Day 62 - Avoir Paree

Hello All,

I'll be in touch with you after July 4th when I arrive back in the U.S. It's been a great journey for me and having you share in my day to day activities has been special!

Here are a few miscellaneous last minute photos I took in the apartment.

And this one is for laughs: my bill yesterday for a Diet Coke near the Opera!! Converted the Diet Coke cost me about $10.00. For sure wine is cheaper in Paris!!!


Off to Germany for three days!

Love, Judy

Day 61 Time To Say Goodbye

A travel adventure has no substitute. It is the ultimate experience, your one big opportunity for flair.
-- Rosalind Massow

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving.
-- Lao Tzu

A traveller without observation is a bird without wings.
-- Moslih Eddin Saadi

Better to ask twice than lose your way once.
-- Danish Proverb

He who returns from a journey is not the same as he who left.
-- Chinese Proverb

I can't think of anything that excites a great sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything.
-- Bill Bryson

If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.
-- James Michener

No matter what happens, travel gives you a story to tell.
-- Jewish Proverb

Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers... the mind can never break off from the journey.
-- Author Unknown

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.
-- Nelson Mandela

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Traveling is not just seeing the new; it is also leaving behind. Not just opening doors; also closing them behind you, never to return. But the place you have left forever is always there for you to see whenever you shut your eyes.
-- Jan Myrdal

For travel to be delightful, one must have a good place to leave and return to.
-- Frederick B. Wilcox

The computer will be packed soon and I will say goodbye now to all of my many friends and family who have been so supportive and communicative during the two months I've been away. This has been an amazing experience and unique time in my life. This trip was a celebration and gift to myself and for that I am most thankful.

I'll be landing in Burbank on the 4th of July at 8:45 pm! How's that for my entry back into my "other life?"

Much love--Judy

Days 59 and 60 with the Philippona's

Greetings to All,

I've been away so I will combine the last two days into one. I've been at Vicki and Joseph's at their generous invitation 1) to escape the heat of Paris and to get out of an apartment with no air conditioning and 2) to limit my train travel back and forth as we had a "girls luncheon" today out Vicki's way today.

Sunday I watched the World Cup - England vs. Germany. Of course it was all in French and I was rooting for Germany only to discover the team in the red jerseys was England, not Germany. See what I mean, the simplest things can become hard to understand at times when in another country. When the game was over I went out to Vicki's with my Le Cordon Bleu Tomato Tart in hand and joined them for a delicious dinner on their patio. I spent the night and was spoiled royally. I had a fan in my bedroom which was heavenly. I slept like a log!

This morning Vicki, her 12 year old daughter Sarah, and I went grocery shopping at Carrefour and got back just in time to meet the girls for lunch. There were five of us-- Elizabeth, Bobbie and her mom from Pennsylvania, Vicki and me. It was so enjoyable and I loved being in the company of these good friends (all ex-pats).

The next big task ahead was making train and plane reservations as I am soon to be checking out of my little nest here in Paris. Joseph helped me tremendously (truly I don't know what I'd have done without him) and after a call to Germany and a few calls to the U.S. my plans were set.

I leave Paris on June 30 by train to Stuttgart. After a three day visit with Chris and Bernd, I will take the train to Frankfurt to catch my American Airlines flight home on the 4th of July. I will arrive home just about the time the fireworks will be going off in Stough Canyon (it took a minute to remember the name of my neighborhood park).

Here is the famous LeNotre store two doors down from my apartment building. They are famous throughout Paris for their exquisite catering, bakery, events, etc. I took this walking home tonight from the metro.


My bags are packed and I'm ready to go! Now it's time for dinner and hopefully a bit of news on CNN.

Enjoy these lazy, hazy, crazy days of Summer!

Love, Judy

Street Scenes

Hi All,

These are pictures taken while walking the streets of Paris. They are a sampling of the life in Paris from my perspective. Here you go! (Did know that you can double-click on a picture to enlarge it?)

The "Opera" as seen last night walking to the metro after class at the Ritz:


A couple waiting to cross the street at Place de Concorde. I spotted them on Rue de Rivoli as I came out of a bookstore after my bus tour of Monet's home:



Walking from the bus stop to Philippe and Francoise's house for lunch, these little ones were in front of me with their mama's:


This is my apartment building at 119 avenue de wagram as seen while waiting for the bus across the street:


Here's a small billboard I passed while walking home from the Champs Elysee on the First Day of Summer (Fete de Musique):


And this final picture was taken in the metro station after seeing "How to Become Parisian in One Hour." This is Vicki and Joseph, and friends Louise and Sharon. We were checking out the map and finding that we were going in three different directions to find our way back home. Apologies if I posted this one before.


Would you like to know what time it is in Paris? It's 4:07 am and my fingers are flying across this keyboard because it is so hot in the apartment that I can't sleep. Let me give it another try! Good night, all!

Judy

Day 58

Hello America!

Now to the fun stuff. If you think you've had enough of my cooking experiences, well think again. Today you will hear about my ninth and final cooking class at Le Cordon Bleu. I was there at 8:30 am for a light breakfast, mingled with other like minded cooks, and started class at 9:00. This was an all-day class (lunch is served on their patio.) The course was called "A Taste of Provence" and we made, among other things, a tart (pastry lined with red/green peppers with the skins "blistered" off and topped with a cream and herb mixture). It was delicate and so delicious. Here it is with its proud creator smiling at her success!


The other main dish was a stuffed fish. The recipe is not at my fingertips but basically we were handed a huge fish--not trout size--you'll see. We had to scale it, fillet it, cut off its head and get rid of all the guts. The girl next to me couldn't handle it; the chef did most of hers. We wore rubber gloves and there was blood and guts everywhere. You'll see a p;icture of the students lined up with their fish to rinse it off in cold water. The lady across from me seemed so adept and at ease with this task. Later she told me that she's a doctor (from Holland) and this is "right up her alley." Here I am with the chef as he's checking out the fine job I did on this fish.




So we stuffed the fish, prepared some gourmet zucchini mold, made creme brulee and almond cookies. Can you even imagine all of that? It's pretty hard work and especially in a hot kichen. We all have our own stoves/ovens so with 14 students you can imagine how hot it gets.

So after nine classes ranging from pastry to main entrees, I have come to realize that for the French, cooking is a very important part of their life. It takes time to create a delicious meal; it cannot be rushed and be successful. Much emphasis is given to the right sauce, the proper way of presenting a dish and artistic flair is something I see over and over again with each and every chef. I've learned so much and gained a great deal of experience in putting together a first-class meal. Today we learned about garlic--pound it flat with the blade of the knife, cut it in half--so far nothing unusual, right? Now for the fact I'm guessing most of you don't know--you remove the tiny garlic sprout that is encased inside the garlic. Just with the tip of your small knife. It's so very small but next time you cut into a clove of garlic, you'll see what I mean. The chef said it's bitter and not good.


I am sitting in the office at 9:40 pm and it is hotter than blazes! I'm sure if the weather had been like this for any duration during my stay in Paris, I would not be a happy camper. I'm guessing it's about 90 degrees. This brings me closer to a decision that's been looming in the back of my mind and that is a possible move to Bellingham, Washington. My inclination is that I rent a place there for six months, pretty much like I've done in Paris, and then live in my Burbank home for six months. And I don't need to say which months I'd be in Bellingham and which months I'd be in Burbank.

How can it be so light at 10:00 pm.? One of the students from Kansas City, Missouri, said that she and a friend went to a restaurant last night at 7:30 pm and felt so out-of-place. It was bright daylight and the restaurant was practically empty. Paris is a city of late nights and much of this is due to the weather. It certainly has changed my way of living for the past two months.

Enjoy a beautiful day doing whatever makes you happy!

Love, Judy

Day 57

That's a huge artichoke I'm "paring" which was something I've never seen before!



Hello Everyone!

Just when I didn't think cooking classes could get any better, I had my last class at the Ritz Paris tonight. It was a huge class of 14 and it was all about organic vegetables. The class was "Chicken Breast with artichokes, and vegetables cooked in casserole." A nutritionist was there along with the chef explaining about the benefits of organic food so the evening was not only "delicious" it was educational too.





Voila! Here's the final dish!

I will cut things short tonight as its 12:30 am and I have an early morning class at Le Cordon Bleu on Saturday. I need to check in at 8:30 am for a light breakfast, then an all day class "Taste of Provence." And that will be the ninth and last of my cooking classes in Paris. It's been absolutely fabulous!

Love, Judy

Day 56

Greetings All,

You've read about me taking the train out to Vicki and Joseph's, well here's a picture I snapped today as I arrived at the train station.



Today was yet another exceptional day. I was invited to the home of Elizabeth, a friend of Vicki's who lives in the suburbs of Paris along the Seine River. She invited about a dozen women for a garden party/pool party in the lush setting of her palatial estate. Take a peek at the grounds plus Elizabeth's kitchen with a view in every direction:




Most everyone enjoyed the pool as it was a hot summer afternoon. We ate, drank champagne (Mumm's for the ladies), and finished off the garden party with some of Vicki's famous chocolate chip cookies. It was an afternoon of gaiety, lively conversation and an overall sense of well-being. "Here I am, right where I want to be"--a quote from Isaac Dinesen's Book Out of Africa.

All of the women at this garden party are American/Canadian married to French men. They have lots in common and are a very tight knit, lovely group of ladies.

It's settled! I'm going back to Stuttgart, Germany, for another visit with my friends in the small village of Weinstadt. After I check out of my apartment on June 30, I will spend a few nights at Vicki and Joseph's, then take the train on the Fourth of July to Stuttgart. Then back to Burbank on July 7th, which will mark the end of a faboulous 9 week journey!

Tomorrow is Ritz Paris for cooking. I can't wait for this "healthy cooking" class.

Good night, all

Love, Judy

Day 55

Hello Everyone,

I am so pleased to know so many of you are following my European Journey by way of my blog. Hopefully I can have enough to write about to pique your interest and keep you coming back! Today was just one of those remarkable days. Here goes!

A lunch invitation was extended to me by the father and stepmom of Andre, the young French intern who stayed with me one summer. I boarded the bus in front of my apartment at 11:30 am with a huge bouquet of pink peonies for the hostess. After 30 minutes I arrived at Gare D'Est, the end of the line for Bus 31. From there I walked 15 minutes to the De Bausset apartment without too many wrong turns!

Philippe and Francoise greeted me warmly and while sipping a gin and tonic, I had a tour of their home. The De Bausset family portraits hung on every wall--magnificent oil paintings dating back to the mid 1700's. One great grandfather served in Napolean's reign, another relative was the French Ambassador to Russia, another was someone equally important. Just take a look at these portraits and the beautifully appointed home.




This is Philippe and me standing in front of one (or two) of his ancestors!!!


And let me introduce Philippe with his charming wife, Francoise:


In Philippe's office there was dozens of framed photographs taken during his career as a journalist and they were fascinating. How about sitting in President Kennedy's office, just the two of them. Then Philippe and Bobby Kennedy in Kennedy's office. Secretaries of State, Governors, Statesmen and even a photo of Philippe at a table sitting with Caryl Chessman at San Quentin. He was interviewing him shortly before his execution.

Some kind of day, wouldn't you say?

Lunch was delectable. Philippe boasted about his wife's culinary achievements and oh my, he was not exagerrating. The first course was a delightfully cold gaspacho soup pureed with diced cucumber floating on top followed by sweet breads and noodles. Naturally lunch was served with a beautiful red wine. Dessert was apple tartin and a cup of expresso topped off the meal. We ate on their lovely patio and the cool breeze was reminescent of a lovely breeze at the oceanside. I could not have been more comfortable but shopping was on the agenda, so Francoise and I left on foot to find an A #1 professional cooking store. I am now the proud owner of a Mauviel copper saute pan. Let me tell you about this pan. Ready?

For people who love to cook
In 1830 in a Normandy village called Villedieu-les-Poeles, which is located near the Mont-Saint-Michel, Mr Ernest Mauviel established the Mauviel manufacturing company. Villedieu-les-Poêles, "the city of copper", has a 800 year of heritage of copper manufacturing.The strength and foundation for Mauviel's manufacturing expertise is based upon this rich tradition of copper manufacturing that has been handed down from generation to generation. since the very early years, by offering the highest quality products, Mauviel has been a fixture in the professional and commercial markets. Today, Mauviel continues to offer the professional chef, the products that are unsurpassed in quality and design. These same products are now also available to household markets. Throughout the world, Mauviel products are used by many famous chefs and professionals.


We went into one store that deals with professional restaurants and I bought a lifetime supply (600 grams) of Fonds Brun Lie which is a dehydrated veal stock. It's something that more than one good cook has raved about here in Paris. And how could I go home without a one kg sack of Sucre Grains. These were used at Ritz Paris for our puffed pastries. They look like gigantic grains of sugar and they get sprinkled over the pastry before baking. Well, my work is cut out once I arrived back home, I can see that!

Finally tonight I found news about America on several channels although not the kind of news I like to hear. President Obama replaced General McChrystal which, of course, caught worldwide attention. The overall feeling for Obama is extremely positive here in Europe and even with others I have talked to in Australia, China and other parts of the globe. A high ranking energy executive who I talked to on Saturday night said, among other things, that Obama has vision and courage. That seems to be the consensus abroad and it's good to hear such positive comments about our President.

It's time to say "bon nuit" and I will be in touch with you tomorrow, as always!

Love, Judy

Day 54

Hello America, How Are You?

I decided to take a bus tour to Giverny, the home of Monet. It was a 75 minute bus ride to the edge of Normandy where Monet lived and found much of his inspiration. The pictures I'm posting are of Monet's gardens. Although we were able to tour his home, we were not permitted to take pictures. It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon and, as the days are drawing near for my departure, it was on my list of places to go. Mission accomplished!



It's hard to imagine but it just turned 8:00 pm and I'm home, showered, and finishing my blog. Can this be true? Soon I will have dinner (at home) and dive into the new book I bought on the way home. This was a big purchase and one that I've wanted since the day I arrived. What book you ask? It's Julia Child's Mastering The Art of French Cooking. It's quite a large book (and heavy) and even though I could easily buy it in the states, it means more to me buying it here in Paris, especially since I'm officially "certificated" at Le Cordon Bleu!!!

The good news for me is that the elevator is finally fixed after 10 days! You have no idea what a pain it is to climb 140 steps up, then another 140 steps down, many times during a typical day. And don't forget, luggage has gone up and down, groceries and the like!!!

Enjoy a good night's sleep and a great day tomorrow! I'll be seeing you soon!

Love, Judy

Day 53

Greetings,

Last night, the Fete de Musique, was wonderful; in fact, so interesting that I didn't get home until after 1:00 am. It started at 8:30 pm with a concert at a small church in Maisons Lafffitte, a village close to where Vicki and Joseph live. The music was both in English and French and rather easy for someone like me to understand.



After the concert I took the train back into Paris and exited right by the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysses. The street scene was amazing--at midnight the sidewalks were packed with people and the Champs Elysses bumper to bumper with cars waving flags, honking and participating in the merriment of the First Day of Summer. I had my first hamburger since arriving in Paris. Yes, at McDonalds!


I'm writing this blog the morning after the Fete de Musique. I had to be up early to let the radiator repair man in at 8:00 am. It's now 10:00 am and I'll watch Larry King in an hour, then head out for Rue de Rivoli where I'll join a 5-hour bus tour of Giverny, the home of Monet.

The cool June temperatures are about to end. Each day this week it gets warmer and warmer ending on Sunday with 80 degrees. The local people are happy to have summer finally arrive.

Ciao,

Judy

First Day of Summer and Fete de Musique

Hi,

Today is a huge celebration throughout France - June 21 - First Day of Summer! It's called Fete de Musique and music will be playing on every street corner throughout Paris. I have a late evening in store for me tonight. Now it's 2:00 pm and I am heading out to do a little sightseeing before going to Vicki and Joseph's. Here's a blub from the internet:

The Fête de la Musique in Paris, Monday 21st June 2010
Art and Culture

If you’ve never experienced this music festival before, brace yourself: every 21st June, anyone and everyone will be making music of any and all kinds anywhere… and everywhere.


Fête de la musique 2010 (Music Day 2010)

In June, the streets of Paris and everywhere else in France take on a festive air for the Fête de la Musique. This huge popular event brings together music fans and musicians, amateurs and professionals, for one day of music making in the streets. Every year the event is a great success!

This year, the 29th edition of the Fête de la Musique takes the theme “Music and Women”. Sources of inspiration, artists with a wide range of repertories … women will be the stars of the day.

As well as being the occasion for amateur musicians to reveal their talents, the Fête de la Musique is also the opportunity to hear French and international artists performing for free throughout the city.

In Paris, the national orchestras will be participating in the event. Under the Louvre pyramid, the Orchestra de Paris will play « La Nuit Américaine »: a compilation of works by Bernstein, Gershwin and John Adams.

At the Musée d’Orsay, the Orchestre Philharmonique and the Maîtrise de Radio France will take up residence in the Nave which will open exceptionally in the evening for the event.

Artists will play in different places all over the city. In Place Denfert-Rochereau, in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, the public will be swinging to the sounds of music groups In the Club, Curry & Coco, Jil is Lucky and Hugh Coltman, with many other surprises.

Here are a few street scenes, one at the Opera and the other taken while I was enjoying a coffee at an outdoor cafe. Motorcycle guy got his expresso and placed it on his seat while getting other things in order!

I'll continue my blog later when I return home. Until then, ciao!!!

Day 52

Hi All,

Back home to my little apartment on Sunday evening after spending the night at Vicki and Joseph's.

Last night I took the train to Le Visinet/Le Pecq at 8:00 pm. Vicki and family picked me up at the train station and we went to Pierre and Bobbie's for a BBQ. It was a special night for celebration with fireworks and music. It was called something like Fete de Marguerite or Festival of Flowers. Whatever it was, it was fabulous. We had dinner, a group of about 12 adults and as many kids, and then this "show" started around 10:00 pm once it got dark. I've seen many fireworks displays but this took the prize!!! The fireworks were synchronized to the music and the music was just great. It had to do with Quebec which I understand is a sister city of the little town where we were. People came from all around but we were lucky that the show was right in the front yard of our hosts! Here's a picture of Eric, 16 year old son of Vicki and Joseph, taken at the party.


THE PARTY'S OVER!


It was 3:00 pm when I went to bed. Up at 10:00 am for a full day of fun at Vicki and Joseph's. Andre stopped by for about an hour to bring a bottle of Hennessy Cognac for me to give to Joseph as a thank you for all he's done during my stay in Paris. (Andre is the International Director of Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy.)



Tomorrow will be a big day as it is the longest day of the year which is cause for a huge celebration throughout France. The streets of Paris will ring with music all night long. I don't know if I'm going to stay in Paris and walk the streets partaking in the festivities or go out to Vicki and Joseph's for a musical event.

Whatever I do, I'll be sure to get a good night's sleep tonight.

With that I'll send my love and a good night to you all!

Judy