We were surprised to learn that the Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard, from 19 BC, is the second most visited site outside of Paris; every year two million people come to visit it.

Having a height of 157 feet, the Pont du Gard is one of the highest of all Roman aqueducts as well as one of the most well preserved in the world.

The Romans were apparently pretty obsessed with their quality of water, so it hardly phased them that the crystal clear spring water near Uzes, was in fact, 48 kilometers away. Roman engineers response: “Pfff! Piece of cake.”

The resulting aqueduct winds around the landscape through hills and tunnels. Where the water had to cross the gorge just above the Gard River, they built the Pont du Gard.

The aqueduct is three tiers of arches made of golden stone without mortar, and while it is impressive any time of day, it is probably particularly dramatic and stunning around dawn and sunset.

More info here: Le Pont du Gard

Tags: france, french, travel, pont+du+gard, provence, bridges, aqueduct, roman+history

From the people who brought you The Meatrix, here’s another important animated cartoon about PVC, how to spot it and why it is horribly harmful for us. Sadly, PVC is practically everywhere now, even children’s toys (that they put in their mouths!) are made out of PVC.Watch the video: PVC The Poison Plastic

Find out about alternatives to PVC: CHEJ

This is sort of part 2 of my post from the other day about how I found cute T-shirts with French on them. This shirt, however, is in English, and incorrect English at that, but I still find it sooooo cute! You can put the pin where it best describes your mood. It looks like the same people that brought us the ones in French. Should they stick to French? Nah!

Notice the apostrophe and “am” at the top – then the moods from which to choose: bad mood, good mood, loveling mood

Tags: france, french, t-shirts, bad+english, cute

More game goodness from French game developers Anode & Cathode, the same people that brought us The Museum, which I found to be lots of fun. This time it’s another point and click game involving the mystery of L’expresso empoisonné (The Poisoned Espresso) Who dunnit? No, it wasn’t George Clooney.

Someone must have heard me when I screamed about the silly “English” on French T-shirts and how there is an obvious unexplored market of French on T-shirts. Yay. I found these cute long sleeve shirts in French. The designs are very small just below the neck (the back designs are just above the middle of the shoulder blades). I bought them for my nieces and my sister.

(front) a little, a lot, passionately

(back) like crazy!

A little flowery cultural difference note here: You know how in the U.S. we have the “he loves me, he loves me not” thing as you remove each flower petal? In France, they remove the petals while saying, “he loves me a little, a lot, passionately, like crazy, not at all.” (il m’aime un peu, beaucoup, passionnément, à la folie, pas du tout) I like the French version because you have more a chance of being loved, even a little!

I have nothing to wear!

(front) Love Potion

(back) Love Potion…10 grams of tenderness, 5 grams of insanity, 15 grams of cuddling – all sprinkled with a pinch of jealousy

Tags: france, french, t-shirts, cute

Maybe I wasn’t paying attention in class the day they talked about this but the first time I’d ever heard about La grotte de Lascaux (The Lascaux Cave) and the prehistoric drawings there – was when we were visiting southwest France just about a month ago. At first, I wasn’t very excited about seeing them especially because the original cave is closed to the public and you can only visit a replica of it. I know: I was lame because I thought it would be so boring. I’m glad I we took the advice of the people around us and visited it afterall because it was surprisingly far from a snorer.
Christened “The Sistine Chapel of Prehistory,” these ancient frescoes are the most spectacular prehistoric cave paintings in the world. Dating back approximately 17,000 years ago, the original cave paintings at Lascaux, near the village of Montignac, are some of the earliest known art by man. Incidentally, Cro-Magnon man was the first to show signs of artistic ability according to scientists.

If it weren’t for two teenagers in 1940 who stumbled accidentally upon the cave whilst looking for their dog (that fell into a hole leading to the cave), we may never have known about Lascaux.

Sadly, they had to close Lascaux to the public in 1963 because the walls began developing a deteriorating fungus from all the visitors’ wows, oohs and ahhhs.

Soon thereafter, the French embarked on a huge project to build an exact, inch-by-inch replica of the Lascaux cave and the drawings. It took about 11 years.

The replica, called Lascaux 2, situated just 200 meters away from the original cave, opened to the public in 1983.

I first felt a bit resentful having to see a replica but it is nearly an identical copy of the first and it is truly amazing; the guided tour was excellent as well. You will be engaged by the bulls, elk and horses that seem to trot across a cave ceiling before your eyes. You’ll be tempted to decipher symbols and stories. Note: I don’t think this would be an interesting for claustrophobes, however.

The construction of the Lascaux II was a clear opportunity for scientists, to explore their hypotheses and knowledge about how the drawings and paintings were made.

They used the same kinds of materials they believed to have been used some 17,000+ years ago. Materials such as natural pigments like ochre, charcoal, and iron oxides. The images show animals, hunts, wars, symbols and other objects not easily decipherable.

If anything, the cave tour does inspire you to wonder about the lives of these ancient peoples. What they did; how they lived; what was their relationship to the animals around them. The scientist clearly say with certainty that animals were not domesticated until thousands of years later, but some of the images seem to point otherwise. How they can say that so confidently is beyond me because in the same breath, they will note that the Cro-Magnon man was only different to us in physical attributes (longer jaws that accommodated all their wisdom teeth! and also they were taller), and not in intelligence. In other words, Cro-Magnon man was as intelligent as man today. The 40-minute tour is very detailed and fascinating, and our tour guide was very pleased that the group was quite animated and many theories emerged into lively discussion.

Though there was a lot of debate about what could have been, clearly, these prehistoric murals and artwork, at minimum, testify to the existence of ancient and well-established civilization in the south of France, which is pretty neat.

Important Note: You cannot buy tickets onsite at Lascaux II; you must purchase them in the nearby town of Montignac, next to the Office de tourisme. Admission: 8.20 € (5.20 € for kids 6-12 years old); During the high season (May through August), reserve tickets one or two weeks in advance or arrive early. The office opens at 9am until they sell all of tickets for the day. Tours are available in French and English.

Books about Lascaux
The Cave Painter of Lascaux (a book for small kids),
Cave of Lascaux: The Cave of Prehistoric Wall Paintings (Famous Caves of the World),
The Cave of Lascaux,
Lascaux: Movement, Space and Time,
Prehistoric Art: The Symbolic Journey of Humankind

For more Information
Lascaux II: Semitour Périgord, 221 bis route d’Angouleme, BP 1024, 24001
Périgueux Cedex, Tel: +33-553-519503 or +33-553-056565
E-mail: contact@semitour.com
Website: Official Site for The Lascaux 2 Cave

Related: Where to stay in Dordogne: Rent a vacation house in Dordogne

^{[photos from the original Lascaux Cave courtesy of the Delluc and Laval Collections]}

You’ve probably seen people with their Moleskine notebooks, sketching, painting, jotting down little ideas and notes. They’ve even made many movie appearances. These travel journals/notebooks/sketchbooks are legendary if not extremely handy. I love them because they are so low tech but absolutely necessary. Sometimes I draw little pictures on mine but I usually write down notes, scribble numbers, ideas and write whatever I need to at the moment I need to. If I didn’t have these, I’d probably forget how to use a pen.

These books have been around for two centuries and famous writers, thinkers and artists were known to be seen with them, people like Van Gogh, Ernest Hemingway, Picasso and many, many others. One of Van Gogh’s moleksine notebooks is in the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam (photo below) and Picasso’s is in the Picasso Museum in Paris. I wish we could read through them instead of just be able to look at the exterior. Here are some other moleskine notebooks owned by well-known people. Think about how many of these there actually are. If someone found yours, would they be entertained by it? Bored? Horrified?

I imagine the original ones, from their first producers/ bookbinders/paper mill based in Tours, France, were handcrafted, high quality and very durable. I wonder why it’s called Moleskine (pronounced mole skeen). Were these owners trying to say Moleskin but with a French accent? Anyway. It’s so sad they stopped making them in 1986. Luckily, an Italian producer bought the tradename Moleskine in 1998 (no one bothered to trademark it beforehand), which is why we can find them today pretty much everywhere (though they are slightly different).

Though relatively old news, I just found out about it: The latest news is that just two months ago, the private investment division of Société Générale purchased Moleskine from the Italian company, Modo & Modo for 60 million euros. So, these famous little black travel notebooks are currently back in French hands. Will the quality last? Time will tell.

In any case, Moleksine has always been somewhat of a cult item. Long live the society of scribblers!

Trivia
Henry Matisse Oscar Wilde, Kevin Spacey, Vincent van Gogh, André Breton Ernest Hemingway, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert De Niro were/are Moleskine users.

Cameo appearances of Moleskine books in Films
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989)
Magnolia (1999)
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Amelie (2001)
K-Pax (2001)
Shall We Dance? (2004)
I Heart Huckabees (2004)
Bones of Contention (2005)
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
National Treasure (2004)
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Looking for a pocket size Moleskine Notebook?
Go here: Moleskine Pocket Notebook

Related links:
Moleskine
Renaissance Art Leather-bound Notebooks (I love these notebooks too)
Moleskine Art
Moleskine Fan Site Moleskinerie
Lens at Squidoo

There’s not a whole lot to do in the southwest village of La Roque Gageac but it is still worth a day trip to see how pretty it is. It is just 9 kilometers (about 6 miles) from Sarlat, which is a perfect base (we think anyway) to explore Dordogne. La Roque Gageac is one of the 149 “Most Beautiful Villages of France” and rightly so.

La Roque Gageac just out from the base of an ochre cliff.

As a vertical village, exploring it would mean climbing narrow, steep and twisting paths against the sheer cliff and the medieval stone houses squished against rock.

If you have acrophobia (a fear of heights), you can still enjoy the view of La Roque Gageac from below or from a boat ride in the Dordogne River – but! The view from above is spectacular.

Above La Roque is the 12th century Fort Troglodytique. It’s position and height were ideal to be able to withstand all of the British assaults during the 100 Years War. It’s 5 euros to enter the fort. Hours to visit: April – August 10:30am to 7pm; Sept – November 10am to 6pm; Tel: 05 53 31 61 94.

Tags: france, travel, la+roque+gageac, dordogne, perigord, southwest+france, most+beautiful+villages, acrophobia

A quick reminder that the Salon du Chocolat, the huge chocolate expo in Paris takes place next week, from October 28 to November 1. If you’re a chocolate lover, this event is not to be missed. Though, if you are shy of crowds, it’ll be a tremendous challenge to get through all the goodies without having a crisis. Lots of people go to this! There will be demonstrations by very well known chocolatiers, classes as well as chocolate tastings and information related to the latest trends in chocolate. You’ll also be able to stock up on your supply of chocolate. Lastly, there’s a separate, fun area just for kids called, Chocoland.

Le Salon du Chocolat
28 October – 1 November 2006
Saturday: 10am-9pm; Sunday: 10am-8pm; Mon-Wed: 10am-7pm
Porte de Versailles
Admission: 12 € (try to find coupons from vendors for free entrance)
Email: info@chocoland.com
Tel: +33 (0) 1 43 95 10 10
Website: Salon du Chocolat Paris

Tags: france, travel, french, chocolate, expo, Salon+du+Chocolat

If you know France pretty well, you’ll recognize that this photo was taken in Cannes, France just on the famous La Croisette. While the building clearly says “Carlton” on it, do not mistake it for a Ritz Carlton. This “luxury hotel” is owned by the InterContinental Hotel Groups. It is an expensive hotel and will cost you for a night anywhere from 500 euros per room and up (way up).For such an expensive hotel, wouldn’t you think they’d have better than PVC windows? I’m not kidding. Plastic, evil PVC windows. The worst. Considering you pay SO MUCH to be able to stay there, don’t you deserve better?

La honte! (Shame on them!)

My neighbor and I were having a conversation not long ago and she’d mentioned that she and her family have been looking to replace their doors and windows, frames included. They were considering PVC. By the way, PVC in French is PVC (pey’ vey sey).

Me: “WHY??! Why on earth would you get PVC doors and windows and frames? Or anything PVC for that matter?!”

Her: “Euh, calm down. What is so wrong PVC? It’s convenient because we don’t need to paint it, you know.”

Me: “PVC is terribly toxic for you, your family and the environment. And it’s cheap plastic, and plastic is ugly. If you care about your family, you won’t allow anything made from PVC in your home. Do you know that all hospitals in France had to replace all the PVC because it was endangering lives? It is a health and safety requirement because it is extremely detrimental, but the home improvement industry and the plastics (oil) industry have hidden its danger from the general public. Just like with asbestos, a while a go. No one thought asbestos was hazardous, but look now. mesothelioma, the cancer specifically related to asbestos in homes skyrocketed. The number of people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma has increased significantly in the past 30 years. Although many advances in treatment have been made, there is no cure for this type of cancer. Industries eventually had to fess up and stop producing it and selling it. And now, you can’t use asbestos anymore. Well, it’s the same with PVC, except that they haven’t gotten to the ‘fess up’ part.” It makes too much money for them so they will continue to sell the cheapest and most toxic kind of plastic known to man until the law says they can’t anymore.

Me: “I’m sure in the 70s, people were saying stuff like, “Oh! We’re getting our home insulated with asbestos! We’re getting asbesto ceilings and floors. Isn’t that great!!!?”

Me: “Today, you’re saying, ‘Oh! we’re getting new PVC windows, doors, gutters, pipes, hoses – isn’t that great!?’ NO. that is not great. PVC is the new asbestos. By the way, you know those vertical window blinds? They’re made of PVC.” (My sweetie calls it Pour Votre Cancer.)

Her: “So why is PVC so horrible?”

What is PVC?
There’s a good reason why manufacturers call it, “PVC.” Calling by its real name lends some hard and horrible reality to what PVC actually is. You may be saddened to hear that PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride. Sounds bad, doesn’t it? It’s actually much worse than that.

It has become apparent that this seemingly harmless plastic, PVC, is one of the most environmentally hazardous consumer materials ever produced. Although it appears to be the ideal building material, PVC has high environmental and human health costs that its manufacturers fail to tell consumers. If you’ve learned that PVC is totally safe, you’ve been lied to. PVC (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl) is the worst plastic from an environmental health perspective, threatening major, singular hazards from its inception to its disposal. In other words, PVC becomes harmful the second it’s created until it is disposed of – and even at that point, it still poses toxic exposure inside a landfill or incinerator. That means it emits toxic compounds when it’s being made, while you have it and when it gets disposed of.

The Making of PVC and Beyond
During the manufacture of the building block ingredients of PVC (such as vinyl chloride monomer) dioxin (the most potent carcinogen known) and other persistent pollutants are emitted into the air, water and land, which present both acute and chronic health hazards. During use, PVC products can leach toxic additives, for example flooring can release softeners called phthalates. When PVC reaches the end of its useful life, it can be either landfilled, where it leaches toxic additives or incinerated, again emitting dioxin and heavy metals. When PVC burns in accidental fires, hydrogen chloride gas and dioxin are formed.¹

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is unique in its high chlorine and additives content, which makes it an environmental poison throughout its life cycle. Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen, which can lead to a number of cancers, endocrine disruption, endometriosis, neurological damange, birth defects, impaired child development and reproductive and immune system damage. PVC releases dioxin and other persistent organic pollutants during its manufacture and disposal and cannot be readily recycled due to it chlorine and additive content. Furthermore, additives are not bound to the plastic and leach out. ^{1, 2}

Dioxins from PVC – The Impact
Dioxin’s impact doesn’t stop there. As a persistent bioaccumulative toxin (PBT), it does not break down rapidly and travels around the globe, accumulating in fatty tissue and concentrating as it goes up the food chain. Dioxins from Louisiana manufacturing plants migrate on the winds and concentrate in Great Lakes fish. Dioxins are even found in hazardous concentrations in the tissues of whales and polar bears and in Inuit mother’s breast milk. The dioxin exposure of the average American already poses a calculated risk of cancer of greater than 1 in 1,000 – thousands of times greater than the usual standard for acceptable risk. Most poignantly, dioxins concentrate in breast milk to the point that human infants now receive high doses, orders of magnitude greater than those of the average adult.²

Lethal Additives
PVC is useless without the addition of a plethora of toxic chemical stabilizers – such as lead, cadmium and organotins – and phthalate plasticizers. These leach, flake or outgas from the PVC over time raising risks fthat include asthma, lead poisoning and cancer.²

Construction and PVC
The construction industry has been unaware of its true cost and long considered it a cheap convenient material. Piping, vinyl siding, and vinyl flooring are the largest and most familiar uses of PVC. Roof membranes have been a growing area. It is also used in electrical wire insulation, conduit, junction boxes, wall coverings, carpet backing, window and door frames, shades and blinds, shower curtains, furniture, flues, gutters, down spouts, waterstops, weatherstrip, flashing, moldings and elsewhere. Fortunately, for each of these uses, there exist a wide range of cost effective alternative materials that pose less of a health hazard to workers and the public at large.

Alternatives
Replacing PVC in your projects is easier than you may think. A number of resource guides are available to help you find green construction materials. But beware: some construction materials labeled “green” actually contain recycled PVC/vinyl and frequently require virgin PVC mixed with the recycled.

* Piping
Cast iron, steel, concrete vitrified clay, and plastics such as HDPE (high density polyethylene).

* Windows & Doors
Recycled, reclaimed or FSC certified sustainably harvested wood, fiberglass, and aluminum.

* Siding
Fiber-cement board, stucco, recycled or reclaimed or FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified sustainably harvested wood, OSB (oriented strand board), brick, and polypropylene.

* Roofing Membranes
TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin), EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), FPO (flexible polyolefin alloy), MBM (modified bitumen), NBP (nitrile butadiene polymer) and low-slope metal roofing.

* Flooring & Carpet
Linoleum, bamboo, ceramic tile, carpeting with natural fiber backing or polyolefins, reclaimed or FSC certified sustainably harvested wood, cork, recycled rubber, concrete, and nonchlorinated plastic polymers.

* Wall Coverings & Furniture
Natural fibers such as wood and wool, polyethylene, polyester, paint.

* Electrical Insulation and Sheathing
Halogen free, LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene), and XLPE (thermoset crosslinked polyethylene)

Guides
NorCal ADPSR Architectural Resource Guide
Greenpeace PVC Alternatives Database
Environmental Building News
Sources: ¹ Greenpeace, ² Heathly Building Network

~
“The mind can go in a thousand directions
but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Since 1982, the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Zen Master, has lived in Dordogne where he has created the Plum Village and the Mindful Living Community. He is pleased to return to Paris and share his thoughts on “Engaged Buddhism.”

Two conferences are coming up in Paris with Thich Nhat Hanh
Saturday October 21 – 7:30pm – “Less Anger, Less Violence”
Sunday October 22 – 2:30pm – “How to Transform Fear”
Place: Théâtre de la Maison de la Mutualité, 24 rue Saint Victor, Paris 5ème – Métro Maubert- Mutualité
Admission: 25 euros per conference or 40 euros for both (reduced admission granted for under 25, the unemployed, RMIistes and the disabled) – purchase tickets online or in-person at FNAC

Conferences are in French, translated (with headsets) into English and Vietnamese.

[More information]

La marche méditative / The Mindful Peace Walk
Sunday October 22 10:30am – Meet at la Place Edmond Rostand (Jardin du Luxembourg- métro Luxembourg) and walk to Notre Dame.

Thay, or “teacher”, as his students refer to him, requests that you “walk in such a way that each step you make becomes a realization of peace; each step becomes a prayer for peace & harmony…walk together in silence with no banners and no pickets…not a petition addressed to anyone, nor a demonstration against anyone… walk to unite your hearts, to nurture your togetherness and to dissipate fear and separation…learn together that wrong perceptions of self and others are at the foundation of separation, fear, hate and violence, and that togetherness and collaboration is possible.” [Read More about Peace Walking]

[photo courtesy of Peace is in Every Step L.A.]

Tags: france, travel, french, mindful+living, thich+nhat+hanh, buddhism, paris, peace+march, La+marche+méditative

This is an impressive event in France that takes place every year. For the whole week beginning Monday, October 16 through 22, you have a smorgasbord of foody activities from which to choose. It’ll be hard to decide.The week is dedicated to all things food, specifically, the pleasure of tasting food – so not only will you be able to sample all kinds of yummy dishes and delicacies, you can also watch food preparation demonstrations, attend cooking classes, participate in food contests, and meet chefs, restaurateurs, cooks, food writers, farmers and food vendors. This event is celebrated in the entire country, so check your local activities’ listings to see what’s going on near you.

An important and cool aspect about the event, La Semaine du Goût is a special focus on the gastronomic education for kids. That is considered a priorty in France and I find that tremendously awesome. And to think growing up in the U.S. our cantine/cafeteria had mushy, tasteless vegetables from a can, instant mashed potatoes and some sort of pressed meat aka Salisbury Steak. With a grayish gravy-like substance.

France is different. During this week chefs are sent to schools all over France to instill in kids the idea and importance of healthy and delcious meals . They get to sample all kinds of yummy goodies and do comparison tests, create dishes themselves and talk and learn about food. School doesn’t suck this week.

Restaurants all over France take part in the festivities and will have special events and menus, some just for children and also discounted for them as well as for students. (See the list of participating restaurants)

La Semaine du Goût / Tasting Week France
Oct 16 – 22, 2006 – all over France
Check the official website below for activities in your area:
Website: La Semaine du Goût/Tasting Week

Tags: travel, france, french, events, cuisine, La+Semaine+du+Goût, Tasting+Week

Many French people who’ve asked me this question are so disappointed when I DON’T say, “hamburgers.”

What is Typical American Cuisine? This is one of the hardest questions posed to me in France. I always have a truly tiresome time getting my answer fully understood and my points across. Here’s why.

As a kid growing up in L.A. we had lots of fresh veggies, and also shellfish and other kinds of seafood since a fisherman would bring his fresh catch of the day to our house every week. Monday, was “coincidentally” when some of my friends would show up at my house. A good day for sashimi! We didn’t eat huge amounts of red meat in our diet because my mother cooked primarily vegetarian or fish dishes, or dishes that included just a little red meat. That was typical grub for me in California.

My friend, Art, whose parents are originally from the Philippines ate stuff like Dinuguan (pig blood soup), pansit (noodly yummy chicken dish), roasted porc, lumpia (fried spring rolls), among other delicious meals. For special occasions, his family would roast a whole pig all day in a pit in their backyard. I LOVED going to his house for dinner! I especially like the smokey version of the dessert, flan. It was so different from what we ate at home and his mom was an excellent cook, just like my mom is. Art ate what I feel is typical for an American with Philippino parents – though entirely different from what I ate growing up.

Another friend of mine ate Mexican food with her family, as often as we ate Japanese food. Tortillas were served with every meal, most of her meals included beans. They ate goat meat at times and again, I loved being invited to dinner to experience something good and different from home. Again, I find this very typical.

Other typical “American” cuisine would be spaghetti and meatballs, perhaps, or just basic meat and potatoes kinds of meals. But guess what? Some people eat all kinds of different foods, like the foods above I’ve described. That is typical. You see, there are regional foods in the U.S. All of that is typical. For where I grew up, the wide varieties of cuisine from other countires were and are extremely typical, for at least where I lived in California. Someone else from L.A. might have the same answer as someone from the south. “Typical” you see, will vary.

You get it, right? Everything, from gumbo, sushi, and roast beef to pho, black beans and rice and chicken mole are typical. That is the beauty of American cuisine. It can be anything.

By the way, I never answer, “Hot dogs and apple pie.”

Since a country like the U.S., is relatively new, (especially when compared to countries thousands of years old solidly steeped in unchanging tradition), and is made up of immigrants (and their descendants) from all over the world, the result of this melting pot effect leaves but a country where tradition is as colorful and varied as the faces across America.

So, after my explanation, the response from most people is, “Oh. So there is no such thing as typical American food.”

Have you listened to one word that I just said?

I give up.

Typical American cuisine is: hamburgers, and that is all we Americans eat – at every meal, every day. 365 days a year. I hope you are happy now.

Halloween is not for a couple of weeks, but face it, you wait ’til the last minute to decide how you’re going to dress up for that Halloween party. Don’t lie.

There’s nothing worse than going to a costume party with a sheet over your head, two holes cut out on top for eyes. Or wearing jeans and a black turtleneck saying you’re dressed as Steve Jobs. Please. Have some self-respect. Try something new this year: effort. Since I’m in France, I’m offering a few ideas a la francaise that would make fun Halloween costumes.

Police (or any military position that requires the képi). You gotta love those hats (I sort of want a real one.) and they are such a snap to make yourself. It’s basically a cylinder with a flap. You can easily make it on your own (you might be able to find a DIY on a craft site) if you can’t find it elsewhere. If you are able to find an oval box the right size and go from there, you are good to go. The rest is basically a dark blue or black marching band outfit. Can’t find a marching band suit? Just wear an old dark suit and add shiny, gold buttons and rank ribbons (or whatever they’re called). Pictured to the right is Charles de Gaulle in his general outfit.

Boulanger (Baker) – Now that I realize who the scary boulanger was (merci, Roland!), I figure it’s not a bad idea to go as RAIMU in the role of the boulanger, especially if you have some accessories of bread and baguettes. Feel free to sprinkle some flour around your face and hair for authenticity. Remember your white hat and an added apron if you like. Most importantly, work on that “I’m going to kill you now” look down pat.

A French President – This idea goes well with older, bald and balding men. You have to be bald (or nearly bald) to make this work, as baldness seems to be the requirement for being elected French president, at least since 1974 (starting with Giscard d’Estaing, then Mitterand and now our kooky Chirac). Take your pick.

Here are some French celebrities to dress up as if you dare:

Yannick Noah, Johnny Hallyday, Claude Francois, Marquis de Sade, Coluche, Maïté, Brigitte Bardot, Napoleon, Zidane

Here are some fictional celebrities:

Inspector Jacques Clouseau (from The Pink Panther) in a trench coat, leather gloves, hat and magnifying glass, Pepe le Pew, the cat-amourous cartoon skunk romantic wannabe, Cyrano de Bergerac (or was he a real person?) whose ugliness prevented him from expressing his true love for Roxanne, Vampire Lestat de Lioncourt, a character from the Vampire Chronicals by Anne Rice – a French vampire made even further known by Tom Cruise playing the lead role in the movie version. (btw, you can go as the vampire, Louis de Pointe du Lac, who was played by Brad Pitt in the movie. They were both French.)

The obvious highly stereotyped French costumes. Better than a sheet but trite:

French Maid – Ok, this is more of an American fantasy, I believe, as I’ve never seen a maid in anything even remotely resembling this outfit. Anyway, if this fits the bill for you, knock yourself out.

French man – Man wearing a black beret, striped dark blue or black/white shirt, holding a baguette and bottle of wine. I’ve actually seen lots of people holding baguettes and/or wine bottles, and I have definitely witnessed lots of others wearing the striped shirt, but the beret wearing is getting more rare. Lately, the beret fashion is limited to very, very old men.

It’s mushroom season in France. This year, there are many disputes and misunderstandings about the issues with mushrooming. People are getting angry. Some have gotten broken noses, knocked down and seriously injured. There have been fines for picking where you’re not supposed to. What the? I mean, I like wild mushrooms a lot too but I’m not going to break anyone’s nose for it.
Excerpt (from the UK Times):

In the Charente, western France, a pensioner had his basket of ceps stolen and the tyres of his car slashed. In the Pyrenees Denise Larcade, 82, a farmer’s wife, was pushed and insulted by two men who stole her basket of mushrooms.

M Dulong said: “They even attacked an 80-year-old bloke for his mushrooms the other day and broke his nose.”

Read the full article

I didn’t realize harvesting cepes and other wild mushrooms had become such a competitive body sport.

Originally naming their French techno/house duo, “Darlin’” Guy-Manuel de Homem Christo and Thomas Bangalter later changed their name after a dismissive criticism from someone from the British music press who called their music “daft punk.” That was 1992 and the name stuck. [anyway, here's their bio if you're interested in the full story]

I really love Daft Punk for a few reasons: 1) their music rocks. It somehow takes cues and inspiration from other artists and genres, all the while still sounding original; 2) It’s upbeat, fresh, fun and can be hynpotic at times; 3) They keep their faces hidden from the public. I think that is so smart.

Who can blame them for always wearing helmets or masks or whatever face covering appliance. It is part of their signature but it gives them freedom to be “normal” people and not be recognized in public. Well, their faces have been seen but since they try to minimize that and simply try to conceal them most of the time, many people don’t know what they look like. They might be in FNAC at La Defense while you’re looking for Charlotte Gainsbourg’s new CD, or they could be at a cafe sitting at a table next to yours, and you will not gawk or ask for autographs or just bug them because you’re a stargazer. That is freedom. They can be world celebrities yet no one knows what they look like.

I read a post recently that they did an interview on Icelandic television promoting their feature experimental film, Electrorama, but did the entire interview wearing black cloth bags on their heads. Here’s the video of the interview. (in English)
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Daft Punk works: Discovery, Homework, Human After All, Alive 1997 (limited edition), Daft Punk Vol. 1 – 1993 – 2005, D.A.F.T. (DVD)

I heart David Lebovitz. Why? He’s fun, silly and his Paris food blog is entertaining and informative. He’s an author of many books, a pastry chef, a chocolate expert. Today’s he’s compiled a list of the best places in Paris to have a hot chocolate. Not only that, he’s included recipes for Parisian Hot Chocolate and Belgian Hot Chocolate just in case you cannot make it over to Paris. Isn’t that nice? Yay him!

Here it is: Paris Hot Chocolate Address Book

Do you know how I’ve been talking about the most beautiful villages of France? There’s actually an officially declared list of the most beautiful villages in France granted by the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Let’s see how many times I can mention “the most beautiful villages in France.” There are a total of 149 villages from 21 regions et 65 departments with the official title.

It all started in 1981when a book was published, and it was called (yup), “The Most Beautiful Villages in France.” It was a way to recognize the importance of protecting these villages and also to share them with the world. The book was written by Charles Ceyrac, Mayor of Collonges La Rouge (southwest France), where we find Lulu this lovely Monday. Collonges La Rouge is on the list.

As you might know, Rouge means red, and Collonges la Rouge definitely describes itself perfectly. It’s a red rock village exquisitely and pervasively red sharply contrasting against the surrounding verdant pastures, vineyards and orchards.

Everything is red.

All the houses are red. This cute red house has terracotta plant pots lined up in front of it. They have a red car, too.

Normally unnoticed and blended into the scenery, here these yellow flowers really stand out.

Even the trees are red!
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Lulu Lundi* features Lulu our Boston Terrier, somewhere in France every Monday.

When we got to know Marc from Au pre de l’arbre, and he mentioned that it was extremely difficult for them when they first moved to the southwest to start their new adventure renting out his beautiful chalets, he said it was actually a living nightmare and extremely demoralizing. “Really?” I said. I wanted to know more.

He elaborated, “Do you know the film, Jean de Florette?”

“Yeah. I love Daniel Auteil! Well, not his character in the movie, Jean de Florette. Uh. He was…”

“Well,” he interrupted, “that was my life: Jean de Florette.”

Me: “omg. I’m sorry to hear that.”

Here’s what Jean de Florette is about:

Two farmers engage in a bitter rivalry as one tries to tend to a plot of land and the other deviously undermines his efforts in order to conceal a valuable spring. The farmer (Gérard Depardieu) who comes to the countryside to tend the land he has inherited is a naive and trusting soul seeking only to provide for his wife and daughter, while his neighbors (Yves Montand, Daniel Auteuil) are intent on doing whatever they can to discourage and demoralize the farmer so that they can take the land for themselves. This simple tale unfolds in a wrenching fashion to a tragic conclusion, bringing forth questions about human nature and the prevalence and price of greed.

Sad, isn’t it? Basically, Marc’s jealous, redneck neighbors wanted the land that eventually Marc bought, as he was the highest bidder. The neigbors were none too thrilled and so began the treachery: broken water pipes, cut cables here and there, sand in his lawnmower, nasty threats and numerous legal battles.

Pure evil!

“Like I said,” Marc repeated, “Jean de Florette.”

I’d later recounted this horror story to another French friend, who, nonplussed, responded with, “Yeah, that happens all the time – just like in Jean de Florette.”

Me: “That happens all the time?!”

Tags: france, french, films, jean+de+florette, claude+berri, movies, psycho+neighbors, treachery

No, this post is not a “How to” and no, I’m not saying this is right.

It is simply a WHOA! from me after having seen a news item the other day. There’s a 44-year old man, who has been living off of unemployment benefits in France for most of the last 26 years. During that time, he’s actually worked a total of 4 years. And it’s, in fact, he, who has written and published a “How To Be a Professional Unemployed Person.” I have a feeling he isn’t alone and after the release of his new book, I am guessing there will be LOTS more like him. Do you think millions will buy his book? After all the sales, he will no longer need his unemployment benefits. That’s good because someone who really needs it can receive the benefits.

In his new book, “Moi, Thierry F. Chômeur Professionnel,” Thierry explains how he receives 600 euros ($760) every month, and while that is not a great amount, he’s still managed to buy an apartment and new car simply off his unemployment benefits. Actually, it doesn’t sound very difficult and that is the fault of the system. The way unemployment (and welfare for that matter) works is so faulty, that many people living in France not only profit from the system, but also feel it is fine to do such a thing. The attitude is more of a, “hey, the government is stupid enough to have such a system, they deserve it!” As an unemployed person, you also receive other aid in the form of free or discounted public transportation as well as many other perks. Thierry can gain so much more from the unemployed way than if he worked for minimum wage.

A slight aside: When my friend N was unemployed and living in her parents’ extra studio apartment for free in the south of France, everyone around her advised her to apply for benefits saying she’s paying for rent and needs help with it. She could have done this and gotten some money every month, but she refused. She wondered why everyone was so adamant that lying was the right thing to do.

In the newscast, Thierry mentions he does not have a moral problem with what he does because it is all within legal boundaries. He considers himself someone who profits from the system, rather than someone who is cheating it. Alrightee then. At the same time, he does say that he purposely submits faulty CVs and intentionally performs poorly in job interviews to assure he will receive no job offers. In France now, if you turn down three job offers, your unemployment is taken away, but if you never get an offer, the “taking away of benefits” can never happen.

This whole thing is part of a chapter in MY (imaginary) book called, “France Makes No Sense Sometimes.” This news story was featured on France 2, which is a state-run (as in this flawed system makers aka the government) channel and seemed like an invitation to become a professional unemployed person. It’s all so insane. Maybe it’s a trap!

While traveling around Dordogne just a couple of weeks ago, we’d originally planned on coming home after a week but those plans were immediately nixed after receiving an email from Jacques and Chloe from Apres la sieste. (Remember, the place we stayed in Provence, just outside of Avignon?) They had travel changing news for us. They’d recently hired a chef who comes in a couple of times a week to prepare dinners for guests staying at their beautiful maison d’hotes (B&B). The decision was easy: instead of going home, our next stop would be Saint-Laurent des Arbres chez Apres la sieste.

Olivier, the chef, kindly let me bug him a little and take some photos. Sadly, most of the photos did not come out clearly (since I didn’t want to use a flash and I didn’t have my tripod). They probably would not do justice to the amazing meal we experienced, anyway.

We weren’t disappointed. Not in the slightest. In fact, it was divine. And everyone served was also very pleased with the meal (there were 4 couples there altogether) Here’s what was on the menu: 1) Seared scallops with Granny Smith julienned apples and compote; 2) Monkfish in a creamy mussel and saffron sauce served with a vegetable and lemon savory souffle; 3) Fresh Rosemary Goat Cheese; 4) Pastry Puff with fresh figs in cream with an Orange Syrup; 5) Coffee (or Herb Tea)

No complaints here. Everything was fabulous.

This menu is one from a huge and varied repertoire from Olivier so if you come here and do decide to partake in the feast* (you don’t have to btw, if you’re staying here), expect anything and everything: lamb, duck, shellfish, provencal specialties, fusion or something new and unexpected.

I honestly didn’t expect to like the cheese dish but it was so sublime and delicious with the light baguettes, that I finished all of it. Les doight dans le nez. (means “piece of cake”, and literally “fingers in the nose” Why? No one knows.

Après La Sieste
2 suites, 3 rooms; breakfast included
Contact: Jacques et Chloé (English and French spoken)
*Please verify days when the chef will be preparing dinner
Email: info@apreslasieste.com
Website: Après La Sieste
(Visit their site for more room photos, details and rates)
Telephone : 04 66 50 33 94
Mobile Phone: 06 61 84 58 40

Tags: france, french, cuisine, apres+la+sieste, maison+d'hotes, b&b, table+d'hotes, chef

A quick reminder that Paris’ Nuit Blanche will take place this Saturday, October 7. This is the time when Paris stays awake all night to celebrate in a city-wide block party of sorts featuring all kinds of entertainment, all night long – so get your caffeine fix (or guarana or whatever your all nighter “helpers” are) and get ready to party. More general information about Nuit Blanche is here, and for current programs scheduled, go to the Nuit Blanche site here. For practical information and locations where you can pick up a program click here.

Isn’t this the scariest window display ever? (click on the photo to enlarge the horror) I mean: Look at his eyes! Ok, maybe it isn’t the scariest but does it inspire you to actually go into this bakery? Me thinks not. I saw this boulangerie when it was closed but I was dying to see what kinds of goods they had. At the same time, I thought, No way.

It reminded me of the musical, Sweeney Todd, by my favorite musical composer and lyricist, Stephen Sondheim. Love him and everything he’s done. Sweeney Todd is about a barber that kills his customers so his girlfriend can use them to fill her delicious “meat” pies.

Would this baker’s goods be made with butter, flour and sugar? Or, bodies, fingernails and hair?