Van Gogh in Provence - A tour

In contemplating art, I have always enjoyed Van Gogh. Long before I ever set foot in Provence, Arles and St. Remy, I recall a wonderful show at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Van Gogh in Arles. Although I had seen paintings at various museums in a piecemeal fashion, I had not seen so many of his work in one place. When I had visited Amsterdam in 1977, the Van Gogh museum was closed for renovation. Years later, in a return trip to Amsterdam, I was overjoyed to show my son the museum. As always, he noticed a critical work that was not there, one he had studied in kindergarten - Starry Night. Upon our return to NYC, we made sure to visit the Modern Museum of Art where it resides. Even today, he has a Van Gogh print hanging over his bed purchased in Amsterdam, the one of the yellow bedroom with the small bed against the wall, depicting his bedroom in Provence, while painting his greatest works. Each summer, as we drive through Provence we again share the same scenery, the sunflowers and lavender that have inspired so many artists, Van Gogh to Cezanne, Picasso to Brayer, we feel so fortunate to be there and grateful to share our journeys with you our readers and those we help tour Provence. So as you follow this blog, please contact us if you are interested in touring with us. Visit Arles, and St. Remy, tour the asylum where Van Gogh was hospitalized and where patients still paint as therapy and sell their works. Summer 2012 is now closed and booked, but we can begin planning 2013. Bon voyage!

Making sense of Euro value v. the dollar

Since its inception, I have been tracking the value of the Euro against the dollar. Sometimes it makes sense and others, like now, it definitely does not. Here is the US economy growing slowly at 2%, technically not in a recession, yet the Euro is maintaining its value at 1.30 or so against the dollar. This is true even while Ireland, Spain, Greece and Italy are essentially bankrupt, the EU member states economies are not growing at all or at most .8% (like Germany). While US unemployment is starting to decline as may shortly be below 9%, Spain hit 22.8% at end of last year and could rise to 25%. So, even while we are borrowing money to stay afloat, certain EU countries are borrowing more at much higher interest rates. Thus, the currency values make no sense at all. The dollar should be stronger against the Euro. Perhaps it can be attributed to speculation? Will continue my research and add.

An exceptional meal at Barbuto -NYC

To enjoy the lovely weather, we ventured into NYC yesterday afternoon to walk around SOHO, shop at Uniqlo, and ultimately make our way to Chef Jonathan Waxman's Barbuto for an early dinner. As is often the case, the Chef was there overseeing operations and greeting many regular patrons. As always, a Saturday night there is packed, full of interesting people of all ages. No, it isn't a fancy restaurant with table cloths, the design is original and industrial. The walls are made from garage doors and so, on a day like yesterday, the walls just open up and voila, we are outside but inside. The food, as always was exceptional. If we usually judge our meals on a 1 to 10 scale, with 10 being the highest, my salad was a 10, my roast chicken was a 12, as was D.'s pasta, our crispy potatoes a 14, and our desert, a semi-freddo (similar to an ice cream), was a 15. So many times we eat at a nice restaurant and find the deserts so disappointing and not worth the calories. But whenever this is on the menu, we order it and it is always wonderful. We eat all over the world, but there is only one place in NYC where we feel as though we are eating food cooked with love and care, and by someone with a true European flare.

Don't publish exit polls too early in France or it will cost you

With the first round of French voting on Sunday, it is interesting to learn that in France, there are stringent rules on publishing exit poll results before the polls have closed in the major cities like Paris, which is not until 8 p.m. Polls close in smaller towns and villages at 6 p.m. Violators risk fines of 75,000 euro (about $100,000) - some major money these days. Those subject to the fines can include social media outlets and individuals. The most fascinating part of the rules allow the candidates to challenge the vote result if the exit polling is published early and influences voters, thereby possibly invalidating an election. So, don't mess with the French election process. Oh, and by the way, not looking good for Sarkozy, Hollande is the current favorite. http://www.france24.com/en/20120419-french-elections-exit-polls-law-ban-prosecute-liberation-hollande-sarkozy

Best hotel views in the world

Naturally Paris in the nix - the Shangri La Hotel in a particular suite,(not one that we know but we'll look at) and the Hotel Intercontinental in Hong Kong. That is a hotel we know of, have eaten dinner there, but prefer the other side of Kowloon looking across the harbor at the Marco Polo hotels. Better location and view for us.

http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/hotel-rooms-with-the-best-views.html?page=1

A recipe for duck confit

Reading today and noticed on France Guide a discussion of and recipe for duck confit, a dish I always enjoy if prepared properly, but not something I would think of cooking. Although anyone who knows me would tell you I love to cook but recipes that tend to be simpler and relatively healthy. During the week, my recipes tend to be what I call 30 minute dinners, ones that usually take me 30-60 minutes including preparation and cooking time, but no longer, and nothing complex. On weekends, particularly Sundays in the winter, I have been known to cook more involved meals like osso bucco and risotto. Duck confit is not on my cooking menu, but will remain on my eating menu, courtesy of Aquitaine.

So, for those who are more adventurous chefs, I wish you well with duck confit.

http://us.franceguide.com/special/INTERVIEW.html?nodeID=1474&EditoID=181723

McDonalds embraces the baguette

McDonalds is doing a test run of a sandwich on a baguette for introduction to their menu in France in an effort to cater to local tastes. Apparently, the French are embracing more fast food - quele horreur!! Although fast food in France does tend to be a little more nutritious and interesting, it is still fast food with higher fat and salt contents, and higher calories.

The article does get something wrong - that McDonalds did not open a French outlet until 1979. Although I have not eaten McDonalds since about 1978, I was still eating an occasional burger in 1977 when I was in Europe for the first time. After a few weeks of travel, we did attend the opening of the first McDonald's in Vienna, Austria, as well as eating at the McDonalds on the Champs Elysees in Paris (a two story McDonalds).


http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/dcp_10155_12602_2011+Garage+Door+Launch_AssureLink?adid=1

It is hard to imagine in France with all the food choices, going to McDonalds, but when traveling, especially with children, it is nice to have familiar food for them on occasion. Our kids would try French food, but would still eagerly await a McDonald's treat, especially the McFlurry, excited asking D. when he came back to the hotel with the goods "Did you get it? Did you remember the McFlurry?" But as with most kids, mine have thankfully outgrown most fast food and especially McDonalds.

One can only hope that by the time we're traveling with grandchildren, McDonalds in France will have even better selections so we can eat decently while the children splurge on fries and chicken nuggets. Who knows, maybe the nuggets will even be made of actual chicken by then.

More about Velib and Autolib in Paris

Although not everyone in Paris is a fan, it is the future:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/11/paris-velib-autolib-sharing-programs_n_1413758.html?ref=green&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

Disneyland Paris turns 20

No, can't say I've been there. Been to Disneyland (kind of sad and rundown) DisneyWorld when it was new, fun and exciting, but haven't been back in years. It's interesting that Paris Disney did well despite the recession and that it is more of an equal opportunity employer than most European/France entities. It's also interesting about how one Disney job spawns additional jobs in the community, and that its debt will be paid off in about 12 years. Long time coming:

http://news.yahoo.com/disneyland-paris-turns-20-mixed-results-160617732.html

Jules Leotard and gymnastics:

Who knew that the Leotard is actually named for Jules Leotard, all the years I wore those for gymnastics and dancing. Can't say I gave any thought to its origins and the basis for the name when I was young. But seeing this article today made me smile and think of young girls everywhere in their leotards, dancing, jumping, spinning, and happy.

http://shine.yahoo.com/team-mom/fun-facts-gymnastics-150700686.html

French eccentricities

D. and I often discuss why we enjoy France so much and the people, and much of it comes down to the quirkiness and acceptance of eccentricities. In America, we seem so often to search for conformity, and punish those who either can't comply or won't. We only have to look at how children act as bullies in a US school, picking on anyone smaller, weaker or different, particularly different. The bully always looks to exploit that weakness or difference, whatever it may be.

Be it our political system, education, and so many other areas of life where originality is discounted and discouraged, and bullies seem valued. That said, without those traits and beliefs, we would never have had Edison, Jobs, and so many others who changed the US and the world. But they had to fight the mainstream conformists to do so, swimming upstream against our narrow Patrician beliefs. We discount people with experience and knowledge and value those who are the loudest, and appear the most confident and aggressive, as if that is the same as competence.

In contrast, in France, original thought is valued and esteemed. Take so many French philosophers and writers, artists, etc. Quirkiness and eccentricity is accepted without question, as this is part of the liberty and equality that the French believe in.

So, D. and I, as quirky eccentrics that we are, know that we fit in with French culture. That our eccentricities will be accepted without challenge or question.

Provence with ducks

D. was in Provence a few weeks ago, arranging cars and our house for the summer. It all looks a little different out of season, but still beautiful. A friend recently sent us a photo of our pool, complete with a duck floating happily in the salt water.

The Provence dreams sustain us through the year, and our email and skype with friends we know we will see once again in only three months. The time seems to drag a little now as the weather warms up, and we wish we could be on a plane even know, but for work and children in school we would be there, settled in to our new house. Meanwhile we plan, planning to live the dream, knowing we are so fortunate to be able to embark on this adventure each year, creating new memories for us and for you.

Paris Bistro - Le Grand Pan

Another NY Times article from January 2012:

review sounds lovely, in an out of the way spot. For someone like me who is food particular and doesn't eat red meat, it may be difficult but perhaps it can be worked out, sans blague:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/travel/restaurant-review-le-grand-pan-in-paris.html

Biking in Paris - Velib tips and others

As always the NY Times has great travel articles. Here is one from March which discussing the glories of biking in Paris, including tips for using the Velib biking system. Note that there is an iphone app which can tell you the nearest station and how many bikes are available at each one. Also, be careful and use an American Express card as your Visa or Mastercard may not work if it doesn't have a Europe chip in it. There are also some other biking tips, placing to rent etc.:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F05E6DB143BF93BA25750C0A9649D8B63

New Modern Landmarks around the world

Several here in the US including the high-line in NYC, and fabulous modernist bridges in France and in Venice, Italy:

http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/world-s-top-new-landmarks.html