Dans ma Rue...

My apartment is on the left,
right above the windows with flowers.
That's a little grocery on the ground floor.

I woke up really early this morning, so I took my time heading to the office and took some photos in the neighborhood, on the way and near the office.

There are beautiful things everywhere: the brickwork, the railings, doors, windows.  

The market from the movie "Ameilie"

Heating and ventilation business--still in operation

A church right next to the metro Abesses

I noticed on the metro trains some of the graffiti is done by scratching the steel on the doors and panels instead of using paint. 

This one is in an elevator at Abesses metro station. (this station has a LOT of stairs, even for Paris)

Kumar made me a little nervous about the area around the office, but it is fine. It is not a tourist area, so you see far more "real" businesses. One of my favorite things in the morning is seeing the parents take their kids to school. A mother on a scooter flew by me on scooter --her daughter on the back wearing a "Hello Kitty" helmet.

A tailor near the office.

Bike lanes in Paris!

Quiche Lorraine

There are bike lanes in this neighborhood, and they are in the middle of the sidewalks. You really have to watch when you cross these, and it is easy to wander into them if you're not paying attention.

Today Jimy treated me, Momo and Cedric to lunch. We went to a traditional bistrot right next to the canal St Martin.

Steak au Poivre

Doors at the Louvre 

After work I headed out to find a bathing suit (Thomas said I need one for the weekend and I did not bring one) I was little annoyed, but it was a new experience, I found one I like and the salesgirl was really nice. Don't count on seeing any photos of that. I also found some nice little gifts to bring back.

On my way to BHV (department store), I stopped to watch and listen to a great jazz band in the station.
I left BHV and headed toward the museums--I thought I might pop in, but ended up just walking around taking more photos.
On my way to the museums, I had to stop again--this time for a 12-piece group playing classical music.
The last musical treat was in one of the passage ways near the Louvre. A single cello--my favorite--especially haunting, the way the sound echoed in the passage.

Back to the apartment, and a few more photos.

A sandwich shop in Montmartre

Tonight's dinner (no, I don't plan to eat all those cookies)

That's all for tonight! I am posting a fraction of the photos I'm taking. I plan to get them all together (maybe a slide show?) after I get back and recover from jetlag and reacquaint myself with my husband and dogs. So if this isn't enough for you, just wait!

Juliette

Pizza a Paris? Mais Oui!

So after the insane upside down heavy-on-the-sugar 'dinner' last night, I swore I would take it easy today--maybe a salad at a cafe or a simple sandwich from the boulangerie.

Pizza Calabrese

But then Cedric asked if I wanted to join him, Hussein and Vincent for pizza. How could I possibly say no? If you've never been to Paris, or have, but never had pizza, it is a fact that the best pizza is in Paris. I had read this before we ever visited and was unsure, but I have experienced it myself, and it really is good. Today was no exception.

I have arrived in heaven!

I left work a little early today since I wanted to hit the fabric district which is so nicely located a few blocks from the apartment. BIG mistake. I controlled myself, but it was not easy. Let me just say this is mecca for sewists and fabric whores (you know who you are).  There aren't just fabric stores here, but also stores dedicated to the little stuff: buttons, hooks, needles, ribbons, scissors, etc, etc.

There are 4 floors in Tissus Reine, though only 2 have clothing fabrics. Those floors have these really cool half scale mannekins in sassy poses dressed in really well made clothes. I will probably have to return since I was not able to get anyone's attention to cut some really nice eyelet. I did get a cool rayon/lycra knit in a mod print and some buttons to go with the Liberty lawn I bought last week.

Inside Tissus Reine (Fabric Queen)

I have a new plan that I conceived today. At Liberty in London I bought a book of sweater patterns. I also wanted to buy British yarn to knit it up, but 16 skeins just seemed like too much to carry, so I bought six, thinking I could make a scarf instead. I got all natural colors. Today I found a yarn shop in Paris, "Laine" (wool in French). No French wool, but I got some beautiful Alpaca (from Peru, I think) in similar natural colors. I just need to find 6 skeins in Germany and will have enough to make a sweater.


I'm hanging out on the terrace right now--such a beautiful day. I'll head to a place close by that Momo recommended. He said the fondue is really good. meh. I can diet when I get home.

Bonne soiree,

Juliette

Un Soir a Paris

I apologize for not posting last night--this time I can blame on Thomas Ung. We met at Cour St. Emilion (12th arrondissement).
I arrived a little early, so I walked around a bit. My photos may appear a little dreary, but spring has arrived (en fin) to Paris.

Proof that Spring has arrived!

Abby

A light snack before dinner.

Typical Thomas had us walk about 5 miles to a patisserie for appetizers.We walked another mile, including about 2000 steps and sat on a bridge over the Seine to eat our decadent little cakes.


After our orgy of sugar and chocolate, we need to walk it off, so we wandered about for awhile longer, then to our destination--a basque restaurant in the 13th. The wait was 45 minutes, so guess what we did? Yep, we walked some more. I'm not complaining so much since I am probably consuming 5 x the calories I should. It is just so difficult to pass on all this amazing food.

Basque Salad

I know that Parisians eat late, but was still surprise at how many people were out eating dinner at 10.
The metros has plenty of people on them (though not packed like it is during commute hours), and Montmartre actually felt safer to me without all the tourists.
When I headed out to meet Thomas earlier it looked a concert was being set up, but it turns out they were filming a movie or tv show. They seemed to be in full swing when I returned at 11:30.

on the left: pastry filled with Nutella
on the right, Chassure du Pomme ("Apple Shoe")

Back to the morning, Momo brought pastries from his favorite patisserie (Merci a toi, Momo!)












Emilie invited me to lunch with a few folks from the team--Momo told them I like asian food, so we went to a Japanese restaurant. I tried to take photos of the team, but the light was too low, but here is my bento box. Trivia: potstickers (dumplings) are called ravioli here.

everywhere I go---stairs!

Tonight I plan to stay close the apartment and get to bed a little earlier, so I should be able to post later.

A ce soir,

Juliette

Metro, Boulot, Dodo

I did a pretty typical thing this morning, though I had a much shorter commute than most of my co-workers. I took the metro to work with 100s of other Parisienne. I might have been a little nervous if I hadn't done it again, and Thomas hadn't told me which areas to avoid. The office is small, but nice in an area with very little for tourists (which is fine by me).

The photo above the sofa

I learned today that my French is much better than most Americans and not nearly good enough for work.  I don't want to make my parisian co-workers work in a second (or third) language which means I don't understand most of what they say unless they speak really slowly. The upside is that it is really easy to focus on work.













Momo (Mohammed) took me to lunch. Turns out he really likes Thai food, too, so we went to a place around the corner from the office. He also went with me to the pharmacy for a cream to help the pain in my knee. He plays soccer in a club, so he knows what works.

Momo

After work I came back through what I was hoping was the fabric district, but at least one big store is boarded up. I am hoping Reine des Tissus has not suffered the same fate.

I had dinner at a place not far from the apartment, but a little ways from Place de Tetre.

Not bad for a tourist area.

A demain!

Juliette

L'appartement

The salon. Complete with tv,
ipod-compatible stereo
and phone with free calls to US.

The terrace filled with plants.

The view from the salon and bedroom

The view from the terrace this morning
I need to adjust the camera since the Eiffel Tower
is not as far away as it appears here.

The view last night.

Paris, so very nice to see you again!

Today I arrived in Paris via the Eurostar (the train that goes through the Chunnel). It was a smooth, easy journey. I was so happy to see Thomas Ung at Gare du Nord--with a sore knee and two overstuffed bags, I would have had a terrible time getting on/off the metro. He carried my bags up and down about a thousand steps, the last set just a couple of blocks from the apartment. Alexandre was waiting outside since today was the first nice day in Paris in awhile. The apartment is so beautiful--it is clear this is not just a business, but a loving endeavor. The layout is so thoughtful with the bath and toilet cleverly hidden but easily accessed. I got back from roaming with Thomas too late, but I will post photos as soon as possible.

WARNING: if you cannot tolerate photos of decadent food, stop reading now (I am talking to YOU, Leslie Lawson).  You have been warned.
Montmartre (Amelie's neighborhood for fans of that movie) was crazy packed with tourists, so we headed down the hill. There is palace at Place de Concorde that Thomas suggested we see, but the line was 2 hours wait. So headed towards La Madeline. I took him to see the beautiful toilets there, but they appear to be abandoned--so very sad.
We stopped in a patisserie for some chocolate goodness, coffee for me, tea for Thomas and some macarons to share. I chose the flavors: chocolate, raspberry, pistachio, and rose petal.

A light snack to hold us over until dinner.

The stairs in the apartment building.

Un tres bon ami--Thomas Ung

We ended up on what I will now refer to "Rue des creperies." This was a street that one creperie after another.

the view from my balcony, and this photo doesn't even do it justice.

I will be working in the office tomorrow, so not too much to tell about my exploits.

Bon Soir,

Juliette

Enabling Friends, Take Away Thai and Saying So Long

I didn’t post Friday night since I was really tired after dodging children in the Natural Science Museum then spending time in the National Portrait Gallery.  I also made a first attempt at jamming all my stuff back into my suitcases. I’ve really tried to only take on as much as I’ve used/tossed/given away, but it is really hard with so many treats, books, fabric, etc, etc. I was really good today and only bought one piece of fabric.

Last night the wifi was so weak I couldn't do anything.

Friday was my last day in the London office, and I was really sad to leave. It was so nice to meet folks I’ve worked with for months, and I was happy to provide some help using my database skills.

Jon Woodhouse
Cannot understand most of what he says though
 he swears he is speaking English.
Excellent tester in any case.

Friday lunch from EAT.
Thanks for that tip, Claudina!

Stylish Manuela

Sarath and Kumar trying to look
 like they are working...

Friday dessert compliments of Manuela.

The team here is great, and incredibly accommodating to the US teams they work with. Most of the people on the testing team have hour + commutes on public transport, longer when there are issues on the lines.

Best hummus I've ever had.

Yesterday morning I met up with Rachel Kurland and her husband, David in front of the V&A to see the “Treasures of the Royal Courts” exhibit. This included really intricately engraved/jeweled jewelry, elaborate plate, portraits and tapestries. Sorry for the lack of photos--not allowed in this exhibit. After that exhibit, David went on his own for about an hour while Rachel and I visited the Fashion wing. It is so nice to look at historical costume with someone who has a similar background and interest. Not many people would stand looking at a single garment for 20 minutes trying to figure out how the fabric was woven and finished. In the book store and gift shop there were so many books I would love to have, but the thought of lugging them to 2 more countries helped me control my purchases.

I can't remember what this was called (and am too lazy
to look it up right now), but it was really delicious.
Spiced lamb, chunks of crispy pita, pomegranate seeds,
grilled onions and pomegranate seeds.

Next we headed to lunch near the South Kensington Station at a Lebanese restaurant. After some croissant and coffee at Paul and a stop at my flat for my coat (the day started out nice, but turned cold and rainy quickly. 

We decided to find a fabric store near Clapton Common and were not disappointed. It was a small local shop, but they had far more Liberty cotton than the Liberty store. Rachel talked me into one piece of woven striped cotton for napkins. I know I’ll think of her and London every time we use them.

Serious discussion on fabric with Rachel Kurland

 

Take-away Thai for dinner.

After the fabric shop, Rachel and David headed to find tickets for a show, and I headed back towards South Kensington.

 I stopped at a restaurant for Thai take-away and came back to flat for my final dinner in London. 

This is what I expected in London, and I got it.
Even in the rain, its a great city

I am so happy to have had the chance to visit London and spend some time with friends here. I hope I get a chance to come again, hopefully with Wayne Kimes who will enjoy London more than he thinks.

Today I head to Paris.

A bientot!

Juliette