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umichenginabroad · 1 year

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Paris (And Beyond) Week 5: Nice is Nice!

My 5th week in Paris (and elsewhere:)) has officially come to a close, meaning that I now have just a matter of days left in the country. I can’t believe it. As my days have become busier and busier, the time has gone by faster and faster, and this past week was no exception to the above.

I started out the week with a bit more free time than usual, my Fashion History teacher out of the country for 2 days and me therefore having only one class instead of two Monday and Tuesday. Monday, I profited from this time by making (yet another) Montmartre trip with my roommate, this time to get my portrait done by one of the local artists. This is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind souvenir and one you couldn't get anywhere but Paris!

On Tuesday, we headed to another lively district, Le Marais! This region is located between Paris’ 3rd and 4th arrondissements and is known for its trendy restaurant and shopping scene. We found that it lived up to this and proved to be a great way to pass the time before heading back for the night.

Wednesday both my courses resumed, meaning that I once again was busy for the majority of the day. Between attending class, studying for an upcoming quiz, and finishing up a report, I was able to make some time to meet with my high school French teacher, who was visiting with a group of students, for dinner and a trip to the Eiffel Tower. She is someone who played a large role in my appreciation for the French culture and desire to study abroad, and it was so special to be reunited with her in none other than Paris, France!

This past Thursday was also special because it was my 19th birthday and the first I’ve ever spent away from home. My friends and I celebrated by having a picnic at the Eiffel Tower, complete with some cute French desserts (and failed candle attempts).

That evening we also visited Le Moulin Rouge. Despite being one of Paris’ more “touristy” activities, I’m glad we were able to check it out—the lighting, decor, and overall ambiance of the theater truly added to the experience and it made for a nice end to an unforgettable birthday.

Following a busy week, it was time for another weekend trip, this time a little under 700 km (roughly 400 miles) and a 6-hour train ride from Paris to Nice. Nice is a city located on the French Riviera known for its wonderful landscape and beaches. Like the Loire Valley last weekend, Nice had a totally different vibe from Paris. It was totally baffling to me to see palm trees in the middle of France, right alongside brightly-colored buildings similar in style to those of Paris but somehow still their own.

My roommate and I chose to take an absence in our Calc course as to leave for Nice early Friday morning and arrive later that afternoon. This gave us plenty of time to enjoy La Plage de Nice, one of the city’s beaches. Like the others in the area, this is an entirely rock beach, which was different from anything I had visited in the past. Despite being a little uncomfortable for walking, the beach was beautiful, as was the weather. The beach also had tons of sea glass, which I enjoyed searching for and will have to find a use for when I return home!

Over the course of the weekend we also had a chance to explore Old Nice, located approximately a 25-minute (but well worth it!) walk from where we were staying. This historic area is unique from the other parts of the city, filled with narrow rows of shops and restaurants crowded into a criss-cross of streets organized with no apparent rhyme or reason. The lack of organization actually made the area more interesting to explore because it allowed us to find something new every day, such as a cool vintage store and Le Trimarin, one of Nice’s most esteemed creperies!

Outside of these main attractions, Nice had many smaller-scale activities to offer, and we were able to accomplish these Saturday and Sunday. A couple highlights from these include:

-Castle Hill viewpoint, a cliffside hill providing a wonderful view of all of Nice! As its name suggests, this hill was home to the Castle of Nice until the early 1700s when it was destroyed under the orders of Louis XV.

-Another boat cruise, this time taking us far out into the Mediterranean Sea for a view of the beautiful architecture along the French Riviera!

-A visit to Parc Phoenix, a wildlife park featuring numerous tropical plant and animal species from Nice and beyond.

With the close of another busy week, I find myself increasingly grateful for my time in (and outside of) Paris. I’ve enjoyed seeing the diversity of life in France through these weekend trips, now knowing both the country’s urban and more rural sides. More than that, I think I’ve truly established a routine of maximizing my time here and have no doubt that I’ll be doing so to the fullest in the week to come.

I can’t wait to update you on my final week’s adventures, but, for now, mentally preparing myself to soak it all in, one last time!

À tout!

Hannah Bernardi

First-year Engineering

Engineering in Paris, France

#umichenginabroad #ipeparis #HannahBernardi #IPESummer23 #France

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joulethieves · 4 years

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I am missing Paris tonight and the underground jazz club Caveau de le Huchette and dancing with random people at 2am when everyone else was gone and some nice guy from IDK where was trying to teach me how to swing dance. And then I got my go-to strawberry nutella crepe at this little creperie I went to a few times.

Anyway I’m thinking of the Caveau cuz it’s definitely this place I want in my Moulin Rouge balvaan AU. It’s so cool, it’s an underground little network of caves. Dark and intimate and sexy! I want Balthier and Fran to swing dance here as regulars. Vaan lives across Paris closer to the Moulin Rouge so I’m picturing kinda close to the Sacre-Coeur (it’s being built during the time period of the AU, so he climbs up the rafters at night to view the city from the top of Montmartre).

Ah, I miss Paris! I can’t believe people just Live there. @vivisucre I will forever cherish you hosting me.

#sad and nostalgic tonight #but finding comfort in memories

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heartofadragon · 5 years

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Introduction to Jade Frollo and Jynn Sparrow

Trigger warnings: Abuse, mentions of physical and emotional abuse. Please do not read if sensitive to subjects such as this.

My friend and I started writing a Descendants RP...

My current characters are:

Jynn Sparrow

Jack Sparrow

Claude Frollo

Jade Frollo

This is my Introduction to my OCs Jynn and Jade. Enjoy!

"Je vous salue, Marie pleine de grâce ;

le Seigneur est avec vous.

Vous êtes bénie entre toutes les femmes et Jésus,

le fruit de vos entrailles, est béni.

Sainte Marie, Mère de Dieu,

priez pour nous pauvres pécheurs,

maintenant et à l’heure de notre mort…"

Crack.

“Non...Je vous...salue, Marie pleine de grâce ;

le Seigneur est avec vous.

Vous êtes bénie...entre toutes les femmes et Jésus,

le fruit de vos entrailles, est béni.

Sainte Marie, Mère de Dieu,

priez pour nous pauvres pécheurs,

maintenant et à l’heure de notre mort!”

The soft droning of a young mademoiselle obediently reciting the sacred, holy words taught to her long before that day could be heard if one were to listen hard enough whilst creeping along the upstairs living area that lay above Frollo’s Creperie. Whilst her words were soft and quiet, the unmistakable sound of an unknown object cracking against the subject of this torture in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit soon followed after every recital of the French prayer.

With every crack against her frame, the young mademoiselle was urged to put more and more feelings and sincerity into the words. It was already beginning to be a struggle to form the sacred words with her lips that had to be pressed ever so tightly together to stop her from letting out cries of anguish in pure agony. Her eyes were squeezed shut tight to stop the beast of a man subjecting her to such torture from seeing her cry; she did not want to give him anymore perverse, sick, sadistic pleasure that he was already getting from this.

The innocent mademoiselle was kneeling in front of a makeshift wooden altar on which lay many religious items: a cross fashioned from iron, goblets made from tin, rosary beads made from wood and glass and the most terrifying of all was the heavy, leather-bound Holy Bible that the young woman had been on the receiving end of a blow from many times in the past. Her hands lay atop the altar as she knelt on the uncomfortable, splintered wooden floor below her tiny frame; her body was shaking...though it would not be known as of yet whether it was from fear, genuine coldness or due to the fact she had been forced to hold that position for a number of hours.

The hands atop the altar were pressed together tightly and her fingers laced together in prayer, though that was not enough for the tyrant conducting this operation. He had taken his heavy, metal-crafted rosary beads from around his neck and wound them around her wrists until they could no more to keep the hands of the young sinner together in prayer. The beads were tight and dug uncomfortably into the soft and pale flesh of the young woman’s tiny, sparrow-bone wrists.

The young lady at the altar was frightfully petite. Her loose, white dress hung shapeless around her non-existent chest and body, her wild locks that hung around her face and down her back were raven-coloured and very dishevelled. The locks atop her head reached her lower back and hid the pale face that was streaked with stray tears. “Please Papa...I cannot do this anymore...I am tired...I beg of you, let me rest…”

The heavy footsteps of a man in leather boots freaked behind the girl, yet no words were spoken, The silence frightened her the most for she did not know what La Bête was going to do to her next. Of course this man was not a raving monster with thick fur and sharp fangs...he was an ordinary man of the church wearing flowing robes of fine, coloured material and a white piece of cloth draped around his neck to show his position as a man of God. The face of the supposed man of faith was thin and firm; he looked remarkably like a bulldog chewing a wasp most of the time and especially when dealing with his young daughter that knelt in front of him, begging for her release.

“How many times have you prayed to Our Lady? And don’t you dare lie to me…” the man stalked in front of his victim and placed his hand out, holding her chin in his right hand before kneeling down to her, looking straight into the tiger’s eye-like hues that stared into his own. The eyes of his daughter held a mix of amber, brown and yellow; the man of God could have sworn that on occasion he had seen the flames of hellfire in her eyes and as a result, she must be persuaded to see the light of the Lord. “I can always see when you are lying, petit oiseau…God can see when you are lying also...choose your words carefully.”

The sniffling young lady took a deep breath and swallowed the choked up tears that were desperately attempting to escape her. “Seven, Monsieur Frollo…” she whispered, awaiting the approval of her father.

Claude Frollo. The righteous man of Paris. Subjected to life on the Isle of the Lost with a daughter that had the devil waiting for her to go to sleep so that he could enchant her soul with images of free will, the taste of butter and finery. Of course, Claude Frollo was no stranger to the workings of the devil...for he had seen them all whilst residing in Paris. The one he remembered the most was the time a beautiful siren in the form of an “innocent” Gypsy girl serenaded and enchanted him into committing acts that he would never usually get involved with...he wished to separate himself from the licentious, lustful crowd of France, yet in turn he found himself engaging with them.

Oh how he longed to possess the heart, body and mind of that Gypsy...yet it was not to be. Therefore, he had to give her a cruel ultimatum and when that did not work, he simply took what was his. The result? A broken heart, shattered reputation and a spawn of Satan himself living under the roof of the only piece of French culture he had managed to force upon the piss-poor island.

Seven, Monsieur Frollo…

“And just how many ‘Hail Mary’ prayers are in our rosary, little bird?” Frollo asked his pathetic, snivelling daughter as he let go of her face and stood up to his full height, looming in front of her. “ten ‘Hail Mary’, one ‘Lord’s Prayer’ and a ‘Glory Be’...” his daughter responded, swallowing the last of the choked up tears inside of her and staring up at her father. “Then that is what you shall recite…”

“But-“

Frollo ignored the protest of his daughter and returned to his place behind her as she began to recite the words forced upon her once again. The last three prayers to Mother Mary, then a prayer to the Father and a last but not least, a Glory Be. She bowed her head in silence as she exhaled a sigh of relief.

“Please may I go now?” she asked. Frollo, in turn, untangled the rosary beads from his daughter’s wrists and motioned for her to stand. She did so rather shakily as the leather boots she wore creaked across the floor as she headed for the door, unable to contain her anticipation of being out of the presence of her father.

“Are you forgetting something, girl?” Frollo crosses his arms atop his chest and awaited for his daughter to turn. She did so rather slowly before seeing her father dangling the leather belt with the heavy buckle made of iron that had been cinched around the long, white dress that she was wearing. Walking slowly towards her father, the young, plain girl held her hands out to take the belt from her father.

Quick as a flash, the towering man crossed the belt over and whacked across her soft, white hands with the leather belt before pressing it into her hands. His daughter closed her eyes, allowing a tear to escape her left eye. “Thank you…” she whispered. “Get out of my sight…” Frollo was quick to respond and the young woman wasted no time in practically flying out of the room and across the hallway to her own simple room that held nothing but a bed, a single wardrobe and a similar altar to that in the makeshift church she had previously been to. There was no window, nor no mirror. The only colour in her room was the decorated, purple, silken scarf that held beautiful designs of celestial images on it that she kept hidden under her bed. The only thing she had of her mother.

Still sniffling, the young lady sat on her bed in silence. She heard her father in the makeshift church, humming to himself. It was not long before he creaked downstairs to the creperie, an attempt to earn them a living. Claude Frollo’s daughter lived a rather lonely life...though it would not be lonely for long. Outside of the small room, on the streets of the isle, she heard clamouring, restlessness...something happened, though this was not out of the ordinary, there were always fights breaking out at some point or another on the isle.

“Jade! I require your help down here!” Clause bellowed up the stairs and immediately the one now known as Jade slipped a pale blue apron over the white dress and quickly pushed her tousled locks into a bun before running downstairs.

Maybe one day...I will be free of all of this...of him…

*****

“So...whatcha got for me today huh?” a cocky, female voice rang out from behind a ruby-red, velvet curtain etched with golden lace. “Jewels...lots of precious jewels…” grunted a man with an eye-patch over his right eye, a tattoo of an anchor on his left, muscular bicep. He leant his arm on the wooden, splintered counter of a run-down looking shack. The shack was attached to the wreck of a ship with a sign on it reading “Sparrow’s Curiosities” and underneath that, it read “Got no cash? We’ll buy your precious items for coins.” Of course, words were misspelt and the punctuation and grammar was horribly inaccurate...it was obviously written by someone who was not the most literate one on the isle…

Heavy boots and jangling bags of coins could be heard moving about as a young woman with wild, curled, brunette hair mixed with violet, sea-green and dark blue streaks and a pirate hat on her head stepped out from behind the curtain. She had a slight, healthy tan to her face, yet her eyes were piercing emerald. “You ain’t gonna try and screw my dad over again this time are you?” she asked, leaning her arms wrapped in leather bandages on the splintered counter. The girl was wearing a black shirt that was cut off at the sleeves and had a buckled belt made of brass and leather around her waist, showing off the curves that she was gifted with. At her side lay a long cutlass that was carefully bound in place by a belt hanger.

The pirate in front of the counter pushed a woven bag of gemstones down in front of him and the girl and awaited her judgement of what he had brought in. Opening the bag, she looked inside of it and watched the sparkling gemstones glimmer in the dimmed light of the shack. Bringing out one of the stones, She examined it carefully. “Are you trying to fuck with me?” she asked, green eyes fixed on the gemstone then at the man.

Bringing her hand up above the table, she slammed it down, the gemstone making contact with the wooden table...as it did, it shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces. “Fake...it’s just glass, you sea slug!”

The girl drew her cutlass with a satisfying scrape as the metal sword was drawn from it holster. “Get out of here before I shish kebab ya…” her voice was low, a growl, as she stared at the man in front of her who swallowed hard. “Goddamnit...I need money, I ain’t got nothing valuable…” the man began to plead with the younger woman, something that was never expected to happen at all. “We ain’t a charity...so get out of here, Bucko…”

The man went to take his bag of gemstones but the girl quickly pulled the bag off of the table. “You know the rules...you try to screw us over and we keep the item free of charge...call it compensation for wasting our time…” she winked, clicked her tongue and headed back behind the ornately dressed curtain where a man was sitting at a table counting golden coins. His hair was braided and on his head, he wore a scarlet bandana. He had a neatly trimmed moustache and beard and wore typical, brown pirate attire with black leather boots. His grubby fingers held in brown leather, fingerless gloves counted golden coin after golden coin.

“Dad?” the girl asked as she entered, clutching the bag of jewels. Her own leather boots squeaked as she headed towards the man known as her father. The notorious pirate laughed heartily as he heard his daughter’s voice; she was his ultimate pride, joy and one love other than materialistic objects. He had taught her to cheat, lie, steal and swindle and everyday he saw her put his teachings into action.

Standing up, the pirate turned, his face visibly pleased to see his daughter as she clutched a bag of gems. “So...what do you have for me?” The pirate’s smile grew as his daughter set the bag on the table where the gold coins lay.

“Ha ha!” The pirate laughed again as he opened the bag and checked the gems for authenticity. “How much did this cost us, hmm?” he asked, suddenly feeling sick at the thought of how much his daughter might have given the punter for these beauties. “Nothing at all…” His daughter smirked as she responded to her father.

The father looked visibly concerned. “You didn’t offer him anything else did you...do I need to track this man down…?” The growing protection from the father heightened as he thought of someone violating his daughter in exchange for a few...very...stunning gems…

His daughter scoffed in response and looked visibly disgusted. “Don’t be ridiculous. Nah, I used this…” she fumbled in her pocket and flicked a shining blue gem to her father. The father examined the gemstone and then turned to his daughter…

“Fake gemstone trick? You little beauty…” he rushed to his daughter and grabbed her by the face, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Well, well, well. Looks like I have taught you extremely well! Tonight, the rum is on me!”

#descendants #descendants evie #jay descendants #descendants roleplay #descendants oc #ben descendants

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aupairadventures · 6 years

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Nantes: My favorite places in my favorite city

Yesterday, I spent the day with my friend Laura, an au pair from Colombia that I met in my French class. Since Laura only arrived in Nantes several weeks ago, we decided that it would be a good idea for me to take her on a little tour of this incredible city. As the two of us were walking around on an unseasonably warm and sunny February day, I was reminded of why I find this city so beautiful and why it’s so special to me.

I loved seeing the look of awe on Laura’s face as we explored all of Nantes’ wonders, and it reminded me so much of what it was like to set foot in this city for the first time. When I first moved here, this city absolutely terrified me. I, a girl from a small town in Massachusetts, initially felt uneasy around all the hustle and bustle. The whirling and crowded city felt so alien and foreign to me, and at first, I feared that I would never adjust. However, I could not have been more wrong. After some initial hesitation, I fell in the love with Nantes; and when I fell, I fell hard and fast. This city has taught me so much about the beauty of embracing your fears and welcoming the unknown into your life.

I may not be a born-Nantaise, but within the past few months, this city has become my home. Before I found my host family last April, I had never even heard of this place. Now, several months later, I can’t imagine my life without it. Since I moved here, this city has come to mean so much to me and had become very dear to my heart. Perhaps it’s because of the city’s stunning architecture or rich culture and history. Perhaps it’s because of its bustling, vibrant nature or its abundance of places to explore and things to do. Maybe it’s because last year, this city welcomed me with open arms and made me feel a sense of belonging, even though I was thousands of miles away from everything I had ever known. It might be because this city has been the setting of many of my firsts, and has been the backdrop to so many new experiences and adventures. Perhaps it’s because I have found a family here and have created strong friendships that I know will last a lifetime. Maybe it’s because my friends and I have made memories in every corner of this city, or because I can’t look at a single thing in this place without being reminded of happy memories and feeling a wave of bittersweet nostalgia. It breaks my heart to know that I will have to leave this city one day, but I am comforted by the knowledge that I will certainly be back to Nantes to visit many times in the coming years. Who knows, maybe this city is where I’ll raise my children one day; I love the sound of that.

As you can see, Nantes is without a doubt one of my favorite cities. Of course, I know that I’m quite biased on this, but there are so many reasons to love this place. I highly recommend this destination to any and all travelers; I bet that you’ll come to love this city just as much as I do.

Still not convinced? Let me tell you about my favorite places in Nantes, and I’m sure that by the time you finish reading this, you’ll be on Skyscanner booking a flight.

1) Le Château des Ducs de Bretagne

How incredible is it that I walk by an actual castle every day on my way to French class? This castle is a must-see for any travelers visiting Nantes. You can walk around the courtyard on the inside, have a picnic on the grass on a sunny day, walk around the wall of the castle and be rewarded with a beautiful view, or even go down the slide attached to the side of the structure! Just across the tram tracks lies The Water Mirror. During the summer, lots of people love coming here to splash in the fountain or sunbath on the nearby grass. But, when the water is completely still, you can see a beautiful reflection of the castle in it. Within the castle, there are two museums: Le Musée d’Histoire Urbaine and another museum for temporary expositions. Several weeks ago, some friends and I went to an exposition called “Cimarron,” which was a colorful, beautiful, and moving contemporary photography exhibit.

2.) Le Musée des Beaux Arts

If you love art or just enjoy museums, be sure to check at Le Musée des Beaux-Arts. The best part? On the first Sunday of each month, the majority of museums in Nantes are totally free of charge!

3.) La Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Nantes

The architecture of this cathedral is nothing short of stunning! This was one of the first places in Nantes that I visited with my host family when I arrived, and it was also the place that my friend Ellie and I used as our meeting spot the first time that we met up, so the thought of the cathedral and the memories I’ve made there always brings a smile to my face.

4) Le Jardin des Plantes

Le Jardin des Plantes is easily my absolute favorite place in Nantes. I could write pages about why I love it so much. This beautiful botanical garden, which is open to the public free of charge, is complete with a playground, walking trails, a cafe, greenhouses, flower and herb gardens, lots of trees, fountains, sculptures, lots of birds, a merry-go-round, and even a goat petting zoo. The garden is absolutely gorgeous; filled with brightly colored blossoms and greenery everywhere, it’s like a little slice of paradise. When the weather is nice, it’s my favorite place to go for a walk, have a picnic with friends, grab a pain au chocolat at the nearby boulangerie and sit in the sunshine, or find a shady bench to read or journal. Au Pair Super Tip: This is the perfect place to take your host kids! They’ll love the playground, the merry go round, and the petting zoo, and walking around here is a great way for the kids to play outside and get some exercise.

5) Shopping

Nantes is the perfect city for those who love to shop. There’s an abundance of chic fashion stores, vintage shops, and adorable boutiques. When visiting Nantes, be sure to check out Le Passage Pommeraye, a beautiful shopping center built in the 1800s.

6) Restaurants:

In Nantes, there’s certainly no shortage of great cafes and restaurants. Looking for a delicious croissant, baguette, or macaron? You can find all that and more in one of the many different boulangeries or patisseries. On the search for a crêpe or a galette? In any city in the Brittany region, you’re sure to find tons of creperies. Want to grab coffee with a friend and spend hours chatting in a cute café? Try Le Select, a great cafe with a vintage vibe, or La Maison d’Elise, a cat cafe. Yes, a cafe that doubles as a cat shelter! (How adorable.) Even if your searching for healthy, vegan food, Nantes has you covered! In fact, two of my favorite places in Nantes or the TreeHouse, a vegan café/grocery store, and Totem, an incredible vegan restaurant with the most amazing vegan desserts I’ve ever had.

7) Le Jardin Japonais

If you’re looking to find some more nature when in the city, look no further than Le Jardin Japonais (The Japanese Garden) located on L’ile de Versailles. Filled with red maple trees, walking paths, streams, bamboo plants, and even rocky waterfalls, this little garden is another great place to spend a sunny, Autumn day.

8) Architecture:

I have to say, I love the architecture in the Bretagne area, especially here in Nantes. Whenever I’m walking around the city, I can’t help but look up to stare at the buildings around me. I mean, just look at how pretty these buildings are! Whether it be in Nantes, Paris, or Toulouse, my favorite part of French architecture are the balconies that adorn the historic buildings.

9) Les Machines de l'île

“The Machines of the Isle of Nantes” is an artistic exposition located in the former shipyards of Nantes. Several artists created many different gigantic, robotic animals. The most famous of these robotic works of art is the Elephant, a 12-meter high creation that passengers can climb aboard and be taken on a 45 ride around the area. Just watch out: The Elephant will spray water from its trunk when you least expect it! (Take it from my host kid; who got absolutely drenched the last time we visited.)

10) Le Lieu Unique

One of the coolest places in Nantes is the Lieu Unique. While the building actually used to be a factory for the French biscuit brand LU, it now serves as a location for a vibrant cultural center with an abundance of things to do. Visitors can eat in the cafe or restaurant, shop in the bookstore, grab a drink in the bar, get a massage or relax in the sauna in the spa, see a contemporary art exposition, or go to one of many different performances, concerts or live music events.

11) Le Tour Bretagne

One of my absolute favorite places in Nantes is the Tour Bretagne. While it may just look like a skyscraper filled with administrative offices from the outside, this tower has a secret: For one euro, you can ride the elevator to the top floor (over 30 stories high!). There, you’ll find a funky, bird-themed bar called “Le Nid” (“The Nest”), which is one of my favorite places to go out with friends. After getting a drink and hanging out in one of their egg-shaped chairs, you can go out on the balcony and see the most incredible view of Nantes. Whether you see it during the day, as the sun is setting, or late at night, this view is always sure to stun. From the top of this tower, you can see the entire city from a bird’s eye view, which makes all the buildings (Even the cathedral!) look tiny enough to be doll furniture. I love spending time on the balcony and looking out over this city, as it reminds me about why this beautiful city is so special to me, the countless memories I have made here, and why love Nantes so fiercely.

#nantes #france #travel #photography

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alguienvadiciendo · 6 years

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-¿Y por qué viniste? A Paris, digo.

- Bueno, si te soy sincera y lo pienso poco más de dos segundos, creo que fue una cuestión de impulso necesario.

- ¿Cómo así? ¿A que te referís con “impulso necesario”?

- Y mirá, había una cuestión intrínseca que demandaba ser escuchada. Algo así como el momento en el que empezás a pensar que no querés ser el tipo de persona que se queda sentada en la mesa en una fiesta de 15 años mientras suena el carnaval carioca. Cuando disfrutás de aquellos que van por la calle cantando en voz alta en vez de mirarle con cierta vergüenza como todos los demás. En ocasiones incluso, sos vos quién va haciendo un concierto por ahí. Son las ganas de algo más. Es el no quedarse con las pequeñas “gratificaciones” de fin de año del trabajo o ahorrar media vida para comprarse el autito y poder decir que se es alguien en la vida.

Ojo, no me malinterpretés. No es que no haya que sentirse orgulloso por los logros propios. Es que no me parece que esos sean logros a un nivel más personal. Me resultan nimiedades, necesidades creadas para sentirnos menos hormigas que la reina de todo el hormiguero. Aunque no se deja de ser hormiga jamás.

- Mmm, entiendo. Pero entonces, ¿cómo te sentís respecto a Paris?

- Y la verdad que los franceses me caen cada vez peor.

- ¿Me hablás en serio?

- Y sí. Hay todo un entramado socio cultural que se esmera en excluir a todo aquel que ya no forme parte de su circulo. Algo así como una pequeña elite. Costumbres muy confusas. Supongo que la crítica siempre será necesaria, ¿o no?

- Necesaria pero no siempre solicitada.

- Verdad. Pero para eso te tengo a vos, Julio. Para escucharme dar opiniones que nadie pidió.

- Y, si no queda otra...-.

Era verdad. Paris y Francia son esa simbiosis en donde ambas se retroalimentan. Pero a veces se excluyen. Y luego vuelven a vivir la una con la otra. Ninguno de mis amigos era de Paris, pero sin embargo recaían en ella con el pretexto de tener mejores conexiones, condiciones y más vida y que esto y que aquello...¿Por qué entonces yo quería huir de ella?

El día que caí en Paris no fue grato. Llovía a cántaros y no entendía una sola palabra en francés. Las gentes se golpeaban con paraguas gomosos e iban como apurados, acostumbrados al traqueteo y al reloj y pensando cosas que hasta ese momento no podía entender. Paris no te recibe con los brazos abiertos, oh no. Siempre me gustó decir que es uno quien recibe a Paris y quien trata de acomodarse, como puede, sin hacer demasiado ruido ni querer llamar la atención, buscando las creperies, patisseries, boulangeries y supermarchés más baratos de la ciudad y pretendiendo que no te miren de reojo si no hablás otra cosa que español o inglés.

Un año y dos meses después, hablando lo necesario como para poder entablar una conversación para luego ir al grano: “¿Votaste a Macron?”, me siento más argentina que nunca. Todo cuesta una vida y las superficialidades parecen estar en boca de todos. El clima es una porquería húmeda y pegajosa, si no lluviosa y molesta y el metro desprende aromas bastante particulares como para estar en un primer mundo. Pero Montmartre, ah, Montmartre...

Y el Pont Neuf y Le Marais...los latte de La Caféothèque y el verano en el Canal Saint Martin compartiendo baguette, hummus y vino tinto de oferta. Las cúpulas y los edificios monstruosos observando a uno pequeño. Los adoquines adornando todo y las luces, siempre las luces.

Con el tiempo uno aprende a pasar horas admirando el Sena sintiendo el viento en la cara y el pelo. Se empieza a ser devoto del arte de observar a la gente. Y uno se pierde y el rato transcurre con otros aires. Tienen ese no se qué sofisticado pero desarreglado al mismo tiempo, el cigarrillo y todo lo bohemio en mano y los mismos lentes de Harry Potter, ja, qué chistosos que son. Pero ese rouge furioso dice demasiado...demasiado como para querer saber más.

Paris, empiezo a despedirte. Entiendo que nuestro momento ya pasó. Me encuentro y me pierdo en las calles que nunca visité, y el olor a pain au chocolat me invade el pensamiento. No te quiero Paris, pero te quiero. Me dejaste sola Paris. Me regalaste esos compañeros de vida que todo el mundo sueña con tener en su vida. Me odiaste y me complicaste. Me dejaste pensando en el mundo. Me dejaste soñando tus luces. Ya te vas, Paris...

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bonsoir-rilour · 6 years

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Weeks 15-18: The Tour de France and my Internship Wrap-up!

Long time no see everyone!!

These past few weeks have been quite the blur – between visiting new cities, the iREU conference, and wrapping up things in my lab, I’ve had very little time to sit down and write this update. Thankfully however, I found some calm time just recently, on my last Sunday here in France.

To start, after the completion of my final experiment (which thankfully went off without a hitch), myself and Alex begun our own little “Tour de France”, with our first stop being Paris!! It was a long bus ride, but it was well worth it. (And Alex is the MASTER at picking places to stay – our AirBnB in Paris, although a little bit north of the city center, was extravagant. Our host was out of town for the weekend, but he still treated us with a 2011 vintage of some wonderful wine and his apartment was nothing short of stellar.

(An early morning breakfast/snack and a cool façade on the way to our first destination!)

Our first stop in Paris early Saturday morning was to the Sacré-Cœur basilica, a newly created icon (early 20th Century) which stood on a hill overlooking the rest of the city. A quick walk up to the top of the church gave way to some FANTASTIC early morning shots of Paris.

After we were both satisfied with our photos (more of a plug to Alex, his shots are always phenomenal in quality) we made our way down towards the city center and made our way to Les Invalides, where a handful of military museums and prominent tombs lie. ß Most notably, Napoleon himself is laid to rest here. I was able to sneak a few photos of some military exhibits before we made way to the tomb of Napoleon.

(These pictures really doesn’t do the size justice - this ENTIRE BUILDING was dedicated to Napoleon’s shrine. The actual coffin pictured above is ~20-30ft tall on its own, housed below a dome that extended ~100-150ft above it.)

Also of note, Napoleon’s brother, eventual King of Spain as Jose I, is also laid to rest in the same hall as Napoleon. Albeit his shrine is significantly smaller..

(His older brother gets a tiny little corner in his younger brother’s Egyptian Pyramid of a shrine)

We wrapped around the palace for some more photos of the building when we saw President Macron himself!! We were stopped from crossing a driveway that lead into the complex when we saw Macron and his police escort leaving the area!! There was coincidentally a military-band festival at Les Invalides, so we think Macron visited to see the festival, and we caught him right as he was leaving!!

In celebration we stopped by a cute little creperie and made our way to the Eiffel! (No visit to Paris is complete without a photo by the Eiffel Tower!!) Although we didn’t take a trip up to the top, we laughed at the exorbitant prices that we would’ve seen in the Eiffel restaurant, had we gone up!

Our next stop was to the Arc de Triomphe – when Alex visited a long time ago, he took a photo with his sister in front of the Arc. As a surprise and gift to his sister, I helped Alex recreate the exact angle and photo to show his sister and show much time has passed.. Very cute idea.

Before moving towards our final destination of the Notre Dame cathedral, we went full circle to Le Esplanade des Invalides (a park right in front of Les Invalides) to rest our feet and enjoy the wonderful weather.

Day Two in Paris started with a quick visit to a department store, as Alex wanted to pick up some clothing before leaving Paris.

(Yes, this is a department store..)

We took a quick gander at Le Academie Nationale de Musique on our way towards the Louvre! We decided that it would’ve taken too much time out of our day to actually visit the museum, so we were content at taking a couple photos of the courtyard and the pyramidal entrance before heading out to our next stop.

Our next stop was to the Pere Lachaise Cemetery – the largest cemetery in the Paris city proper. Although there are countless well known individuals buried here, of personal interest to me was visiting the grave of Oscar Wilde, author of the well-known novel The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Our final destination of visit in Paris was to Le Jardin du Luxembourg, for a couple minutes rest before returning back to the AirBnB to prepare for our departure.

We promptly left for our overnight bus and arrived early in the morning to our next destination, Lyon! Lyon was the host city for our new friend Annika, and we had made plans to visit her in her own city (like she did with us) before we all left for the iREU conference.

After arriving in our hostel and recovering from the long bus ride, we set off to the highest peak in Lyon – “Vieux Lyon”, where La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere resides. This MASSIVE basilica overlooks the entire city, and photos do not do this basilica justice – I do not exaggerate when I say that this may have been the greatest cathedral I have ever visited. (Perhaps the Notre Dame in Paris is better, however we didn’t have time to go inside while in Paris)

The next stop was arguably my favorite destination of the whole trip, the Theatre Gallo Romain! I adored the small roman ruins here in Bordeaux, and those ruins is merely a single archway. Almost the entirety of this roman theatre is intact, and there are TWO stages! Alex and I went to the top of the ruins and relaxed for a while – the combination of the city view and the ground that I sat on lead for an amazingly content rest. My only dissatisfaction from the visit was that the theatre was fitted with modern tech to make it more applicable for modern day performances – of course this is a great convenience, but it takes away from the historic grandeur of the site to see metal bars and black stages lining this great site.

There aren’t many more photos that I took while in Lyon – we spent some quality time with Annika, and our second day in Lyon was mostly spent in the hostel. Alex and I both wanted to prepare for our conference the following day and it happened that France was playing a game in the World Cup, so we spent a lot of time sipping coffee, doing work, and watching football!!

Our final stop in the Tour de France was the culmination of my program here! In Toulouse was the IREU conference, hosted by the Universite de Paul Sabatier! I unfortunately took very few photos of my time in Toulouse, but it was still an amazing experience. The conference was VERY insightful with great talks, and it was wonderful to meet all the other students that were in our iREU, but hosted in different cities. The conference was only two days long, but every night I was in Toulouse, I was fortunate enough to meet up with friends, both old and new. The people who stopped by my poster to hear about my project seemed content with the work I have done with few questions!!

Toulouse wasn’t without its fair share of goodbyes however, as Annika and Kyler both had their flights to the US immediately following the conclusion of the conference. It’s surprising how close of a friendship you can create with some people in such a short period of time – although both Annika and Kyler live in California, I surely hope I see them again.

I did snag this photo while in Toulouse however – for dinner on the first night of the conference, our hosts secured an ENTIRE restaurant for us! It was very homey, it was described by our host as “We wanted to give you a taste of genuine Toulouse food and experience, although it is not the flashiest or most known restaurant, this place is genuine. It will feel like you’re eating food your grandma would make.. If your grandma was french and had lived in Toulouse her whole life!”

Our time in Toulouse ended our “Tour de France”. Although the trip was amazing beyond words, it felt comforting to be back in Bordeaux. It’s been my “home away from home”, and I’ll always have a sweet spot for this stellar city.

My past week in lab here has mostly been wrap-up; I unfortunately won’t have time to finish my analyses of my samples, so I will be bringing them home with me for analysis when I start up my semester back in Binghamton. Since the majority of my time has been downtime, I completed my final report for my experiments here in the lab along with a final presentation that I will be giving to my advisors this week. My final week here in Bordeaux will be spent closing the various accounts and services I have made during my time here, and packing for the big trip home.

It’s very surreal to be at this point. I remember how long the first week went by here, and how difficult I thought the transition was going to be. But here I am, with one week left. This experience has truly been eye opening, both with my professional career and personal development.

I think this will be my last weekly update, as there won’t be much to detail this following week. I may make a short post on my last day here (14/07) just to document my travels to Paris and then out of the country.

I’m going to miss Bordeaux. With the career opportunities now available to me after this internship, I sure hope I find my way back here. For the ~4-5 of you who have been following my posts, thanks for sticking around. And I apologize again for having to put ~6 weeks of content in one large series of posts.

Cheers to this wonderful country one last time. This goodbye is bittersweet, but I know my family and friends will be happy to see me back home. VIVE LA FRANCE!

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travelonlinetipsofficial · 3 years

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Paris Waterfront Restaurants: 10Best WatersideRestaurant Reviews

New Post has been published on https://www.travelonlinetips.com/paris-waterfront-restaurants-10best-watersiderestaurant-reviews/

Paris Waterfront Restaurants: 10Best WatersideRestaurant Reviews

While elegant dining is always a good idea, in the warmer months in Paris, sit-down, indoor restaurants are less popular than guingettes. Guingettes are a sort of tavern as we knew them back in the day. The food is served as almost an afterthought since drinking, hanging out watching a televised game and even dancing are really the ‘plat du jour’ at these venues. A couple of big, fun guinguettes have popped up recently in Paris, notably Le Grand Bleu. And while Les Maquereaux isn’t a traditional guinguette, since it’s a barge docked right on the river, alongside the Quai Hotel de Ville, it more or less serve as one, too.

A classic dining option in Paris is a dinner riverboat cruise. You just can’t imagine how breath taking the scenery along the banks of the River Seine is – the Ȋle-St.-Louis, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the yachts parked across from Jardin des Plantes, and more – until you’ve actually seen it with your own eyes from the river! Add the sparkle of sunset and twinkling stars, or the twinkling Eiffel Tower which sparkles in the evenings on the hour, to that scenic panorama and you have the makings of one unforgettable evening. For a twist on the theme, head on over to La Défense and dine “waterfront” next to the Bassin Takis at Octopus.

For a kick-off-your-heels experience, head on down towards the riverfront area just in front of the Ile St. Louis. Here you can sit, sip and watch the boats go by at the Brasserie de L’Isle Saint-Louis. Or go down below to the quay where you will find yet another stretch of casual dining options, like Mr. Pelican, Les Maquereaux, Chez Daniel and others. Always packed on weekend afternoons, the Quai Hotel de Ville even has outdoor swing dancing (not obligatory, but certainly optional). The food here at these venues is outdoor bbq style and fresh oysters, accompanied by chilled bottles of wine or cocktails like the famous Apero Spritzer. This is a group-friendly option and absolutely perfect when the weather is good and a bit of live music is the order of the day.

An elegant and haute cuisine pick on this list is Table du Flow. This restaurant offers direct views onto the Pont Alexandre III and the Grand Palais, both enhanced by the rays of the setting sun. Flow is a barge that is parked along the Seine, the fanciest one on this area just below the Alexander III Bridge. On the top floor is a bar that boasts the aforementioned views but also includes the Eiffel Tower. Below is a nightclub. And outside, along the riverbanks is their casual dining. This restaurant, however, is anything but casual so expect outstanding wine lists, superior dining and French class.

For waterfront dining in Paris, the Central Paris water views are the River Seine, Port de l’Arsenal and the Canal St. Martin. The Canal St. Martin area is the place to be for hipsters. The Port de l’Arsenal now has the refurbished Le Grand Bleu and La Seine boasts a riverfront pedestrian area that spans both sides, Rive Gauche and Rive Droite. These have been turned into kilometers-long pedestrian areas welcoming families, bicyclists, sunbathers and picnickers. This is the perfect place to stop and grab a refreshment at Faust near Invalides on the Rive Gauche side of Berges de Seine.

This isn’t where you’ll find frou-frou food. No, here is where you’ll get your traditional poulet-frites (roast chicken and fries) and your beers on tap. Brasserie, of course, is the traditional French term for ‘brewery’ and at this family-owned brasserie, you’ll find nothing but authentic French. Its location has you in the heart of Paris, right on the Western tip of the picturesque, and legendary, Ile St. Louis. People watching is as fun here as sipping something iced and diving into a big salad or a more robust dish from the basic menu. Enjoy the views here as much as the food and be sure to appreciate that you are sitting in the midst of where historical legends and the famous (Baudelaire, Marie Curie, Helena Rubinstein), from literally every walk of life, have also leisurely lolled and spent their precious time.

Recommended for Waterfront Dining because: People watching isn’t on the menu but it’s certainly a main course at this location. On either side of you is the River Seine.

Paige’s expert tip: Authentically French? It doesn’t get any more authentic than this family-owned cafe-brasserie here next to the Seine on the famous Ile St. Louis.

Read more about Brasserie de L’Isle Saint-Louis →

Waterfront dining at its best – cruising the Seine River lunch or dinner. This is one of those occasions when the rule of thumb, “you get what you pay for” doesn’t apply. The food here is all cooked fresh on board and is occasionally even prepared by a Michelin-starred chef (ask at booking for this special calendared event). For example dinner choices are salmon served with lemon and dill sauce or poultry “supreme” served with tarragon sauce and oyster mushrooms. The dinner or brunch cruise itself lasts an hour and fifteen minutes so it’s an excursion that is brief and to the point. The boat is sleek and comfortable with no comfort or luxury sacrificed. For these prices, you could get either a meal at a bistro or a cruise along the Seine, but here you get both.

Recommended for Waterfront Dining because: It’s great to have options. This is one of those quality options, offered by a smart entrepreneur, that easily fits into a tight time budget.

Paige’s expert tip: Truly one of the best deals for dinner in Paris. Never mind that you get a great cruise along the Seine, too. The meal is memorable and Michelin-starred chef quality. Bonus: you get to have that romantic cruise along the Seine just as the sky twinkles into night time.

Read more about Les Maquereaux →

Under the recently assumed reigns of André Terrail, son of the famous Tour d’Argent restaurateur, Claude Terrail, the family’s gastronomic bistro La Rotisserie d’Argent offers delightful accessibility. The sizzle of the establishment’s signature roasting duck and farm-raised chicken greets you when you enter this red-checked tablecloth icon on the Left Bank. It is literally just next door to the shrine of gourmets the world over, La Tour d’Argent, but here what is served is the bistro version of French food of the highest quality ingredients. Claude Terrail acquired this bistro in 1989 with the intention that snobbery had no place within its walls. What’s even more refreshing is that the service is quick and pleasant and the staff is welcoming and warm. Duck is the dish here, so much so that it even embodies its mascot. Other classics on the menu not to miss is the Mimosa eggs which are a crab salad filled devilled eggs appetizer, heavy on the fresh crab. The foie gras is top quality. Sides such as whipped mashed potatoes, full of cream and butter, a fresh green salad, roasted potatoes and sauteed crisp vegetables in, yes, butter come in dishes that you can share with your fellow diner. Don’t even think about skipping dessert here. If you’ve never tried the French whipped, lightly toasted egg white in a sea of creme anglaise, otherwise known as Ile Flottante, I highly recommend you do. The portion here is more than generous and its done exceptionally to perfection. Or you can always go for the tarte du jour.

Recommended for Waterfront Dining because: During the warmer months, outdoor terrace dining here means looking out over the Seine onto the Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris and the Ile Saint-Louis.

Paige’s expert tip: For your first visit to this bistro, stick with the classics and signature dishes. That means have a taste of the roast duck and the crab stuffed devilled eggs. The wine cellar at the sister ship (La Tour d’Argent) is ranked one of the best in the. So even the wines by the glass here will be excellent choices for whatever you order. Sides are fun and are meant to be shared. A simple tapenade and country style bread is your pre-appetizer for whetting the palate as you peruse the menu.

Read more about La Rotisserie d’Argent →

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naoparis · 5 years

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【PARIS】【Guide Michelin 2020】【KEI】【Kei Kobayashi】★★★

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■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ 年間49ユーロ（日本は年額4,900円）でAmazonプライムに入会するだけで写真を無圧縮・容量無制限で保存できます（RAW画像も無制限に保存可能）。とても使いやすく、僕も毎日活用、重宝してます。【France】【Amazon Photos】Stockage gratuit et illimite de vos photos

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■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ 【PARIS】【サンジェルマン、芸術橋、ルーヴル、ポン・ヌフ界隈】2020年1月26日

■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ 【Coronavirus新型肺炎】Agnes Buzyn アニエス・ビュザン連帯・保健大臣Ministre des Solidarites et de la Santeは感染者以外のマスク装着は必要ないと表明

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■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ 【PARIS】25/01/2020 【PARIS】【サンジェルマン、パンテオン、ノートルダム界隈】2020年1月25日

■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ 【PARIS】【Burger Kingバーガーキング】【CHEESE LOVER】【モンパルナス界隈】2020年1月20日

■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ 【PARIS】【キニナル】【Tanguy】クレープ屋【Time Out】【Tanguy】La creperie pepite du 10e ! Design depoussiere mais crepes ≪ a l’ancienne ≫ et ingredients sursources !

https://www.timeout.fr/paris/restaurants/tanguy?fbclid=IwAR09FTZVu5dVdWq9IndSdV_JvZACPAImGwZXUAXrGZoU2V9emehFrnec0wU https://www.timeout.fr/paris/restaurants/tanguy?fbclid=IwAR09FTZVu5dVdWq9IndSdV_JvZACPAImGwZXUAXrGZoU2V9emehFrnec0wU ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ 【PARIS】【オペラ・ガルニエ】1月半ぶりに上演Les danseurs de l’Opera de Paris ont donne une representation samedi,

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vacationsoup · 5 years

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New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/new-in-orlando-in-2020/

What's New in Orlando in 2020

New Attractions In Orlando in 2020

In the ever-expanding world of Orlando attractions, we have so much to look forward to in 2020. New rides, new attractions, new thrills, new shows, new eats.

So much to do and so little time!

Here's a Run Down of What's New in Orlando in 2020

New Attractions in Disney World:

Walt Disney World is currently undergoing its most significant growth period of the last two decades. So much is coming our way in the next few years.

Hollywood Studios

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

The first ever Disney ride-through attraction that features Mickey & Minnie Mouse. You'll be right inside a Mickey cartoon taking a fun-filled adventure where “Mouse rules apply”. Anything can happen! Opening: March 4th 2020

Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant

Toy Story Land is getting a brand new rootin’, tootin’ rodeo right in Andy’s backyard!. This immersive restaurant will provide a unique and fun, family friendly dining experience. Andy has created a new rodeo arena using some of his favorite toys, games, and play sets. Opening: 2020 - no date yet

Mickey Shorts Theater

An original short film in the style of the Disney Channel series “Mickey Mouse”. This will also feature a new photo-opportunity. The theater will feature fun Mickey Mouse-themed seating. Open: March 2020

New at Epcot

Epcot is going through a complete transformation and there a TON of stuff going on! Below is what's happening in 2020, but see our guide for a full rundown of all new experiences at Epcot.

Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue

This brand new fast-casual restaurant will be located at The American Adventure pavilion. Diners will find a classic American backyard barbecue offering home-style craft brews. Opening: Very soon!

Beauty & The Beast Sing-Along

Take part in this twist on a tale as old as time. This brand new singalong features narration from Angela Lansbury, who played Mrs. Potts in the original film. Beauty & The Beast Sing-Along will run in rotation with “Impressions de France,” which will receive an upgrade to 4K projection. Opening: January 17th 2020

Awesome Planet

The Land pavilion showcases the Earth’s beauty and diversity in a 10-minute film featuring spectacular imagery and in-theater effects. Opening January 17th 2020

Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360

New scenes and a new musical score by Canadian composer Andrew Lockington and new narration by award-winning actors Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy. Opening: January 17th 2020

Space 220 Restaurant

An out of this world dining experience is coming to Orlando in 2020. Space 220 is a new table-service restaurant at Epcot next to Mission: SPACE.

When you enter the restaurant, you’ll step into a special space elevator that will transport you 220 miles above the earth’s surface to the International Space Station orbiting. The restaurant will offer "spectacular views of space" thanks to screens surrounding the dining area. Opening: February 2020

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Take a super-sized adventure with Chef Remy through Gusteau’s restaurant. This new ride is under construction at the France Pavilion. Opening: Summer 2020

Le Creperie de Paris

This brand new restaurant will feature the cuisine of celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse, the mastermind behind the pavilion’s Chefs de France brasserie. With a menu inspired by the Brittany region of France, the new location will offer table service dining as well as a quick-service stop for guests craving savory crepes called galettes and sweet crepes. Opening: Summer 2020

Wondrous China

This brand new presentation will take you on a spectacular journey across China, filmed and presented in a completely seamless 360-degree digital format. Opening: June 2020

HarmonioUS

HarmonioUS will debut at Epcot as the largest nighttime spectacular ever created for any Disney park. It will celebrate how the music of Disney inspires people the world over, carrying you away harmoniously on a stream of familiar Disney tunes reinterpreted by a diverse group of artists from around the globe.

“HarmonioUS” will feature massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, lasers and more. Opening: 2020

DuckTales World Showcase Adventure

A new interactive scavenger hunt is coming to World Showcase. Join Scrooge McDuck, Donald, Launchpad, Webby and the nephews in search of priceless treasure. Using the Play Disney Parks mobile app, participants will discover exotic destinations, exciting mysteries, and maybe even experience a few thieves, villains and supernatural guardians of ancient artifacts. Opening: 2020 - No launch date yet

What's New in Orlando in 2020 - Disney Springs

Drawn To Life - New Cirque du Soleil Show

This brand new show follows the story of Julie, a courageous and determined girl who discovers an unexpected gift left by her late father: an unfinished animation piece. Guided by a surprising pencil, she embarks on an inspiring quest sprinkled with her Disney childhood memories. Through this journey, she learns to imagine new possibilities and animate the story of her future. Opening: Previews March 20, 2020. Officially debuts April 17, 2020

City Works Eatery & Pour House

City Works will be the ultimate sports bar. This go-to spot will be a superb game-viewing experience on gigantic HD screens. The gourmet menu offers American cuisines and over 90 local and global varieties of beers on tap. Located in West Side. Opening: Very soon

M&Ms Store

A brand new state-of-the-art M&Ms store will offer an immersive experience that combines the colorful fun that fans of the M&M’S brand enjoy with lasting memories. And all your favorite candies too. The new store will be located in West Side, near the NBA Experience. Opening: No set date - 2020

Beatrix

Beatrix will be your neighborhood restaurant, coffeehouse and grab-and-go market featuring healthy food options including vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan along with fresh-squeezed juice cocktails.

The restaurant will also offer a bakery and full-service bar with a selection of all-American beer and wine. Located at Disney Springs West Side. Opening: No date set - 2020

Ample Hills Creamery

This is one of the tastiest things new in Orlando in 2020! This Brooklyn-based creamery will be offering the most decadent ice cream desserts this side of the East River. You'll find a menu full of tasty treats such as Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, Peppermint Pattie and Nonna D’s Oatmeal Lace. Can't wait for the opening date? There's already An Ample Hills Creamery at Disney's Boardwalk Resort. Opening: 2020 - No set date

Universal Orlando

The Bourne Stuntacular - Universal Studios

This brand new, cutting-edge live-action stunt show will blur the lines between stage and cinema in a hybrid form of entertainment that has never been seen before. The Bourne Stuntacular will follow the character of Jason Bourne around the globe as sinister characters pursue him.

There will be thrilling chase scenes, punishing fistfights, death-defying leaps and danger at every turn with live performers, high-tech props and an immense LED screen.

Opening: Spring 2020

SeaWorld Orlando

Ice Breaker

An exciting ride is one of our favorite things new in Orlando in 2020. Named after the icy Arctic summits, Ice Breaker will feature four launches, both backwards and forwards, cultivating in a reverse launch into the steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida – a 93 feet tall spike with 100-degree angle. Opening: May 2020

Orca Encounter

SeaWorld has made plenty of changes in recent years. The Orca Encounter replaces One Ocean and showcases the importance of play for Orcas. Visitors will learn all about animal welfare practices at SeaWorld and the importance of conservation to their habitat. Open: January 1st 2020

Busch Gardens Tampa

Iron Gwazi

This coaster is going to break some records. At 206 feet, it will be North America's tallest hybrid coaster, and the world's fastest and steepest hybrid coaster! Throw in a 91 degree drop and speeds of 76mph and you've got a thrill ride on your hands! Estimated Opening - Spring 2020

Aquatica

Riptide Race

Riptide Race will be Florida’s first dueling racer when it launches in 2020. Visitors will be taking on opponents through high-speed tunnels and be competing through 650 feet of slide.

Adventure Island

Solar Vortex

You'll able to spin and splash on America’s first dual-tailspin water slide. This thrilling family ride will send sliders on a swirling journey through two open tailspin features. Plus there will be high-banking rotations and rapid descents.

Icon Park

Already home to the tallest wheel on the east coast and the tallest swing ride in the world, Icon Park Orlando on International Drive is set to break two new world records with attractions that will be new in Orlando in 2020.

The creators of Orlando Slingshot are brining two new thrill attractions to Icon Park in 2020.

Orlando Slingshot

Towering 300 feet, Orlando Slingshot will be the world's tallest slingshot attraction. Riders will be catapulted 450 feet into the air - nearly fifty stories high! The Orlando Slingshot will feature innovative dual-loading, allowing guests to be loading while another is experiencing the attraction Opening: Spring 2020

Orlando Gyro Drop Tower

At a height of 400 feet, the Orlando Gyro Drop Tower will be the world's tallest free-standing drop tower. After an intense gyrating climb around the tower to reach the top, riders will freefall 350 feet back to Earth, traveling up to 75 miles per hour. Opening: Spring 2020

Snowcat Ridge Alpine Village

Snowcat Ridge will be the first-of-it's-kind in Florida. Set to open in November 2020, Snowcat Ridge features a giant snow slope,10,000 square foot snow dome and an alpine village. With REAL snow! See full info: Snowcat Ridge.

The multi-lane 60 foot tall, 400 foot long snow tubing hill will offer a magic carpet lift to transport riders to the top. Then zoom down on single snow tubes, in tandem or on family-size 6 seaters.

A 10,000 square foot giant snow dome will feature real snow to build snowmen and a smaller hill for the little ones. The Alpine Village will feature snacks and drink locations, plus there will be a magical light show on the slopes and in the dome, once the Florida sun sets. Opening: November 2020

That wraps up what's new in Orlando in 2020, If you are planning a vacation, we'd love to welcome you to one of our vacation homes!

#New Attractions #New in 2020

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americaninparis · 7 years

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My Apartment Building is Haunted (Paris in the Fall)

Have you ever forgotten that you have a blog for an entire week? Yeah…me too. In my defense, the kids started school this week, so I’ve been working weird early hours and taking lots of naps. I know, I know, naps should not be greater than everything else on my to do list…but I am Anneliese, and Anneliese likes naps.

So I feel like in this article I should talk about Paris in autumn. Early autumn, that is, since it’s only just the beginning of September. We’ll get to my haunted apartment building in a minute.

Paris in the early autumn is a dream for me. Anyone who knows me knows that I love sweaters and hats. The best weather for those wardrobe choices is, of course, cloudy and chilly weather. It has been cloudy and chilly for the last week and I LOVE IT. Also rainy, and I keep forgetting to buy an umbrella…

Paris is, in essence, a walking city. It’s big, but there’s so much to see that you can miss when you’re taking buses and trains everywhere around town. Now, that’s no knock to public transportation. I’m a big fan of it and I use it all the time while I’m here, but when you’re within three-four metro stops of something, walking really is the way to go if you’re not in a hurry. Paris is so beautiful, with the architecture being so distinctive and every street has its own bakery, flower shop, creperie (or four), etc. The best way to experience Paris is by walking from place to place! Besides, you can avoid at least 40% of the stairs in paris by not taking the metro.

My mother calls it the city of stairs for a reason, folks. (Good news: I’m getting used to the six flights of stairs up to my apartment! Related: my hips look fantastic right now)

Today I walked from my apartment near Le Jardin du Luxembourg all the way to Saint-Germain-des-Pres. It was gorgeous, and even though I was sure it was going to rain, it didn’t! Also I got some pots at Monoprix for ten euros for the set. So, basically, a perfect day.

Now I mentioned the wind before, and that really does play a factor into living in Paris in the fall, even indoors. Actually, especially indoors. I mentioned in my previous post that most of Paris does not have air conditioning. Someone told me that this is because everyone in Paris goes on vacation in the summer. Fair, I guess.

Because there is no air conditioning in Paris, people often leave their windows open, including me, even when it’s not hot out, just to get some air circulation in the room. Doors in buildings also tend to fit fairly loosely in their frames.

The result? Doors opening and slamming shut seemingly at random, or rattling when they’re closed tightly. This is something that I’ve gotten fairly used to, but the other night I woke up at two in the morning to my door rattling like someone was shaking the doorknob and trying to get in. My sleep addled brain translated this as knocking. I peeked through the peephole. No one. I opened the door. There was no one there.

I was half asleep but suddenly feeling more awake, and I could hear the door to the public restroom at the end of the hallway opening and slamming shut (which it is doing right this minute, isn’t that lovely?)

So, obviously, I thought my apartment building was haunted. It took me a full half hour to realize what was happening, after which I felt stupid and went back to bed. I’m realizing now that this story isn’t super interesting and maybe I’m just throwing it in for the catchy title…whoops.

Now, it’s an older building, so I’m not entirely certain that it’s NOT haunted, but I think we can safely say for now that I’m at least not in any danger of being attacked by restless spirits. They probably don’t want to climb all the stairs, to be honest, and are sticking to the luxury apartments on lower floors.

Well, either that, or the ghost just constantly needs to pee…

#tp #Paris #au pair #blog post #blog entry

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beckettsthoughts · 7 years

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What I Love About Paris

Not long ago, I promised my good friend @shark-myths a description of my favourite things about Paris. Here it is, finally complete:

Walking (And The Streets)

The first thing you will learn about Paris is that Paris is best explored on foot. I am not the first person to say this, many writers before me have extolled the virtues of pedestrian Paris, but I will add my words to theirs nonetheless. What you may not know about Paris is that Paris is very small; forty square miles, compared to the four-hundred square miles of New York or the six-hundred of London. That small space is characterised by beautiful architecture and a long-established culture, and these aspects of the city are best observed from the pavements. You will lose yourself in the streets of Paris and find yourself at the same time, winding through the backstreets of Montmartre or the alleys of the Latin Quarter, there are delights in those hidden pockets of Paris that you would never see from the backseat of a taxi.

In one of my favourite non-fiction books, The Most Beautiful Walk in the World: A Pedestrian in Paris, journalist and writer John Baxter explained this far better than I ever could:

“The essence of Paris is lost if seen through the double glazing of a hotel room or from the top of a tour bus. You must be on foot, with chilled hands thrust into your pockets, scarf wrapped round your throat, and thoughts of a hot café crème in your imagination. It made the difference between simply being present and being there.”

The Métro

The second best way to explore Paris, then, is Le Métro. It may seem confusing and intimidating at first- for a small city Paris has a vast complexity of stations and lines- but once you orient yourself and find your bearings, it will become a lifeline unlike any other. On almost every street you can see the iconic forest green curlicues of a Métro station, some with glass canopies over the entrances, and from there you feel like you could go anywhere. And, for the most part, you can. The tangle of the metro map is difficult to navigate, especially as a tourist, but it’s an exciting kind of orienteering. You will get lost, but you’re safe in the knowledge that you’re never too far from where you want to go.

Shakespeare and Company

Think of everything you love about bookshops. The smell of new books? Discovering a secret nook hidden between the shelves? Perhaps just the opportunity to spend some time in a calm, friendly atmosphere? Shakespeare and Company is everything there is to love about bookshops, all in one tiny, quaint little shop. The shop itself has a long and detailed history, being popular amongst many famous authors over the last century. They are well known for taking in ‘tumbleweeds’, writers who want to stay in Paris, for the small price of a few hours’ work per day and a short autobiography for their collection. I suggest you look it up because I don’t think I could ever do this place justice in my description. It is truly fascinating.

The Bateaux Mouches

There is no nicer way to see the splendour of the River Seine than by an evening cruise on the Bateaux Mouches. This means “fly boat”, as in the insect, when translated. As you sail beneath the many beautiful and ornate bridges of Paris, you will see many picnickers along the riverbanks, often waving at the boats as they pass. There is an audio guide which you may or may not choose to listen to, but it highlights the landmarks you pass and the history of them. And you will pass many. Notre Dame, the Musee d’Orsay, Pont Neuf, the Eiffel Tower, and more. When the boat turns at the end of the tour to take you back along the other side of the Île de la Cité, you might just get a glimpse of the sunset reflected on the water. It is a sight that is worth lifetimes.

The Hotel Rooftop

Picture yourself in an old hotel lift. It’s like a cage, a wire trap with the tentative capacity to hold three people, and it creaks ominously as it ascends past your floor. This is a typical example of an old French lift, though this specimen is not as ornate as most. What awaits you when you reach the top, though, is a view you will remember for the rest of your life. It is dark on the hotel rooftop, well past the sunset, and you find yourself surrounded by the perfect view of Paris at night. To the West you can see a string of bright neon, the distinctive nightlife of the Boulevard de Clichy. The jewel of this street, only a short walk from the hotel, is the Moulin Rouge. The windmill on top shines clearly above the rest of the street, and an ever-present group of tourists and cabaret patrons linger outside, even at this time of night. You might be able to hear the music, if it’s a calm night. To the North, up the hillside that is Montmartre, sits the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. A great white building, opulent and famously beautiful, poised at the peak of the hill. The walls are lit up to show every detail, every ridge of the architecture that forms the dome, and it presides above the city like some great guardian. South, then, you can see the Eiffel Tower, lit up bright and with the searchlight illuminating the clouds above. It may be cliche, but the Eiffel Tower truly is the gem of the city’s skyline. The shape, the lattice of the architecture, it truly is a fascinating structure. To see it there, above one of the world’s most beautiful cities, is a powerful and unforgettable view.

Le Place du Tertre

Le Place du Tertre is, in many respects, one of the hidden gems of Paris. It’s quite well-known and a must-see spot for artists and art-lovers, but to find it you must navigate a maze of cobbled Montmartre streets. Montmartre has always been the artists’ district, with many famous residents (including Pablo Picasso!) over the years, and this tradition is kept alive in the existence of the Place du Tertre, a near permanent art-market. You can stroll between rows of artists, many offering to draw portraits of those who visit, and you can sit down to eat in the creperie on the corner. It is busy, ever-bustling and loud, but it is a unique experience. If you like art, an interest shared by many Parisians and tourists alike, you will love it at the Place du Tertre.

Food Shops

Paris is famous for its food, full of gourmet restaurants, high end cafes and famous dining spots. In the Latin Quarter you have the Cafe Rotonde, known for being loved by everyone except Ernest Hemingway (who, in a marvellously well-written and extraordinarily cynical article for the Toronto Star, called it the settling place of the “scummiest scum” scraped from Greenwich Village. If you haven’t read Hemingway’s On Paris, I beg of you to do so. It will not disappoint.) A more contemporary spot might be the Cafe des Deux Moulins, one that I have visited myself, best known as the cafe from award-winning French film Amelie (which, again, I highly suggest you watch, if you haven’t already. It is a far more charming view of Paris than that presented by Hemingway.)

However, I would argue that the true highlight of French food to be found in Paris is not that found in the restaurants, but that found in the shops. Most would agree that the true judgement of any French town is the quality of their local boulangerie, but the bread is not all. The sweet air that spills out from the doors of a patisserie, the overwhelming scent of a fromagerie, the displays of cured meat that hang in the windows of a charcuterie; they are all integral to one’s experience of France. In Paris, these specialist food shops are copious and easily recognisable. You would be hard pressed not to drift towards every single that one you see, and each time you find yourself perusing a display of cakes, bread, cheese or meats, you will surely leave with a paper bag full of the house specialities.

That concludes my list of favourite things about Paris, or my favourite things from my first visit, at least. As you know, I am returning to Paris next week and I am so, so excited for it. I’m glad I get to share my love of la vie Parisienne with you.

#beckett writes #personal #adventures #paris #travel writing #creative writing #creative nonfiction #long post

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miamiroofing162 · 5 years

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PHOTOS: Lighting and Window Frames Added to Ratatouille Area in France at EPCOT

Roofing work over this large facade behind the Gusteau's sign was on overdrive ... Roofing pieces were being finished above Le Creperie de Paris.

#Google Alert - Roofing

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disneyfirsttimer · 5 years

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from WDW News Today

#IFTTT #WDW News Today

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antikorg · 5 years

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L’immigration a besoin de vraies réponses, pas d'un faux débat

L’immigration a besoin de vraies réponses, pas d’un faux débat

L’Humanité, 7 octobre 2019

Parlement. La discussion voulue par Emmanuel Macron débute aujourd’hui à l’Assemblée. Une instrumentalisation politique d’une réalité française qu’il convient de « regarder en face », certes, mais avec humanité et dignité.

Le fameux débat sur l’immigration voulu par Emmanuel Macron s’ouvre aujourd’hui à l’Assemblée nationale. Reporté d’une semaine à la suite du…

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#Emmanuel Macron #Immigration #Santé publique

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bushstory61-blog · 6 years

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A Week in France’s Loire Valley

After 5 gelato-filled nights in Venice and 2 chocolate-filled days in Zurich, our travels took us to the French countryside, or more specifically, the Loire Valley: land of medieval castles and royal châteaux and vineyards as far as the eye can see. We spent 6 days in this lovely little region of France, exploring castle gardens, wandering flower-lined streets, sipping wine and nibbling on fresh cheese and crusty bread.

It was the middle of May when we were there, and the picturesque little towns were in full bloom. It’s one of the reasons why spring is my favorite time to travel: everything is so much more charming when flowers are involved. It’s also generally less crowded than summer and more temperate too. It was actually a bit colder than I anticipated, and I spent the first few days shivering until our hostess so kindly lent me a scarf (note to self: always pack a lightweight scarf even if the weather forecast misleads you). I eventually picked up my own scarf from a boutique in town, and wouldn’t you know, as I stepped out of the store, the clouds parted, the sun warmed my face, and the temperature continued to go up from there (should’ve bought the scarf earlier in the trip! Ha!)

When we were just starting to plan this trip, Venice was a given, but it seemed logical to make the most of our travel (the flight over being the most expensive part) and see another place while we were over there any way.

My travel bucket list is full of destinations, from Iceland and Portugal to Croatia and Greece, not to mention the rest of Italy and, well, everywhere else (just about). One place that wasn’t on my shortlist, however, was the French countryside (Taylor and I usually preferring to stick to cities when we travel).

After a bit of hypothetical back and forth, my aunt sent me a link to her friend’s chateau in France. When you get an email that says, “My friend has a château in France”… do you really need to think about it?

When I clicked the link and actually saw Maison Dovalle, well, let’s just say I’ve never responded to an email so quickly and confidently. Yes! A thousand times yes! Don’t twist my arm or anything.

So, it was settled, we’d spend 2 weeks in Europe, splitting our time between Venice and France. (We also ended up with 2 bonus days in between, which we spent in Zurich. You can read about that here!)

This is how we found ourselves in the tiny hilltop town of Montreuil-Bellay, about 3 hours outside of Paris, staying in a beautiful 15th century castle chateau overlooking the valley.

The Loire Valley region is probably best known for it’s castles and châteaux, the area being a popular country retreat for the French nobility in the 16th and 17th centuries (seriously, you could spend two months just visiting the 100+ open-to-the-public châteaux alone). It’s also known as the Garden of France due to its abundant orchards and vineyards, the mild climate making it a perfect agricultural center. The central part of the valley was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 2000.

It’s one of those places that you could easily tack on to a trip to Paris, either as a day trip to one or two of the castles, or even a few nights relaxing in one of the charming little towns. Or better yet, spend a whole month here hopping from town to town, castle to castle (you’d need at least that long to really see them all).

I don’t have an extensive list of recommendations for restaurants and such, as, to be completely honest, easily 2/3 of our meals were a mish-mash of market finds and nibbles enjoyed at the chateau. However, I’ve organized my images by location and will talk a little bit about some of the other towns and attractions we visited during our trip.

Montreuil-Bellay

Being our home base, we got to know this little town quite well, from the charming bakery we visited every day (sometimes more than once), to the local creperie overflowing with locals enjoying a light lunch.

The town itself sits up on a hill, anchored by the fairytale-esque turrets of the Château de Montreuil-Bellay, which dates back to medieval times and was the site of battles and sieges alike.

In addition to French-language guided tours of the interior, you can also wander the grounds and ramparts on your own, as well as partake in a complementary wine-tasting of some of the château’s award winning wines.

The town itself boasts an adorable little patisserie (the highlights being the speculoos eclair and marizpan pig filled with layers of almond cake and chocolate cream), a creperie, a few little cafes and French restaurants, an antique shop, a clothing boutique, multiple wineries, a pharmacy (travel tip: learn how to say “I have a cold” in the local language) and even a Super U (the French equivalent of a Walmart). I mean, everything you need, right?

Montsoreau

This cute little village is home to a bustling flea market on the 2nd Sunday of every month, which worked out perfectly with our schedule. Vendors line the streets along the river selling a wide array of antiques and eclectic goods, as well as locally-made food products and fresh produce at the food market (which happens every Sunday). There was also a local arts and crafts exhibit, where we picked up a gorgeous little etching of the town (art being one of our favorite souvenirs).

We had reservations for brunch at La Marine de Loire hotel & spa, which offers a delightful brunch buffet in their charming tea room. With a large assortment of fresh breads, savory bites and gorgeous little pastries, it was quite enjoyable. (I’m still thinking about that little orange pastry, layers of cream and crunch and bright citrus.)

Fontevraud-l’Abbaye

We drove through this adorable little down on our way to the flea market in Montsoreau, and knew we had to stop for a closer look on the way back. The town is home to the Fontevraud Abbey, the largest abbey in Europe.

We spent a bit of time in the gift shop (a lovely little gift shop if you’re looking for unique souvenirs), but opted not to tour the abbey itself and instead explore the rose-lined streets, er, street—there’s really only one main street running through the town.

There’s not much else here besides the abbey and a few shops lining the downtown square. Still, it was worth checking out if only for those turquoise doors (that shot’s a framer!)

Villandry

Sure, we could’ve spent all week touring castles and châteaux, but we didn’t. Still, we figured we had to go to at least one while we were in the area, and the gardens of Château Villandry lured us in.

I’ll note that the chateau itself isn’t exactly what I expected. The home was still in use as a country retreat as recent as the early 20th century, so it’s not nearly as historic as I thought. We walked through the interior pretty quickly, opting to spend the majority of our time outside in the gardens, which are truly spectacular.

Travel Tip: Even if you’re just there for the gardens, I still recommend purchasing an interior ticket too. It’s the only way to get up to the keep and see the gardens as they were meant to be seen: from above.

Also? Don’t pass up the snack bar outside. It was rather warm that afternoon and the prospect of a refreshing scoop of ice cream lured me in. The flavor list was quite extraordinary, featuring herbs and produce from the gardens. My nettle, verbena and mint sorbet was decidedly different from my normal flavor choices, but absolutely delightful. I don’t think I’ve ever seen nettles for sale at our local farmers market, but you can bet if I ever do I will try to recreate this.

Bioparc de Doue la Fontaine

Wait, I thought you went to France? Why are there pictures of lions and giraffes??

While a zoo might not be what you expected in the middle of French wine country, the Bioparc in Doue la Fontaine (a quick 15 minutes drive from Montreuil-Bellay) is definitely worth the trip. It’s by far one of the most unique zoos I’ve ever encountered.

Built within an old rock quarry, the habitats are constructed in amongst the rock walls, with tunnels and passageways leading to different levels of the park. The well-planned enclosures make you feel like you are part of the animals’ natural habitats, rather than just coldly observing them through a metal fence.

The South American aviary was by far one of our favorite areas, we could have easily spent an hour there just watching the parrots, flamingos and penguins flitting about within the natural stone walls, although the giraffes, lions, monkeys and goats were fun to see as well.

Saumur

Saumur was the largest town and closest train hub to Montreuil-Bellay. It’s a pretty easy 3 hour train journey from Paris here, although not a direct one. We didn’t spend a lot of time here, the town itself being much larger and more commercial feeling than some of the other little villages we visited. Saumur is known for its equestrian programs, although we weren’t able to fit in a show while we were there.

One thing we did manage to fit in? The mushroom museum (duh). Located just outside Saumur, the Musée du Champignon is built within a troglodyte house and the natural caves extending far into the mountain behind it. It’s a self-guided tour, but the museum’s caves are filled with lots of informative signage in both English and French. You see examples of the many methods of mushroom cultivation as well as a huge collection of mushroom species from around the world. I found it very interesting (it’d also be great on a hot day since the caves are naturally cool).

We also did a good bit of wine-tasting in the area. Pictured above is a private tour of Le Petit Saint Vincent winery just outside Saumur, a family run winery that’s been in operation for 4 generations. The natural caves underneath the winery are a sight to see!

Paris

We were originally going to spend 6 nights in Montreuil-Bellay, heading back to Paris for one final night before our flight out the next day. As it turns out, we ended up heading back to Paris a day early.

We’ve been to France twice, and twice we’ve been affected by strikes in one form or another. The French go on strike quite regularly it would seem, and a series of rolling rail strikes were, coincidentally, scheduled during our trip (at least they have the courtesy to schedule them, but still). I wouldn’t have known about it except for an article I saw on David Lebovitz’s facebook page (coincidentally, the same way I found out about the air traffic control strike when we were scheduled to fly into Paris 3 years ago).

If you’re planning on going to or through France, either by plane or train, it’s worth a quick google before you go just to make sure there are no strikes. I’m not sure what we would have done if we hadn’t known about this, arriving at the train station for our originally scheduled train only to find it cancelled. We probably would have panicked, argued about what to do, and ended up on a 5 hour bus ride to Paris (doesn’t that sound fun).

Still, the last French strike gave us a bonus day in London… this time we got a bonus day in Paris. I, for one, am not complaining.

A day in Paris probably doesn’t warrant it’s own post, but we took the opportunity to check out Montparnasse and the Latin Quarter, areas we hadn’t had time to see before, as well as grab a few pastries and even meet up with Laura and Connor who coincidentally happened to be there at the same time (if you recall, we both happened to be in Japan at the same time last year. Could this be the start of an accidental yearly tradition?)

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Source: https://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2018/08/a-week-in-frances-loire-valley.html

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