Window-lickin' good!

Well, as intended, I am going to try to make up for my total lack of bloginess from last month by offering additional posts this month. Lucky you, reader! :-) Since my parents arrived last Monday, we've been engaging in a favorite French pasttime, and the subject of today's post: window licking!!

So, now that I have your attention, allow me to soliloquize (which shouldn't be too difficult since I'm sitting here very full, with my feet up, listening to Norah Jones, after a sight-seeing and window-licking day spent with mom)!

Window-licking has always been enjoyable, but it's even more fun when you have someone to share in the experience with. And of course I think being in Paris helps, too! I think that's why mom and I have been doing so much of it lately: it sort of just happens naturally here. You're walking around, see some delicious window, and you just want to lick it! And it's not always because there's chocolate on display either; we've been licking lots of shoes lately, too!

This is the window of Christian Leboutin...I think the shoes sort of speak for themselves. Note his famous trademark red-soled design.

Ballet-inspired foot wear is very of-the-moment in Paris right now. Loved this colorful display, and that it was just outside the Opera where "Giselle" is playing this week!

Probably every girl who has ever danced on toe has worn dance shoes made by this manufacturer, Bloch. They've chosen the perfect time to introduce their brand-new line of dance-inspired footwear.

Definitely my favorite in the Bloch window display!! These were the tiniest baby slippers!! Eeeep!

To "leche-vitrines" is a great way to experience Paris fashion and spend nothing at all. Of course, you've probably understood by this point that what I'm actually speaking of is window-shopping. Personally, I find it interesting that the term in French evokes a very sensual experience. If you think about it though, window-licking makes a lot of sense: what you see displayed gives you a taste of what is within. Paris, being such a sensual city, understands this concept very well, and I don't think that outrageous, colorful, snazzy displays are anything new. On the contrary, this almost competitive sport has a long history, and applies to ad-campaigns the same way it applies to the wares in the windows...

Here is a typical ad for the famed Galeries Lafayette of Paris. This almost un-believable department store has taken precedence over others in Paris largely due to their outrageous ad campaigns. Again, note the ballet theme.

What can you make people think? Want? Crave? with the way you display your product...that gives you the power!

I'm thinkin' "Yes!!" This cute display in a Harrod's shop window just outside the fabulously chic Paris Opera House advertises for the "Premier Flirt" line of bags. "The first flirt is forever." And I loved the old vintage post-cards up the right hand corner.

This time I'm thinking BIG "no," (*insert annoying buzzer clip with giant red "X" through the middle from "Family Feud"*) Not only do I not want to go in this store, but the window tastes terrible!

I can't tell you how much we've been "oohing and aahing" our way around Paris during the past few days! But how can you help it? That's what window-licking is designed for, and I think specifically for the "capture" women. These ideas aren't uniquely mine, of course. One of the best books I've ever read, French author Emile Zola's The Ladies' Paradise, deals exactly with this subject. It is a fabulous book and I highly recommend it! Thanks to Trenna for turning me on to the book, I've read it twice since she brought it to me in July! Aside from the incredible characters that the story reveals, the depiction of the rise of the department store at the height of the 19th century inspires vivid images and emotions for the reader. Speaking of which, one last little thing:

We had a lovely time window-licking our way through a few "Galeries" today like this one. They testify to the glories of French shopping in pure 19th-century style. Before the birth of the department store in France, this was how one accessed many different products in one place--in a covered byway with collections of stores. Of the 120 or so galleries that existed in Paris in the 19th century, only about 30 now remain. This is the "Galerie Vivienne," one of the most chic and best-preserved, and still a fabulous place to see and be seen.

Last but not least, this one's for you, Teresa (mom says "hi" and she loves you, by the way!):

City of Lights, City of Nights

One often hears about Paris being the “City of Lights.” Being here, I’ve discovered how very true that is! Paris, with its massive monuments and reflecting river, is always beautiful in the daytime. But it is these very qualities which make it so beautiful, so breathtaking, at night. The spirit and pulse of the nighttime city is only more obvious because of the Parisians and their living habits. After all, we’re talking about a culture where the dinner hour regularly commences after 8pm, and most cafés are open until 2am!

Part of what gave me this new cultural insight is the fact that I’ve recently had some early mornings in Paris. Morning on the streets of Paris is one of those times that reveals just how different this city is from other cities, at least the ones I’ve been to. In a big American city, New York, LA, Boston, for example, the whole city seems to be waking up before the sun does. It’s the people who bring the city and its contents to life. In Paris, the opposite is true: it seems to be the sun which warms and wakens the sleepy people. The typical workday here begins at 9am, and most shops don’t open until 10 or 11.

I especially love Paris on a Sunday morning, when you seem to have the whole city to yourself! Nobody is out at this time, no shops are open, no cars on the road. Just you and the city (if you are up, it’s because you weren’t partying until 3am last night)! This past Monday, I got to see morning Paris in “action” on a work/week day…it was interesting, to be sure. I had to be at work for a 7:30am shift, requiring me to take the 6:30am train. Walking to the station a little before 6:30, the only other people I saw in the dark were street sweepers and delivery men. On the train, even in this vast city of commute and commerce, there were people, but no activity. The train was relatively silent, and occupied almost entirely by nodding heads. I literally watched people walk onto the train, sit down, and be asleep before the train had left the platform! Paris really isn’t a “morning person,” though it is lovely and charming in the morning.

While it may be enjoyable in the morning, Paris becomes truly magical only at night! As I said, if one looks at the city you can see how it is so enchanting in the evenings! Andrew and I had the opportunity to really explore this place at night during Shannon’s visit from Russia. Andrew was able to get us into a nighttime bike tour of Paris because he currently works as a mechanic for the tour company. We had a marvelous time, and enjoyed the thrill of the wind in our faces as we took in Paris at its most glorious time of day!

Pictures can tell a story wonderfully, so I’ll just leave you with some. Our bike tour ended with a one hour boat ride on the Seine, offering the perfect opportunity to see the city all lit up! I thought it strange that Andrew and I hadn’t really experienced nighttime Paris much since we’ve been here, until I realized that it’s only just now started getting dark at a “normal” hour (9:30pm). All summer long it’s stayed light until 10:30-11!! I quite like the nighttime look of the city, however, and can’t wait to see more!

Some images from our boat tour on the Seine. Seeing all these beautiful sights from the river really offers the perfect perspective, as the river seems to add an additional depth and illumination!

Still takes my breath away every time!

An artistic shot of the Notre Dame for you. The up-lighting makes it seem even more majestic!

Detail from part of the Louvre Palace. We road through here during the evening bike tour, and liked the ambiance so much we revisited the site this past week!

When we came through the Louvre courtyard during our bike tour, we were met by two powerful sensations: one was the incredible glowing, golden color that the Louvre takes on at night! The other was the somber yet beautiful music of a lone cello player, drifting into the night.

We had a great time with Shannon! Goodbye sister, til we meet again!

Parce que c’est comme ça!

I'm a collector. Ever since I was young, I've collected things. Dolls, rocks, used stamps, keychains, cheap sets of 10 beaded bracelets from Claire's that I used to occasionally wear to school...all at once...on the same arm up to my elbow! As an adult my tastes have (thankfully) become a bit more refined. I now collect teacups, and I have a special place in my heart and soul for old books. I love used things; things that have a history and have been cherished and worn.

Living in Paris has given me the opportunity to collect all sorts of things. The first things I started to collect were doorways. I don't mean just any old regular doorways, either. I mean regal, colorful, curiously-carved doorways that just beckon you to walk through them. I'm constantly saying to Andrew as we walk through the streets of the city "Look at that door! WOW!" Sometimes I take pictures, but I more just like to notice and appreciate them.

From my experience working at Disneyland Paris, I have collected accents. That's something I've been doing for a while, but I'm getting rather good at it. Perhaps too good, in fact, because it has now become a habit. When I speak to a French guest at Disneyland, I speak to them the same way that another French person would, using the appropriate phrases, inflections, and accents. I try to not just speak the language with some word-for-word translation from English, but rather to speak as I've heard it spoken by the native people. When I meet Italian guests, my voice adopts a certain flair and personality that I've learned from even the youngest speakers of this breed. Italians, man, they know how to talk! I hardly know ten phrases in their language, but even with only these I've learned that with Italians that the way you say what you want to say is much more important than how many words you're able to say. With the Spanish I have a field-day. It's TERRIBLE, but how can I help it? I would say that 90% of the Spanish guests I've talked to speak in exactly the same manner, all with such an enthusiasm and certain spark in their eyes, yet talking very quickly and smoothly. The minute they hear Cinderella speak Spanish they shout "SHE SPEAKS SPANISH!!!!" and start pouring forth such a multitude of phrases while excitedly nudging their children, asking for "kisses! kisses!" as I'm trying to just get a word in with the poor kid and avoid as many often slobbery, face-painted kisses as possible. I've taken to speaking to Spanish kids the same way their mothers speak to them, really accentuating my vowels and questions...

"HOla, PrincessAA!!!!!! Como estAS?????? Como te llAmas? PAUla?? HOla, PAUla!!"

I also attempt to construct my phrases as quickly as possible, which starts to fry your brain after a while. Once I had 40 straight minutes of Spanish guests, with the exception of one French and one English family. When I got to the French and English, I actually had forgotten how to speak their languages! I stood there for a moment with a "Eeeuu" (French) or "uuuh" (English) on my lips, a couple faulty starts at conversation (kept starting with "como") and finally was able to get out a simple phrase, giving them the opportunity to talk while I recupperated, became myself once again, and racked my brain for words in the two languages I spoke and understood the most anyway!

I love the French language! It is so beautiful, but it is also very funny. One of my favorite pasttimes is collecting French phrases, and there are so many! Obviously, the language is a very complex construction of phrases, but I am speaking specifically of phrases which characterize the Parisian French. Phrases that give them away the same way that the use of the words "like," "totally," or "awesome" tend to give us Californians away, how we picture all New Yorkers saying "honey" in reference to every other being on the planet, while Southerners use the endearing "honey-chil(d)" or "darlin'". Basically, I'm talking about those mostly true stereotypes of language. Allow me to share some of my favorites...

• Parce que c’est comme ça! -- Literally "Because it's like that!" ("that's the way it is!") This fabulous phrase was actually told to me by an American. I hadn't really noticed it before, but the very next day it was used by one of my French friends at work in the perfectly stereotypical context! My American friend used this phrase because he had learned it from the French. "Parce que c’est comme ça" can be used in a few ways. Firstly, it's considered a satisfactory explanation for when there is no real explanation. Secondly, it can be an answer to a question that you don't actually want to answer (i.e. because you're too lazy), or when you think that the asker is not worth answering to. Thirdly, it can be used when you actually don't know what to say. My American friend learned to use this phrase when French people would ask, for instance, why the photolocation line was now closed? The actual answer is that there has been a character up there for 8 hours that day, that the times were clearly printed on the available literature for that day, and if the guest hadn't found some point during the day with that available knowledge and information, that was their fault. But of course, they KNOW that. So, instead, "Parce que c’est comme ça!" My French friend used it when trying to explain to me the difference between the phrases "C'est bon" and "C'est bien", both of which mean "It's good", but have completely different usages and contexts. I didn't feel that her explanation was making sense, so I would give her actual situations I had been in where I needed to use the phrase "it's good," so that she could tell me which to use. Well, I gave her different situations, one where I was having someone help me with my wig, I would have to say "c'est bon". BUT, if someone would help me with my dress, I have to say "c'est bien." How is that consistent!!?!?!? It's the same action taking place, just in reference to different parts of the body!! When I pointed this out to my friend, and asked why it was like that, you know what she said! "Parce que c’est comme ça!" I like that phrase!
  
• Bah OUI, hun?! -- "uh, YEAH?!" (You know this one in English, the answer to a very obvious, sarcastic, or dumb situation/question) French people LOVE this one. And the best part is, they don't even realize it!!! The best part of this phrase is the accent/pronunciation that comes with it. I wish I could show you so you could hear just how hilarious it sounds! When I use this phrase, I really adopt the accent, and continue speaking with it until I have to stop from laughing so hard. I usually use this one when a French person hears me speak their language, and asks (stupidly) "you speak French??" "Bah OUI, hun!?!" Like yeah, you French person, you just HEARD me speaking French! They are so stunned, so caught off guard, that an American (*gasp*) could possibly not only speak French, but speak it with a good accent, that this is often the first question out of their mouth. Sometimes they even ask me "you are French??" and just for the fun of it, I still respond "Bah OUI, hun!?" Which reminds me, there's also the negative usage of this phrase. When I say it that sarcastically, it's like saying "obviously NOT!" Last week I was eating lunch with some French friends, and a girl who I didn't really know actually got upset at me for using this phrase with my accent, although I was totally joking, and said "Okee, you KNOW zee Frunch not e-use zees phraze like zat!!!" And you know what I said?? Yup, you guessed it. The best part was, I got one of my French guy friends at the table into the conversation, and he sided with ME!! hahaah!! Bah OUI, hun!?!!? That's rich.
  
• C'est pas grave! -- Literally "It's not grave/serious" in a context of "it's not the end of the world, so stop your over-reacting you high-strung moron!" Okay, so maybe that last part was a little exaggerated. After all, no one has ever told me the specific meaning of this phrase, but I've often observed that it is used as a response to someone's exaggerated/unmerrited reaction or concern. French people use this one all the time. I find it especially at Disneyland. One day, I might have a costume that is a little too short, but "c'est pas grave!" Or perhaps my wig that day is a little whacky -- "c'est pas grave" (also, it means that they can fix it, so stop freaking out!) I just think it's a really nice and cute phrase that is used to calm people down and put them in their place. Funny considered that the French can really get up-in-arms about certain very stupid situations. But what am I even saying, I am perhaps the most dramatic person I know! That's probably why I like this phrase so much!
• Super! -- Can have the same meaning it does in our language, but usually is used as a more extreme form of the word "really." Andrew and I both have noticed and love this one! It's just plain funny the way that "Super!" is used in the language, but I think more so because we hardly use this word at all in the English language. I have a very sweet French friend named Elodie at work. She was the first French person at Disney who I really became friends with. She always makes me speak French with her, unless there are other English-speakers around. She seems to have taken a certain pride and joy in my ability to speak her language, because if another French person overhears me speaking, she will tell them proudly "elle parle SUPER bien le français!" (literally "she speaks REALLY well the French!") Hearing the word like this always brings a smile to my face! The word can also stand alone, for instance if you were to propose a favorable situation or outing, a French person may respond "Super!" or even (if you're lucky) "Super-cool!" This phrase seems a conglomeration of what would be the Californian-English equivalent of the words "awesome" "really" "totally" and "seriously" all put together. It's funny to me then, I think, because the above words aren't always interchangeable, whereas in French there's one word that means them all!
  

So, that was our language lesson of the day. Just something I've been thinking about and that makes me love this place all the more! :-) We love and miss you all, and wish you all were here! But, c'est pas grave, parce que c’est comme ça! If you could be here though, it would be Super!! Bah OUI, hun!?!?

Cuisine Couture

Last week, Andrew and I went on one of our exploratory adventures to (drum roll, please....) the Fashion District of Paris! Suffice it to say, we had an interesting time there. You must understand that this area of Paris does not suggest merely pret a porter fashions, but rather is its own culture. Certainly the clothing and general look is a huge part of this subculture of Paris, but that's only the beginning. The fever of fashion has taken over everything in this area, from people, shops, and wares to architecture, presentation, and (you guessed it!) FOOD!!

This street (great name, huh?) is one of the most fashionable in the city, and is home to shops such as Gucci and Hermes.

Today's discourse will be on the food of the fashion district. And before we go any further will you just allow me to gape and drool for a moment as I recall the food...

Thank you.

Andrew and I walked into the beautiful Galleries Lafayette, as I wanted to show him around this famous Paris department store. I had been to visit in high school, and weather or not you're into fashion, you sort of just have to see this place in order to believe it...

Only in Paris can a DEPARTMENT STORE look like this!! Unbelievable, isn't it?

This place is like some monumental shrine where patrons come to pay homage (and LOTS of money!) to the art of shopping.

You may recognize a couple of these designers from the "immaculate" ground-floor cosmetology department.

So we came to the Galleries Lafayette because I just wanted to show Andrew this craziness. We walked in via the underground metro entrance, and I wasn't really sure of the way. We followed the signs that were leading to the "main store," which I supposed to be the aforementioned shopping shrine. But no, we suddenly found ourselves in the market of all markets!! We literally walked around dumb-founded and dazed for at least a half-hour while we just marvelled at the marvels around us.

A small portion of the amazing cheeses at the large and diverse cheese counter!

Look at the intricate details...don't you just want to eat these cheeses?? Except that they're almost too pretty to eat.

If you've been following the blog previously, you will have read my post about Auchan, the mega-super-uber-market of Paris. We hated it. The market in Galleries Lafayette was nothing like that though, but rather was classy, incredible, and beautifully organized. The market specializes in gourmet foods from around the world, and there were many and various sections within the market that carried these foods. For example...

Everything edible that you see in this photo is foie gras...everything. SO French!

We didn't get any foie gras, but we did love looking through the chocolate section which was unbelievably huge!! And the chocolates all looked delicious and contained every imaginable flavor. There was an enormous rack for honey, and as Andrew said, you could probably make up a flavor/type of honey completely ridiculous, but it would exist here in France! There were all sorts of jams and speads as well, and coffees and teas from all corners of the earth. And speaking of diverse flavors, try the incredible spice-mania...all kinds of spices packed in perfect pyramids! This area smelled so divine, and there were also flowering loose teas...


CHOCOLATE!!!! Check out these goodies...

These delectable delicacies are were only about the size of a finger, but were priced at about 6 Euros EACH! But you would not believe how perfectly uniform they were. I think if I bought one I would just put it in a glass case and sell it on e-bay later...

Yes, these are gold-flecked chocolate truffles. I know...WOW.

The market also had a deli and sandwich section, where you could order food ready-made. This was one of my favorite things in the whole store:

Individual (and adorable!) baby-sized bottles of olive oil so you can get that perfect dressing just the way you want it on your salad.

So after our treck to the fashion district, we stepped back into reality (i.e. our own life). What a day! There is such a different and (for us) rather mind-boggling understanding of food here. The photos that you see are from just one shop out of the many many shops in Paris that sell this sort of food. We've seen honey shops, a mustard and vinegar shop, chocolatiers, an organic cookie shop...pretty much anything you can think of. We're interested to learn more about it, but really we want to learn to cook and utilize delectable ingredients in true French style, just maybe without the price tag.

First Week Working for Disney

Well, week 1 is finished! WOO! I made it!

This job is so much more difficult than I would've ever thought! It's also much more fun, and I'm discovering that there is lots of opportunity during my stay here...

Everyone who works at Disneyland Paris as a performer plays Atmosphere/Fuzzy Characters (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, etc...) So even though I was hired as a Face Character (i.e. Princess), I don't find out until Monday if I even will officially be approved to play any of these characters, and if so, which ones. Being employed in the Character and Parades department here at Disneyland Paris means that you perform as an Atmosphere and/or Face Character, doing Meet-N-Greet sets in the park, Photo-Location sets, Dining experiences, Parades, and sometimes shows (there's a Sleeping Beauty show that I really want to be a part of!!!) At this point, I just really want to be a Face Character...every time I see a Princess, I think "I cannot WAIT to do that job!" I sincerely hope (and even pray!) that I get the opportunity to. Otherwise, I'm in for some REALLY toasty work over the next 8 months. I had a mandatory medical exam today and discovered that I've already lost 5 pounds...I hate to think what I'll look like in 8 months at this rate! There might not be enough of me left to return to California, as I will have sweat it all off.

Well, Disneyland here in Paris is quite different from Disneyland at home. I really, really like it though! I have yet to see the whole thing, and even to learn my way around, but so far, there are many parts of it that I actually prefer to Anaheim. Some comparisons...

1. Attention to detail here (on the attractions and around the park) is incredible! The buildings, roads, decor, landscaping...everything seems just perfect and so very artistic! It's very clear that a lot of thought and effort was put into making this park aesthetically pleasing for a specific yet broad audience. At the same time, I feel like the detail put into the performers and their performances are not as good of quality as at Disneyland in Anaheim. I'm really interested to see how a handful of Americans with a very different work ethic will affect this type of presentation. As a newcomer to Disney and to Paris specifically, I was not necessarily expecting to be coming in somewhat on top. Yet from what I've seen, it seems like a lot of people do this because it's a job, and not because it's something they love or even enjoy. I'm hoping that I can keep a positive attitude during the duration of my contract, and remember why I'm here in the first place!

2. The size! It's fabulous, and really perfect! Andrew and I went to Disneyworld for our honeymoon, and we agreed that the Magic Kingdom there was just sort of, well, clumsy. As if they had a mentality of "bigger is better", when in reality, bigger is just bigger! We're used to Disneyland, which is quaint, original, but also bursting at the seams!! Disneyland Paris is much more spacious than Disneyland in Anaheim, and understandably so, being only 17 as opposed to 55 years old. I feel that here though, one has room to breathe, to navigate, appreciate, and enjoy all aspects of the park. While I have yet to experience a truly "packed" day, I don't think that this place could ever seem overcrowded, as Disneyland Anaheim has seemed to become over the past couple of years.

3. The interesting thing about Disneyland Paris is that it really has to cater to a certain type of audience...a people with a history. Now you may not realize, but Disneyland Paris is set up in the same way as Disneyland Anaheim, complete with Main Street USA (very UN-French), Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Discoveryland (the same as our Tomorrowland). So, while it has the same basic outline, what is inside each of the lands provides the contrast from what I'm used to. At Disneyland back home, I've always experienced a kind of whimsical "other-world" feel from the each respective land/area of the park. But in Disneyland Paris, one experiences a kind of whimsical "other-time" in each land, where history seems to have left a mark on each and every aspect of that area in a unique way. In the Castle walk-through, for instance, instead of looking at animated scenes made with mirror tricks (like at home), the story of Sleeping Beauty is told through stained-glass windows and tapestries! VERY French! These things will have meaning for and affect a European audience in ways that Americans would react very differently to. Fantasyland itself feels like an actual Medieval town! The Carousel, rather than boasting the gallant white horses of Anaheim, shows off fully armored and ready-for-war Steeds, surrounded by coats of arms! I expected knights in shining armor to appear at any moment...

I hate to admit (especially on this "happy Disney" post) that I'm a fan of Eddie Izzard, who is a rather crass but also extremely hilarious British comedian. However, he brings up a good point and perspective when talking about the Disneyland Paris park, and that's what I'll leave you with so you may better understand what I'm trying to say:

"I grew up in Europe, where the history comes from.  Oh, yes.  You tear your
history down, man. "It’s 200 years old, let's smash it and put a car park
here."  I have seen it in stories. I saw a program on something in Miami.
"We've redecorated this building to how it looked over fifty years ago!"
People are going, "No, surely not! No! No one was alive then." We've got
tons of history lying about. Big old castles.  They just get in the way.
"There's a blasted castle, I'll have to drive around."  Disney came over and
built Euro Disney.  They built the Disney castle there.  Everyone was like,
"Make it bigger, they've actually got them here…and they're not made of
plastic." We've got tons of them. You think we all live in castles and we do.
We've got a castle each.  We're up to here with castles.  We just long for a
bungalow or something."

Of Markets and More...

I'm sitting here with my feet up after a long day of walking (sometimes in the rain!!), enjoying a delicious cup of hot Earl Grey tea, listening to the light drizzle outside our door. As this entry officially starts, allow me to say one thing: THE FRENCH HAVE A FAULTY REPUTATION!!! "Let me 'splain...no, there is too much, let me sum-up..." (If you're confused, go watch The Princess Bride)

Everyone has to eat, right? So everyone has to go shopping for food (unless you eat out all the time), right? Right. And everyone and each culture has their own way of accomplishing this task, understandably so. Well, until our move here, I had a very different impression of the French-style errand of shopping.
- I had heard, read, and learned that there are various types of food shops ("Fromagerie" - Cheese shop, "Charcuterie" - Butcher, "Boulangerie" - Bakery, etc...) where Parisians would go to collect all the individual elements needed to put together their fabulous meals and diets. This is true...we have all these types of shops and more just on our street.
- In addition, there are within walking distance from our place at least 5 outdoor farmer's markets that operate on various days of the week at varying times. There are probably close to 100 of these throughout the city that take place over the course of the week. Also very "French," and expected here in Paris.
- We also, however, have all these shops with interesting names in our neighborhood: Monoprix, Franprix, Simply Market, G-20, Ed...they are all supermarkets. The funny thing is, a supermarket in Paris can be anything from a small room that sells fresh breads and freshly made meals (sandwiches, salads, etc.), to a 7-11 type and size shop, to a fair-sized and very well-stocked supermarket.
- Finally, there is Auchan, the French Costco. It is unbelievable - c'est incroyable! (more to follow on this...)

We experienced all four options today. Do you see why we are confused????

Started out this morning by picking up some Croissants for breakfast and a Baguette for lunch from the Boulangerie next door. They were both tasty!! There are hundreds of these bakeries all over the city, sort of like the frozen yogurt shops that have recently multiplied like rabbits over Southern California. Except multiply each of those many times over and you'll get my drift. Each has a unique flavor, but all are relatively the same inside. They are friendly neighborhood places, with friendly people working there. Everyone has a favorite...we have yet to find ours!

Next, it was off to the outdoor market at Charonne...about a 5 minute walk from our place. We got there very late because we slept in, but we were there more to explore than to buy anything, so it didn't matter much. After visiting this fair-sized market, I feel like I know what a market should be. There were over 100 vendors, but they just seem to extend forever. And not just food either! We also saw stands that sold shoes, clothing, women's undergarments, light bulbs, and (my favorite) African masks. Yeah, we were confused, too! With the foods, we're not talking just fresh produce and meats...there are wine and cheese stands, stands offering Lebanese, Greek, Italian, or African cuisine, all types of meats. These markets are very crowded...I can only imagine what they must be like when they open in the morning! About a third of the stands were closing by the time we arrived, and there were still people everywhere. The vendors literally shouting at you as you go by, trying to entice you toward their individual products...which are, consequently, not so individual after all as there are at least 10 other vendors (except only one African mask stand) of the same type, some right across the way! People are varied, all ages, all types, all ethnicities...this surely is city life!

We were too nervous and overwhelmed to buy anything at the outdoor market, but we wanted a couple items. Instead of going to Franprix, the market that we have visited a couple times now, we decided to step into Simply Market, which is even closer to us. What a wonderland it was! I just couldn't believe this place was a grocery store!! They just have so many different kinds of food, not as much of everything, like American grocery stores, but a much larger selection of each type of item. For example, the cheese selection - GINORMOUS!!!! And yogurt, don't even get me started! I didn't know so many kinds of yogurt existed--the French LOVE this stuff. Not to mention that in the bread section, nothing has preservatives, and there are these delicious exotic-for-us, everyday-for-them options. Really just all kinds of things.

Now let me just tell you about Auchan. This place is why I feel so "deceived." Auchan is outside the Peripherique, which is a giant circular highway that surrounds Paris-proper. We had taken a bus to get there, but it let us off at the last stop where, lo and behold, no Auchan. What were we to do? We just started walking around...in the rain...across the Peripherique! We found Auchan, across the way from where we were, but there were so many roads, most without signs, and hardly any pedestrians about. We saw a sign that seemed as if it could lead us to Auchan, which it eventually did. Auchan is inside of a large mall, on top of an American-size parking garage. Basically, if you've ever seen the movie Idiocracy, when they approach the ridiculously large Costco, that's how we felt!

None of these pictures do it justice, but maybe you can sort of see...

When we walked into this superstore, we were both completely overwhelmed. I mean honestly, Lewis Carroll must've dreamed up this crazy place. AND IT'S FRENCH...that's the funny part!! Everyone was ploughing around with overflowing carts, people were everywhere. I mean, I cannot describe this store enough to help you understand...we just walked through the endless aisles in a daze and dumbfounded. I felt like a little girl again, I just couldn't even digest this place. The lower floor is grocery only, and the moving ramps (for your cart) that take you to the second floor lead to a whole new expanse: housewares, clothing, technology, luggage, and I don't even know what else. The place was almost like Costco on the bottom and Walmart on top, but bigger and better. As I said before, the difference between this place and American markers was the selection...so many of each type of product, unlike our Costcos where there are 8 million of the Kirkland brand to "choose from." And this wasn't all just generic stuff, either. The "Auchan" brand was by far the best deal, but there were rows of selections for artisan cheeses, wines, huge sections for fresh seafood, meats, baked goods, produce, etc. And remember the yogurt thing?? Ok, no joke, two GIANT rows of yogurt! Just yogurt!! A huge row for just butter and milk, and I have no idea how much cheese was in the place. So French, and yet so NOT!

This is the GROUND COFFEE aisle, not including the instant coffee aisle, and the kind in the little individual servings...I mean seriously, people! This place is CRAZY!

Ok, and here's the best part of all this. Last night, we dropped our mop-head in the toilet accidentally. It was hilarious, actually, because this happened at about 5am when we'd both been up from the jet-lag for about 3 hours already!! So the main reason why we went to Auchan was to buy a new mop-head or mop....THERE WERE NO MOPS IN THE ENTIRE STORE!!!!!!!

Apparently, Napoleon was wrong when he said "L'impossible n'est pas francais" (Impossible is not French)!

All I have left to say is that I will not ever let a French person give me a hard time for the "American" part of me that they seem as consumerist, because their culture is pretty much just as bad!!

<-- Andrew wondering how there could possibly be NO MOPS in the store of all stores...













And finally, "la piece de resistance" (and my personal --> favorite!): FROZEN BACON CHEESEBURGERS in a French market! Take that all you Parisian snobs...this is YOUR TOWN!