exchange rate - Travel Now

As with the costs of oil, the EURO has dropped significantly in value.  If you can afford it, and have the time for it, now is definitely the time to travel and shop.  The sales will start in Paris in a few days, the Euro is at its lowest rate against the dollar in years.  If only I was well enough, but perhaps this summer.  We can hope.

Simplicity in Provence

Over the years, reading books written by outsiders about Provence, about decorating in a French Country style, or Provencal cooking,  and so on, I've concluded most are missing the point.   Most are too complex, too busy, just trying to hard to be something they are not and don't really want to be.  Spending time in Provence comes down to my mantra in life, keeping it simple.  Not complicating my existence with unnecessary things, just what we need.  We have gotten there, but it has taken us a long time to achieve it, to understand it, to really live it.  Maybe we will never live in a "tiny house" but we will continue to work on this forever.

French romance

I think we all recognize that romance in France is different than in the US.  Somehow  it feels more romantic just being in France, the atmosphere, the food, the air, the light.  But it is just the perception of an American in France?

So, here is an article about a young French woman in the US discussing dating.  Very interesting.  We can both learn from each other.

https://www.yahoo.com/style/how-to-date-like-a-french-girl-lola-rykiel-106545311843.html

Fun at Galeries Lafeyette

Saw this article at it capture my imagination, to sleep in the iconic store and get up bright and early with a personal shopper, money to spend, from the first moment of the January sale - had I know about the contest I would definitely have entered.  Would think it requires spending the night planning the next day's attack, put if you're going to put in an all nighter, sounds much better than school or work.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/shoppers-win-sleepover-iconic-paris-store-article-1.2051955

New anti-smoking efforts

smoking in France is so entrenched the efforts previously made by the government had made progress for a few years but are now failing, 73,000 smoking related deaths a day.  So new legislation is being proposed in parliament:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/26/business/international/france-proposes-tough-antismoking-measures.html?ref=health&_r=0

hope it makes it easier to breath the fresh air of Provence, and sit in the cafes.

Fall 2014 in Paris - Art is in the air

Some fabulous exhibitions, reopening of several museums including Picasso, all fabulous.  Here's a good rundown of what to do and where to go this fall in Paris:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/fodors/fall-2014-guide-to-paris_b_5792108.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

A selfie free zone

We've been to this beach many times but before the selfie days, thank goodness.  As we know most French are very big on privacy and tend toward being low-key and not ostentatious so going selfie- free on the beach is expected since many of the photos are probably taken by etranger (an outsider).

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/24/beach-selfie_n_5699171.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

Labeling begun

As of next week the labeling of fresh, home-made food will be labeled specifying food such as hand-made meaning frozen pre-sliced potatoes can no longer be cooked with the designation of home made.  Each item on the menu will be designated as to what is home-made.  Should be fascinating to see what will be worth eating.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/france-battles-against-bad-restaurant-food-092626013.html

Another non-french term - French dip sandwich

Depending on who you ask apparently there are two restaurants in LA claiming ownership of the French dip which is clearly not French.  It is a sandwich "au jus" meaning in the sauce, and the roast beef sandwich does get dripped.  One restaurant claims it started in error and given to a police officer in a hurry by a French immigrant chef, while the other claims it relates for an older customer with dental problems.  Either way, it is a French dip sandwich that doesn't come from France, although it is nice that France gets the credit.

https://www.yahoo.com/travel/ive-loved-french-dip-sandwiches-since-i-was-a-91549257017.html

Pizza trucks galore

In nearly every town in southern France there seems to be at least one Pizza truck in the town square i n addition to other places depending on the size of the town and truck.  They have their designated spot, day, time.  Some are so regular they open up and place tables and chairs on the sidewalks and settle in for the evening regardless of weather.  What is most interesting is the style of regulations or lack thereof.  A gas or diesel powered truck which contains a wood-burning pizza oven burning even on the hottest summer days, along with their refrigeration units throwing off even more heat.  Rather impressive for anyone to tolerate and not blow up their truck with the open fire burning and cooking an authentic pizza, better than nearly anything we can find in the USA.

Hot restaurants in Paris 2014

Here are a few new ones.  Look fabulous but think fashion week would be tough time to get reservations as we had one time where a hotel reservation could not be found anywhere, even in the least expensive hotel.

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/07/11/top-dining-destinations-in-paris-couture-week-fall-winter-2014/?hpw&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=HpHedThumbWell&module=well-region&region=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well

Avignon on the edge

As anyone who travels to France knows, a strike is possible at any time affecting almost anything and everything.  So now that the transit workers have gone back to work, the theater workers are agitating and effecting the summer theater fetes including Avignon.  Several productions for this evening were canceled and this strike may affect festivals throughout France this summer.  So be warned, check before going to see if the curtain will go up on your show.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/protests-mar-opening-french-theater-festival-24425451

Chateaurenard's charm

We have been so fortunate over the years to allow chance to guide us in our travels.  We will talk about doing something, going somewhere and finally do it on a day with a parade or fete, or something special to experience, without planning or trying, which always brings an extra delight to the day.  For example, one year we decided to explore a town we had driven by many times, seeing the signage from multiple angles and different towns surrounding it, but never making the turn to head in.  Finally, one day, I was determined to experience their market day.  It was suggested in a guide book description that this was an agricultural based-town and the market would be full of fresh fruit and vegetables.  As we approached we noticed roads blocked off and a different feel than we expected.  We parked and began to follow the crowds, asking local people about the market, and learning that it was a special day, a traditional provencal parade, honoring the local patron saint of the town, St. eloi.  We found a nice cafe on the main street, ordered a coffee and began to watch the people getting ready for the parade.  We sat, we watched, eventually D. walked down the street to get a special box of macarons from what turned out to be wonderful local patisserie and let the morning unfold.  Another unexpected special day in Provence.

Rhythm of France

Whenever anyone is traveling, we all seek the rhythm of the trip, the city, the country.   Are we seeking the rhythm of the waves at the beach, the pulse of the cicadas in Provence, or the hum of conversation at a cafe anywhere in the world listening to different languages with each having its own tone.  Perhaps it is the joy of travel, of new experiences, or rediscovering the familiar, something about the difference from every day living is relaxing and reviving in its own way.  In France, it can be listening to the murmur of different languages heard while sitting in a favorite cafe, realizing that the merging of German's staccato, to the volume of American English, a softer British English, and the smoothness and suaveness of French into its own tone and beauty.

A little town in Northern France

In Brittany each summer is an outdoor photography exhibit in a charming town of La Gacilly, home of Yves Rocher chocolate.  Here is a preview:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/26/la-gacilly-france-photo-festival_n_5521484.html

Avignon theater festival - beware the strikes

A favorite every summer is the theater fete in Avignon.  It is wonderful just to wander the streets, see the performers as they try to entice you to their performance each night, plaster every available space in the streets, buildings, poles, lights, with posters advertising their performance.  The energy one can feel is so unusual and special.  This year, the fete runs from July 4 through July 27 but beware.  Labor strikes are plaguing the transport system throughout France as various unions are striking in disputes with the government about proposed changes to their work agreements and pensions, and talk is that for the first time in 30 years it could lead to the fete being canceled.  So, check with your hotel and see what is happening.  The beauty of Provence is that once you are here, you will find plenty to do, or not do and will return home renewed, refreshed, and evolved.

Melon and beauty

Stuck in bed many days surviving chemotherapy, I am bombarded with ads for beauty, weight loss, medical issues, pharmaceuticals, law suits over all of the above.  It is simply endless.  One consistent add is for Dr. Shabaugh's Meaningful Beauty with Cindy Crawford and other celebrities pitching for this melon-based formula.  It looks like a typical American cantaloupe but the advertisements tell us its special and from the Luberon.  But what they are showing is a typical Cavaillon melon, which is a local specialty and has destroyed any desire in me to eat cantaloupe, but I can't say it has done anything for my skin.  Maybe I should buy some Cavaillon melon, stick it in a blender, press, blend, then schmeer it on my skin?  For how long?  Should it have the skin in it?  Just the insides?  Include the seeds?  Perhaps this is the mystery of it.  But for this year, I think I'll pass on it and let Cindy Crawford use it and sell it.

Warming up for the sales?

Review your strategy.  Set your alarm early, cue up, stand, and wait like a runner on the starting line.  Can't say that it requires marathon skills but certainly 5k, with a decided plan of action for whichever stores you are targeting, and some black belt shopping skills for the best deals.  What does your wardrobe need most - shoes, sweaters, slacks?  There are even pre-sales starting for valued customers, but at a lower discount rate, so maybe wait for main sale?  Do you feel lucky?

Get ready and go on Wednesday the 25th.

Apple in France

Yes, the Apple store in Aix is now open, on the circle (or roundabout) across from the famous fountain marking the beginning of the Cours Mirabeau.  It is typical minimalist Apple glass box.  Fabulous as it doesn't block the scenery that surrounds it, and full of university students.

Here is the link to Apple in France stores with an ever-growing presence.

http://www.apple.com/fr/retail/storelist/

Can we redraw the map?

Imagine New Jersey merged into Pennsylvania?  Rhode Island into Connecticut?  Delaware into Maryland?  History be damned!  that is exactly what France may do if approved by Parliament.  French president Hollande is proposing significant changes to the national map, merging regions to eliminate bureaucracy.  America is, of course, rather different constitutionally, but it is an interesting idea.  http://www.france24.com/en/20140602-france-hollande-proposal-redraw-french-map-reduce-regions/

Copper thieves hit wind turbines in France

Not that I approve in any way, but have to admit it is creative.  Not anything I would think of, but where there's copper there's money and thieves follow.  Glad they are beefing up security:

http://www.france24.com/en/20140528-france-metal-organised-thefts-wind-turbines-copper/

As always, dreaming of France

It was a long hard winter here, and every day felt like the film "ground hog day" the same and never ending, more snow, cold and grey.  The tree that collapse on our property.  When would it end?  Finally we've had a few nicer days and I can wake up and dream again of Provence, add a few articles I've been saving.  Maybe even some photos and thoughts from a past trip.  Can only hope for a few minutes here and there of clarity sufficient to blog in between chemo.

A time capsule in Paris

Wishing I could don a mask and dive into this apartment.  Who would be so eccentric as to pay the rent on this all those years and not tell your family?

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/05/the-parisian-belle-epoque-time-capsule.html

Party like a Parisian

I definitely could not perfect this at my age:

http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/05/french-women-dont-get-wasted.html

How to tie a scarf like a Parisian?

I'm working on it for years:

http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/05/why-do-parisians-wear-scarves-so-damn-well.html

whoops - now that's embarrassing

hate to think who made the mistake:

http://news.yahoo.com/red-faces-french-trains-too-wide-stations-103141069.html

the good and the bad

An interesting perspective:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathleen-peddicord/living-in-france_b_5331521.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592