#Cafe De Paris Dip

[tokyotwosome]

 ¡Viva Mexico!

Since becoming parents last year, we had taken a pause on international travel. That is, until this week! We decided to celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. In our first 10 years, we've spent each anniversary doing some form of travel, most of which I've blogged about:

2015 - Tokyo, Japan (just moved there)

2016 - Tokyo Japan

2017 - Okinawa, Japan

2018 - Paris, France

2019 - United Kingdom (England/Scotland)

2020 - Hoh National Rainforest (WA state)

2021 - Tennessee/N. Carolina/New York City

2022 - Oahu, Hawaii

2023 - Local dinner (because new baby)

2024 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

While our 15-month-old toddler stayed home spending quality time with his auntie and Opa, we were living it up on the beach. Travelling together abroad feels like riding a bike and what better place to restart our travel adventures than Mexico.

We arrived in Puerto Vallarta on our anniversary and opted for a charming penthouse apartment right on the beach. We’ve always enjoyed traveling this way so we can experience the local life as much as possible. The first country outside the US that I ever visited was Mexico when I was 16-years-old, specifically Ensanada, where my love of the culture truly became evident. As someone who identifies as Hispanic/Latina, being in Mexico has a way of making me feel at home. The people, the food, the music…there’s so much to love about it here. We arrived on a stormy afternoon; apparently, it’s monsoon season? Missed that memo, but what can you do? We had dinner reservations at Mar y Vino, an upper scale restaurant where tables sit within a small pool to dip your feet in while you enjoy your decadent dinner. Since the storm came in with vengeance, the rain was coming down in dime-size drops as the cracking of thunder and flashes of lightning engulfed the sky. We took a taxi to the restaurant to avoid the downpour but were disappointed to arrive and learn they closed the pool section of the restaurant due to the encroaching storm. All that to say, we rolled with the punches and made the most out of it. At least the food was delicious, especially Rob's freshly caught red snapper.

We absolutely loved the apartment we stayed in! It was right on the beach and just a short walk away from the Malecón (the boardwalk). The best part was having our own private rooftop, complete with a plunge pool, hammocks, an outdoor bar, and a perfect balcony for people watching. We even had an evening where a pirate ship shot off fireworks not too far away from us, giving us a private rooftop show. We were grateful that we managed to fit in equal parts adventure with relaxation. Just what the doctor ordered!

Walking and exploring is one of our favorite pass times, so the next morning we woke up and ventured out to find a place to eat breakfast. A trick we learned in Japan is, avoid the main streets since they tend to be tourist traps. If you go just one or two streets over, you can often find cheaper and tastier options. We visited a hole-in-the-wall of a restaurant called "Cafe de Olla" (a name referring to Mexican spiced coffee) and it did not disappoint! Not a single person spoke English, that includes the staff and their customers, so we knew it would be delicious. We made it a point to only use Spanish as much as possible, so a place like this was a great place to practice. Rob had huevos con jamón (eggs and ham) served with beans and fresh tortillas. Para mi, I opted for chilaquiles con pollo. It was sooooo good! Just like the name promises, the coffee had a hint of spice (cinnamon) that even Rob enjoyed. We also ordered fresh OJ. The fresh juice is something you never get sick of. It's refreshing, not too sweet, and doesn't get more organic than that. As we ate, we also saw restaurant staff walking around offering fresh pan (bread) to guests. Once we finished and began making our way out, we saw a massive line out the door. This place was popular!

We spent our first full day just walking around, exploring the city, then relaxing on the balcony of our Airbnb. The balcony had a great view of the beach and ocean; perfect for people watching. We had hammocks, lounge chairs, and a plunge pool to cool off. We were grateful that the weather held up for us and that we had some much needed down time. At night, we went to another fancy restaurant complete with our own waiter (just for our table) and our own mixologist. For dessert, they served us Guava cheesecake for our anniversary. Such a treat!

The next morning, we started our day with breakfast and jet skiing right on the beach by where we stayed. The jet ski guys told us to have a seat in two chairs under an umbrella while we waited as it was a particularly hot day. Then they asked us if we needed anything. "Do you need a beer? Drugs? We have marijuana, cocaine, whatever you want." They then proceeded to have their guy show us the drugs. We told him no thanks as we awkwardly waited to get out on the water. It wouldn't be the last time we'd be offered drugs on our trip, haha. Only in Mexico, I suppose *shrug*. After our jet skiing, we went back to the Airbnb to clean up then went for a walk to find lunch. I was craving birria tacos, so we found another hole in the wall spot. The food hit just right and the flavor had me moaning in pleasure. Yes, it was that good! That day we got couples massages at a local spa. The owner asked us "Where you from, Seattle?" How she guessed that is beyond us, given we didn't have anything on our clothing that indicated this. It was an incredible massage and the owner's staff is her family - Metamorfosis Spa if you're ever visiting. Following the massage, on our walk back, I got my hair braided and added some pink flair as we walked around town. For dinner, we decided to eat on the beach at the restaurant below our Airbnb. We ate delicious food as we watched the sun set.

Our final full day we had scheduled an island tour. This was definitely the highlight of our trip, although we hadn't anticipated it to be. The tour included a boat ride to the Marietas islands, snorkeling, a visit to a hidden beach, complete with lunch and all you can drink juice or alcohol on the boat. They even took pictures throughout the day that you could purchase at the end. Totally worth it!

The snorkeling was incredible! We saw countless tropical fish, but even saw a few things we'd never seen before. The tour guide found an octopus in the water, picked it up to show us, then when he released it, it inked in the water. We also saw a puffer fish, which was a bit scary, but still cool to see in the wild. Thankfully it wasn't puffed up, but those fish are fast! We then lined up to get back on the boat as we noticed some folks had baby crabs on their life jackets. Once back on the boat, they took us to the hidden beach which was basically paradise. The water was even more clear, they had a full bar with places to lounge, and gave everyone time to drink, swim, paddleboard, kayak, or just relax. The tour was so worth the cost and 10/10 would recommend.

A personal highlight of the trip for me was feeling validated as a Latina. Not being fluent in Spanish, looking white, I've always felt like I have to prove how Latina I am in the states. While in Mexico, people would only speak English to Rob, but they spoke Spanish to me. I can't describe how happy that made me. That night we found another hole in the wall with abuelas in the kitchen. We knew it would be good based on the massive line we saw out the door (only Latinos) and the food did not disappoint! We ended our last night checking off one thing from my bucket list - singing Spanish karaoke in Mexico. We found a local karaoke bar where I opted to sing Nunca es Suficiente by Los Angeles Azules, along with some Bad Bunny and Selena. I couldn't stop smiling and I think I even impressed Rob, which is not easy to do after 10 years of marriage.

This trip was so needed and such a great way to celebrate our decade of marriage. I am so grateful to our family for allowing us time to do this and taking care of baby boy while we were away. Mommy and daddy desperately needed this and we had the absolute best time. Here's to many decades to come!

[jaydeemedia]

[ad_1] Our Paris itinerary collects world-class museums, iconic monuments, hidden cocktail bars and the best of the third-wave coffee shops. Here’s how to make the most of 3 days in Paris. There’s an intoxication that only Paris can deliver. It’s a city that – like the French – puts its best foot forward. Rambling cobbled laneways meet grand boulevards where triumphant monuments to victories past stand unscathed from the battles that followed. Paris rivals Vienna for sheer beauty. Stunning buildings appear to have gobbled up the world’s finest art treasures; towering basilicas showcase the most impressive stained-glass windows you’re ever likely to lay eyes on. Eating a pastry from a tiny boulangerie while strolling along the Seine; dipping into quaint atmospheric bistros and trendy hipster cafes; revelling in iconic views and exuberant nightlife; recuperating in serene parks. There’s a host of wonderful experiences to collect on our Paris itinerary. We’re under no illusion that Paris can be fully explored in 3 or even 4 days. However, we’ve designed this itinerary to put all our favourite top sights (and some lesser-known gems) in the right order so first-time visitors to Paris need waste no time. You won’t see all of Paris, but it’s a pretty good start. Updates // We do our best to keep the information in this guide up to date, if you notice anything has changed, please leave a comment below. Bookings // Booking your trip via the links in this guide will earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support – Paul & Mark. HOW TO USE OUR PARIS ITINERARY Our Paris itinerary has been designed so you can walk between most sights, without needing to catch public transport too often. The walk to Musée Rodin on the 2nd day could be fairly long depending on where you are staying and you’ll most likely need to get the metro to Montmartre on the 3rd day. Other than that, we’ve lined up the attractions based on their proximity to each other. Simply follow the sights in the order we have them listed below which, in effect, is a wonderful 3-day walking tour, collecting all the must-see Paris attractions plus lesser-known gems. You can find all the places we visited on the map below, organised by day. >> How to use this map / Click on the top left of the map to display the list of locations, then click on the locations to display further information. Click on the top right corner of the map to open a larger version in a new tab or the star to save to your Google Maps.   DAY 1 – ART & HIP NEIGHBOURHOODS Begin this 3-day Paris itinerary by exploring world-class museums, before continuing on a compact loop that collects many of the cities top sights. End the day in the very cool Le Marais area. JARDIN DU PALAIS ROYAL Begin with a stroll through the box hedge symmetry and manicured gardens of the Jardin du Palais Royal. It’s surrounded by some of the most beautiful arcades in Paris including Galerie de Montpensier and Galerie Beaujolais. The palace is closed to the public, however, the polka dot art installation is a popular photo spot in Paris. Covered Passages // Book a covered passages audio-guided tour; a wonderful thing to do in Paris for shopping lovers. MUSÉE LOUVRE Walk the short distance to the Louvre to immerse yourself in possibly the world’s premier art museum and a Paris icon. It’s Italian masterpieces include the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and Botticelli’s Venus and the Three Graces. Napoleon’s lavish well-preserved apartments are another gem. It’s impossible to see everything in one visit so this guided tour takes you on a 2 hour exploration of many of the masterpieces. Musée Louvre Skip-the-Line // book your timed entrance ticket // lunch After strolling the Louvre all morning, you’ve earnt a classic lunch. Try the very reasonably priced Au Vieux Comptoir where the service is friendly and the atmosphere trés French. SAINTE-CHAPPELLE After

lunch take a 15-minute stroll down the Seine to the stunning Sainte Chappelle – easily one of the best places to visit in Paris. Tucked away behind the Palais du Justice, the upstairs chapel – completely adorned with stained glassed windows – is simply breathtaking. Sainte Chapelle / 9:00 – 17:00 (1 Oct-31 Mar); 09:00 – 19:00 (1 Apr-30 Sep) | Price: €10 | Location: 8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris LATIN QUARTER Next, head back onto the left bank of the Seine to the Latin Quarter stopping at Shakespeare & Company bookstore. It’s a small but rambling store with old books crammed into every nook and definitely worth a visit as you’re walking past. Shakespeare & Company Bookstore / 10:00 – 22:00 | Price: Free | Location: 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris NOTRE DAME Exiting the bookstore, Notre Dame rises up in front of you. It’s been closed since the tragic fire in April 2019, but it is expected to re-open in 2024. However, the square and the archaeological crypt are now open to the public. You can visit the nearby tourist office and pay your respects or leave a donation for the rebuild. Stop for excellent ice cream at Berthillon – one of the best ice cream shops in Paris, then head over the river to the impressive Hotel du Ville. LE MARAIS Now in cool Le Marais, explore the shopping, drinking and eating opportunities in this vibrant part of Paris. Mustering the last pieces of tourist energy, potter around the modern art collection at the Pompidou Centre, which stays open until 9 pm. Pompidou Centre Skip-the-Line // book your timed entrance ticket DAY 2 – GRAND PARIS & ICONIC VIEWS Day 2 of our Paris itinerary visits one of our favourite museums, Musée Rodin before trying out some of the best coffee in Paris on the way to the most iconic sights in the city. MUSÉE RODIN Start today at Musée Rodin. One of the most unique galleries in Paris, it has an excellent collection of Rodin’s sculptures both inside the museum and in the formal gardens. Works by Van Gogh and Monet – two of the most famous painters in the world – are an added bonus. Musée Rodin Skip-the-Line // book your timed entrance ticket. // coffee Head to Coutume Café for brunch and one of the best coffees in Paris. They roast their own beans and work them into a dense velvety coffee, which goes perfectly with their small selection of seasonal brunch items. EIFFEL TOWER Recharged, walk to Champ de Mars for a magnificent vista over the iconic Eiffel Tower – a view that rivals some of the best hotels in Paris with a view. Personally, we think the views from other monuments are easier and better. However, if you decide to go up the Eiffel Tower, we strongly recommend booking tickets in advance to reduce the queue. You can either take the lift all the way to the summit or the stairs to the second floor, which is around 1600 steps. Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Line Tickets / summit tickets | second floor The Eiffel Tower from Champ de Mars CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES Cross the river to the Jardins de Trocadero and collect some photos from one of the best vantage points of the Eiffel Tower. Then, stroll along the river to the glorious Pont Alexander III and the nearby stunning Petit & Grand Palais. LADURÉE Walk along the Champs-Élysées and stop at Ladurée for a delicious macaroon. Avoid the takeaway line by queueing up for the restaurant. Efficient servers whisk macaroon-only patrons past the gorgeous restaurant and up to the eccentric bar where it’s perfectly acceptable to lunch on macaroons and a cup of tea. ARC DE TRIOMPHE As the afternoon wanes, head to the Arc de Triomphe; one of the most famous landmarks in the world. Today the tomb of the unknown soldier sits at its base and the eternal flame commemorating those that died in war is re-lit every day at 18:30. After admiring the decorative pylons from below, climb up to the viewing platform to enjoy one of the best views in town as the sun sets over the second day of your Paris itinerary. Arc de Triomphe Skip-the-Line-Tickets // book your timed entrance rooftop tickets.

DAY 3 – BEAUTIFUL ARCADES & MONTMARTRE On day 3, explore the beautiful covered arcades before heading out to Montmartre to start a classic Paris evening to finish this 3-day itinerary. MUSEÉ D’ORSAY Start today at the Musée d’Orsay. Housed in a magnificent railway station, it has the world’s largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in the world. If the impressive collection of art isn’t enough, the building itself is stunning. It’s one of our favourite galleries in Paris. Musée d’Orsay Skip-the-Line tickets // book your reserved access ticket. TUILERIES Cross over the Seine and explore Jardin des Tuileries, the lovely garden between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. For a unique art experience, pop into Musée de l’Orangerie which houses Monet’s Water Lillies in a purpose-built modern room. The only place in the world you can see this creation. Musée de l’Orangerie Skip-the-Line tickets // book your timed access tickets. COVERED ARCADES Stroll past the Place de la Concorde, l’Eglise de Madeleine and the rather impressive Palais Garnier, before grabbing lunch in the covered shopping arcades. Passage des Panoramas is full of enticing food shops and quirky merchandise, the ideal place to grab some Paris souvenirs. Passage Jouffroy is packed full of quaint boutiques and cute bookshops. MONTMARTRE ESPACE DALÌ In the afternoon hop on metro 12 at Notre-Dame-de-Lorette to Abbesses. Stroll up the hill and around the delightful squares of Montmartre, before popping into Espace Dalí. It’s a fantastic collection of Dalí’s work and one of the many unusual things to do in Paris. The gallery has insightful information to help interpret his more inaccessible pieces. SACRÉ-CŒUR As the light wanes head to Sacré Cœur. This dome basilica offers a picture-postcard Paris moment with excellent views across the city from the garden in front. Climb the 300 stairs to the top of the basilica for unrivalled views of the city in the fading light. Alternative, book this guided tour of the basilica which also includes a walk around Montmartre. For dinner, head to one of the many french bistros that line roads of Montmartre – one of the great food experiences in Paris.  PIGALLE As the evening rolls in stroll down to Pigalle to explore the area around Moulin Rouge and enjoy a proper Parisian cocktail in one of the many places packed into Rue Frochot. Dirty Dick gets our pick for the weird cocktails and friendly staff. But if you’re more sophisticated than us, you might enjoy Glass. Either way, it’s a great way to end your 3 day Paris itinerary. DAY TRIP FROM PARIS If you have time to extend your Paris itinerary to 4 days, spend it on one of the many interesting day trips from Paris.   VERSAILLES DAY TRIP Soak up the lavish surroundings of Versailles and learn about the chequered history of the palace since the time of Marie Antoinette. Perhaps you have a thirst that you just couldn’t quench in Paris. If so, head to Reims– the heart of the Champagne region. A champagne-tasting tour is a great way to explore this beautiful area.   SOMME BATTLEFIELDS DAY TRIP For something far more sobering, visit the Somme Battlefields to see where the horrors of the First World War took place. There are memorials from each country impacted in the battle and the trench system where much of the conflict took place is still intact.  GIVERNY DAY TRIP At just 50 minutes from Paris, a day trip to the Monet Garden at Giverny is a stunning way to submerge yourself in the inspiration of one of France’s most celebrated artists. WHERE TO STAY IN PARIS We recommend staying in Le Marais 4th arrondissement. It has a cool vibe and a wide range of cafes, bars and restaurants that span the spectrum from cheap eats to fine dining.  Le Marais is very central with many of the best sights nearby. Close proximity to a number of metro stations gives you access to easy transport links to other parts of the city.

There are some great hostels in Paris, and Airbnb is always a good. This article has some great suggestions on where to stay in Paris, otherwise, here are some recommendations from us. ULTRA-MODERN BUDGET MAMA SHELTER Mama Shelter is a stylish and modern hotel, nestled among artists studios and cobbled streets in East Paris. They do simple French cooking in the kitchen and exotic cocktails in the trendy bar. The buffet breakfast is very good. HOTELS.COM / BOOKING.COM HIP & ELEGANT THE HOXTON PARIS Set in an 18th-century mansion, the Hoxton is designed to be relaxed and comfortable without the unnecessary frills. It’s buzzy, it’s cool and the aesthetic is designed for maximum satisfaction. The food is French styled small plates. Delicious. HOTELS.COM / BOOKING.COM PERUVIAN BLING 1K PARIS Set in the bustling Le Marais district, 1K Paris delivers high-tech Peruvian style in an excellent location. The rooms and bright and spacious with excellent amenities. There’s a breakfast buffet but the Peruvian food really shines at dinner. HOTELS.COM / BOOKING.COM TIPS FOR VISITING TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN PARIS Book online for as many of the big attractions as you can so you can spend more time exploring Paris and less time waiting in a queue. If you are after more local discoveries then read our friend Karis post of her favourite less-visited Parisian sights. Also before you go, read this list of what not to do in Paris. THE PARIS MUSEUM PASS The Paris Museum Pass provides access to over 50 monuments and museums (permanent collections only) without the need to wait in line. If you see all of the sights in this itinerary, the pass will more than pay for itself. There is currently a 2-day pass, a 4-day pass and a 6-day pass. We recommend the 4-day pass for this itinerary which you can purchase here. OPENING HOURS IN PARIS Most stores in Paris usually operate from 9:30am to 7:30pm, Monday to Saturday. Most large department stores open late on Thursday evenings, usually until around 9 or 10pm. Shops in tourist areas will usually be open on Sundays.   The museums and art galleries have different opening times so it’s important to check before you go. Please note: Many museums in Paris close on either Monday or Tuesday. OUR RECOMMENDED PARIS TOURS We recommended booking the most popular tours in advance, particularly for the Eiffel Tower visit which can have staggeringly long queues. GETTING AROUND PARIS Most international flights land at Charles de Gaulle airport. It’s a 40-minute taxi ride to the centre of Paris, but it’s much cheaper to hop on the métro and take RER line B. The Eurostar arrives at Paris Gare du Nord station, from where it’s easy to catch the metro into central Paris.   By far the best way to get about the city is to walk. Paris is simply a stunning place to amble around. Our Paris itinerary strolls the best parts of the city without doing too much walking on any one day. PARIS METRO TICKETS The Paris Visite Travel Pass provides unlimited travel on all public transport in Paris including the metro, tram, bus and train network, covering the airport, Disneyland Paris and Château de Versailles. The price for 3 days is €26.65 for the Paris area or €53.75 to include day trips from Paris. This is probably excellent value if you were using public transport regularly, however, because we have designed this Paris itinerary to be walkable, the pass is not worth if you intend to follow our guide. A better option is to purchase a “Carnet” of 10 tickets from the vending machines at the metro station when you arrive which cost 16.90. The vending machines are easy to use, but they only take coins or credit/debit cards. BEST TIME TO GO TO PARIS The best time to visit Paris is during the shoulder seasons of April to June and September to November. The crowds are fewer than in summer and the temperature milder than winter. Our personal favourite is May to June when the gardens are green and packed with flowers and the days are long.

But to be honest, any time is a good time to visit Paris. WE’D LOVE YOUR SUPPORT If you found this guide useful, a small donation helps fund our work – Big thanks, Paul & Mark. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM USE OUR RESOURCES PAGE WHERE NEXT? Firstly, if you found this guide useful, follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with our travels. For all our city-based guides, head over to our city break page where we have a selection of articles from some of the cities we love. Here are some more of our France guides you might find useful. The best coffee in Paris The nature-rich charms of Arcachon Bay Idyllic rural life in the beautiful Dordogne A guide to visiting Dune du Pilat A BIG THANK YOU We’ve been providing free travel content on Anywhere We Roam since 2017. If you appreciate what we do, here are some ways you can support us. Thank you! Paul & Mark FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM USE OUR RESOURCES PAGE [ad_2] Source link

[begulie]

Cafe De Paris - Wie man die besten Creme Puffs im Restaurant macht

Das Cafe de Paris ist eines der bekanntesten und beliebtesten Restaurants in Paris, Frankreich. Der Chefkoch, der für die Kreation dieses Meisterwerks verantwortlich ist, heißt Gaston de Chocolat. Er ist einer der berühmtesten französischen Köche und hat viele Auszeichnungen erhalten. Seine Kreationen sind einzigartig und sehr leicht zu erkennen. Eine seiner berühmtesten Kreationen ist seine Cafe de Paris Sauce.

Cafe de Paris ist eine reichhaltige, buttrige Sauce, die üblicherweise auf gegrilltem Steak serviert wird. Wenn sie auf einer faux-grilled oder in Scheiben geschnittenen Scheibe eines Prime Entrecote serviert wird, heißt das resultierende köstliche Gericht "Florentine au Chocolat." Das Geheimnis der perfekten Geschmacksmischung liegt in der geheimen Zutatenmischung von Gaston de Chocolat. Zu den geheimen Zutaten gehören Schmalz, Mehl, Weißweinessig, Butter, Hühnerbrühe, Rosmarin, Ingwer, Nelken und Zitronensaft. Dieses Rezept verwendet die gleichen Techniken und Rezepte, die schon seit Hunderten von Jahren verwendet werden, um diese unglaublich reichhaltige Buttersauce herzustellen.

Obwohl Cafe de Paris eine Buttersauce sein mag, wird sie tatsächlich aus einer Kombination von Zutaten wie Rinderfett, Öl, Zwiebeln, Sellerie, Knoblauch, Ingwer, Tomaten und Gewürzen wie Thymian, Rosmarin, Knoblauch, Oregano und Thymian hergestellt. Das Geheimnis, um diese erstaunliche Sauce zu kreieren, besteht darin, all diese verschiedenen Zutaten miteinander zu vermischen und sie mehrere Stunden lang zusammen kochen zu lassen. Wenn Sie dies tun, interagieren die Zutaten miteinander und schaffen eine Sauce mit einer Geschmackstiefe, die schwer zu reproduzieren ist. Nach dem mehrstündigen Kochen der Mischung verdickt sich die Buttermischung und geht in eine flüssige Form über. Diese dickflüssige Sauce wird Cafe de Paris genannt. (Hier: https://www.wajos.de/products/cafe-de-paris-dip)

Cafe de France kann auf verschiedene Weise verwendet werden

Zunächst einmal kann sie zu Suppen oder Eintöpfen hinzugefügt werden. Durch leichtes Garen des Rinderfetts, der Zwiebeln und des Knoblauchs in der Butter werden die Zutaten milder und geben Suppen und Eintöpfen einen rauchigeren Geschmack. Durch das Garen des Rindfleischs und der Zwiebeln und des Knoblauchs in leicht erweichter Butter wird die Sauce auch dicker und bietet einen reichhaltigeren Geschmack.

Die Sauce Cafe de France kann auch als Marinade für Filetstücke verwendet werden, die aus dem Spanferkel geschnitten werden. Die Butter, die der Marinade hinzugefügt wird, verleiht dem Schaf einen besonderen Geschmack, der in anderen Saucen nicht zu finden ist. Neben der Verwendung der Butter als Marinade kann die Cafe de France Sauce auch für die Zubereitung eines köstlichen Schweinebratens verwendet werden. Um den Schweinebraten zuzubereiten, kann die Sauce abgeseiht und mit ein oder zwei Esslöffeln Senf vermischt werden, um ein gebräuntes und knuspriges Schweinesteak zu erhalten.

Cafe de France wird oft zusammen mit einem Becher französischer Sahne serviert. Wenn die Sahne im Dessert enthalten ist, wird sie über der Butter geschmolzen und dann zum Cafe de France gegeben. Eine letzte Anmerkung zum Cafe de France: Obwohl die Butter und der Senf das Gericht köstlich schmecken lassen, ist zu beachten, dass die Sahne sparsam verwendet werden sollte. Die Sahne bringt die Reichhaltigkeit der Butter zur Geltung, und die Butter minimiert den starken Geschmack des Senfs. In der Regel sollte die Sahne in sehr kleinen Mengen verwendet werden, um die wahre Essenz des berühmten Brotpuddings des Restaurants zu bewahren.

[youcancallmecirce]

Haste & Leisure Chapter 8: Have a Ball

Marinette, Bridgette, and Max attend the big party at the Agreste house--my version of the Netherfield Ball-- and some shit goes down.

Read it on AO3

Felix was hiding.

Well, not hiding, exactly.  It might be his house, but this was not his party and he didn’t have to participate if he didn’t want to.  Right now? He didn’t want to. It was even more of a crush than that first mixer they wet to at the University, right after arriving in Paris.  He’d expected it, of course. Adrien had turned Felix’s house into an exclusive club for the night, and when was the last time that the famous Agreste Manor had played host to such a public event?

Never, that was when.  

The hub of the party was the ballroom.  The DJ was ensconced there. Much of that large room was intended for dancing, naturally, but plush couches arranged in attractive groupings provided plenty of seating. At the back of the ballroom, three large double doors opened out onto a large veranda strung with cafe lights and scattered with more seating.  It was a gorgeous evening; much of the party had spilled out of doors.  

For refreshments, the long table in the dining hall had been shifted to one side and turned into a buffet with wait staff ranged behind it, serving food and replacing emptied trays of hors d'oeuvres.

Hors d'oeuvres , Felix thought with a snicker, swirling the large ball of ice around in his whiskey.  Both Gabriel Agreste and Audrey Bourgeois would probably have fits when they found out that they’d funded a glorified American style frat party.

Where his father might have served avocado bruschetta, chilled antipasto skewers and shrimp canapés, Adrien had decided on a much more, ah--contemporary menu.  There were still the overdone edible arrangements and silly little puff pastries filled with quiche, but they were vastly outnumbered by sliders, pizza, potato wedges, chicken wings and spinach dip.  A second, more modest buffet in the ballroom offered more of the same. Tables and chairs had been set up in both rooms to provide guests with a place to sit and eat.  

Wet bars placed strategically in the ballroom, dining hall, and veranda would keep anyone from getting thirsty. It was all open bar, but all of the bartenders had been given strict instructions to cut off anyone they suspected of being overly intoxicated in the hopes that it might keep the event from devolving into drunken chaos.  

Since that was unlikely to be effective, additional security had been brought in and discreetly stationed throughout the house and grounds.  Not only could the drunkenness get out of hand, this sort of event was the perfect opportunity for clever thieves or, more likely, the rabid paparazzi to get into the house and cause mischief.

Yeah, no thanks .

And then there was Chloe’s VIP room.  She had taken over a formal living room and turned it into a true VIP lounge complete with yet another wet bar, more of the plush seating, another dance floor and its own separate DJ.  Admittance to that lounge was strictly controlled; two bouncers stood at each of the two doorways, carefully screening those attempting to get in. Anyone who was not on her all-important list, or with someone who was on the list, wasn’t getting in there.

Chloe herself was ensconced in the middle of it all, surrounded by celebrities and socialites and completely in her element, while Adrien floated through the various rooms, interacting with his guests like a perfect host while he waited for unwitting guest of honor to show up.  Felix was happy to leave her to her throne and him to his mingling. There were only a few people in attendance that he actually cared to see, and all of them were as happily engaged in the party as Adrien. Felix had retreated to his library shortly after the doors had been opened to guests, and he had little intention of returning to the party.

He had just refilled his glass--damn, but he loved that Vintage Reserve from Jameson--when Adrien knocked on the open door, looking troubled.  Felix raised his brows in enquiry.

“The girls are here,” he said.  “They brought Barbot.”

Fuck .  Felix set his glass down with a thunk, then cursed aloud when some of the expensive whiskey splashed onto his hand.  

“Should I make him leave?” Adrien asked.  “I certainly don’t want himi here, but it is a University event.  I figured I’d let you make the call.”

“I’ll do it,” Felix said.  

“No, you stay here, Fe.  I’ll--”

“He’s my problem, not yours,” Felix snapped.  Then he sighed. “I appreciate the offer, Adrien, but I’ll handle it.  Thank you for letting me know.”

Adrien frowned at him, but nodded.  “I asked them to wait for me in the small office just off the foyer.”

The two men were silent as they made their way downstairs.  Felix could hear the bass thump coming from the ballroom, and the rumble of a hundred different conversations, but he hardly noticed.  He was preoccupied by the knowledge that Marinette had chosen to bring Barbot.

Had she brought him as a date?  Or had they come as a group? He shouldn’t care.  What she did was nothing to him. If she wanted to waste her time with a scheming low life, that was on her.

“Bridgette?” Adrien said, and Felix looked up from his brooding to see Marinette standing at the foot of the stairs.  He stopped and stared.

She wore a scarlet red dolman top that draped enticingly over her slim figure, hinting at her form rather than exposing it.  The loose top had a wide neckline that had slipped off of one shoulder. She’d paired it with sleek black leggings and screaming red heeled sandals.  He dragged his eyes back up her body. Her full red lips were pressed into a thin, angry line and her eyes--kohl-lined and narrowed to slits--were fixed on him.

“Where did he go?” Adrien asked, already at the bottom of the stairs.  Felix blinked and snapped his mouth shut as he realized that the two Dupain-Cheng girls stood with a young black man that Felix didn’t recognize, but not Barbot.  He scanned the others milling around the foyer, but he didn’t see Barbot’s tall form among them anywhere. He continued down the stairs.

“ Théo left,” Marinette said acidly, her blue eyes still locked on his. “So you’ll not have the pleasure of throwing him out, Felix.  He said that he wouldn’t stay where he clearly wasn’t welcome.”

“Marinette,” Felix said cooly as he descended the last few steps, ignoring her words. And her lack of a bra. “Bridgette,” he added with more warmth.

“Um, hello, Felix,” Bridgette said, smiling weakly.  She was obviously uncomfortable with the hostility between them and trying to diffuse it.  She gestured to the young man standing with them. “Have you met our cousin, Max?”

“No, I have not.”  Felix held out his hand, trying to ignore his flare of relief.  The man was handsome, with strong features and intelligent dark eyes, but he was her cousin.  “Felix Agreste,” he said.

“Max Kante,” the young man replied, and shook his hand enthusiastically.  “I must compliment you. This house is nearly as spectacular as the manor house at Rosings.”

Felix and Adrien both stared blankly. “Rosings?”  Adrien repeated.

“Rosings Park is the former estate of the illustrious De Bourgh family, which has now been given over to higher education.” Max explained pompously.  “I myself just transferred from De Bourgh University for the semester--”

“Of course,” Felix interrupted smoothly.  He needn’t have worried; the man was a prig.  “I’m acquainted with the Arts Dean there, though I have not had the opportunity to visit personally.”

Max brightened and opened his mouth to go on, but Bridgette cut in before he could speak.  “Adrien, did I really see pizza on the buffet in the dining room?” she asked.  

“You did!” he answered.  “Are you hungry? You should try some even if you’re not.  I decided to go with an American-inspired menu tonight, and it’s delicious.”

“American foods?” Max asked.  “I have little experience with American style cuisine, as mother feels it is inferior.”

Adrien smiled and gestured towards the dining hall.  “Here’s your chance. Have you ever tried hot wings? There are a ton of different sauces to try, and...”

Adrien’s voice was quickly lost to the general noise of the party as he led all three of them toward the buffet.  Marinette had hesitated long enough to cast another glare in his direction then followed, her back ramrod straight and fists clenched.

When the crowd closed around her, Felix turned back to the stairs with a muttered expletive.

He was so screwed.

Marinette followed a few steps behind the others, somehow feeling simultaneously furious with and attracted to Felix Agreste.  How dare he be so brain-numbingly, heart meltingly handsome? Why couldn’t he be as ugly on the outside as he clearly was on the inside?  

She wanted to look back, to see if he still watched her, but resisted.  

She knew he was watching her.  She could feel his eyes on her as she walked away, but wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of turning around to look. It had nothing to do with the fact that she wanted to look back at him--and wanted to find him watching her.  

Nope.  Absolutely not.

It didn’t matter that his eyes had glittered like blue fire, or that his unexpectedly informal attire would look so damned sexy.  What the hell was that about, anyway? She’d never seen him less than perfectly turned out, shirt ruthlessly buttoned to his throat and tie knotted with military precision.  Even over the weekend that she and Bridgette had spent here, he’d never relaxed enough to take off his tie or toe off his shoes. But tonight? Tonight he wore his black button-down untucked and open at the throat, his sleeves cuffed and rolled to his elbows, his hair mussed, eyes bright and his fair skin flushed.

He looked like he’d just left someone’s bed, damnit.  What was that about? Had he just--

Marinette clamped down on the thought.  Nope, not going there. She reminded herself that he had come down here, unprovoked, to make Theo leave as if Felix were the injured party in this situation. He was an ass, and the less she had to do with him the better.

And Theo?  He’d bowed out without even trying to stand up to Felix!  He’d been the only thing she’d been looking forward to at this party.  Now she’d be entertaining Max on his quest for social exposure while Bridgette spent the evening with Adrien.

She couldn’t blame them.  She half suspected that Bridgette was the whole reason for this whole event, and who was she to derail her sister’s evening?  No one, that was who. Besides, Alya and Nino were around here somewhere. Perhaps they could help her teach Max how to dance.

She found them twenty minutes later, availing themselves of the open bar in the ballroom.  She pushed in next to Alya, smiling apologetically at the other people crowded nearby and tugging Max behind her.  

“Have you ordered yet?” she asked, after greeting her friends with a hug.

“Nope,” Alya answered.  “What do you want? I’ll order for all of us.”

“What’s on tap?”

“Mostly American beers,” Nino answered.  “Yuengling, Blue Moon, Budweiser and a few others I don’t recognize, but they have Guinness and Castelaine too.”

“A Blue Moon and a Yuengling, then, I think.”

“But Marinette,” Max began, but was interrupted.

“Two?” Alya blinked, and her eyes flicked to look behind Marinette.  “Who else--wait, is that Max?”

Max smiled stiffly.  “Good evening,” he said.

“Daaamn,” Alya breathed, and Nino whistled.  “That’s quite the change, Max.”

He tugged uncomfortably at his pink henley, not meeting anyone’s eyes.  “Marinette said that this ensemble is both contemporary, and appropriate to this gathering.”

“It is,” Alya assured him.  “That color looks absolutely fantastic with your skin tone, and the cut of that shirt suits you well.”  She grinned suddenly, and leaned back into Nino. “You’ve been holding out on us, Kante. Since when do you work out?”

Max blushed, and Nino rolled his eyes.  “Easy Al,” he muttered. “You’re gonna give the guy a heart attack.”

Marinette giggled, but rubbed a soothing hand on Max’s back.

“Yoga and tai chi are both a part of my daily meditations,” he said haltingly.  “I--it would be remiss to take care with my mind and spirit but to ignore my body.”

“Well, you’ve obviously not been remiss,” Alya said.  “Keep it up.”

Max blushed again, and spluttered.

“What do you think?” Nino asked after darting a disapproving look at Alya.  “Do you like your new look?”

Max gratefully shifted his attention to Nino. “I don’t know,” he said slowly.  “The clothes themselves are surprisingly comfortable, but it is strange to be dressed so informally in public.”

“I think you’ll end up liking it a lot,” Marinette said, “once you get used to it, and find your style.”

The bartender got to them then, and Nino placed drink orders for all four of them.  They shifted away from the bar and made their way towards one of the lounge areas set up around the room when they had their drinks.

Max eyed his dubiously.  “I have never had beer,” he said.  “Mother says--”

“You are not your mother,” Marinette said gently.  “This is about discovering you, remember? Try it, and mine too if you want, and if you don’t like it then we’ll go back and get you a soda or something.”

“You can try mine too,” said Alya.  “I got the Guinness.”

“And I got the Castelaine,” Nino added.  “You can have whichever one you like best, dude.”  

Max smiled at them, and Marinette was happy to note that his smile seemed less brittle, and more genuine.  “What did you say this is?” he asked her, sniffing his beer.

“That’s the Blue Moon.  It’s a wheat beer, so it’s kind of dense but it has a good flavor and isn’t at all bitter.  I thought it might be a good place to start.”

“Hmm.”  He lifted the glass to his lips and took an experimental sip, his expression thoughtful.  Then he took another sip, and this time rolled the liquid around in his mouth for a moment before swallowing.  “Hmm,” he said again.

“Well?  Do you like it?” Marinette asked.  

“tryIt is--interesting.”  He raised the glass again, and took a larger drink.  

“Here, try the Yuengling.  It’s a lager, and another one that’s pretty mild in flavor.”

Max tried all four beers, but ultimately stuck with his original Blue Moon.  He seemed pretty ambivalent about both the lager and the blonde, but definitely did not like the stout.  “It’s far too bitter,” he said as he passed the glass back to Alya, his face twisted.

Alya laughed.  “It’s not for everyone,” she said.

“Guiness isn’t so bad,” Nino said, shrugging.  

“It’s better than those IPAs you love so much,” Marinette tossed back. “Blegh!”

Max took another drink of his own beer, and his expression eased.  “I will stick with this one,” he said firmly. “But thank you, for letting me try the others.”

Marinette smiled and lifted her glass.  “ Santé , my friends.”  They clinked their glasses together, and she wiggled her eyebrows playfully.  “Drink up, Max. I think it’s time we teach you how to dance.”

Max choked and nearly spat his drink in their faces.  “Me? Dance?”

Even Alya and Nino looked surprised.

“Why not?” she countered. “I mean, no one’s going to twist your arm or anything, but I think you should give it a try.”

“Dancing is way more fun than sitting on the side watching everyone else, that’s for sure.” Nino said.

“Actually, Nino, I rather enjoy people watching,” Max said stiffly.  “I also happen to love dancing, but I do not believe that the DJ will be playing any tangos this evening.”

Now all three of them looked at him in surprise.  “You can tango?”

“I have studied ballroom dancing since I was twelve,” he said, his tone defensive.

“That’s right!” Marinette’s eyes widened and she tapped the heel of her hand against the side of her head.  “I remember now! Maman has mentioned that you dance competitively. You’ll have no problem picking this up!”

It took a bit of gentle coaxing and his stiffness had returned, but Max had agreed to it by the time they’d finished their drinks.  He let Marinette lead him to a slightly less crowded area of the dancefloor, then looked uncertainly between the three friends as they started to move.

“Just watch us,” Nino said.  “Move to the beat. We’ll start small, but I have a feeling that you’ll pick it up pretty fast.”

His movements were awkward when he first started imitating Nino’s simple steps.  “Why can’t we just waltz?” he muttered, and Marinette laughed. He scowled. “I’m quite good at waltzing,” he said.

“I definitely am not,” she answered.  “Maybe later, you can teach us to waltz?”

He flashed her a smile, but his attention remained focused on watching other dancers.  “Perhaps.”

Nino was right.  It wasn’t long at all before Max relaxed into the music.  He had an excellent sense of rhythm and was clearly well-coordinated, just a bit self conscious.  So long as he wasn’t thinking too hard about what he was doing, his movements were fluid.  

He relaxed further when Bridgette and Adrien joined them, expanding their little group and offering more opportunities to take Max out of his own head.  They danced in an ever-shifting group, and their evening proceeded quite enjoyably.  They'd dance until they got thirsty, take a break for drinks and a bit of fresh air on the veranda, then go back to dancing.  Marinette had forgotten all about Felix and Theo both, until Alya moved from where she'd been dancing with Max and made her way over to Marinette so that she could lean in and speak into her ear.

“Felix just walked in,” she said.

Marinette missed a beat.  “And?”

“And I’m not sure what you’ve done now, but I think he was looking for you.  He stopped right over there and is now trying to murder you with his eyes.”

Marinette turned and sure enough, he stood just beyond the dancefloor, his expression cold and hard. “Come here,” he said, and while she couldn’t hear him over the music, he made his meaning clear by pointing to the ground at his feet as if she were a naughty child being summoned for punishment.

Her mouth fell open and she stopped dancing.

“He must have a death wish,” Alya said flatly.  “Are you gonna kill him, or can I?”

Marinette held a staying hand up in front of Alya and placed the other on her cocked hip.  “Why should I?” she shot back, knowing that he’d read her lips as well as she’d read his.

His eyes narrowed, and he curled his still-pointing finger into his fist as he raised it to his shoulder.  “Fine then.” He lowered his fist and strode forward, cutting rudely through the dancers. Most moved out of his way; the few who thought to protest took one look at his hard face and ticking jaw and changed their minds.  He didn’t stop until he stood right in front of her. “I’ll just come to you,” he growled. “I’d prefer to have this conversation behind closed doors, but I don’t suppose you care whether we make a scene, do you?”

Marinette crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. “What?”

“Did he promise you a cut?” he demanded harshly.

“What?”  Marinette reared back from him and dropped her arms from her chest, wondering if maybe he’d gone insane.  “What the fuck are you talking about, Felix?”

She could see that her reaction had startled him, but he didn’t say anything.  She scoffed. “You’re the one making a scene. I’m just here to enjoy the party with my friends.”  Marinette turned her back on him and started dancing again, determined to ignore him.

She didn’t expect him to step in close behind her, his hands warm on her hips as he began to dance with her.  She froze in surprise, but his hands urged her to keep moving. “Is this better?” he asked, his voice low.

“No,” she said.  In front of her, Alya and Bridgette both gaped at her.  Adrien stared hard at Felix. Alya raised her brows, and Marinette subtly shook her head in answer.  No rescue needed. The others slowly went back to dancing, but Marinette noted that they all stayed close. Satisfied that they had her back, she turned to dance with him face to face and draped her arms over his shoulders.  He was a good dancer, but she filed that surprise away to be considered later. (The feeling of his hands on her hips and his body brushing hers was to be considered never .)  “What is going on, Felix?”

He ignored her question.  “What do you know about Barbot?”

“I know that he’s been unlucky enough to lose your friendship,” she said sarcastically.

His jaw flexed.  “Why did you bring him here tonight?”

“As my date,” she said, staring at him.  Maybe he really had gone insane? She couldn’t imagine any other explanation for the last five minutes.  Then she added, “Not that it’s any of your business.”

He shifted closer to her as they danced, and his fingers tightened on her hips.  “It’s my house, Marinette,” he growled into her ear.  

She moved her hands down to his chest, thinking to push him away and regain some of her personal space, but the tension between them had shifted and her fingers instead curled around the open collar of his shirt, pulling the fabric taut and widening the vee at his throat.  Damn, but he smelled good. “What happened to your tie?” she asked, and had no idea where the question had come from.

He slid one hand up her side, and knew the exact moment he realized--or perhaps remembered--she wasn’t wearing a bra. “I took it off,” he said gruffly.  His hand slid back down and he straightened a bit, so that he was looking down at her.

“I’ve never seen you without one.”

“I didn’t intend to participate this evening.”

She flicked her gaze up to him, then back down to the thin sheen of sweat at his throat. “What changed?”

“Excuse me, Mr. Agreste?” A new voice said from very close, and they both froze.

Felix sighed and dropped his hands from Marinette. “Yes, Nathalie?” he asked, his voice tight and his eyes still on her.

Marinette looked from him to the sharply dressed woman standing close to his shoulder.

“I am sorry to interrupt, but there is an issue which requires your attention.”

His lips thinned.  “Very well.” He nodded once at Marinette, then turned and stalked from the ballroom.

[locthaicpa]

Marseille | France - Top-rated Tourist Attractions

Marseille, a port city in southern France, has been a crossroads of immigration and trade since its founding by the Greeks circa 600 B.C. Travelers visit the port city of Marseille, the third largest city in France, for the meeting of style and history.

Marseille is the  "oldest city in France"  and indeed one of the oldest in western Europe. The city was founded as Massalia in around 600 BC, and soon developed into an important port in the ancient Greek world. For the Greeks, and later for the Romans, it was a major point of transition and trade between the civilisations of the Mediterranean, and those of Gaul and northwest Europe.

What is Marseille in France famous for? Marseille is famous all over the world for its Bouillabaisse. Go to the bouillabaisse. The famous fish soup of Marseille jumped on the shark. Aggressive marketing has pushed up its cost to 60-100 euros.

Is Marseille France worth visiting? Marseilles is the second largest city in France, and one of the biggest port-cities in the Mediterranean. ... That said, it's a city worth visiting as it's not as famous as Paris, but there are still many beautiful and unforgettable places to see.

Is Marseille, France safe to visit? OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM. The police are doing its best to protect both the citizens, and tourists in Marseille, and it is highly-effective, But tourists still might be a target for pickpockets on the city's streets. It is a safe city with certain parts to be avoided.

 Rather in the same way as Genoa or Naples, Marseilles' importance as a port, rather hindered its development as a tourist destination; and while other Mediterranean ports like Barcelona, and Valencia began to develop their tourism in the 1970's, Marseilles  did not. Its port was too important. But more recently, Marseilles has managed maintain its status, as one of the most important ports on the Mediterranean, and develop as a tourist destination at the same time.

How expensive is Marseille? You should plan to spend around €91 , ($106), per day on your vacation in Marseille, Which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, €21 ,($25), on meals for one day and €25 ,($30), on local transportation.

How dangerous is Marseille? Having said that, we can't say that Marseille is a totally safe city, where you can walk around everywhere without any risks… Indeed, it is unfortunately well known for its trafficking, of all kinds, (prostitution, drugs, weapons), and for its high crime rate.

How many days should I spend in Marseille? For a solid itinerary, we recommend at least two to three days, so you can explore the city's famous port, its diverse neighborhoods, and the delicious food scene. Tack on more time for Marseille's ancient sites, and modern museums, with possible day-trips to the Provençal countryside or Mediterranean coast.

What are the dangerous areas of Marseille? If it is possible, you should avoid certain areas in Marseille, like the northern districts. These areas, like the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th arrondissement, are dangerous. The Bellevue on Felix Pyat in the 3rd arrondissement, and the Hauts de Mazargues in the 9th arrondissement are particularly notorious.

Is it expensive to live in Marseille? Summary about cost of living in Marseille, France: Four-person family monthly costs: 3,339.95$ , (2,869.27€), without rent, (using our estimator). A single person monthly costs: 917.35$ ,(788.08€), without rent. Cost of living index in Marseille is 23.07% , lower than in New York.

How cold does it get in Marseille? In Marseille, the summers are short, warm, dry, and mostly clear, and the winters are long, cold, windy, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 39°F to 84°F , and is rarely below 30°F or above 90°F.

Is Marseille a good place to live? Marseille, France, is among the top cities with a free business environment. Our data reflects that this city has a good ranking in housing, and healthcare.

Do the French eat croissants everyday? Do as the French do, and get a great croissant. Although there are patisseries on every street corner, and pastry is one of the things that the French do best, They tend to be more of a once, or twice a week treat rather than an everyday item. Most Parisians are too health conscious to eat pain au chocolat every day.

How long is the train ride from Barcelona to Marseille? 10 hours, and 19 minutes. The average journey time by train between Barcelona, and Marseille is 10 hours and 19 minutes, with around 7 trains per day.

Do they speak English in Marseille? In Marseille – People, who deal with tourists will speak English, – hotels, restaurants, attractions, and places like the Vieux Port, Cours Julien, and La Canebière. Elsewhere English proficiency tends to be more basic, so having some French phrases will really help here.

How much is a taxi from Marseille, airport to Marseille? When traveling from Marseille airport, to the city centre, you have three options, bus, taxi or train. A taxi costs 50€ in the day,  and 60€ at night, and takes 30 minutes to reach the centre. A bus will cost you 8.30€ one-way, and your journey will take around 30 minutes.

How long is the train ride from Paris, to Marseille? 4 hours, and 18 minutes. The average journey time by train between Paris, and Marseille is 4 hours, and 18 minutes, with around 19 trains per day.

Should you tip in France? Think of it as a gesture, not an obligation. Once again, it's not necessary, but is appreciated for good service. There are no rules about tipping in France. In nicer restaurants, such as 3-star tables, where the service is exemplary, a tip of €20 is fine to leave.

What is special about Marseille, soap? Thanks to its “extra pure” vegetable composition, Marseille soap is highly recommended for greasy, or acne-prone skins. It can be used for deep-down cleansing, and controls sebum. What's more, it makes so much lather, that it can even be used as shaving foam. It cleanses the skin, and prevents ingrown hairs.

Does it snow in Marseille, France? Much like in Avignon to the north, winter properly arrives in Marseille in December. Although the city rarely sees snowfall, it does experience cool temperatures, ranging from an average of 4°C at night, to 12°C on average in the afternoon, which continue to become chillier into the New Year.

Where is the best place to live in France? The Best Place To Live In France: The Verdict.

   Paris: Best for nightlife...    Brittany: Best for its affordability...    Lyon: Best for food and drink...    Montpellier: Best for families...    Luberon: Best for countryside...    Dordogne: Best for retirement...    Provence: Best for beaches.

Is Marseille The oldest city in France? Founded in 600 BC by the Greeks from Phocaea, Marseille is the oldest city in France, and the second largest after Paris.

Why do French drink coffee out of abowls? Practically speaking, there are advantages, too. A bowl is (generally) bigger, which means more coffee, and easier dipping for your croissant. Not to mention, drinking your coffee from a bowl also negates the need for those mugs.

What is the most important meal of the day in France? Lunch. Essentially, it comes down to this: Lunch is the most important meal of the day for the French. Even serious corporate businesses often look the other way, if employees take more than an hour at lunch. For the French, lunch is that big meal that's supposed to get you through the day.

How do I get from Paris to Marseille? It takes an average of 3h 59m to travel from Marseille, to Paris by train, over a distance of around 410 miles, (660 km). There are normally 19 trains per day, travelling from Marseille to Paris, and tickets for this journey start from $23.30 when you book in advance.

Is there Uber in Marseille, France? Uber is available at Marseille Airport, so you can enjoy a convenient, and comfortable trip to wherever you need to go. ... Uber prices to, and from Marseille Airport may be affected by time, traffic, and other factors. Check the Uber price estimator in the Uber app for approximate trip prices.

Why do you only tip 6 percent in France? Why don't we tip the same way in France, as we do in America then? In France, waiters are paid a living wage. That means that they don't depend on tips to supplement their salary, like waiters do in the US.

Do French restaurants include tip? Unlike in America, cafes and restaurants in Paris, and the rest of France include a 15 percent service charge in the check, which is required by French law. The words service compris indicate that, the tip has already been included, so take a good look at the bill when it arrives.

Can I just move to France? Yes, as with anything administrative in France, moving here as an American involves a lot of paperwork. However, those wanting just a taste of France won't need a visa, if the trip is for fewer than 90 days, (unless you're a diplomat, or a journalist). All you need is a passport that's valid for at least three months.

Which is the richest city in Europe? Luxembourg, the capital city of the small European nation of the same name, was named as the richest metropolis in Europe. The city is the richest city in Europe in terms of GDP per capita, according to the study.

The city of Marseille was created in the 6th century BC, when Greek explorers met with the local tribes, in the north bank of today´s Vieux port, and decided to settle taking advantage of the natural conditions to stablish a port. The colonist from Phocaea named the new town Massalia. Later on, in the year 49 BC, Caesar conquered the city in the expansion of the roman empire. The name changed to Massilia, and the economic activities focused on the port continued to expand.

Nowadays the city of Marseille is the second, urban agglomeration in France, after Paris. It has a population of 850 thousand inhabitants, and almost 1,8 million in the metropolitan area. The port still plays an important role in the economy, and the labor market. The city has stablish itself as an important tourism destination, and is integrated in the PACA region, (Provence, Alpes and Cote d´Azur), which is one of the most attractive regions for tourism, and leisure activities. The physical geography is typical from this part of the Mediterranean, with an accidental topography, including mountains entering directly into the water with very few flat area.

Marseille, the oldest city of France, overflows with cultural, architectural, and artistic treasures to discover. It is a tourist destination particularly appreciated by the French, and foreigners. Between tradition and modernity, the city of Marseille is waiting for you. From the Vieux Port (Old Port), to the Calanques (rocky inlets), by way of the Panier district, and the Corniche facing the sea, you will certainly be amazed by the beauty of the cosmopolitan city. Beyond the game of Pétanque, and its football club Olympique de Marseille (OM), Marseille reveals itself behind its emblematic monuments, such as the Château d’If, Les Docks, the Palais de la Bourse, the Fort Saint Jean fortification, Notre-Dame de la Garde, the Palais Longchamp, the Marseille Cathedral of la Major to name just a few.

European Capital of Culture in 2013, Marseille aims to be a destination of choice for art, and culture enthusiasts. Still in 2013, Marseille inaugurated the MuCEM, a museum dedicated to the Mediterranean civilizations of the 21st century. It is today one of the most visited museums. In the historic center of the city, you can also go to La Vieille Charité. There, you will find many cultural structures: the Mediterranean archaeology museum, the African, Oceanic, and Native American art museum (MAAOA), but also a cinema, a bookshop…

While exploring the city, alone or with a guide, immerse yourself in the local culture, and discover the traditions of Marseille. Relax on the terrace of a restaurant, under the southern sun, to taste Marseille’s cuisine. Let yourself be tempted by the bouillabaisse, a fish specialty, or by the pieds paquets, the panisses, etc. If you were to bring back only one souvenir of Marseille, no doubt you would choose the famous soap. Particularly effective, and renowned, it can be used to clean skin, hair, clothes, floors, walls… Ideally located, the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, is a starting point for various tourist destinations accessible by train, plane and boat.

Shop at La Canebière. This famous avenue is the wealthy shopping heart of Marseille. It’s sometimes compared to The Champs Elysees in Paris, where luxury brands alternate with cafes and restaurants. This wide street starts from Le Vieux Port, and stretches all the way to the Capucin neighborhood. La Canebiere is not as glamorous as it used to be, but is still one of the most important streets of Marseille, and was featured in the movie French Connection 2.

Try the most famous Bouillabaisse soup. Bouillabaisse is Marseille’s most famous dish, and the way they serve it here is surprisingly different from what you may have seen outside the Provence region. Here, the broth is served separately from the fish, and the stew is made with 3 local, bony fish that originally could not be sold at the market. Many restaurants around the old harbor serve it the traditional way, but don’t be surprised if it’s not as cheap as you may think.

End the day at La Caravelle in the old harbor. End the day at the harbor where you started it, with a traditional anise-flavored spirit from the south of France called Pastis. A great place to conclude your exploration of Marseille, is by relaxing on the terrace of La Caravelle, with a view of the Vieux Port, and the illuminated basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde. The bar also hosts jazz concerts 3 times a week.

Corrupt, dangerous and brutal to its poor – but is Marseille the future of France? The truth is Marseille is the one city, that possesses the dynamism the rest of France seems to have misplaced. Mémain rhapsodises: “When my friends from Paris, and Bordeaux take the bus here, they start crying. C’est la force! Of hearing people struggling to survive, – it’s drama, it’s magnificent theatre. And it’s free. In that sharp light, you understand nothing, but you’re dazzled by everything. It’s very, very beautiful, and the political project is always to shatter this beauty. It’s appalling.”

Marseille is the place for people, that are not afraid to discover a real place, with real people. From colourful markets, (like Noailles market), that will make you feel like you are in Africa, to the Calanques, (a natural area of big cliffs falling into the sea. - Calanque means fjord), from the Panier area, (the oldest place of the town, and historically the place where newcomers installed), to the Vieux-Port, (old harbor), and the Corniche (a road along the sea), Marseille has much to offer.

Marseille-Provence International Airport is located about 30 km from Marseille. Buses, taxis, and a train connect in less than 30 minutes. Shuttle services from other European cities, have made more places available from Marseille. Airport buses go directly from the airport to the train station, (Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles), and from train station to airport, every 15 minutes, for the cost of €10, (or €16 for a return ticket).

[daisychains4]

Can’t Handle You | Chapter 6: Paris

Can’t Handle You | Masterlist

AN: I’m blown away by the reception to this story that I love so much! Let me know if you want to be added to the taglist. :)

Warnings: None

You hated to be a cliché, but Paris was one of the cities you’d been most excited to visit. You looked forward to strolling along the Seine River, staring out across the city from the top deck of the Eiffel Tower during the day, and staring up at it while it lit up the Parisian night. But more than anything else, you had been dreaming about trying all of the delicious French pastries you’d seen on all of your favorite cooking shows.

 Shawn’s notorious sweet tooth gave you more than enough reason to spend most of your time in Paris visiting innumerable pâtisseries. You had been planning your outings around the different pastries you wanted to try and the ones you thought Shawn would want.

 Your stroll along the Seine was even better than you could have imagined; you munched on the freshest macaron you’d ever tasted while you walked the river’s edge. You sipped a glass of wine at a nearby cafe, watching the sun dip below the horizon. You never missed a show of Shawn’s, but tonight you couldn’t help but push to the limit of your time away from the rest of the crew in order to take in this magnificent view.

 You finally tore yourself away from the best day you’d had on tour so far. You picked up your bags of French pastries and headed to the AccorHotels Arena in a taxi.

 “Where have you been?” Addison asked you, nudging your side as you ran in to catch up with her and the group. They’d already been at the venue for hours because of sound check.

 “Shopping,” you replied, holding up your bags.

 “That must’ve been nice,” she said snarkily. You thought she might only be half kidding.

 “I was shopping for Shawn,” you said, feeling a little guilty about the fun you’d had running around the most beautiful city you’d ever seen. “You know sweets are his favorite.”

 Addison eyed you up and down, but then she let herself smile. “You’d better have something in there for me.”.

 “I do!” you said brightly, digging into one of your bags and pulling out a box of brightly-colored macarons like the one you’d tasted by the river.

 “Ooooh,” Addison moaned, “you know me so well.”

 “That I do,” you laughed, then broke away from the crowd to make your way toward Shawn’s dressing room so you could set up a pastry bar for Shawn and the crew.

 You flattened yourself against a wall to let Shawn, surrounded by his usual group, pass. Shawn was caught up in a conversation they were having and didn’t seem to notice you as he walked past. Luckily, the boys turned right, heading away from the dressing rooms into another part of the arena for the Q&A. You hurried left, your heart racing at the close call you’d just had. Writing notes was one thing; you still weren’t sure you wanted to meet Shawn just yet. He made you nervous, though you weren’t quite sure why. Being in the music business, you’d met many other celebrities before. But something about Shawn was more intimidating, even though he was nice to everyone he met. You shook your head, clearing it of those thoughts, You had a job to do, and you were determined to do it well.

 Your pastry table was a sight to behold. You laid a watercolor-print tablecloth down on a long table in the outer dressing room. You’d seen it in a shop window and couldn’t resist picking it up; it reminded you of the aesthetics of the tour. You then lined the table with the many delectable goodies you’d collected.  Even though you’d snacked all day, it was hard to resist grabbing another sweet from the table.

 You cautiously walked through the door that you knew led to Shawn’s personal dressing room. You’d handpicked a few pastries just for him.

 You laid out a éclair au chocolat, a handful of small petit fours in a mix of chocolate and raspberry, and lastly, a pistachio chocolate escargot from Du Pain et des Idées. The last thing you pulled from your bag was a note that you’d written while you sat drinking wine next to the river. You placed it underneath the snail-shaped croissant on the far right of the tray of pastries, the corner sticking out just enough to hopefully catch Shawn’s eye.

 ---------------------------------------------------

 Shawn was feeling good about how the Q&A had gone, but he couldn’t help think back over every answer as he made his way back into his dressing room to prepare for the Paris show. It was impossible to tell how the media (and the fans) would interpret any given response. Tonight’s questions had been pretty straightforward and innocent, but Shawn had enough experience to know that sometimes even those led to rumors and scandal.

 The first thing he noticed in his dressing room was the pastry tray laid across the vanity. He grabbed the chocolate éclair without a thought, shoving it into his mouth as he busied himself taking off his Q&A outfit and getting ready for the concert. He set the éclair down to try something else, and scrunched his nose up at the swirly croissant with suspicious green filling. He wasn’t about to try that one. He nibbled instead on a raspberry petit four, then finished getting ready for the show.

 ---------------------------------------------------

 Shawn was practically bouncing off the walls as he made his way back into his dressing room after the show. The crowd had been spectacular and given back every bit of effort and energy as he’d given them. It was a perfect night.

 As he grabbed his things and threw them haphazardly into his bag, he took another look at the pastry tray he’d left sitting on the vanity. He hated to leave sweets behind. He grimaced once again at the croissant sitting on the far right of the tray. Whoever left this didn’t know him at all; that definitely didn’t look like something he would ever eat.

 He picked up the tray anyway, shrugging and thinking he would give the gross-looking green thing to Brian. Brian would eat anything.

 That was when Shawn noticed the note that was hidden underneath the tray. He recognized the handwriting right away.

 The only thing I can’t handle, the latest note said, is how amazing the pistachio chocolate escargot is. Don’t let the name fool you - it only looks like a snail. It doesn’t actually have snail in it. And I know you won’t want to try it. But trust me on this one.

 Shawn couldn’t help but smile as he read. The writer was right - he didn’t want to try the croissant. He held it up to his nose, sniffing cautiously. He dramatically expected something rotten, but the smell was actually pretty enticing. He took the most tentative of bites at the flaky croissant. All that broke off was bread, which he had to admit, was one of the better croissants he’d had. Feeling more brave, he bit deeper into the pastry, into the swirl of green.

 He was surprised at the flavor that burst onto his tongue. Pistachio? And chocolate? Shawn would never have put the two together. He didn’t like pistachio ice cream, he’d tried it at a fancy restaurant in Berlin. But something about this croissant had his mouth watering. The croissant was soft, buttery, and flaky, and the pistachio-chocolate filling was a masterful combination of savory and sweet with a hint of almond. It was one of the best pastries Shawn had ever had.

 Shawn walked out of the dressing room, his guitar strapped to his back and another bag slung across his shoulders. He held his phone in one hand and what was left of the snail-shaped croissant in his other hand. As he bit once again into the delicious crust, a small smile on his face, he began to plan his next note.

Taglist | @librarianct 

[kaikaughosts]

Kiss The Girl

It starts off with an on-beat hum. Not quite the best in his sober state, but after a few notes it’s clear what he’s humming. The meeting hasn’t started, by some grace of God- and a well hidden planner somewhere in Enjolras’ satchel. Everyone’s here, chatting and laughing, waiting for the damn meeting to finish so they can actually drink.

(“No more alcohol during the meetings. I’m tired of you and Bahorel damaging the cafe- and each other.”)

But Grantaire sees it, during the chorus to I’ve Got No Strings, he sees it.

No matter how little, Enjolras is swaying. Grantaire stops, and so does the sway.

If that isn’t a challenge wrapped in a blonde bow.

He isn’t the only one to notice. Grantaire starts humming Hakuna Matata, a bit louder now. It takes all his willpower to not screech the Circle Of Life instead, and it pays off when Bossuet starts pounding a little drumbeat on the table.

That little sway is back. Enjolras ducks his head, but Grantaire swears to the gods he sees a smile. Enj turns to Combeferre, his entire bag emptied onto the table, and whispers something- surely about the missing planner, and Combeferre huffs before handing over his own bag.

Joly jumps in with Aladdin- little harmonies and scratching at the wood in beat, and Jehan vocalizes on Tangled. It’s not long before they’re actually singing, stomping their feet, banging the beat into the table.

Enjolras is standing at the front of the room, quietly sorting through papers and doing god-knows-what on Combeferre’s laptop, making a point to keep his face turned from their concert. The meeting should have started a song or two ago, but from the way he’s swaying to Why Should I Worry? - the little tap of his foot and the relaxation in his shoulders- tells the Amis to milk this for all they can.

Bahorel and Grantaire’s rendition of Cruella De Vil, accompanied by a swing dance neither of them knew how to do, breaks something in the universe. They’re too loud to ignore, swinging across the floor and overall making fools of themselves. Grantaire over-estimates his strength(or underestimates Bahorel’s weight, tomato tamoto), and drops Bahorel on the dip. There’s an eruption of laughter, but-

Grantaire hears- surely, his hearing is gone. He looks up, and his heart explodes.

Enjolras is laughing. fucking teeth-showing, eyes brightening, head thrown back, curls bouncing laughing- holy ShIT does this nerd have the dorkiest laugh he’s ever heard. A giggle-snort, dying penguin, broken Abba vinyl of a laugh that shouldn’t be as cute as it is.

Their eyes meet- Enjolras covering his mouth, shaking, a blush creeping up his neck. Grantaire trips over lyrics, trying to help Bahorel up. There’s no hidden annoyance in his eyes, no begrudging resignation, no fiery passion, just… happiness. Enjolras smiles, and it’s a good look on him.

But it’s Courfeyrac’s “sha-la-la-la-la” that breaks the dam. Because, much like the death of Caesar, Grantaire feels the room flip against him. The song dies in his throat, he can’t tear his eyes from Enj.

“There you see her, sitting there across the way”

Enj shushes up, never losing the entertainment in his eyes. He turns back to Ferre’s laptop.

Courf wraps an arm around Enj, singing to his heart’s content. There’s a knowing look in his eye. An unspoken smugness coming over the room.

“Yes, you want her

Look at her, you know you do”

Courf leaves Enj’s side to drape himself across a table, and it’s soon a duet with him and Jehan. Jehan’s humming in R’s ear. They pulls at Taire’s shoulder, finally tears his eyes from Enj. Jehan says something, drowned out by Joly’s “WAH WAH WAH”

“What?”

“I said, he would love a boat date.”

These bastards. This counts as treason, he’s pretty sure. That stupid smirk on Bossuet’s face, the small snaps Feuilly’s doing, that fake horn Bahorel’s blowing. Complete traitors, the whole lot.

“Looks like the boy's too shy

Ain't gonna kiss the girl”

Combeferre looks up from his book, turns his body towards Enj. “ Now's your moment,”

“Hm?” Enj looks up, he catches Grantaire’s eye, and quickly turns to Ferre. “I’ve misplaced the planner, but! Now would be a good time to discuss the mistreatment of Disneyland employees in Paris.” 

“Are we doing that today?”

Eyes wonder back to the mass of sober drunks, more specifically to the ravenette hiding behind Bossuet. Enj cracks a smile, ducking behind the laptop when Grantaire looks up. 

“Let’s give Courf one more solo,”

[antivanruffles]

Perfect

For @ellorgast who donated to the Rainbow Railroad during my fic drive! I’m sorry this is so late, but I hope you enjoy U/M Ballroom!Verse Honeymoon Shenanigans! 

Also up on AO3, and many thanks to @antivanonmytongue for help!

Edmond rubbed his temple where a pounding headache was starting to flair to life. Heaving a tired sigh, he pulled his out his cellphone and scrolled his contacts until he found the one he wanted. Selecting the name, he put the phone up to his ear as it rang. It was oddly tinny and hollow to his ears. 

As Edmond waited for them to pick up, he paced where he stood in front of the Champ de Mars, with the lush green lawns and flowering plants on full display while the Eiffel Tower rose behind them, completing the picturesque scene. The sun was starting to dip toward the skyline, setting the sky on fire with streaks of orange and red and pink, when a familiar voice finally picked up the phone.

“Edmond?” Kam sounded rightfully confused. “Is something wrong?” 

“I have lost my wife.” Edmond sighed again and wondered how this had all gone so wrong. 

***

The day that Edmond and Sylvia wed was as beautiful and perfect as a postcard. Sylvia spent months planning it down the smallest detail, and all of her diligence had paid off. 

In the end the whole affair was a lot grander than Edmond had expected, but that was what happened when one was a marrying a Lord’s daughter. The final guest list was shockingly large and full of many notable names. It was a little unnerving knowing that royals would be attending his wedding, but all in all it was good seeing as Edmond’s side was rather sparse. 

The estate gardens were in full bloom, awash with a riot of colors and the air full of the heady scent of roses. Perfect for the reception. The church they had chosen was done up in shades of shining silver and blushing pink. 

Edmond’s tuxedo had been perfectly tailored and Syliva had been like a dream come true in layers of taffeta and tulle. Edmond had never been happier in his life as they had danced late into the night. Everyone and everything else forgotten for the brief, perfect moment. 

Unfortunately the perfection of that day did not translate to their honeymoon. It all started with arrival at their lodgings in Paris. 

The place was a quiet little inn, romantic and private, and hidden away from the more touristy areas. Edmond knew it would be the perfect place to spend their honeymoon. The only problem was that there had been a mix-up with the reservation, they had gotten the dates wrong. After a back and forth with the manager, who apologized profusely for the inconvenience and offered to comp them a champagne breakfast for the duration of their stay, he offered them the only room available. 

With a resigned sigh, Edmond turned to Sylvia. Room keys in hand.

“How much of that did you understand?” he asked. Sylvia’s French was passable, and she was improving leaps and bounds every day, but she wasn’t quite fluent yet. 

“Enough. I did hear the word champagne though!” She smiled sweetly, as bright and happy as ever, and that helped to ease some of the tension coiling inside Edmond. 

He knew their room would be nice enough, but it wouldn’t be the honeymoon suite he had arranged for with rose petals and candles and a bottle of wine. Unfortunately there was little he could do about it at the moment. Not if they actually wanted a room for the night. 

They made their way to the room with their luggage in tow. The inn was everything Edmond thought it would be, and that was something good at least. Sylvia appeared enamored with it, marveling the paintings on the walls as they went, gushing over the brightly colored geraniums visible in the window boxes. 

There was a particularly lovely red geranium outside the window across from their door, and just beyond that was a small, well tended garden with a rainbow of roses. Edmond decided to take that as a good sign as he opened the door to their room and stepped inside. 

At a glance everything appeared in perfect order, meticulously clean, with a view of an ivy covered wall -- not the view of the Eiffel Tower he had been hoping for, but pretty nonetheless. The furniture was antique and extremely well cared for, the bedding looked plush with stacks of gold tasseled throw pillows and burgundy accents. 

Although that was where the problem with the room lie: the bed. Or rather the beds. They had been given a double. Edmond sat down their bags and started muttering to himself. Sylvia entered behind him and shut the door with a faint click. Turning around to fully take in the room, she started giggling. 

“It’s sweet, like they used to do in old television shows.” She looked up at Edmond, trying to smother down her laughter. It wasn’t working. 

“Yes, perfect for a honeymoon, hm?” 

“We can always share,” Sylvia said, looping her arms around his waist. She tilted her head back to look at him. “I don’t take up much space, and besides it’ll be cozy. Nothing wrong with cozy.” 

She had him there, and so Edmond once again did his best to shove aside his disappointment with the mix-up. He wrapped his arms around her, and drew her closer. 

“You are right, of course” he said. “It is only that I had things planned a certain way. Now they are not going as planned.” 

“It’s all right, it can be like adventure we figure out as we go.” She grinned widely, eyes sparkling as one cheek dimpled. 

“And you are right again.” He dipped his head, intending to kiss his new bride when there came a knock at the door. Edmond untangled himself from Sylvia and answered it. A young woman from the front desk held up an ice bucket with a chilling bottle of champagne, and two flutes. 

“Compliments of the manager,” she said and handed the items off. 

“Thank you.” Edmond nodded kindly -- it wasn’t her fault she had interrupted them after all -- and kicked the door shut. He turned back to Sylvia. “Well, at least now you have your champagne.” 

***

After enjoying their champagne they settled into their room before deciding to have a meal at a quaint cafe near the inn. Their meal was delicious, their service attentive, and of course Edmond’s dining companion was without compare. It appeared things were finally looking up despite the earlier headaches, and Edmond intended to put it all behind him and fully enjoy his honeymoon. 

Unfortunately their bad luck soon reasserted itself. The strap on Sylvia’s shoe broke on their way back, and she twisted her ankle. They iced it, and though the swelling wasn’t too bad, it was quite tender. Because of that they spent their first night in Paris in their separate beds as Sylvia propped up her ankle and refused to even put a sheet over it. 

By morning Edmond was on his guard against more ill fortune. It was of little consequence. Sylvia’s ankle meant their itinerary must be put on hold. 

“I’ve ruined everything, haven’t I?” She was pouting, and that would never do. He dropped a kiss to the top of her head.

“It is hardly your fault the strap broke.”

“But now I’m stuck here for the day instead of sightseeing.” 

“Well, we can spend the day drinking champagne in the garden. That doesn’t sound too bad, does it? If we keep ice on your ankle, I’m sure it will be better tomorrow.”

That pacified Sylvia for the meantime, and once again she was all smiles. A marked improvement over the pouting. With a quick call to the front desk to arrange their day, they made their way to sit in the small gazebo in the gardens.

Truly, it wasn’t a terrible way to spend their day. Even if it wasn’t what had been planned. Although as they sat in the sunshine filtering through the ivy canopy Edmond decided he would make new plans. Something extra special to make up for the disastrous start to their honeymoon. 

***

“What do you mean you lost your wife?” Kam sounded incredulous. 

“He lost Sylvia?!” Mina cried before there was an odd muffled sound, almost like Kam was covering the phone.

Edmond listened to the sound of muted rustling of something brushing against the mouthpiece, and hissed words he couldn’t quite make out. Now worried, Edmond wondered if he should try to call someone to check on Kam. Before he could act Mina’s voice sounded clearly in his ear. 

“Edmond, what’s wrong?” Her voice was soft with concern, and as earnest as always. So Edmond relayed the mishaps that had befallen them since arriving in Paris, plus his current predicament. 

“Her ankle was finally better, so I sent her to the shops for a bit while I arranged for a surprise picnic in Champ de Mars. It was going to be so romantic with the sun setting as they turned on the lights on the Eiffel Tower. But now I am here, the sun is nearly set, our food is spoiling, and she will not answer her phone!”

“She probably got waylaid shopping, it is Sylvia after all. Or she forgot to charge her phone. I wouldn’t worry too much yet.” 

“That does me no good, Mina. The surprise is ruined and I am worried regardless.” 

“Gimme a second. Here’s Kam back.” The phone went quiet again, but it no longer sounded like Kam was being accosted. 

“What’s going on?” Edmond asked.

“Hell if I know, she just bolted from the room.” Kam snorted. “She’s right though, you shouldn’t worry. There are plenty of perfectly plausible reasons why Sylvia might be running late.” 

“I know that. It’s only that--” It was only that Sylvia had spent all of her time and attention on the wedding, and it had been beyond perfect. In every way. Edmond had imagined the honeymoon being just as wonderful. Only Edmond wasn’t sure how to explain that to Kam without sounding like a complete sap. 

“Ah ha!” Mina’s triumph cry saved him from having to try at all. 

“What was that?”

“Putting you on speaker,” Kam said. 

“What is it?” Edmond asked.

“Well, it was a combination of things. She did get sidetracked shopping, then she dropped off her things at the hotel, and then she got a little turned around trying to find the park.” 

“How do you know all of that?!” Edmond stopped his pacing and pulled the phone the away from his ear to glare at it. 

“It’s Sylvia, she never has her ringer on. She didn’t hear you calling or texting.” 

“Then how did you get hold of her?” Kam sounded just as incredulous as Edmond felt. 

“I commented on her newest Instagram post asking her to DM me ASAP. Come on, it’s totally obvious. I’m surprised you two didn’t think of it.” Mina sounded so nonchalant, as if she had just told them the time of day. 

“Mina, you know I’m old and Edmond is technology impaired. Neither of us have any clue what you just said.” 

“It doesn’t matter. Sylvia will be there shortly, I promise.” 

“Right,” Kam drug out the word. 

“Don’t give me that look, Kam. It’s fine. They’ll be fine. I think at this point it’s a proven fact all of you Ryan men, be they blood or adopted, are all cursed to have bad honeymoons.” 

“That’s not tru--”

“It is!” Mina cut him off. “Jaden and Ramona almost got divorced as soon as they eloped. Neven nearly broke an ankle, which isn’t just bad luck for him but absolutely the work of a curse! And don’t even get me started on ours.”

“Our honeymoon was mother nature’s fault, not mine!”

“Yes it was, because you’re a Ryan! Now poor Edmond is suffering the same fate because you decided to adopt him.” Mina’s voice got closer to the phone. “Don’t worry, Edmond, it’ll work out in the end.”

“Perhaps this was a bad idea….” Edmond trailed off, wondering if Mina was right. Maybe everything was destined to go wrong no matter how hard he tried?

“Edmond?” Kam’s voice sounded closer, more clear, and Edmond guessed he had been taken off speaker. “Are you all right?” 

“I think so.” Edmond sank down on the low wall lining the entry to the park, shoulders sagging. 

For a brief moment he entertained the idea of fleeing Paris before he further incurred the curse’s wrath. He imagined grabbing Sylvia’s hand the moment she turned up, dragging her back to their room and packing their things before it was even full dark. 

“There’s not a curse, you know. Mina is just off her rocker.” 

“I HEARD THAT!” Mina cried in the background. 

“She does make a good point, however,” Edmond said. 

“She does not. Even if she did, what difference does it make? So the honeymoons are shit. Jaden and Romona are still happily married, bickering and making up as the wind changes. Neven has full use of all of his limbs. And Mina and I were not blown away by a hurricane in Miami. Now it’s all happy marriages and good times.” 

“ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT, BABE!?” 

“Do you wish you had married Anton instead?” Kam yelled back.  

“OH MY GOD! EW!” 

Despite himself Edmond cracked a smile at their antics. Kam was right, everyone was happy now. Things were good. Life was good. That was what was important. 

“Look--” Kam started but Edmond cut him off when he caught sight of a familiar head of blonde hair. 

“She’s here. We’ll talk later, yes?” 

“Yeah, mate. Go enjoy time with your wife.” 

“You too,” Edmond said laughingly as he hung up. He managed to get his phone into his pocket just before the whirling dervish that was his wife slammed into his side. It was a good thing there was no one around to comment on such an unladylike demonstration. 

“I’m so sorry! I completely lost track of time so I didn’t even think to check my mobile until I got the notification from Mina and she said you were worried.” 

“It’s all right.” Edmond wrapped his arms around her shoulders, and rested his cheek against the top of her head. 

“It’s not all right! I didn’t mean to worry you and I’m sorry I keep ruining things--”

“You haven’t ruined anything.” He didn’t want to tell her that he believed Mina when she said they were cursed, because it sounded crazy in his own head. And yet…

“What was your surprise anyway?” Sylvia pulled back in order to look him in the eyes. Her eyes were shining with curiosity, bright and blue. 

“A picnic,” he said as he started to turn her around. The lights on the Eiffel Tower were just starting to burst into life, the sky turning to deep navy while the horizon beyond still glowed a brilliant pink. “And that.” 

“Oh, it’s beautiful!” They stood together watching the lights, Sylvia resting her back against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. “This is perfect, Edmond.” 

“Are you sure? There was supposed to be a picnic under the trees with all your favorites and chilled champagne.” He pointed to the blanket near them, and a wicker basket sat atop it. “I fear now everything is less than perfect. It seems nothing has gone according to plan.”

“So?” she asked with a shrug as she turned to face him. 

“So?” Edmond frowned at her. “I wanted this to be everything you deserve. I tried to make it absolutely perfect, and now everything has gone wrong in some way.” 

“It is perfect, Edmond.” She glanced back at the Eiffel Tower. “We’re in Paris and I’m with you and we’re married. If that isn’t perfection I don’t know what is.” 

Edmond knew she truly believed it was perfect, and how he loved her for that. “I think the only thing here that is perfect is you.”

“That’s not true!” Sylvia giggled, her cheeks growing dark. “I forgot the time and got lost on my way here. I’m hardly perfect.” 

“Doesn’t matter.” He shook his head. “To me you are.” 

Sylvia didn’t hesitate before lifting up onto her toes to kiss him. They stayed together a moment, her arms around his neck, and his circling her waist. Eventually Edmond withdrew and offered her his hand with a slight bow.

“Will you dance with me?” 

“There’s no music,” she laughed. 

“So?” He shrugged. “We are young and in love and in Paris. What else are we supposed to do but dance?” 

With a glowing smile Sylvia slipped her hand into his, and together they fell into a slow waltz on the sidewalk in front of the Champ de Mars, bathed in the light from the streetlamps. They danced until dawn, completely lost to the world, before finally retreating to their inn and the waiting champagne breakfast. 

It was utterly perfect. 

[sarahtaylortraveladventures]

Week 10 (March 11 - 17)

Guten tag!

 I can’t believe it’s already week 10 - time is going by really quickly because I’m so busy with my internship. I’ve also been working on my research from Elon as part of my honors program, so it’s been a very hectic week! Fortunately I submitted my research proposal right before I wrote this blog, so that is definitely a nice thing to have taken care of!

I am still doing my internship Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday during the day, so I don’t have much to report since I’m basically in an office all day. I still really enjoy the work I’m doing and it’s fun getting to know the people I work with too.

Tuesdays are my day off though, so I worked on my research proposal in the morning and then went to a museum in the afternoon. I went to the Käthe Kollwitz museum, which is dedicated to a famous artist from Berlin. She does a lot of sculptures and drawing and it was really cool. They don’t allow visitors to take pictures inside, but they have a replica of one of her more famous statues outside.

Cologne, Germany

This past weekend, my roommate and I went to Cologne and met up with my friend Devon from Elon! She’s studying abroad in Paris, so Cologne was around the same distance by train for both of us. It was so great to see her and I really enjoyed Cologne. Originally the forecast was calling for rain the entire time we were there, but luckily the rain held off for almost the entire weekend!!

We took a very early train and got to Cologne around lunchtime. We even had to switch trains twice since there wasn’t a cheap direct train, but we did it and I was pretty proud. Once we got to Cologne, we found a cute cafe and got lunch and then of course some streusel! 

Afterwards, we went to this little church near our airbnb that was really cool.

Then we went to the Cologne Cathedral. It’s gorgeous and much, much bigger than I was expecting! This photo doesn’t even show how large it is. They are doing some work on the left side, which is why there’s scaffolding.

The inside was equally impressive. There were so many beautiful stained glass windows!!

The floors also had a really beautiful tilework too.

That night, we actually went to a bar nearby and just caught up about each other’s lives. It was really fun to hear about how everything is going in Paris and about things happening back at Elon!

The next morning, we started the day at another cafe and then went to the original Eau de Cologne shop, which they have now turned into a museum. I honestly didn’t know that cologne was from Cologne, so it was really cool to learn more about it!

Afterwards, we walked around the Old Town part of Cologne, which looks like what you would picture a smaller German town looking llike. There’s this really cool spot with a row of colorful buildings where you can also see another church, and it made a really nice photo spot! 

We also walked along the river a little, which was really pretty!

That afternoon, we went to the Cologne Chocolate Museum. It’s owned by the Lindt chocolate company, and I’m not really sure why it’s in Cologne, but when we found out about it we knew we had to go!

Outside there were big chocolate bunnies!!

They had a really cool room that was modeled after a rainforest where cocoa beans would grow. It was really warm and a nice change from how chilly Germany is :)

There was also a giant chocolate fountain and a lady dipping waffers and giving them as samples. The museum showed the machine process for how they make and package some of the chocolate, which was really interesting to watch.

There was also a section with old chocolate and cocoa boxes on display.

Afterwards, we went to the cafe in the museum and got fondue. It was so so yummy!!

We also went to the giftshop, and it was crazy how realistic the cars look even though they’re made of chocolate!

That night, we went to an Irish Pub to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It was a great end to a wonderful weekend! 

We took an early train back to Berlin on Sunday and then I did work the rest of the day. Cologne is a really cute city and I’m glad we got to visit. Definitely a more relaxing weekend with time to just chat, which I appreciated!

Another amazing week in Germany! I miss you all!! <3 

[gewuerztruckli]

Dip Kennenlernset vom Gewuerztruckli 1x Toscana Dip à Fr. 7.50 1x Chimichurry Dip à Fr. 6.20 1x Akropolis Dip à Fr. 6.50 1x Cafe de Paris à Fr. 6.50 Im Wert von Fr. 26.70 Jetzt für Fr. 24.- Zzgl Versand Fr. 8.60 Bezahlen kannst du mit twint od. Onlinebanking Schau auch unsere anderen inserate an. Oder frag uns nach dem link zum onlineshop. Wo de auch Gewürze, Tee, Schmuck, Räucherwerk u vieles mehr findest #kräuterhexe #Kräuter #tee #homesweethome #bergen #wetter #räuchernmitkräutern #grillen #grillieren #kochen #steack #steak #garten #gewürze #gewuerztruckli #fannysgwürztruckli (hier: Gewürztruckli) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWzncGfK17a/?utm_medium=tumblr

[halalodnapja]

Cafe De Paris Rezepte

Das Cafe De Paris ist eines der beliebtesten und traditionellsten französischen Restaurants der Welt. Es befindet sich im Zentrum von Paris, nur ein paar Schritte vom Eiffelturm und dem Louvre entfernt. Dieses kleine, aber feine Restaurant ist darauf spezialisiert, köstliche französische Gerichte zu servieren. In der Tat ist das Cafe De Paris Gewürz das einzige Restaurant in Genf, das authentische französische Küche serviert. Es begann im späten 19. Jahrhundert als eine kleine Bar, versteckt in einer Ecke des modischen Marais. Heute wird dieses kleine und gemütliche Restaurant immer noch von Parisern besucht, die auf der Suche nach einem guten Essen und einem guten Drink sind.

Cafe De Paris ist eine leichte Soße auf Butterbasis, die oft zu leicht gegrilltem Rindfleisch serviert wird. Wenn sie mit einer Scheibe Faux-Filet oder einem Entrecote serviert wird, nennt man das Ergebnis "Faux-Filet" oder "Entrecote de Cafe de Paris". Das Wort "fette" kommt von einer Mischung aus französischen Wörtern, die "flach, fettfrei und salzig" bedeuten. Eine wörtlichere Übersetzung für das Wort wäre "Pizzasalz". Die Sauce ist eigentlich kein Pizzagewürz, sondern eine Mischung aus Butter, Mehl und Zwiebeln, die für eine leicht gebräunte Sauce verwendet wird.

Cafe De Paris wird mit einer einfachen Kombination aus Mehl, Knoblauch, Zwiebeln, Butter, Milch, Sahne und Zitronensaft hergestellt. Normalerweise wird sie mit Zitronensaft, Salz und Pfeffer und manchmal ein wenig Senf kombiniert. Es gibt mehrere Variationen zu diesem Thema; das klassische Rezept verlangt jedoch immer eine Tasse Butter, eine Tasse Senf und zwei Tassen Milch.

Wozu passt Cafe De Paris

Cafe De Paris Sauce passt hervorragend zu jeder Art von Fleisch. Wenn Sie also etwas suchen, das zu Hühnersalat, Schweinekoteletts, Thunfischsalat, Makkaroni und Käse oder Rindereintopf passt, werden Sie im Restaurant fündig. Für Vegetarier oder diejenigen, die auf ihren Cholesterinspiegel achten, bietet das Restaurant vegetarische Versionen der beliebten Sauce an. Obwohl Lendensteak eine übliche Basis für die Sauce ist, können auch andere Fleischsorten hinzugefügt werden, wie zum Beispiel Kalbfleisch. Aus diesem Grund hat sich das Restaurant auf den Bereich der Desserts ausgeweitet: Kuchen, Torten und Gebäckspezialitäten.

Wie bereitet man Cafe De Paris zu?

Die Zubereitung der Cafe De Paris ist nicht schwierig, erfordert aber etwas Übung. Die Butter ist die schwierigste Zutat, die man richtig hinbekommt. Die Verwendung der richtigen Butter ist grundlegend für die Herstellung der perfekten Sauce. Sie müssen genau die richtige Menge an Butter hinzufügen, die richtige Temperatur verwenden und sie gründlich kochen lassen, bevor Sie den Zucker oder die Stärke zur Butter hinzufügen. Zucker und Stärke funktionieren gut als Verdickungsmittel in der Sauce. Sie können den Zucker und die Stärke bei Zimmertemperatur hinzufügen und umrühren, um sie zu verbinden, dann die Butter wieder auf die richtige Temperatur bringen und erneut umrühren.

Wenn die Butter die richtige Temperatur hat, fügt der Senf einen süßen Geschmack hinzu, ist aber auch ein Muss beim Kochen der Sauce. Der Senf sollte zur gleichen Zeit wie die Butter hinzugefügt werden. Die Worcestershire-Sauce ist eine Mischung aus Kräutern und Gewürzen, darunter Thymian, Piment, Lorbeerblatt, Fenchel und Zimt. Diese Kombination wird verwendet, um dem Gericht seine unverwechselbare Identität und Tiefe zu verleihen.

[plumandfinch]

Wonderful

A very merry Blake-mas to my giftee @andallthatmerrymishigas - hope you are having a wonderful holiday season, friend, and that you enjoy this! 

The answer to the question of what to get his wife for Christmas finally comes to him in Melbourne. 

He’s there as a witness for a trial, feeling terribly that he left Jean, still recovering, behind in Ballarat.

The winter and spring had been particularly tough, two tragic cases right in a row, and a terrible strain of a spring flu had swept through both Ballarat in general, and their house in particular. He, Matthew, and Danny had it first and had been terrible patients; grumpy, cantankerous, and demanding. After one day of the three keeping her on the run, Jean insisted that Danny move down to the couch so that at least they were all on the same floor. Lucien liked to think he received special treatment but her fury at finding him teetering into his dressing gown a full two days before he was actually on the mend had him thinking again.

Unable to keep still, he was up two short days after that, a renewed spring in his step, and upon strolling into the kitchen, found his beautiful bride, sitting at the table, cooling cup of tea untouched and head in her hands.

Jean, of course, made a much better patient than he - “Turnabout should be fair play,” she groused croakily one evening, “but I don’t have the energy to do anything but sleep.” - even though he could tell she hated to not be up and about.

“How are you feeling, love?” he asks.

“Terrible.” she whispers.

She was, as she would complain to Alice, sick as a dog.

--

She has moved to the couch which is where he finds her the day before they board the train. He hates to leave her, but he and Matthew both are summoned to the trial and there’s nothing either of them can do about that.

“Alice is going to cover me both here and at the station, should Danny need her. She is also under strict instructions to keep her eyes on you.”

“Oh Lucien, I’ll be fine” she scoffs, the effect ruined somewhat by the cough she tries to bury delicately into her handkerchief.

--

“Blake residence,” comes the froggy voice at the other end of the phone.

“Darling.”

“Lucien! How are you, how is Melbourne?”

“The trial is difficult, as we expected,” he sighs, “but the more important question is, how are you? Alice says you’re up your feet.”

“Oh, is Alice one of your spies now?”

He chuckles warmly, “You know very well that I called her to confirm something.”

“Well, regardless, I’m feeling better and I’ve invited Alice for Christmas again.”

Lucien is quiet for a moment. “You know we don’t have to have a big do? I’m not there to help you and you’ve been so sick.”

“Lucien, it’s Christmas. And our first married one at that. I’ll be fine and you’ll help when you get home.”

That apparently being that, they moved on to pleasantries before he hung up. It was then that inspiration struck and he picked up the phone again.

--

He had been worrying about it for some time, almost since the wedding. He wanted so much for this first Christmas to be perfect. They are so incandescently happy and he is desperate to mark that in some way.

“Well, I’m getting Alice a bracelet. She admired one in a shop window so I figured that would be a good bet.” Matthew admits after Lucien confesses his concern in a quiet moment on the train.

“I got Jean earrings last year, I suppose a bracelet that matches them would be nice.”

“We can’t bloody well get the same thing, Lucien. They spend too much time with each other, they’re bound to notice.”

They sit in silence for awhile until Lucien looks so crestfallen that Matthew concedes, “It’ll come to you. You’ll know what to get her.”

--

In the end, he and Matthew barely make the last train home on Christmas Eve. They let themselves quietly into the house and Lucien makes a quick stop to investigate the tree in the living room, silently thanking Danny for his assistance, before soundlessly moving into their bedroom.

The dip in the mattress when he finally gets into bed wakes her.

“You’re home,” she murmurs, sleepily, rolling over to wind her arm around him.

There’s a moment of adjusting until they’re both comfortable and she feels the rumble of his voice. “We just made it.”

“My Christmas present,” Jean says happily before her breathing evens out and she’s asleep again.

--

“Oh Lucien.” Her eyes are glimmering and he’s afraid he will burst with joy. His first gift lays open in her lap. He had watched her realization dawn as she removed the delicate cream paper and the lightest notes of scent had drifted out. “It’s the perfume from Selfridges.”

They had ducked into the department store off of London’s busy streets to escape a sudden shower and he had watched her linger at the counter, laughing with the young salesgirl, as she proffered the inside of her wrist for a sample. In the end, they had left it behind but he caught intoxicating ribbons of it as she moved around for the rest of the day.

Now, in the morning light of their living room, he places a second box in her hands as Alice, their de facto elf with new bracelet sparkling gaily on her wrist, shifts the perfume back under the tree.  

Matthew unwraps a handsome pair of cufflinks, looking delighted and earning a kiss on the cheek from a beaming Alice, as Jean pulls a glittering crystal jar out of a mound of tissue paper.

“Well, this is beautiful,” she pauses to pull the heavy top off and sniff at the contents, “Lucien?”

“Bath salts, from that hammam...”

She had adored Turkey but his suggestion of visiting a public bath had really given her pause. “I don’t know if I’m that adventurous, Lucien.” He had watched as she stared into the marketplace from their little cafe table. She turned back to him suddenly, shoulders squared and eyes sparkling, “Let’s.”

“Ah,” she says catching his eye slyly, pink rising in her cheek, “that will be very relaxing. Alice, would you hand Lucien that green box? I shouldn’t be the only one opening gifts. Make sure you and Matthew have something to open as well.”

Alice obliges and before sitting back down in her own chair sets a third gift of two delicately stacked boxes in front of Jean.

She looks so gobsmacked, Lucien laughs and nudges her shoulder with his own. “This is the last one from me, darling, I promise. Open the bottom first.”

He cheerfully tears through the well-wrapped package labeled with her careful script that Alice had dutifully handed him to find a beautiful, intricate navy sweater. About to compliment her, he is interrupted by his wife’s joyous laugh, having discovered the bottom box was full of macarons.

She had loved the chewy pastries so much, he had bought a whole box and they ate them slowly on the banks of the Seine, hand in hand. “Between these and that heavenly chocolate in Switzerland, I’m going to need a new wardrobe. It’s good we don’t have these in Ballarat!” She laughs in the perfect loose way that he’s still getting used to. “I’m sure you could bake them.” “Lucien Blake, do not tempt me!”  

Now, she laughs again and immediately passes them around the group. “I have been dreaming of these ever since we had them in Paris.”

“We could have some of this to go with them,” chuckles Matthew, holding up his newly unwrapped bottle of scotch.

“Matthew, you know I love whiskey but I’m not sure about that idea.”

“Here’s another one for you Lucien.”

“Thank you for playing our elf, Alice” Lucien grins as she hands over a present.

“Lucien!” Jean exclaims, having opened the top box.

“Ah, um, Matthew?” Lucien hastily says, “I meant to tell you something.”

“What a lovely bracelet!”

--

“You really do spoil me, you know,” she says from the vicinity of his chest where she is currently snuggled. He lays a soft kiss on her forehead.

The roast for dinner was in the oven and the rest of the guests aren’t expected for another hour so they take the opportunity to slip into their bedroom for a nap.

“You deserve to be spoiled. And you’ve been feeling so miserable, I wanted to make you feel better.”

They are silent for a moment.

“I have one last gift for you,” she says solemnly as she leans over to get a neatly wrapped box out of her nightstand drawer.

“Who’s being spoiled now?”

They sit up and lean against the headboard as he slides the wide ribbon off and removes the paper. There is a very soft sound as he lifts the cardboard lid off and moves the layer of tissue paper to find a second navy sweater, this time very small. He stares at it.

“It was the flu that made me suspicious. I was sicker than any of you and it stayed for so long and I am still tired all of the time. Alice was here a lot, taking care of the surgery, and I asked her if she would-”

And then he is kissing her fiercely, cupping her face in his hands.

Somehow, in the endless lead up to their marriage, they have never spoken about it. But then they are strolling hand in hand down a side street in Rome when they come upon a boisterous football game played by a ragtag band. They are still smiling when she says “Oh Lucien, I’m too old for that” in response to his unasked question. He caresses her cheek then. “You’re not too old for anything, darling.” She turns to place a kiss on his palm. “If it happens,” he continued, “that will be wonderful. If it doesn’t, it will still be wonderful.”    

“Alright?” she asks now, somewhat breathlessly.

“Wonderful,” he replies.

[benbarnesescape]

Un Moment à Paris

Request: The only thought I had was that he decides to grab a coffee in a Starbucks and for some reason he starts a casual conversation with a girl (whom he obviously finds attractive 😆) and both of them lay their phones on the counter. And when they say their goodbyes he grabs her iPhone by mistake and she does his.

A/N: For my lovely @la-fille-en-aiguilles, I hope this is what you are looking for. I made an edit for this story so you know what that means loves - you’re in for a series!  Cuz who writes one drabble (not this gal!)

Permanent Tags: @ladyblablabla @starless-skyox @livelearnandtravel

*If you’d like to be tagged just let me know*

Warnings: Aside from some f bombs and my bad French none. I mean it.  I do not speak French at all. I barely can write Spanish soooooooo all my translations are from Google translate. Apologies if they are sloppy!

The early rays of morning broke through the hotel room thick curtains, falling on fine features of Benjamin Barnes face as he lay in bed, his chocolate eyes slowly opening as the city slowly came to life.  He had been up for minutes, taking in the soft chatter of people as they roused from their sleep within the hotel, the foreign words falling easily on his ears as the faint sounds of cars as they began their commute to work. 

Paris.

It had been a long time since he had been in the city of love and he was happy to be back again. Even though it was for work - four months to be exact- on a movie he was filming, he didn’t mind. Paris was a place of passion and life and he was eager to drink in the energy of the city to go the role he had taken.

After taking the time to get ready and check his itinerary for the day he debated his next move. He wasn’t expected for anything until around 2 and he could take the opportunity to dive into his script from the comfort of his hotel room. He smirked, grabbing the thick script and his hotel key card, checking his back pocket for his wallet and leaving the room.

He was in Paris. Who the hell stayed in their room when they were living in one of the best cities in the world?

Thirty minutes later, he was walking down the busy streets of the city, watching as the  streets became fuller and fuller before he found the hidden restaurant that simply read Cafe on the window. He had almost walked into the Starbucks that was a block away from his hotel but stopped himself. You could drink Starbucks, literally, anywhere in the world. It would be lost on him if he didn’t challenge himself to find something homier. Something more authentic.

He chuckled as he opened the door, shaking his head. Homier and authentic was such a pretentious thought. 

He walked up to the counter, scourging the menu before it clicked in his head. He didn’t know French. At most, he could navigate his way to a library or museum. Reading it was just insult to injury and he cursed himself as the waitress behind the counter smiled at him before asking, 

“Ce que vous voulez?”

He blinked at her for a few seconds, trying to gauge his bearing. Fuck he really should have thought this through.

“Un croissant with ham? Jamon?” he shakes his head. He was very sure he was mixing his French and Spanish together.

‘Way to blend in Barnes.’ he thought to himself. 

“Jambon?” she corrects him.

“Oui! And cafe….. con….” he begins, the uncertainty in his words hanging in the air.  More Spanish and French mingled together. Fuck he should have put more stock in his 8th grade French class. She nods, eagerly happy to help him through his struggle as she asks,

“Crème et le sucre dans votre café?”

He thinks it through. Did she ask if he wanted cream?

“No….no creme. Ahhh dulce et cafe??”

She raises an eyebrow and he kicks himself mentally. So much for that homey and authentic experience. How could he forget that he didn’t know a lick of French. 

“Il aimerait avoir de sucre dans son café” a soft voice says from behind him and a young woman smiles at the waitress across the counter, repeating his order in fluent French. She looks up at him and asks,

“Would you like anything else?”

Ben is floored. To say that she was beautiful would be doing her little justice. Her hair was pulled back in a simple coiff yet few strands danced around her face. She had a full mouth that was tugged into a smile, exposing two deep dimples on either side of her cheek. She had a pretty frame, it was full and curvy and he tried his best to not allow his eyes to linger.  Her eyes, though kind were eager and taking him in, probably trying to understand why the idiot she was helping was speaking three languages poorly.

“Do you not speak English?” she asks, her accent circling around each syllable and he shakes his head, nodding before saying,

“I do I- sorry about that. Yea, um….I’ll cover whatever you are buying.”

This time she frowns at him, her eyes knitting together and he smiles back at her,

“Please - I insisit. Its the least I can do for you helping me out with my order.”

The woman nods slowly, turning to the waitress and easily telling her order.

“Thank you.”

“Of course. Please, would you mind joining me for breakfast?”

She eyes him skeptically, before she shrugs.

“Why not. You bought my breakfast - the least I can do is enjoy it with you.”

You watched the tall handsome man stride confidently to a table by the window, pulling out your chair for you before taking the seat across from you. You slide it into yours easily, placing your bag at your feet and your phone on the table. He mimics your movement, placing his phone beside your own and leans back into his seat.

“How does a handsome Brit like you find himself speaking Spanish in a French restaurant?” you ask, trying to gather a gauge on him. When you had walked into the awkward conversation, you had told yourself not to get involved. You were already late for work and had spent most of the night fighting with your ex boyfriend, who had found the time to drunkenly call you.

But you were charmed by the dark haired, British man who  fumbled his way through making a simple breakfast order and couldn’t help but step in. No one else was.

He chuckled, dipping his head low as he mumbled,

“Caught that did you? Was it really that bad?”

You nod, a smile on your face as he sighs.

“I just moved to Paris for work and thought I’d immerse myself in a French restaurant. Then forgot that I don’t speak French. At all.”

He smiles back at you, his dark eyes glistening with amusement,

“I swear beyond my limited language skills I’m a pretty intelligent guy.”

“Of course you are,” you sit up more as the waitress drops your order and you wait until she’s gone before saying,

“Because if you weren’t, you’d also notice that there are about five Americans in here that have been speaking English to our waitress the whole and and she was just pulling your leg, enjoying watching you struggle.”

His eyes furrow together, getting a bearing of the room as you sipped your coffee thoughtfully. He really was handsome, his chiseled jaw quenching as he listened intently to the same waitress speak to a table of young Americans in perfect English.

He groans though the smile never leaves his face as his eyes meet yours again.

“....I’m charming?” he finally says before taking a drink and you laugh, nodding.

“Now that I can believe.”

He chuckles again, taking a bite out of his croissant before looking up at you, mouth full of food.

“My name is Ben, by the way.”

“Observant, charming and so mindful of manners he talks with a mouth full of food. How lucky to have met you Ben.”

You tease, surprised at your angst. Maybe it was because, at this point in the year, you had just about given up on anything good happening in your life and Ben was refreshing. You watch as his face grows rosy, dipping his head down and you shake your head, taking a large bite into your similar croissant.  Without shame you say,

“Y/N. Pleasure to have met you.”

He liked you. He couldn’t put his tongue on it, but there was something about you that wanted him to know more. Perhaps its was the bold way you answered his questions or teased him, causing him to wonder if he was as smooth as his friends would say.

He learned that you were a linguist for the UN and not a native of France, which explained the easy way you fell in and out of the language. He learned that you lived for mornings in Paris - that you enjoyed the smell of fresh baguettes being baked and the slow sound of a busy city coming to life as it had probably done for centuries. He took it that like himself you were probably a romantic but you’d never admit it to him and he liked that you wouldn’t. You were insistent to give him suggestions on restaurants that were off the grid, places that tourist catalogs or hotels wouldn’t suggest but would make him die inside because the food was just that good.

When he asked for what you loved best about Paris, you gave him those teasing eyes he had grown to fall for and shook your head.

“Once you have lived here long enough, we can compare. Until then, you need to experience it yourself.”

He had been enjoying his time so much that he had almost forgotten what time it was. Until the church bells rang and you looked up, checking the cafe’s time and jumping out of your chair.

“My goodness! Its almost ten. I’m late for work.”

You hastily grab your bag and snatch up your phone off the table, sticking it in your bag before turning to you.

“I’m sorry, so very sorry. I’m very late for work. It was great speaking with you and I hope you enjoy living here. It really is a great city.”

And before he can get a word in you’re gone.

He watches as you maneuver your way into the busy Paris streets, already a blur and he sighs, kicking himself again.

How did he go a whole two hours without asking for your number?

If his mother was here, she’d remind him that if things were truly meant to be as he hoped they would connect another way. It wouldn’t matter to her that he was in a city where there were thousands of people - she was a romantic at heart and believed paths crossed when they needed to.

If his younger brother was here he’d say he was a dumbass and deserved to lose out on a great girl like her.

Jack was probably right in this case.

His phone vibrated and he groaned, knowing it was probably his manager asking if he’d gone over his script and his eyes furrowed at the screen saver. It was of a fountain and three girls posing in front of it, big smiles on their faces. He grinned at the foreign language of the text previews staring back at him.

She had grabbed the wrong phone. Which meant that he’d have to return it back to her, gentleman that he was.

He put money on the table, standing up and whistling as he left the cafe, getting lost in the sea of people.

Should’ve known better than to think his mom wasn’t right.

[kayleygoestolondon]

Hola, Spain!

I’ve just logged on and realized that I haven’t posted since last summer... eek. In my defense, I didn’t travel anywhere exciting the first half of the school year, and by the time I went to Paris and Morocco, I thought people had surely lost interest in reading my posts. We have more important things to read about! Brexit! Donald Trump’s latest tweets! What bizarre name Kim Kardashian will give her newest baby! However, I had such an incredible time in Spain and Portugal that I figured I might as well write it down. Even if my grandparents are my only devoted readers, it’ll make a good memento for me to reflect on fondly when I’m 80 years old in a retirement centre in Camrose. 

My latest trip began with arguably the best flight I’ve ever had. Since I usually fly alone, I’m always stuck sitting beside one of the following Flight Ruiners™:

Crying infant who will not be soothed

Severely overweight person who insists on taking up most of my personal space

Armrest hogger

Somebody with a terrible illness (most likely the plague or Ebola) that coughs and sneezes the entire flight

NOT THIS TIME! I was seated with two guys from central London who were on their way to Barcelona for a bachelor party. At first, I expected the worst: when I flew to Morocco, an entire bachelor party boarded the plane at 6 AM already drunk and proceeded to be the most obnoxious human beings I’ve ever encountered for three hours. These guys redeemed my faith in good old British lads. They chatted with me the whole way about travel and insisted I have a drink with them to celebrate being hired at a new job! They even paid, which was great, because I am the stingiest person in the world and would never pay for a beer on a flight. It’s also part of my personal vendetta against RyanAir.  When we arrived in Barcelona, it was after midnight and pouring rain, so they offered to share their cab with me to make sure I got to my AirBnB safely. Chivalry isn’t dead after all!

My friends from Canada (Dillon, Candice, and Bal) were waiting up for me at the AirBnB with McDonald’s chicken nuggets and a batch of questionable homemade sangria. If that isn’t a welcome, I don’t know what is. 

BARCELONA

We had breakfast at the cutest tiny cafe and I had the best omelette of my life made by an equally cute and tiny Spanish woman. Also discovered that “cafe con leche” (Spanish coffee with milk) is pretty delicious.

We did a walking tour of the city and learned lots of interesting historical facts while seeing some of the main sights. On the tour, we met some other Canadians so we went for drinks with them afterwards. What a small world. 

Discovered you can go into a store and buy an entire jug of wine. Or, if you’re an efficient on-the-go type of person... wine juice boxes.

Checked out the Sagrada Familia. I’ve been to nearly every famous cathedral in Europe (#humblebrag) and this was the best one. If you go to Barcelona, it is 100% worth seeing.

Walked up to Parc Guell, which has a beautiful view over the city. Fun fact: the park was designed by Gaudi, the same designer of the Sagrada Familia. If you’re gonna read this all the way through, you bet I’m gonna give you some unrequested knowledge. His architectural style is pretty distinct and I really loved seeing how those elements were incorporated into the design of the park. 

Hopped in the car and prepared for the first portion of our journey. This is where it’s really important for me to note that we started our trip with “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under” by Shania Twain (more like Shania SPAIN, am I right? lololol). This song did not leave our heads for the entire week. I’m not exaggerating. We sang it constantly. In the car. At the beach. In the bar. SHANIA TWAIN EVERY DAY. 

DRIVING IN SPAIN

Since Spain drives on the right side like we do (sorry UK friends, but the left side is stupid and I will fight you about it), it was pretty easy to navigate... excluding the massive traffic circles with stoplights in them and no lanes marked. We circled those in terror, not knowing what we were doing but somehow avoiding collisions.

There are tolls EVERYWHERE. We paid 40 euros in tolls between Barcelona and Valencia, which is a toll-tally ridiculous amount (lol, I’m not even sorry for these jokes)

The highways are really well-maintained, but are virtually empty. We encountered almost no traffic at all and didn’t see any police either. Dillon did not take advantage of this and drove a respectable speed the whole way, rather than living out our Fast & The Furious fantasy

The Spanish countryside is really gorgeous. It’s much more mountainous than I realized, particularly the areas that we drove through. We got some really stunning scenic views along the way.

We all had important roles within the car. Dillon was the Driver, I was the Navigator/DJ, Candice and Bal were the backseat Snoozers and Snack Providers. This meant that Dillon was the MVP of the trip, because he drove without any road rage at all (how is that even possible... my driving is just like a constant stream of swearing), whereas my sole contribution was playing 500 Miles by the Proclaimers as often as possible. 

VALENCIA

We had the unfortunate timing of arriving Valencia just as a massive football game was ending; Valencia had won against Barcelona to win the Copa Del Rey. The streets were swarming with people and the honking was endless. Easily the second-most stressful part of our drive. Want to know the worst one? READ ON FOR MORE (#clickbait)

Spent our whole day there at the beach. The weather was great, if not a bit windy, and Dillon was magically transformed into a red lobster thanks to the sunshine. We all went home with sand everywhere. I think I still had some in my ears at the end of the trip.

We enjoyed beers and a selection of meats and cheeses on the beach. We ate so much meat and cheese during this week. You may be thinking, “Meat and cheese seem very impractical to eat on the beach because of all the sand”, and you would be CORRECT... but sandy cheese is better than no cheese. 

There were no toilets or change stalls at the beach so we had to go on a bit of an excursion to find somewhere. We eventually infiltrated a fancy hotel to use their lobby bathroom. Candice and Bal got caught going in the second time when the concierge asked if they “had enjoyed the toilettes, and would they perhaps now like to pay for something from the hotel bar”. They ran away. Classic escape!

We sampled a traditional Spanish drink, horchata, which is a “plant-based milk drink” according to Wikipedia. Sounds appealing, right? We collectively hated it. That’s what we get for trying something non-alcoholic. Therefore, it was logically much safer to stick with beer for the rest of the trip. At least, that’s what I told myself.

GRANADA

En route to Granada, we passed through a place called Lorca. High on top of a mountain, we could see a massive fortress. We spontaneously decided to drive up there and check it out. Turns out Castillo de Lorca was built in the 9th century and is one of the largest castles in Spain. Super cool... and we were the only tourists there!

Most Stressful Driving Moment: leaving Lorca Castle. Obviously because it’s on top of a mountain, the roads coming down were windy and steep. Our Google Maps got confused and took us down a side road into this local area that was hellishly narrow and we ended up going down a road that was like a 75 degree angle. I had visions of us driving our poor Volkswagen Polo off the edge of the cliff. Dillon, ever the stoic hero, got us out of it while I panicked and failed at asking locals for directions.

Our apartment in Granada was in the historic part of the city, within the old city walls. Think super tiny, winding cobblestone streets with high buildings. It was very charming, if not excessively sweaty climbing all the stairs. Good thing there was beer at the top!

In the evening, we went for a really great traditional dinner and then to a flamenco show. Definitely one of the highlights of the trip for me. For some reason, the waiter did not seem to think we were capable of drinking 2L of sangria when we first placed our order. We proved him wrong.

We sampled churros with chocolate the next morning. This is apparently quite a traditional thing and honestly I could eat it every day for the rest of my life. Who doesn’t want to start their day with deep-fried dough and chocolate dip?

As we left Granada, we stopped at Alhambra Palace & Gardens. It was founded in 889 AD and mostly constructed in the 13th century. The gardens were stunning and were more impressive than anything I’ve seen before, including the gardens of the Taj Mahal. (#humblebrag2) 

SEVILLE

It was a long walk from our AirBnB to the centre of Seville and it was about 35 degrees out, so we punctuated our stroll with frequent beer stops. This meant that we were feeling pretty good by the time we arrived at the Plaza de Espana. Some scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed here, so you could probably add our names to the credits now.

We then had the best seafood paella and sangria at a local restaurant! The paella was HUGE... and we ate all of it. No regrets. 

Seville was one of the friendliest places I’ve ever been. When we went for breakfast the next morning, we went to a local cafe where literally nobody spoke any English. The manager seemed really excited that we were there and got us our own separate table. There was no menu, so we managed to communicate that he could bring us whatever he wanted. We got this awesome selection of incredible sandwiches and he checked to make sure we were happy with them. Everywhere we went, people were super eager to please and would joke around with us, despite the language barrier. I’d go back here in a second.

FARO

We crossed the border into Portugal after leaving Seville and made a pitstop at Praia de Faro. It’s a small island that’s basically just beautiful beach and little bars and restaurants. We had some great beach time and beers because it was a scorching 37 degrees. Dillon attained an even higher level of lobster. 

Women on the beaches of Spain and Portugal often go topless... so when we asked a stranger to take a photo of the four of us on the beach, I realized afterwards that there was a mostly-naked lady in the background. Thank goodness for Photoshop; I made that disappear. 

LISBON

People in Portugal speak better English than people in Spain. I only managed to learn two words in Portuguese: “cerveja” (beer) and “obrigada” (thank you). I got along with those pretty well :)

The metro system in Lisbon is super easy and efficient, so for the first time we took advantage of public transit and spared ourselves walking everywhere in the extreme heat

When we went out for dinner that evening, we discovered that boiled meats are pretty standard in Portuguese cuisine. This was not my favourite :( On the other hand, Portuguese custard tarts (pasteis de nata) are phenomenal.  

We checked out the seaside and a couple of cool markets. We also took a walking tour here to learn more about the city. Our tour guide recommended a super cool bar underneath a church. There was some kind of street festival going on, so there were outdoor bars and decorations everywhere. We explored that and then ended at an outdoor cinema. 

I had to get up at 4:30 the next morning to get an Uber to the airport. Note to self: next time I have an early flight, don’t have so many cervejas the night before. Lesson learned. 

If you’ve made it this far, wow - you probably need a hobby! This trip was so much fun and so interesting; I really wanted to take the time to tell the story. If you haven’t been to Spain or Portugal, maybe I’ve convinced you to go. I couldn’t recommend it enough. I owe the biggest thank you to Dillon, Candice, and Bal for being my travel companions and for making me laugh a million times during the trip. What an amazing final experience before I head back to Canada in August :) 

[cvbucketlist-blog]

Bucketlist #026 - (141/312)

2017 GOALS

Art Gallery of Ontario

Toronto Islands

Ca Lem

Bruce Peninsula 

Cliff dive into water

Explore sea cave

Nuit Blanche

Catch ‘em all on Pokemon Go gen 1 (140/143)

FOOD & DRINK

Charcoal ice cream

Seven Lives

Figures

Famous Last Words

Teabot

La Carnita

Koo Koo

Fresh

Veghed

The Black Hoof

Schlouppe Bistrot Nakamichi

La Betise

Lee

Kampai Garden

Bord’elle

Le Mal Necessaire

Peameal bacon sandwich

Canal Lounge

Le Red Tiger

Big In Japan Bar

Marvens

Dine with a city view

Hibachi

Jellyfish

Butter Avenue

Red Bench

Marche Atwater

Candi Bar

Mme Lee

Romados

Wooffles & Cream

Terrasse Bonsecours

Laduree

Cafe du Monde (beignets!)

King cake

Garde Manger

Au Pied du Cochon

Deville Diner

Moishes

Live octopus

Twisters (aka Los Pollos)

The Boiling Crab

Blackstrap BBQ

Momofuku

Sweet Jesus

Deep dish pizza

Wah Sing

Mon Ami fried chicken

Kekou

Burger Priest

Mr. Puffs

Fugo

Kensington market

Doughnut cone

Pai

Chipotle

Koa Lua

Brigade Pizzeria Napolitaine

Raclette

The Lockhart

Ebisu

Randolph Pub Ludique

Thai style ice cream

C’Chocolat

The Halal Guys

Poop Cafe

Pumpkin spice latte

L’Avenue (+ check out bathroom)

Marche Jean Talon

Le Poke Bar

La Diperie

Firewhisky

Creme des Neiges

Tsujiri

Qing Hua dumplings

Escondite

Mandy’s

Cadbury creme egg mcflurry

Le Lab

Yokato Yokabai

Triple sake bomb

Nilufar

Shaved ice

Captain’s Boil

Have a huge turkey leg

Uncle Tetsu cheesecake

Baklava

Home cooked dinner by candle light

Five Guys burgers

Bang Bang ice cream with HK egg waffle cone

Ganadara

Lola Rosa

Sour amaretto

La Belle et la Boeuf

Allo Mon Coco

Kinka Izakaya

Mochi ice cream

Snakes & Lattes

Cat cafe

Kem Coba

Crawfish

Kinton Ramen

Kazu

In N Out

TRAVEL

Scandinavia

Montreal love sign

Watkins Glen State Park

Brooklyn bridge

Casa Loma

Vancouver

Canadian Rockies (Banff or Jasper National Park)

CN Tower edge walk

Go up the CN Tower

Croatia

Costa Rica

Cinque Terre, Italy

Return to Florence

Climb Stairway to Heaven in Hawaii

Alaska

Zion National Park, Utah

Travel to random location with no itinerary

Hike the Inca Trail

Thailand

Vietnam

Spain (especially Park Guell)

Visit 6 continents (no Antarctica)

Study/work/volunteer abroad

Northern Lights

New Orleans

Go on a cruise

Sunset in Santorini

Gondola ride in Venice

Real sushi in Japan

Asia tour

Europe tour

Giant turtles on Galapagos Islands

LOTR areas in New Zealand

Paris

Watch a show in Vegas

Walk across the Golden Gate bridge in SF

Broadway musical in NYC

Scuba dive in Great Barrier Reef

Stroll through Central Park

Antelope Canyons, Arizona

Board down the Alps

Road trip

Chicago

Scarborough Bluffs

Humber bridge

Toronto sign at night

Albion falls in Hamilton

Brookfield Place

Diagon Alley

Fly by myself

Hike Dundas Peak

Ripley’s Aquarium

Disneyland LA

Walk of Fame in LA

Cable car in San Francisco

Disneyworld Orlando

Drink Butterbeer at Wizarding World of HP

Pompeii

Acropolis

Colosseum

Florence

LEARN

Roll own sushi

Make pretty macarons

Take cooking class

Cook a really mean steak

Curl own hair nicely

Dance (ballroom, latin and contemporary, a little bit of hip hop)

Sewing basics

Bike.. properly (this is embarrassing)

Make pie from scratch

Make pizza from scratch (bonus: try to throw it in the air)

Billiards

Skating

Snowboarding

EVENTS

Hot air balloon festival

Osheaga

Have surprise party thrown for me

Van Gogh exhibition

Choir Choir Choir

Watch ballet

LOTR in Concert

1920s party

Obstacle course race

Easter egg hunt

Scavenger hunt (bonus: picture scavenger hunt)

Throw successful surprise party

Floating lantern festival

Attend a legit masquerade ball

Disney on Ice

White party

Toga party

Throw big house party

Igloofest

Ugly Christmas sweater party

Attend a concert

Meet Us the Duo

Chihuly exhibition

Ottawa Tulip Festival

Toronto Christmas Market

Food truck festival

Paint Night

Zelda symphony

Color Me Rad

Tam Tams

Piknic Electronik

Watch a musical

Lion King the musical

New Year’s kiss

Bake birthday cake for someone

Cosplay at Comic Con

Cirque du Soleil

ACTIVITIES

Pursuit OCR

Axe throwing

Partner yoga

Laser tag

Skyzone/iSaute

Snorkeling

Archery tag

Dragon boat

Sailing

Paragliding/parasailing

Jet ski

Stand up paddle board

Horseback riding

Archery

Paintball

Huge snowball fight with forts

Belaying/rock climbing

Bungee jump

Skydive

Beach volleyball

Dog sled

Ice fishing

Go karting

Aerial yoga

Pole dancing

Water gun/water balloon fight

Escape room

Musical swings

Spa

Zipline

Tubing

Canoe/kayak

AT LEAST ONCE

Ride a camel

Be apart of human pyramid

Swim in deep fresh water cave

Be apart of flash mob

Skinny dip

Hide n seek in Ikea

Fish pedicure

Bathe an elephant

Take antique theme photo

Climb tall tree

Infinity pool

Tandem bike

Cross hanging bridge

Build elaborate sand castle

Do flip on trampoline

Swim with dolphins

Ceramic cafe

Pottery wheel

Fruit picking

Hold/pet tiger cub

Professional photoshoot

See cherry blossoms in full bloom

Sing at live karaoke bar

Mistletoe kiss

Attach lock of love

Catch bouquet at wedding

Get drawing done by artist

Go underneath/behind a waterfall

Gingerbread house

Carve pumpkin

Hike up mountain

Shoot a gun

Ride an elephant

PERSONAL

Own 1861 dress

Sell piece of artwork

Make a singing/ukulele cover

Master the ukulele

Finish LOTR trilogy

Finish Millennium books

Have a table at a convention

Send postcard to PostSecret

Weigh at least 110 lbs

Donate blood

Watch all the Oscar’s best pictures (25/90)

Play Kingdom Hearts

Beat Twilight Princess

Be a bridesmaid

Adopt a puppy

Try watercolor

Obtain driver’s license

Reread The Little Prince

Design business cards

Make own website for artwork/portfolio/demo reel

Dye hair

Own ugly Christmas sweater

Make Facebook art page

Get celebrity’s autograph

Go to movies alone

Get gym membership

Studio internship

Inktober

Screen animation at film festival

Donate hair

Display artwork in gallery