We came back from France two years ago with a handful of euros in our pockets."We'll save them for next time," I said, creating a label for the little jar from Monoprix that once held what surely must be the world's creamiest vanilla yogurt.
The jar has had a place of honor on the top shelf of the pseudo barrister's box bookcase in the dining room for 23 months now. It has been a symbol of our future plans, our unwillingess to part with roughly 40 euros.
Last time we went to France, we got 728 euros for $1,000. The rate of exchange is equally dismal this year, although it was good in early 2006. C'est la vie!
Good thing we've rented an apartment with a kitchen and are within a short trek to Rue Cler. Because I think we will be eating in a lot.
Speaking of my barrister's boxes: Laura Florand initiated a bookshelf meme. The idea is that you photograph your bookshelf, or the one that best represents you. This is my France shelf. I am a total slob, as you can see. There are other, neater bookshelves in my house, but I thought you should see this one.Of course, half the Paris books are on the coffee table in the TV room. At night we curl up with them — and the laptop — to plan our strategy for getting to know Paris a little better.
20 comments:
How many days until you leave for Paris?!!! I'm so excited for you!
Only 49 days now, Lydia!
It will be fun to cook in a real Parisian kitchen!
Do you have Patricia Well's Food Lover's Guide to Paris? If you're eating at home, you need to know those markets, cheese shops, etc. (where you can spend as much as is you were eating out). One personal fave: J. LeBlanc huilerie on Rue Jacob. The Pignoli oil is terrific.
Chris, we could visit Rue Jaob the day we do the pilgrimage past Julia Child's apartment.
I do not have that PW book, but I will order it.
BTW, we will be near the President Wilson and Saxe-Breteuil markerts as well as Rue Cler (also known as the Rick Steves market-haha).
Mimi--Speaking of pilgrimages, when Marion and I were in Paris, we sought out the hotel from the delightful Cary Grant/Audrey Hepburn film Charade. Hotel St. Jacques, I think. Grant [or more accurately, his stunt double] leaps from balcony to balcony in it.
When we go to New York, we try to stay at an upper west side hotel with a [tiny, feral] kitchen. Partly, eating in your home away from home saves money. But mainly it saves you from eating absolutely every meal in a restaurant. And as a bonus, you can kind of pretend you're living where you're visiting.
Only 48 days to go! Too bad we can't figure out how to exchange my euros for your dollars - and eliminate the charges...
I'm going to be visiting family in Eau Claire during the first part of May.
Paris is so lovely that time of year! You're going to have such a great time.
Have you been to 'Le Train Bleu' in the Gare de Lyon? If not, it's worth a visit...and the food's pretty good, too!
I love your bookshelf! Who needs organization? And I love your euro jar. And to think I remember when the euro was worth LESS than the dollar. Those were the days.
Thanks for playing.
Ah, TerryB, you found me out! That is exactly why I wanted an apartment - I can pretend for two weeks that I am a Parisian. There is a fruit market a block away, plus an ED and 4-5 open-air markets. Have you ever leapt from a balcony?
Katie, thanks to MFK Fisher, Le Train Bleu is on my list — they used to be open for lunch, do you know if that is still the case?
Laura, I am usually not this messy! Some day I will do a real photo for you!
Don't know, Mimi. Sorry. We went for dinner and had very traditional fare: escargot and coq au vin.
For Coq au Vin I would recommend Chez Rene, though. It was wonderful!
I was going to assk when...and now i know....
My whole house pretty much looks like this. For me, it would be magazines. I'll have to give a photo like this a try...
Oh Mimi, you are so lucky, you get to be by rue Cler. I was there for part of the summer last year and had such fun - I also had a kitchen. Thanks for the post, your musings are always great.
Mimi, Corey at Tongue in Cheek did a very pretty post on Le Train Bleu not too long ago. You probably know her blog already: http://www.willows95988.typepad.com/
Thanks, Katie - I ordered my euros today, but I am trying to stre-e-e-tch them. I'm looking for value meals (not the McDo's kind - lol).
CF, it's hard for me to contain myself these days.
BC, I owe you an e-mail - You should see my stack of mags. I think I'll send pix...
Mary - did you get to the market on President Wilson? I thought we'd enjoy that one, too.
Thanks, Laura - I think I know that blog. So many blogs, so little time....
How long will you be in Paris? It's been too long since I've been there - and I have friends who live there!
The apartment sounds perfect. It doesn't stop you from eating out, but you get to shop for food at the local market - how fabulous!
Your bookshelf reminds me of my late husband's books. No time to organize - too busy creating. Who was it that said "A creative mess is better than tidy idleness"?
Toni, my whole life is a creative mess. We wilk be in Paris for two weeks.
I think it's great planning holidays, I love the pile of books it looks like my coffee table and as for getting a map out that's fatal!! Not long to go Mimi and I can't wait for even more stories.
Anne
Sometimes planning is as much fun, if not more, than the trip, Anne.
We never outgrow the pleasure we take in anticipation, it seems.
Your little pile of books looks much loved and well read !
AH, Fi, everything in my house looks that way!
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