Leaving again May 27, 2009

I had a wonderful time back in Europe, I guess I owe it mostly to my family and friends!

Sometimes it’s important to be with people who know you to see more clearly which direction to take in life. I’ve had so much time on my hands in San Francisco and I’ve spent so much time on my own I guess it was important for me to refocus!

So I would like to say a big thank you to all the friends I have met… I’m sorry I forgot to take pictures of all of you Gomendasai!

Thank you to Sophie (for all your time and kindness, and lovely birthday presents!), Magali (for your patience listening to all my boring stories!), Nicolas (for cheering me up as always), Anne Gabriel (for the fun evening and yumi Korean food – Gina’s going to kill me I have no pictures of you!), Julia (for welcoming me… again!), Sascha (for the wonderful introduction to your country and everything) and Patricia (it was so lovely to catch up!).

Statue Paris

Paris

I love really old cars! – My mistake, I was told this car is not old! So I guess I can say I like old fashion style cars!

Fountain in front of St Suplice

Special Thanks to modelsan!

Patricia, Arigato!

Forget-me-not May 25, 2009

As every time I travel to France I go in Mayenne, where most of my mum’s side of the family still lives. La Mayenne is in “Province” not to be mistaken with “Provence” (situated in the south of France). It is a very agricultural region, the food is quite good, amazing meat, great vegetables… However going there has never been my cup of tea, I mean I like my family, but I’m not so fond of this flat country side.

Maybe I’m just a little mental, but I do think that places can influence your mood at least that’s how it feels. Some places are neutral, some places get you high and some just bring you down… Ok I’m probably just weird!

Anyways, I spent a nice day with the family although the weather was a bit crap… But I guess rain is good for the crops!

One of my favorite flower, I know it’s small and quite common in the country side but I just like this soft blue. In French we call them “Myosotis” I was surprised to hear the name in English was actually “forget-me-not” what a strange but eloquent name for a flower

French suburbia – shoot me I’m in hell

Sidonie my uncle’s turtle – I tried to befriend her with a rose petal – but then she just started to chase me! Yeah chased by a turtle that’s that’s quite an experience!

Sidonie or the other Sid vicious ready for a sneak attack

Old South May 17, 2009

Sunday was more of a slow road trip. We went to a cute small town nested on a small hill, called Bormes. Then, we drove along the coastal line.

We saw the Fort of Bregançon, Holiday house for the French President. Althought few have decided to go there, Chirac prefering Mauritius, and Sarkozy seems more interested in his rich friend’s residence.

We got to see the Famous “plage de St Tropez” from a distance, because honestly I don’t understand the attraction, a place packed with self-important nobodies…

Fort Bregançon

Bormes

Castle – Bormes

Bibi – Bormes

St Tropez

Porquerolles May 16, 2009

Luckily the weather changed quickly over night, and Saturday was a wonderful sunny day! We went to the island facing the Peninsula, Porquerolles. It’s a rather large island famous for hikes or biking as no cars are allowed in. 

The island is quite charming, still very natural, the few trails are easy to follow. Cycling is a good option if you want to go around the island. The most important thing is not to miss the last fery at 6:30! otherwise it will either be an expensive ride back through a taxi boat or an expensive night at the Hotel!

We had a wonderful day hiking around at a very slow path, enjoying the beautiful scenary! This is the South of France like we usually imagine it, sunny and warm!

The weather was wonderful

Porquerolles – Notre Dame beach

Hiking around

Porquerolles Vineyards – Mourvèdre maybe

Porquerolles -Oustaou de Diou

Back in Giens cleaning the fish for diner!

 

Le Sud May 15, 2009

I don’t really believe in Birthdays and making a big fuss out of it… but every now and then it’s nice to actually celebrate it with family or friends. This year we celebrated it with family, the useful thing is, my dad’s birthday is on the 11th and I’m the 15th so it’s quite convenient!

My aunt and I drove to the Presqu’île de Giens which is a famous French scenic/vacation place as is most of the South of France. I would say the South of France is a cross between California (holiday place/glam) and Florida (retirement village..).

The Peninsula of Giens was quiet at this time of the year, it’s not yet the great summer holidays in France, the 2 dreadful months when school is out and everybody tries to leave! An aunt and uncle from my father’s side live there (I have a big family!)

My aunt, Françoise (better give names or it’s going to get very confusing!) and I took the slow road from Aix en Provence, what we call “route national”. They are different types of roads in France, the “Autoroute”  (Highway), the “National” smaller (one to 2 lanes) and the Departemental, very small, not always in perfect conditions but so charming! The autoroute never goes through a city it goes past, whereas a national can and a departemental always will. So if you want to enjoy the French country side, don’t go for the Autoroute, the only thing you’ll see are gas stations! But it does enable you to get somewhere faster!

Anyways we took the national and drove through small mountains, vineyards, and cute small towns. There is one thing quite specific about France, our towns are always made the same way, in the center the Church and in front of it the Town hall, with a “place” on the main street the “bar-tabac” and a “boulangerie” predictable and yet every time you can’t help but look and say “oh how cute”!

A small town called Tourves where we had a wonderful lunch break

My aunt, Françoise

Le sud!

the road to Giens 

Did I mention it was pouring rain when we arrived?

A small haven

 

La Sainte-Victoire May 14, 2009

South of France or as we call it in France le Sud usually gets the best weather… but then again not always! I went down south as I usually do to see my aunt who lives in Aix-en-Provence.

As last time we visited the town we decided to check out the country side. Usually quite dry, and therefore yellowish, this time the parks are surprisingly green and colorful! This year has been particularly special in Europe one of the coldest winter in ages and rainfalls above average… which is actually good seeing as many regions were suffering from  severe  draught.

Aix-en-Provence is the region of Cezanne, (he was born there) the famous french impressionist artist. The “Montagne Sainte-Victoire” is one of the region great pride, often represented in Cezanne’s paintings. If you don’t know that detail you’ll probably drive past it thinking there’s a white hill in the scenery, but beware, Ze Sainte -Victoire is almost like a religion, a newly created type of rose was called after it, some wines are called after it, cafes, restaurants…  It’s a bit like the Mount Fuji of Aix-en-Provence!

Montagne Sainte-Victoire

Sainte-Victoire by Cezanne

Wild orchids – as I probably mentioned before my aunt is part of an orchid association

nothing quite as pretty as a fleeting poppy

When you’ve got friends May 12, 2009

Most time I’ve gone back to Paris, I have tried to get everything organized to meet as many people as I could… always ending up quite frustrated because the french way always imply a last minute change of a plan! This time it was too short notice to get in contact with everyone, and so I have just been playing by ear and it’s worked out great! No pressure, no expectations!

Sophie, the very good friend I met in Nantes when I was studying at the French Business school Audencia, has been especially kind to me, taking the time to meet up with me, inviting me over for diner… but most of all coming around on the afternoon of my arrival with a home made chocolate cake! I feel so blessed to have such thoughtful friends!

Model-san as the Japanese called her when she came to see me in Japan, used to live in Sanaa Yemen but is now located in Paris, working in Paris’ business district, La Defense… in the tallest tower! Centuries ago, town would build Cathedral with a roof as high as possible to show their dominion… nowdays, Companys are building towers with the same logic. I guess the higher the construction the more unsignificant people feel in front of it!

Anyways it’s been really great seeing her again! 

At Model-san’s place

Desert from Pierre Hermé

The Parisians love their Converse!

La plus belle ville du Monde! May 10, 2009

I apologize for the delay! It’s been a while but everything has been a bit of a whirlwind for me! Life for me in San Francisco has been a little complicated as nothing seems to work out. 

I needed fresh air, a break from my unseccessful routine, from the wait to get my SSN… When you arrive in a new place it’s always a challenge, it’s always difficult to find friends, to create your own universe… I am grateful for what I have and I have met some very nice people, but I definitely do not feel at home in San Fran, at least not yet.

Since everything was just not working out I decided it was perfect timing to get out, far away to something more familiar, a place where I have plenty of friends and family, a place I have already conquered but that had never really conquered me… until now!

For those familiar with my blog or me, they’ll know I have not always been kind to Paris. Yet this time I have been blown away! 

The grey stones seem to shine with history, each corner and street embraced me with mystery and beauty, Paris is an amazing city, forged by history kept sacred by a nation. 

The next day of my arrival Sophie and I went to the Louvre, we saw a temporary exhibition on ancient Egypt, it was one of the 4 temporary exhibition held at the Louvre and it took us 3 hours to see it! Just this “small” exhibition! as we got out I knew there was still so much to see inside the Louvre, but also at the musée d’Orsay, Pompidou, musée des Arts Premiers… What an exhalarating feeling to know there is so much culture to be discovered, so much to do, see and learn! You could go everyday to a different museum and every night to a different theater! What an impressive fire work of culture! What beauty! what history!

I don’t know why it took me so long to see it…

Le Jardin des Tuileries

Le Carrousel du Louvre

La Pyramide du Louvre

Jeanne d’Arc

 

Gone South June 26, 2008

Going to the South of France is a bit like stepping into a different country, more sun, more relaxed… My aunt lives in Aix en Provence a little town especially famous for a sweet called “calisson”. But I already talked about this cute little city last year.

Anyways going south is always a lovely experience, a good way to discover another France. Aix is quite a typical small town with charming little streets a few monuments some vestige from the Roman Empire. The atmosphere is friendly and everything goes slowly, peacefully, a little bit out of time. A strong point is that it has not (yet) become a “retirement town” so all year round and especially in summer the town is quite active organizing concerts and street performances. Down side, during the roman era Aix was famous for its “thermes” (hot spring) unfortunately they lost their label somehow and though there is still a fountain running hot water the “thermes” have closed down.

Aix en Provence

Enjoying the long summer evening, a great place to have diner outside

Just proving I did go swiming during my holidays…

Sunday walk June 22, 2008

Sunday our last day of this unxepectedly sober reunion! We woke up not that late considering how early we got home! Had breakfast at la terrasse since the weather was so nice and went for a walk to the unavoidable Eiffel Tower.

The weather was lovely and we could really enjoy the beauty of the old stones. When I asked Claire what she thought of Paris she made this really interesting comment “Paris feels rich… like look at all this gold and big monuments but we’re not really using them”

I hope their stay in Paris wasn’t too catastrophic, I feel really sorry and disapointed I wasn’t really myself 100%, I guess it’s also part of being human… sometimes our body just let us down!

Golden Paris les invalides

The Claires being tourists (picture courtesy of Simon)