Thursday, April 28, 2011
Liquor in grocery stores!
Guys, hold the phone. They sell liquor drinks like this in the grocery stores here!! We've bought a bunch and some picnic-ish foods for when we stalk the wedding tomorrow. These things are brilliant. They have like 2.5 shots in them!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Candidate #2...
This is for you, Angie:
During dinner at this little French restaurant where Gilles works, so as not to offend anyone, I let Gilles and Olivia order me pate de foie gras. I almost threw up. Girls: picture the same reaction as me taking a shot of, let's say, tequila… except somehow I managed not to run to the bathroom and actually throw up. I was able to choke down half of it down by smothering it with salt, pepper and other spices, accompanyed it with bread, and chased it with red wine and water… the fact that I left half of it untouched on my plate earned me the name “Rican” which apparently is the equivalent of us calling a Frenchman a “French Frog.” Like, "Hey, look at that French frog over there haha!' Not exactly derogatory, but not exactly the most endearing nickname ever.. When the manager called me that, he was only teasing, of course, because they had just called someone else that for real…. he thought it would be fun to comment on my wasted pate de foie gras, a true French delicasy. Talk of the “Rican” drew attention from nearby tables… especially the one behind Olivia, who was directly across from me. A very friendly, yet outspoken and boisterous man who I soon discovered is “Jean Noel Martin,” a French actor and comedian who felt the need to translate his name for me: "John Christmas Martin." He chatted with Gilles and Olivia, and kept glancing my way... after he discovered that I'm American, he went into a little comedy routine about Americans and American "things." Being a comedian and actor (see business card), Jean clearly doesn’t mind being the center of attention or causing a scene. He started with his best impression of Americans, pointing out that all Americans add the word f*cking to their sentences.. “Hey! Would you look at that f*cking cut of meat!?” “How about that f*cking table over there??” etc etc. At this point I am annoyed, quiet and feeling like I’m quite the butt of many jokes between all of the locals…. everyone is talking in French and I understand about 1 out of every 100 words, so I have no idea what's going on. Every once in a while Gilles or Olivia would turn to me and politely translate., or they would switch to English for me.. Then I noticed that Jean was actually paying special attention to me. He was chatting me up across our tables, continuously smiling at me, and at one point in the middle of his meal, he got up and came over to give me his business card. He pleaded (literally) for me to call him later or the next day, whenever, so he could show me around Paris. He asked repeatedly where I was staying and where I was moving to when I changed hotels. He made me promise to call him. I politely agreed. Later Gilles informed me that he had to tell Jean to cool it and explained to him that I was a business client of his, haha.
We continued our dinner and later Gilles and I engage in lengthy business talk and Olivia turns around and Jean Noel strikes up more conversation with her. I found out later the extent of their conversation went something like this: Jean had a “flash-light” as they say. Meaning, he had an instant realization that he thought I’m beautiful. He repeatedly told Olivia I’m very sweet (must be because I’m humbled and quiet going into a foreign country where I’m under the impression that everyone will hate me). As Jean and his friends were leaving somehow it came up that a picture should be taken… Olivia took several with my camera for me… I figured why not, maybe someday soon this guy will be famous?! You'll see that Jean is not-so-discreetly resting his head on my left boob - he was literally nuzzling his cheek into it.. it was odd, uncomfortable and awkward all at once, but at the same time sort of funny.. you'll see in the next picture that he proceeds to kiss my hand incessantly. I literally had to jerk my hand away to get it back from him. While all of this is going on his friends join the picture then one of them keeps taking pictures of the spectacle, mostly from above us looking down, which I found odd.. I was like what the hell could he possibly be taking a picture of?! You can see him in the background of one of my pictures.. I’m convinced he was capturing Jean and my boobs, or just my boobs, which I am told French men love. I guess I'll never know.
I never did call Jean.. Sorry, Ang.. as of now I am still winning the bet :) I do not consider Jean Noel Martin to be a serious contender… however, it has occurred to me that this situation could continue to be entertaining.. any requests for me to e-mail him?? :)
During dinner at this little French restaurant where Gilles works, so as not to offend anyone, I let Gilles and Olivia order me pate de foie gras. I almost threw up. Girls: picture the same reaction as me taking a shot of, let's say, tequila… except somehow I managed not to run to the bathroom and actually throw up. I was able to choke down half of it down by smothering it with salt, pepper and other spices, accompanyed it with bread, and chased it with red wine and water… the fact that I left half of it untouched on my plate earned me the name “Rican” which apparently is the equivalent of us calling a Frenchman a “French Frog.” Like, "Hey, look at that French frog over there haha!' Not exactly derogatory, but not exactly the most endearing nickname ever.. When the manager called me that, he was only teasing, of course, because they had just called someone else that for real…. he thought it would be fun to comment on my wasted pate de foie gras, a true French delicasy. Talk of the “Rican” drew attention from nearby tables… especially the one behind Olivia, who was directly across from me. A very friendly, yet outspoken and boisterous man who I soon discovered is “Jean Noel Martin,” a French actor and comedian who felt the need to translate his name for me: "John Christmas Martin." He chatted with Gilles and Olivia, and kept glancing my way... after he discovered that I'm American, he went into a little comedy routine about Americans and American "things." Being a comedian and actor (see business card), Jean clearly doesn’t mind being the center of attention or causing a scene. He started with his best impression of Americans, pointing out that all Americans add the word f*cking to their sentences.. “Hey! Would you look at that f*cking cut of meat!?” “How about that f*cking table over there??” etc etc. At this point I am annoyed, quiet and feeling like I’m quite the butt of many jokes between all of the locals…. everyone is talking in French and I understand about 1 out of every 100 words, so I have no idea what's going on. Every once in a while Gilles or Olivia would turn to me and politely translate., or they would switch to English for me.. Then I noticed that Jean was actually paying special attention to me. He was chatting me up across our tables, continuously smiling at me, and at one point in the middle of his meal, he got up and came over to give me his business card. He pleaded (literally) for me to call him later or the next day, whenever, so he could show me around Paris. He asked repeatedly where I was staying and where I was moving to when I changed hotels. He made me promise to call him. I politely agreed. Later Gilles informed me that he had to tell Jean to cool it and explained to him that I was a business client of his, haha.
We continued our dinner and later Gilles and I engage in lengthy business talk and Olivia turns around and Jean Noel strikes up more conversation with her. I found out later the extent of their conversation went something like this: Jean had a “flash-light” as they say. Meaning, he had an instant realization that he thought I’m beautiful. He repeatedly told Olivia I’m very sweet (must be because I’m humbled and quiet going into a foreign country where I’m under the impression that everyone will hate me). As Jean and his friends were leaving somehow it came up that a picture should be taken… Olivia took several with my camera for me… I figured why not, maybe someday soon this guy will be famous?! You'll see that Jean is not-so-discreetly resting his head on my left boob - he was literally nuzzling his cheek into it.. it was odd, uncomfortable and awkward all at once, but at the same time sort of funny.. you'll see in the next picture that he proceeds to kiss my hand incessantly. I literally had to jerk my hand away to get it back from him. While all of this is going on his friends join the picture then one of them keeps taking pictures of the spectacle, mostly from above us looking down, which I found odd.. I was like what the hell could he possibly be taking a picture of?! You can see him in the background of one of my pictures.. I’m convinced he was capturing Jean and my boobs, or just my boobs, which I am told French men love. I guess I'll never know.
I never did call Jean.. Sorry, Ang.. as of now I am still winning the bet :) I do not consider Jean Noel Martin to be a serious contender… however, it has occurred to me that this situation could continue to be entertaining.. any requests for me to e-mail him?? :)
Monday, April 25, 2011
Dinner with Olivia and Gilles
Gilles is my contact in Paris and he and his wife, Olivia, were the best hosts you could ever ask for. After our work obligations were completed, Olivia took me shopping on “Champs Elysess,” one of the most famous Paris streets (that has lots of shopping). She took me to Laduree, one of the best and most famous pastry shops in the city, and bought me several different types of macaroons (that were unbelievable) - chocolate, strawberry, apple, vanilla, anything you can imagine... That evening, we went for an authentic French dinner where they presented me with a book of photographs by one of Paris’ most famous photographers.I had foie gras (will get to that in a later post), pruneau, which I think just translates to prunes, but is a dessert of prunes soaked in liquor.. quite potent and odd, but good.
Aligot!
Nancy my dear, this is for you. It is a typical French dish made mainly of mashed potatoes, cheese and sometimes garlic. It's fun to watch them serve it, they sort of turn it into a show (and this was at an authentic French restaurant, not a touristy place).
Princess Diana...
For some reason, one of the sights I really wanted to see was the tunnel where Princess Diana died. As we were driving back from my sight visits on Thursday Gilles pointed it out to me as we drove through it.. I later went back on my own to get a better look. The golden sculpture thing (that you can barely seen in the background) was informally dedicated to her.
Hugh Laurie (House) sighting
This was my first day in Paris.. I had randomly braved the metro system and ended up in the heart of Paris, just wandering around.. I walked down this one street and saw a scene of paparazzi and decided to linger and see what it was about... then I figured, what the hell, I'll take a picture too. I had to send it to PB and asked her who it was :) I knew I recognized him, but wasn't sure why, haha.
Eiffel Tower
Naturally, I loved the Eiffel Tower.. but not until I saw it at night.. I saw it several times during the day continued to be, dare I say, unimpressed... but then at night, I loved it! People set up picnics and drink wine and champagne and just spend hours sitting in the huge lawn that stretches in front of it.
Me in the ET:
Me in the ET:
Mojitos and crepes on the Seine
You received a text or e-mail from me as I was having mojitos and a crepe on this little boat/restaurant thing right in front of Notre Dame Cathedral. Quite good, but quite expensive.. for 2 mojitos and a crepe it was like 30 euro, around $45usd. Paris in general was really expensive... one day I had a salad, a coke, a water and a capuccino for 30 euro.. ridiculous! On the boat there was this American girl (who was currently working in Germany) who was having a drink with her mum.. I was reading, but had my phone out and they interrupted and asked if I could look up the American Idol results from the night before.. the mom couldn't stand not knowing who got kicked off.. they also didn't know what the "big building" was across the river.. no wonder people hate us.
Laundry...
Forget shoving weeks of laundry in at once... the washers/dryers here are insanely small and are one and the same. I put a mini (that's how they make them here) roll of paper towels in the opening to give you frame of reference... In one load I was able to do some of my unmentionables and a few t-shirts..
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Wesminster Abbey, the London Eye, Big Ben.... I'll be back with my real camera!
Apparently, today was the nicest day of the year so far. 71 and completely sunny!! After work I braved the tube... for the first time... all by myself.... and went to see Wesminster Abbey, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, etc. A few pictures taken with my iPhone:
71 degrees and sunny!
Days like this are rare... so everyone wants to be outside. This picture of the lunch scene doesn't even do it justice.. people were everywhere, just wanting to be outside..
All of the restaurants and pubs were packed. People would just stand out on the street and drink outside of the pub (I don't know if this is normal here)
All of the restaurants and pubs were packed. People would just stand out on the street and drink outside of the pub (I don't know if this is normal here)
Stanford Blatch, is that you???
I just barely missed getting a profile picture of him... he looks JUST like Stanford.
For eeeeediots like me
The streets are literally painted with "look left" or "look right" so you know which way to look when crossing the street...
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
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