories might give you a slight edge on dealing with the creepiness as you go through the various rooms and meet the various tragic - and terrifying - characters. To understand the stories the characters tell you, you will need good French. Some of the costumes inhibit clear speaking, and although my French is quite good, there were several stories I missed entirely, mostly because I spent the whole thing in a mild state of panic, waiting for the next thing to leap out at me and scream.
(Text continues after the photos - these photos are mine, from before the show began; do excuse the poor quality - proper photos follow at the end...)
Thinking about it once it was over, I enjoyed it. The expressions on the faces of those who followed us through the maze suggested that I wasn't the only one who found the whole thing terrifying, but that's the point, after all. (And it added amusement, as we watched them come out into a room of people drinking champagne and eating canapes, and try to work out if this was another act that was going to suddenly attack them.) The costuming and lighting was excellent (though I would suggest that perhaps they could have given us a bit more light without ruining the performances - sometimes it was really, really hard to see where you're going...) and the actors were superb. I hope they enjoy their work - they looked like they were doing, but I suppose we were in the nature of the opening night; it might be interesting to go back after they've done their act a few thousand times and seen how much they still enjoy it!
Those with weak hearts, pregnant women and those with epilepsy are advised not to go to this exhibition - there is a lot of use of strobe lighting, which wasn't advertised clearly beforehand, so if you're sensitive to it, give this one a miss. Also, if you're claustrophobic, you will also probably want to give this one a miss - there's one "room" that made me struggle a bit, and I *like* small dark spaces.
The press blurb says that the Manoir is open to children aged 10 and over – I think that's maybe a little young. Some ten year olds will probably be all over it, but there was a little girl who went in ahead of us who came out 5 minutes later in tears.
Factual information you'll need if you're thinking of visiting:
Address: Le Manoir de Paris
18 rue de Paradis
75010 Paris
Metro: Poissonnière, Bonne Nouvelle, Gare de l’Est, Gare du Nord, Strasbourg Saint Denis, Château d’Eau
Bus: Lines 30, 31, 32, 38, 39, 47, 48
Opening hours: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and French public holidays, from 15:00 to 20:00.
Cost: 20 Euros (Concessions: 18 Euros)
www.lemanoirdeparis.com
www.facebook.com/lemanoirdeparis
Official photos (copyright Le Manoir de Paris):
That said, Google brings up odd results sometimes, so maybe people looking for something to do on a rainy day in Paris might find this. I struggled somewhat to work out who Le Manoir's target audience is - and from conversation over drinks at the end, it seems I wasn't alone - but I would recommend it to those with older children, those who visit Paris often and who are looking for something a bit different, Goths and people who like dark rooms where bleeding people jump out at you.
From the promotional blurb, Le Manoir de Paris is "a true living museum. It invites visitors to experience Parisian scenes and legends in winding their way through its labyrinth". It "transposes the concept of the haunted house that we find in the United States and adapts it to French culture and sensibility." The concept was created by Adil Houti, a Belgian by birth, who has lived in the US and now lives in France. I've never seen a US haunted house, but for Brits, I suspect this is similar to the London Dungeon (which is, I have to say, one of those things I've never been to either, but at least have seen - and the guys in costumes at London Bridge look similar to these guys, if less gory - and less interactive.)
The "living museum" brings to life 13 legends from Parisian history - some of which are world famous, like Quasimodo, others are less well-known to foreigners. (Well, I didn't know them all, anyway...) It has to be said that this doesn't detract particularly from the experience, though I suppose that recognising the stories might give you a slight edge on dealing with the creepiness as you go through the various rooms and meet the various tragic - and terrifying - characters. To understand the stories the characters tell you, you will need good French. Some of the costumes inhibit clear speaking, and although my French is quite good, there were several stories I missed entirely, mostly because I spent the whole thing in a mild state of panic, waiting for the next thing to leap out at me and scream.
(Text continues after the photos - these photos are mine, from before the show began; do excuse the poor quality - proper photos follow at the end...)
Thinking about it once it was over, I enjoyed it. The expressions on the faces of those who followed us through the maze suggested that I wasn't the only one who found the whole thing terrifying, but that's the point, after all. (And it added amusement, as we watched them come out into a room of people drinking champagne and eating canapes, and try to work out if this was another act that was going to suddenly attack them.) The costuming and lighting was excellent (though I would suggest that perhaps they could have given us a bit more light without ruining the performances - sometimes it was really, really hard to see where you're going...) and the actors were superb. I hope they enjoy their work - they looked like they were doing, but I suppose we were in the nature of the opening night; it might be interesting to go back after they've done their act a few thousand times and seen how much they still enjoy it!
Those with weak hearts, pregnant women and those with epilepsy are advised not to go to this exhibition - there is a lot of use of strobe lighting, which wasn't advertised clearly beforehand, so if you're sensitive to it, give this one a miss. Also, if you're claustrophobic, you will also probably want to give this one a miss - there's one "room" that made me struggle a bit, and I *like* small dark spaces.
The press blurb says that the Manoir is open to children aged 10 and over – I think that's maybe a little young. Some ten year olds will probably be all over it, but there was a little girl who went in ahead of us who came out 5 minutes later in tears.
Factual information you'll need if you're thinking of visiting:
Address: Le Manoir de Paris
18 rue de Paradis
75010 Paris
Metro: Poissonnière, Bonne Nouvelle, Gare de l’Est, Gare du Nord, Strasbourg Saint Denis, Château d’Eau
Bus: Lines 30, 31, 32, 38, 39, 47, 48
Opening hours: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and French public holidays, from 15:00 to 20:00.
Cost: 20 Euros (Concessions: 18 Euros)
www.lemanoirdeparis.com
www.facebook.com/lemanoirdeparis
Official photos (copyright Le Manoir de Paris):
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Sunshine and roses
OK, so all is not perfect - we are so close to having internet at home, but not yet there (and I can already see how this may yet turn into a massive saga) - but the sun is shining, flowers everywhere are out and smelling beautiful, and Paris is an altogether nice place to spend spring. Having just spent an hour lying in the sun in a park eating brie sandwiches, I approve.
When we get internet, I will tell you all about the event I went to this week for the launch of a new Haunted House type museum in the 10th arrondissement - I'd tell you now, but this keyboard is crap. So, another time... (I know you're all dying of anticipation. I can just tell.)
When we get internet, I will tell you all about the event I went to this week for the launch of a new Haunted House type museum in the 10th arrondissement - I'd tell you now, but this keyboard is crap. So, another time... (I know you're all dying of anticipation. I can just tell.)
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
First day of work
First day was blissfully short, and I'm utterly overwhelmed by the amount of people I met. I'm hoping they will all remember who I am and introduce themselves again, because I'll never remember them otherwise...
Job itself will be interesting - busy, lots of good, interesting stuff, but it sounds like there might be lots of work, and I'm not at all sure I can do it. We'll see - I'm a fast learner, right?
Now have a Carte Orange, so am clearly a proper Parisian. (OK, so it's not called a Carte Orange anymore, it's a Passe Navigo Decouverte, or some such nonsense. Does the same thing as a Carte Orange.) Also will soon have (I'm promised!) a phone line and internet. I miss you, Internet, even if no one actually reads anything I say. (This is no different to real life, where no one listens to me. But it's more satisfying to whinge about it here.)
It's actually sunny again today - maybe summer really is on its way...
Job itself will be interesting - busy, lots of good, interesting stuff, but it sounds like there might be lots of work, and I'm not at all sure I can do it. We'll see - I'm a fast learner, right?
Now have a Carte Orange, so am clearly a proper Parisian. (OK, so it's not called a Carte Orange anymore, it's a Passe Navigo Decouverte, or some such nonsense. Does the same thing as a Carte Orange.) Also will soon have (I'm promised!) a phone line and internet. I miss you, Internet, even if no one actually reads anything I say. (This is no different to real life, where no one listens to me. But it's more satisfying to whinge about it here.)
It's actually sunny again today - maybe summer really is on its way...
Monday, 2 May 2011
Flat hunt - update
Success! We have a flat, and it has electricity and (hot) running water and locks on the doors and everything! Turns out the answer to the question "how do you get a flat in Paris when you don't have the paperwork most landlords seem to desperately need, because you're a foreigner" is "find a sane landlord who has two braincells to rub together who can see that you're not trying to trick them into letting you give them large amounts of money in exchange for a shoebox, you really are going to pay the ludicrous sums of money they're asking for".
It's actually a beautiful little flat on a courtyard about half an hour from my new job, with skylights and big windows and a lovely open-plan kitchen living room, and a big bedroom. And I love it, til something goes horribly wrong, of course ;-)
We've gone and bought a whole load of food, and TATI has provided pillows, a duvet, cups, a chopping board, knives, pans, everything one could ask for in a new flat. And the rest of our stuff is coming at the end of this week, so soon we'll have a flat full of things again, and it will be glorious.
Our next major task is to find internet. At the moment, aside from very brief trips to internet cafes, I have no way of finding out what is happening in the world. No telly, no internet, no phone. It's quite liberating, in a way. But I do feel rather cut off from the Real World - I should now go and look at the news in case anything exciting is happening...
ETA: See, I go offline for one weekend, just one, and in it I miss a Royal Wedding and Osama bin Laden being killed. What else could happen while I'm lacking in news and internet? (Readers of the latter part of my last expat blog will remember how many long, long months it took for me to get internet in London. The whole world could be different when I come back online properly!)
It's actually a beautiful little flat on a courtyard about half an hour from my new job, with skylights and big windows and a lovely open-plan kitchen living room, and a big bedroom. And I love it, til something goes horribly wrong, of course ;-)
We've gone and bought a whole load of food, and TATI has provided pillows, a duvet, cups, a chopping board, knives, pans, everything one could ask for in a new flat. And the rest of our stuff is coming at the end of this week, so soon we'll have a flat full of things again, and it will be glorious.
Our next major task is to find internet. At the moment, aside from very brief trips to internet cafes, I have no way of finding out what is happening in the world. No telly, no internet, no phone. It's quite liberating, in a way. But I do feel rather cut off from the Real World - I should now go and look at the news in case anything exciting is happening...
ETA: See, I go offline for one weekend, just one, and in it I miss a Royal Wedding and Osama bin Laden being killed. What else could happen while I'm lacking in news and internet? (Readers of the latter part of my last expat blog will remember how many long, long months it took for me to get internet in London. The whole world could be different when I come back online properly!)
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