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Post by 33avenue on Jun 14, 2012 9:33:16 GMT -5
Weather has been great? In Paris? This June? Hmmm.... Which arrondisement have you been in, because where I live, the word depressing is being thrown about the zinc at the local café... I wrote about the weather being great those few days way back. Despite the cold and rain since we got here in May (we are still here), there have been nice days, albeit a few. The rain and cold don't stop us from enjoying the city ... we always carry an umbrella, have our trench coats on, scarves and off we walk to explore. We are in the 1st arrondissement and in any case, when it rains, it's not the whole day anyway (though there have been a couple of those) so we can still enjoy the terraces of the cafés (though bundled up). I guess also it depends on one's perspective. As we are only here temporarily, we try to keep a positive outlook on the day and enjoy this beautiful city ... rain or shine. =) These were some of the sunny and warm days at the end of May: May 30 May 31 |
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Post by mossie on Jun 14, 2012 13:40:55 GMT -5
Yes, lucky you whatever the weather, in Paris there is always a plus side.  And your daughter is enjoying another one, picking up French naturally. I remember my niece's two daughters who were both born in Paris and spent a few years there. The eldest went through the nursery stage and in to mainstream education. At 5 she could happily prattle away in French and switch seamlessly into English in mid sentence. Enjoy the whole experience. |
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Post by 33avenue on Jun 15, 2012 14:53:51 GMT -5
Hi everyone! I've started my French lessons at the Sorbonne two weeks ago and I'm very content with the method and the teachers, but the registration process is a bit chaotic! First, you need to pre-register online (which I did before even coming to France). But the pre-registration doesn't automatically give you a spot, you have to actually be in Paris one week before classes start to register in person and take a test. However, I made a request to the staff if I could register in person earlier as I was already in Paris. Since I have my daughter with me, I mentioned that it might be difficult for us to wait in line with the hundreds, if not thousands, of students lining up to register. They allowed it, yay! Nevertheless, they still forgot I registered and didn't receive the class schedule. I went to the Sorbonne's office on the first day of class and I wasn't on any list. Thank goodness everything got fixed and they apologized for the mistake. I'll be taking French courses everyday until the end of July. Since the Sorbonne is very close to Rue Mouffetard, I enjoy exploring the market during my one-hour break time from the grammar class to the phonetics course. I much prefer Rue Mouffetard over the market at Rue Cler. For my daughter, we continue riding the carousels, watching Guignol (marionette theater), taking ballet/music courses and playing in the playgrounds (she has already picked up some French words). Her new activity is sailing the boats at Jardin de Tuileries. =) As far as museums, we visited the Musée Rodin and the Conciergerie where my daughter enjoyed playing the game of looking for Beauty (aka Marie-Antoinette this time), the Beast, the prisoners and the Prince. We also went to L'Orangerie before the Debussy exhibit finished. I've got lots of new pictures in my blog in case you haven't seen. This city is just so amazing to photograph and I'm really enjoying carrying my camera almost all the time and just snap away. www.33avenue.com/notredame/www.33avenue.com/lavenue/www.33avenue.com/redblack/www.33avenue.com/louisvuitton/www.33avenue.com/houseboat/www.33avenue.com/seine/www.33avenue.com/vca/www.33avenue.com/arcdetriomphe/www.33avenue.com/behindbars/www.33avenue.com/bonaparte/www.33avenue.com/parisarcades/Some new places we ate at: 1) Le Relais du Caveau Right at Place Dauphine, this place serves traditional French food. I was very happy with my meal and I found the staff really friendly. I will definitely go back here again! 2) Nomad's At Place du Marché Saint-Honoré ... arrghh! I was so pissed off with the service. The food was so-so (modern fusion) and when I told the waiter that the risotto was too tough, he said that it's how risotto is made. Then, I mentioned that I know how to make risotto and have eaten very good risotto in many, many restaurants. He replied that they and I didn't make it properly then. How insulting!!! So I replied saying that I don't think the restaurant makes better risotto than Plaza Athenee and George V. He then answered that I didn't need to mention those restaurants and that I should have just said the risotto was not good. Duh! That's what I said in the first place!!!! I will never, ever, go back there again! 3) Kunitoraya Right at Rue Saint-Anne, this very simple Japanese restaurant has the best udon I've ever had in Paris. We've been there now several times and regardless of the wait (there's almost always a line outside) and the very tight space, we'll keep coming back! 4) Claus At Jean-Jacques Rousseau ... as usual, we were there again. I really like this place and Claus, the owner, is so friendly and always tries to accommodate us by finding a suitable time when he's all booked out for brunch on weekends. Take care! |
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Post by 33avenue on Jul 16, 2012 7:09:50 GMT -5
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Post by mossie on Jul 16, 2012 8:23:58 GMT -5
Thanks for a very different take on Paris than I have. How I envy you the time in our favourite city.
Please keep the blog going.
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Post by 33avenue on Jul 21, 2012 16:52:48 GMT -5
Thank you mossie!
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Post by 33avenue on Jul 21, 2012 17:10:17 GMT -5
Hi everyone! I managed to do some day trips recently and I'd like to share some pictures: Claude Monet's waterlily garden in Giverny:The garden looks just like his paintings.   Fontainebleau Castle:According to my professors in French civilization at the Sorbonne, Fontainebleau is much more important than Versailles as it served as the home to the French kings for almost 800 years. For those who haven't been, it's well worth a visit if you like history.   AND ..... one my dreams has finally been made a reality, the magical island/abbey of Mont Saint-Michel:I have always dreamt of one day seeing this abbey. Ah, I still can't believe I was here. Despite the hoards of tourists, Mont Saint-Michel is a magical place and I'd like to come back again someday to see the abbey/island illuminate at night and watch the high tide come. Due to past human interventions such as land reclamation projects and a causeway d**e, sediments have accumulated around Mont Saint-Michel and the sea receded. Now, extensive work is on its way to "restore" the normal water level back.   |
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Post by Shoesy on Jul 21, 2012 21:22:34 GMT -5
You selected fantastic places for your day trips. I've been to all 3, and they were definitely worth a visit.
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Post by mez on Jul 22, 2012 2:00:13 GMT -5
Your pictures are just marvellous. I especially like the one of MSM with the bird in flight on the left side. Just stunning!
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Post by 33avenue on Jul 22, 2012 12:44:39 GMT -5
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Post by 33avenue on Aug 12, 2012 15:34:55 GMT -5
Hi everyone! After three wonderful and memorable months in Paris, we are back home. I have written a blog post about our experience and I will always treasure the moments my daughter and I had in this amazing city. Thank you for following our journey. www.33avenue.com/lavieenrose/Take care! |
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Post by jo on Aug 12, 2012 17:13:01 GMT -5
You lived the dream for 3 months! I'm so jealous, lol
What a wonderful adventure for you and your daughter. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Jo
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Post by Shoesy on Aug 13, 2012 3:19:23 GMT -5
Your wonderful 3 months have come to an end, but those memories will live on forever. Thanks for sharing them with us.
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Post by Jody on Aug 13, 2012 4:04:16 GMT -5
I've so enjoyed your adventure and you photos are sensationl.
I especailly liked the one of Sophie!
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Post by cigalechanta on Aug 13, 2012 9:30:21 GMT -5
thanks to all!
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hahahha