Paroissien’s in Paris

A quick update on Amsterdam.    The train is so easy, they even served a very nice lunch, with wine and 4 hours later, having crossed two borders, I was in Amsterdam - and not even a glimpse of my passport.     Ian and his team members had a fabulous apartment, right on one of the canals - beautiful tall windows, great big kitchen and even a garden - with a few hardy blossoms peaking through.
Once again, a walking city - the Van Gogh museum is a wonder - a must see, and we queued for 45 minutes to see the Anne Frank house - beautifully presented and very moving.    I feel that our generation is not all that well versed in World War II in Europe - and this was a very moving way to start extend our knowledge.    The amstelkring museum was also worth a visit.   We found a ‘local’ pub for apperitifs, I discovered Coffee Shops not only sell coffee but the stuff you smoke also.     And the dutch still smoke in their restaurants and cafes - you certainly notice it now.   And even the French have respected the change in their law - they just smoke in the street now!!!   And the last night I cooked for the guys - it’s amazing what one can whip up from the local supermarket and they enjoyed the home cookery, a change from restaurants.
So back again to Paris and a continuation of my French classes - my biggest challenge, beside the pronounciation etc. is trying to decide whether a noun is masculine or feminine - is a bridge m or f - and whenever we mention the word ‘pont’ we all want to burst into song - amazing what remembers from school French - Sur la pont, d’Avignon…..

On Monday night I went to a small expat gathering to launch a new book by an Aussie, Bryce Corbett, called ‘A town Like Paris’ - it’s his story of coming to Paris and after much adventure he met, and subsequently married a Lido dancer - and she’s an Aussie also.   It will keep me well entertained on the plane to Melb. next week.   And it was great to enjoy a glass of wine and speak English!!!  - Hope Thesaurus has this book Judy - it sold out it’s first printing.    And some great detective fiction by Cara Black, set in Paris, eg Murder in the Bastille, etc.  A good read

Yesterday we woke up to really warm weather - 19 degrees and sunny and the first time I have ventured forth without the heavy winter coat.   The trees are really green now, especially the Horse Chestnuts with the huge droopy leaves and white flowers.    I decided an explore was called for and sallied forth in the afternoon armed with one of my Paris walks cards.   This took me up the Rue Montaigne - wow, and more wow, every designer you could ever think of, and probably some more,   have their stunning boutiques here - I was a bit short of time so didn’t pop into Cartier this time!!!    But I did find La Maison du Chocolate - they have a reputation for Hot chocolate with rum.   So was just settling into enjoying this luxury (will have to double the cholesterol pills) when a whole tour group of Aussies walked in - no comment!!!  Actually it was fun to have a chat to them all for a while.

Today I explored the St Germain des Pres area - the Rue de Buci is full of market stalls, food shops and restaurants and although a bit touristy, it also embodies much of Paris lift.    And along the way I found the famous Laduree and bought my first Madeleines to try - wow, they are the most delicious melt in the mouth biscuits I have ever tried.  
And I can’t even begin to describe them but they look a little like yo yos, but really soft and squishy, and are made in a variety of colours and flavours.
Unfortunately they can be kept for only 5 days so won’t bring any home this time.  Pity about the cholesterol - don’t French women have this problem!

Cheese - I counted 170 different types in my local supermarket last week - and that’s probably only half of what is available.    And I must correct a comment I made previously about mould.    It’s not mould on the outside but ash - I am not sure of the significance but I will find out and let you all know.

We are off to the famous Bofinger Restaurant tomorrow night with Leah and Mike McGinniss from Melbourne - so looking forward to catching up on Melb. news.    Then Sat. we are going to Louviers, about an hour east of Paris, for a Country lunch - with Susan Loomis of On Rue Tatin fame.     There will apparently be 8 for lunch in her own home so very excited about this.   She will also give us a walking tour of her village.       We are staying in the village overnight, going to the lunch on Sunday, then back to the Paris airport for our plane to Melbourne.

Next time I will be ‘talking’ from Melbourne - can’t wait to see everyone again, and have a game of golf.   There are some things I miss and walking along the beach and a game of golf are just a couple.

Au revoir,  a bientot.
Barb