NEW GUESTBOOK!

Hey folks, I just thought I would let you know that I added a guestbook to the blog. So, drop us a message, we would love to hear from all you lurkers out there. Let us know what you think of the blog and if you have any thoughts for future blogs just drop us a note. Don`t be shy, we`d love to hear from you, so take a couple minutes and click the link to sign the guestbook!

PS- I want to send a special shout out to the Grandparents who have been braving the world wide web just to check up on me. I miss you guys and love you, I hope you`re enjoying our adventures!

STAY TUNED- For a wrap up of our fun-filled weekend full of ridiculous metro shenanigans and a trip to Chinatown!

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Novelle Musique

Well, since I'm a big time music fan I thought that perhaps some of you out there may find it interesting to learn a bit about the artists you can hear and see along the rightside of your screen:

1. REGINA SPEKTOR

Regina is alas not from France but hails from Russia and grew up in New York. I had to add her to the playlist, not only because she is a brilliant musician but she is a speaker of the truth. Paris is in fact lovely in the rain!

2. JONI MITCHELL

One of the world's greatest songwriters and a native Saskatchewanian, Joni is a classic. Her song, Free Man in Paris appeared in 1974 on her album Court and Spark and is about music promoter and close friend David Geffen who she traveled to Paris with.

3. SARAH SLEAN

Many of you may be wondering why Sarah made the playlist cut. Well, her new record, The Baroness is not only brilliant but Sarah wrote it while here in Paris. She relocated here to the City of Lights and did some soul searching in her tiny apartment and the songs on the album were the result! Thus, Slean makes the list simply because she wasn't afraid to move her life across the ocean and she has captured the beauty of this city into an amazing piece of music!

4. AXELLE RED

She is actually a Belgian singer but chose to write and perform in French. Ma Priere appeared on her second album released in 1996, it means My Prayer. The song is basically about how people in the world are acting and how she has traveled through Europe and Africa trying to keep hopeful that the world can change. If anyone else understands it better, let me know, my French is still tres horrible!

5. NOIR DESIR

These guys are a French rockband from Bordeaux. Although popular through the 90's, the band hit troubled waters in 2003 when lead singer Bertrand Cantat was in an altercation with his girlfriend after a party which resulted in her hitting her head and going into a coma in which she unfortunately died from. Cantat was accused of manslaughter and spent 4 years in prison. The bands guitarist has recently said they are planning a new album but was unsure as to whether Cantat would be a part of it. The song, L'homme Presse is criticizing the media industry, producing trash tv and sensationnal programs only to make money, and disrespecting the people's intelligence.

6. MORCHEEBA

They are a British trip hop/pop/jazz group from Britain. Au-dela is off their latest album which includes vocals from a number of different artists since the band no longer has their lead singer Skye Edwards. Their song Au dela features a French singer named Manda who is also featured on the song Gained the World. I'll let you know more about her when I do a bit more research, for now, here's the lyrics to Au-dela en anglais:
BEYOUND/NEXTWORLD
I live and die
I laugh and I cry
I empty the sea
I empty the world
I tell the flower
and the vapour lake...

Sky of all colours
Your sun warms my heart

I live and I fear
I cry in pain
In secret, I bury myself

I look for warmth
I escape in the air
To the next world

Sky of all colours
Your sun warms my heart

*Special thanks to Jon for the insider info on Axelle Red and Noir Desir

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SOIR

Well, in honor of Natalie completing her 24 hour marathon of hope last night I thought I would post a few more Paris by night photos. Nat and I took some time to walk around Place de la Concorde and up the Champs Elysees where Christmas is in full swing, complete with lights and vin chaud! (in case you are wondering, the marathon of hope was Natalie working her nannying job, then at O'Sullivans, and back to take care of the kids between 4pm last night to 1pm today! Needless to say she is sawing logs right now!) Anyway, on with the show!

La Grande Roue (Big Wheel) at Concorde

It was built in 1999 as part of the cities millennium celebration. It is 200 feet high and holds over 50,000 individual light bulbs. The wheel was supposed to be removed in 2000 but after side agreements, and controversy, it still continues to make an appearance in Paris' skyline during summer and the Christmas season.

One of the 8 zillion carousels here in Paris

There's nothing like some hot wine while perusing the Christmas markets

The Arc aglow

VIDEO OF THE DAY: Chaos ensues along the Champs Elysees!

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LA TOUR EIFFEL

La Tour Eiffel, better known as the Eiffel Tower.

One can't walk two steps in Paris without being bombarded by the images of this most famous tower. Its engineer, Gustave Eiffel originally planned the tower for the Universal Exposition in Barcelona in 1888. But, after being told that the tower did not fit with the design of the city, Eiffel took his plans to Universal Exhibition in Paris where he built his tower a year later. The tower was initially met with much controversy and was called an 'eyesore' by many Parisians, but Eiffel responded to criticism by saying that "the curvature of the monument is mathematically dictated and will give the impression of strength and beauty." The tower soon became a symbol of the avant-garde movement and is now widely considered to be one of the most amazing pieces of architectural art in the world.

So, you may be wondering what exactly it takes to make one of the most widely recognized symbols in the world. Well, you have come to the right place. I happen to know that:

• The tower took only two years to build! (1887- March 31, 1889)
• 300 iron workers put 15,000 pieces of iron together with 2.5 million rivets.
• Amazingly, only one person died during the building of the tower and this was only due to the fact that he was showing off for his girlfriend below!
  
• The tower is a total of 320.755 meters (including the antenna) and 8.56 million kilos!
• At most, the top of the tower sways 12cm in high winds.
  
• There are 1665 steps to the top.
• Today, the tower is painted every 7 years with 50 tons of paint in three tones of brown with the darkest beginning on the bottom. It takes 25 painters 15 months to paint it with brushes!
• The four sides of the tower include the engravings of 72 famous turn-of-the-century French scientists and engineers.
• There are actually 4 light beacons at the top that alternatively rotate around and can be seen from 80km away.
  
• During it's lifetime the tower has been scaled by a mountaineer, parachuted off of, almost sold for scrap metal, and during the war the tower was responsible for intercepting a radio message that led to the capture of the infamous German spy and exotic dancer Mata Hari.

It just so happens that I got a chance to visit the tower on Saturday night, and it was absolutely stunning! Although it was a wee bit chilly on the top, the view of Paris from there was breath-taking. I've been talking about how gorgeous this city is at night and from up there, I'm not sure if it could get any better. Take a look for yourselves!

Glamour shot from the Trocadero across the Seine!

The tower is blue because France currently hold the presidency in the European Union

The blue with yellow stars reflects the EU flag. The tower is usually a golden/orange colour but has been blue as well as red before for the Chinese New Year.
View from the top along the river

We had a chance to see the sparkles up close! The tower twinkles for 10 minutes at the start of every hour from night fall until 2 am!


Check out this link to see the full video from the top!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3NkdVeZWQw

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DROITE ET GAUCHE

DID YOU KNOW?

That the River Seine, flowing from east to west breaks the city of Paris in two. Paris is only 10 km by 11 km, so you can walk across the city in less than two hours!

The Left Bank (Rive Gauche), is on the left side as you face the direction the river flows. It contains some of the cities most romantic districts, including the Latin Quatier, as well as Boulevard St. Michel, and St. Germain de Pres. Throughout history the Rive Gauche has been a haven for writers, artists, and philosophers including Picasso, as well as Hemmingway, Simone de Beauvoir and F. Scott Fitzgerald who all frequented the Cafe de Flore and Les Deux Magots during their time in Paris. (Sidenote: we attended a Philosophical Cafe at Cafe de Flore and it was lovely but ridiculously expensive even for Parisian standards!). The Rive Gauche is now home to various bookstores, and clothing stores aimed at the many students attending university at the nearby Sorbonne.

The Right Bank (Rive Droite), is on the northern side of the Seine, and is more well known for it's sophistication and elegance than the more free spirited area to the south. It's most famous streets include the Champs-Elysees and Rue de Rivoli which runs past the Tuillieries and the Louvre. Top companies and banks are generally located in this part of the city but the arrondissements to the north have become much more culturally diverse and free thinking. Including the very bohemian Montmartre and our own arrondissement the 19th. Which is a cultural melting pot including a large Asian and Indian population.

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LA VILLE-LUMIERE

Bonjour,

I can't believe that it has been almost two months since our arrival here in La Ville-Lumiere, quite literally The Light City or City of Light. So, how did Paris come to be known as The City of Light?

Well, at first glance, one would think that it may have originated from the beauty that emanates from this city at night. The magic of the nights here are something I have only recently discovered in my wanderings. As the sun sets it seems as though this breath-taking city only gets more beautiful. As night falls, it is like rediscovering everything all over again. Buildings become lit in spectacular fashion as the boulevards sparkle with the arrival of the Christmas season. The Louvre emits a green glow, the Eiffel Tower sparkles on the horizon, the square in front of Hotel de Ville is aglow, and Notre Dame seems to hold mysteries beneath its shadows. It's an amazing experience and one that should not be missed if you are ever in the neighbourhood!





After my new found discovery, I was sure that I had found the answer as to why I am living in the City of Light. But, alas, the beauty of the evenings here in Paris are not the reason it recieved it's infamous name. The name actually originates from Paris' fame as a center for education and ideas as well as it's early adoption of electrical street lighting. The first 'electric candles' were used to light the Grand Magasins du Louvre and later the Champs Elysees. Since then, Parisians have made the lighting of buildings into an art form and I must say it is simply magnificant. It really does take your breath away! C'est incroyable!

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A WHOLE NEW LOOK

Salut,

Well, as you can see, there's a few changes that have happened to the site. I thought that since we've are living in a new place now, why not shake up the blog a bit and change it up. So I hope you like it and if you want please check out the music player on the right side bar, I'll try to keep it up to date with some lovely French music pour vous!

We had ourselves a great weekend! Natalie started a new job at a bar called O'Sullivan's back in our old stomping grounds in Montmartre. She showed up at 10am to work till 7 but was mistaken and in fact works a shift from 10pm to 7am. So while she slept during the day, I wandered through the shopping streets in Le Marais and Les Halles and found myself an amazing purple purse!

I also had a chance to attend a house warming with Morgan and Joe. Braden and Laura have just moved the location of their Hidden Kitchen to a gorgeous new place near the Louvre. For those of you itching to know what Hidden Kitchen is, Braden and Laura had the wonderful idea to host dinner parties in their home where they serve you a 10 course meal with matching wines. Although I have never been, after tasting some of the food, I would recommend that if you are ever in Paris you should make a stop. I'm sure it is a dining experience you won't soon forget! (plus, they have the cutest Boston terrier named Tatti!)

I thought that it might be a good idea to start a bit of a Did you know? segment to the blog so that you guys could learn a bit more about the place we call home...

DID YOU KNOW?
That Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements numbered from 1 to 20. The 1st and the oldest contains part of Ile de la Cite, the Louvre, and Tuileries. The other arrondissements spiral out clockwise from there. Each of these arrondissements is also divided into quartiers, giving Paris 80 distinct neighbourhoods.
(Can anyone tell us what quartier we are in here on rue Mathis?)

(http://www.hotel-in-paris.org/hotel-in-paris-french/04-district-paris-hotel.htm)

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Grrr Argh!

Well, we are back in the game! Our furious struggle with all that is French internet has finally come to an end! We won the war and are so unbelievably happy to be back with you folks and bringing you info on our travels! We hope you haven't missed us too much because we sure missed you!

Now where do we begin...

When we last left you we were in the process of moving from our vacation home into our more permanent residence here on rue Mathis in the 19th. We have settled in nicely and have even made friends with the lovely Asian man who runs the laundromat downstairs. His smile has a way of brightening our day! Our neighborhood is an amazing melting pot of so many cultures. It runs along the beautiful canal and has shops and markets galore. On our traveling budget, we have taken a special liking to the Bazaars where you can get anything you need for just a few euros. A few nights ago we went for supper with Jon to the Thai/Chinese/Vietnamese place just downstairs and had a delicious spread of duck, and frogs legs (they really do taste like chicken!)

We have also attended our first brunch. (Thanks Morgen and Joe for the fabulous blueberry pancakes!) It was delicious and the coffee from an actual coffee machine was a beautiful thing! Natalie is still in the process of trying to cat whisper their cat Zora, I think she'll come around eventually!

We have also been spending some time with a delightful British bloke named Jon. He has introduced us to his love of rugby and football and has fit in rather nicely to our crazy little world! We have even corrupted his classy brandy drinking ways and he has formed a new love for all things rum! (Especially good old fashion grog!)

This week VE Day was on Tuesday so we decided to make our first trip out of Paris to Chateau Fontainbleu, 50 km south of the city. We took the double decker train out to the forest and spent a lovely day in the Forest, where we climbed amongst the rocks and leaves. It was an absolutely gorgeous day for walking about and sharing a picnic!

We're right there!

She-Ra Princess of Power
An actual holly tree! Can you find Baxter?
Tree-huggers
So cute!
Glamour shot!
Can we pretend like we're gonna fall into the fountain!

The Chateau itself is beautiful. It was first built by Francis I as royal hunting grounds. Francis first introduced the Renaisance to France after captivity in Italy. It was later used by Napoleon as a replacement for Versaille because the Chateau there had been emptied by that point.

Creepy giant fish in the lake (I'm sure they had human faces!)

Peek-a-boo
Where's Jon and Jacie

Unfortunately the Chateau was closed, but it was nice just to simply walk around the grounds and into Fontainbleu, which is a cute little French town full of shops and cafes. It was here that we enjoyed our first taste of vin chaud (hot wine), and where Jon fell in love with grog, otherwise known as hot rum! Afer a lovely stroll we headed back to the train station. We were running late and made it to the station just in time. The whole scene unfolded in slow motion as the buzzer signifying the departure of the train sounded, Jon was yelling to hold the train and I was running in slow motion from the ticket stop and jumped on just as the train left the station. It was all rather dramatic!

VIDEO OF THE DAY: Solid Gold Dancers at the Chateau!


For those of you who are reading this, thanks for sticking with us. We promise that barring any more run ins with French internet mumbo jumbo, we're back and we look forward to sharing our journey with you!

A bientot!

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Hey folks, sorry we've been MIA as of late... We have in fact not falling into the abyss or been taken captive by the French sercret service, no, we have been moving once again and have many stories to tell but unfortunately our internet in our new apartment is causing us grief so we are coming to you from a lovely WiFi hotspot in Parc Monceau.

We hope to be back up and running in the next few days so stay tuned!

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Happy Halloween!

Hope you're all having an awesome Halloween! Natalie, Baxter, and I had our own costume party!

Aaaarrrrghhhhh!

The Queen of Hearts is looking fierce!

Of course Baxter decided to go as Dionysus the god of wine and inspirer of madness and ecstasy!

Check-out our Halloween Special where we share with you the origins of the Jack o Lantern and tell you a scary story set right here in Paris!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofn1-jqX0Wc

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