Today's realization is that changing cities, changing jobs, changing friends, changing days, weeks, months, and probably years does nothing to change such a profound pain of loss.
Today's realization is that changing cities, changing jobs, changing friends, changing days, weeks, months, and probably years does nothing to change such a profound pain of loss.
Can't sleep...yet again. Universe, what have I done to you? My alarm goes off in 3 hours, and I'm very excited about the energy-filled day that I will be having tomorrow! On another note, I got my visa for Brazil with absolutely no problem. The women at the consulate are exceptionally friendly (except for the one that yelled at me for stapling my photo on my application instead of gluing it -- she handed me both and said "please attach your photo" -- silly me)
In any case, I'm going to attempt to fall asleep and salvage what might be left of tonight's slumber. Bonne nuit :-)
Just a few photos from my ice skating adventure last weekend:
When: 1 Dec 2007 - 9 Mar 2008 (annual)
Where: Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
Cost: Free; skate hire €5
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 12pm-10pm; Fri 12pm-12am; Sat 9am-12am; Sun 9am-10pm
http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=24832
I had a lovely Saturday yesterday enjoying the many splendors of a lazy weekend lounging around Paris. After over two and a half years of living here, I still am surprised at how much this city has to offer. After a walk along the Canal Saint-Martin with a coworker and Christina, we made our way down to Republique, and continued on to Bastille. My coworker lives in a not-so-desirable apartment south of Paris right now, and wanted to explore some new neighborhoods... so, after showing her around for a bit, we decided to stop for a late afternoon drink/snack. Goal: something delicious, light, not too pricey... Solution : Le Paradis du Fruit at Bastille. There are several of these restaurants throughout Paris, but surprisingly delicious for a chain. They're all about fresh fruit/veggies/healthyness in general. I had a smoked turkey/swiss cheese grilled pita (comes with a side salad and a delightful dipping sauce), and Christina had a tuna salad grilled pita. (Each are 6 euro).
My coworker opted for something a bit more hearty -- a very pleasing chicken/carrot curry with a very savory sauce, followed by their veggie curry rice (12 euro). All exceptional. Their pina colada was equally as delicious...but the final seal of the deal came in the form of dessert : a banana, coconut milk, fresh coconut, ice cream and whipped cream sundae for me (mmm!) and a chocolate cake with creme anglaise for my friend. (mmmm!!) Needless to say, we were all satisfied with our food, and will definitely return.
Also to be tried - fresh fruit smoothies (from the menu, or your own special mix) and *all* of their desserts.
NB - Has a heated terrace for all of you that are desperately seeking a place to smoke since the new no-smoking law!
Le Paradis du Fruit - Bastille
12, Place de la Bastille
75011 Paris
Hours: Monday - Sunday (12h - 2h)
http://www.leparadisdufruit.fr/
Just thought I'd post about two shows that I've seen in the last few weeks -- both hilarious and wanted to spread the word.
Couscous aux Lardons
This show was just hilarious! We laughed non-stop for the whole thing. The actress is excellent, and the chemistry between to two leads was perfect. Anyone that's ever been in any inter-cultural relationship will especially appreciate this show. If you buy your tickets on cityvox, you save about 14 € on the price.
"Ce spectacle c'est leur histoire : Rachid aime Marie-sophie, Marie-Sophie aime Rachid ! un mariage, deux cultures, deux belles mères... La vie à deux c'est déjà compliquée mais lorsqu'il s'agit d'un couple mixte, ça devient la folie.
Une confrontation des cultures abordée sans parti-pris, mais pour notre grand plaisir, avec dérision. 2 comédiens débordant d'énergie, gags et quiproquos en avalanche : de quoi dérider les zygomatiques."
http://www.fra.cityvox.fr/theatre_paris/couscous-aux-lardons_202820/Profil-Eve
Comédie République
1, Boulevard St Martin
75003 Paris
Tel : 01 40 29 03 02
Garnier et Sentout
Is a bit hard to follow in the beginning due to a decent amount of plays on words...in french, and they speak pretty quickly. However, the show quickly falls into its groove, and the sketchs are just great. Especially the "Resto Bio" :-)
http://www.fra.cityvox.fr/theatre_paris/garnier-et-sentou_185317/ProgrammationEvenement
Le Point Virgule
I'm going to Brazil! Just bought my ticket this afternoon. Leaving on the 12th of February for two weeks! Madrid is postponed (good thing my ticket won't be wasted!). So, goal of this vacation: get the tan of a lifetime, eat some amaaaaazing food, and have a few nice drinks out of coconuts :-)
So, my holiday plans might be changing soon... to a somewhat cooler destination than Madrid (wondering if EasyJet tickets are transferrable...). Not yet confirmed...we'll see if I can take the time off work in February, and then decide from there....
So, yeah, a little disappointed. But, such is life. On another note, I've decided to go to London for a quick weekend in February. The Eurostar is pretty inexpensive, so it'll be a nice escape for a few days. I've been to London before (in 2002), but it was so brief..I don't remember anything/didn't really see much anyway.
Going to catch up with an old friend, which I'm really looking forward to.
Okkkkayy, as my friends probably know by now...I'm just not very good at taking photos when I go on trips, or just in general. I do go places, and I do see things, but I have no proof (other than the amazing souvenirs that I've got stored in my memory!). (click the link to see photos from Strasbourg's Winter Market that I went to...from someone that actually manages to photograph things..: http://bonjourfeuilles.vox.com/library/post/marches-de-noel-a-strasbourg-12807.html )
But anyway, for 2008, I'm going to try to improve that. I've been keeping my camera on me more often than not, and I will try to 'capture the moment' a bit more often. I don't have anything planned for January, besides taking my exams, so this month might be a bit light. But, don't despair, lots of adventures are planned for February, and I plan to photo-log it all!! (haha, we'll see..).
In any case, it's time to post some of the random photos left over from 2007.
I just discovered that starting July 12th, I get 5 weeks of paid vacation from my job!!!!! So, the first obstacle to my adventure in Spain has officially been overcome: How to survive a month-long vacation, minus an entire month's salary.
France, we may fight (getting residence, etc...), but in the end, I still love you :-)
(I'm using part of my already-accumulated 2 weeks to go to Madrid in February)
Yay!