Metro Talent

She's been listed on YouTube as the "Beauty Ignored - Violinist Plays Paris Metro".

And it's true. Each time I go to Paris, I search for the beautiful violinist. I usually find her all alone, down below in the cold and windy Metro.

The rush of people hurrying by can lead you to one of the tunnels where there you hear the footsteps of hurried crowds. Then suddenly, down a corridor you hear the echoing of Pachelbel's Canon in D. The sound is so beautiful and eerie. You wonder who is this woman, this beauty? Is she homeless? Is she really a professional? Why is she here and why won't anyone stop to listen? I guess you can't blame them...there is so much talent all over Paris. On the streets, down below in the metro and just about every corner you'll find a singer, a dancer, a band or even a mime to entertain you for euros.

There are few who will drop euros in her opened violin case ~ those who appreciate her talent, love the song, or simply have pity wondering if this is how she makes a living. Perhaps if you're like me, you'll go in search of her simply because she's your favourite.

For whatever they reason, she is generous with the talent she offers and will give you a smile and a sincere "Merci!"

What you won't see in Paris

Why is it so difficult to get ice when one is out of the country? You have to beg and plead and repeatedly ask for ice.

Perhaps it is liquid gold or something we don't know about?

Is it an American thing?

A Texas thang???

Is it only me?

I enjoy a nice cold drink with lots of ice - that's just the way most people are brought up here in Texas. C'mon now you've all seen the ads...."How about a nice ice cold Coca Cola or an ice cold pitcher of tea". Yet when dining out with foreigners it a miracle if they bring you a glass with only 2 or 3 small cubes. These of course, melt as soon as they fill the glass with a luke warm beverage.

I've also learned that if I'm here in the states and eating in a restaurant where a foreigner is serving - they too will shy away from a full glass of ice. It's almost comical to see the expression on their face when I ask for a full glass of ice...no beverage...just ice. I love watching them when I pour my entire beverage into the waiting glass filled with ice.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!"

You can do that here in America because their tips depend on your satisfaction. However, in Paris or Europe most meals already include the tip so they really don't care how often you ask.

The interesting thing about iced tea is that for the most part Europeans NEVER served cold tea in the past. It was always a small cup of hot tea. Well, until they FINALLY caught on with the full econmics of selling it and that Americans would gladly pay for it. Then they realized, "Hey...we could delute it making gallons of it and still charge the same if not more for a glass of iced tea!"

Ya think? Now imagine what could happen if they just added more ice!

People in Paris

Paris is so alive. The people are poetry in motion.

I love the crowds which hustle and move past you so quickly. One must move fast to keep up or get out of the way less you'll be pushed aside by someone in a hurry. Not even an "excuse me" or "sorry" will be heard so don't expect it. Instead, you'll turn to see who could have possibly been so rude and all you'll see is the toss of their scarf and their chin pointed up as if to say, "Yes, YOU got in my way so move it!"

Of course, they only "think" that in French and even though you may not speak the language to hear their thoughts, the comprehension of body language shouts clearly. One can't help but stop and turn and wonder where they are going in such a hurry. All dressed up - leather boots, tailored slacks, sunglasses, scarves, perhaps a long dark overcoat and a cigarette with a satchel of some sort tucked under them as they whisk by to catch the next Metro.

And then there's the street life commanded by the youth or young at heart. You'll see them everywhere. Dancers, musicians, mimes, singers - all with incredible talent and voices that fill the subways from morning till night. Some of the best talent can be found around 1 a.m. down below in the subways. You'll hear them echoing down the tunnels and as you approach, the talent grows stronger and louder. They sing their hearts out, playing their instruments drawing a crowd only so they can hear the music they desire to hear...the sound of clinking coins as those who pass by chip in a few euros for their next meal.

And above ground - there too you will find them. Perhaps at the Louvre, on the Champs-Elysees or in front of Notre Dame a curious crowd will form as a group of street dancers set up. They beckon the crowds with their boom boxes and baggy, stylish clothes; flexing and stretching their limber bodies as the crowd begins to gather. Within minutes they're each taking turns entertaining the crowds with their own personal version of the latest break-dance moves. By the way, you'll want to watch your personal belongings for this is the haven a pick-pocket lurks in while the dancers have you mesmerized.

You'll run into every walk of life on the Parisian streets. Beggars, tourists, locals, military, workers, the young and the old. But without a doubt, the ones who will stop you in your tracks are the lovers of romance. Paris was formed around that one moment in time when all the world stops and two lovers gaze passionately into each others eyes. Nothing else matters except that one kiss or that one embrace which releases the fire of passion. You'll see it everywhere. Perhaps in a park where two lovers leisurely walk hand-in-hand. You may even see it in a cafe, as the waiters rush to fill the orders of crowds waiting all about them, there you'll see them whispering and smiling in a corner table oblivious to their surroundings. Or you may find it on a bridge, in the subway, or at a corner stop-light amidst a crowd the public display of deep affection is simply an every day occurrence. Young love filled with infatuation and anticipation or mature love that runs deep knowing every touch of the soul....it's all there.

"Je serai poete et toi poesie." A most romantic quote by Francis Coppee which means, "I'll be a poet and you'll be poetry."

La Vache Qui Rit

Yep. She's laughing at me on this specific day, in particular! La Vache Qui Rit....The Laughing Cow has the inside joke.

There are times when my French just goes blank. And of course as you can guess at the most critical of times when one needs it the most.

In 2010, we were in Paris shopping for the week's meals at the local Monoprix. Trying to be careful with calories I searched for NON-fat items. For the life of me, I couldn't remember the word "non-fat".

"Pardon madam, je cherche du lait sans uh, uh, uh...comment dit on???....uhh"

Then I motion with my hands as they circulate my body and make out to be a huge round person. The young woman smiles and directs me to the milk....but I keep asking "SANS" which means "without". She finally figures out what I'm trying to say and pulls out what I think is a Fat Free bottle of milk. Interestingly enough their milk is not refridgerated. So then I'm twice as leary.

Later I buy "du frommage" (some cheese) The Laughing Cow....so I can carry my small pre-wrapped portions as I travel. There I also searched for the word "non-fat" but to no avail. It didn't matter - the cheese was too good to skimp on this one anyway.

It wasn't until 5 months later that I was home reading an article about Mardi Gras in my kitchen. Yes, there it was in bold letters: ' MARDI GRAS'. Absent mindedly, I ran through the days of the week lundi, mardi, mercredi, jeudi, vendredi....then then wait a minute!! Let's back up to Mardi Gras. Mardi means Tuesday....and Gras...well there it was...FAT TUESDAY! BIG FAT TUESDAY!!! GRAS was the word I had been searching for and the term was "Sans gras"!

To make it even more comical, I opened my refridgerator door and there she was....the old container of LA VACHE QUI RIT....and yes she was laughing directly at me!

Happy Mardi Gras Y'all!

Fresh Baked Goods

The best foods in Paris are the fresh baked breads, croissants, cookies, macaroons and so much more. Many are buttery and not as sweet as you expect. But they are fresh and fabulous especially after a long morning stroll.

You will love stepping into an open air bakery just as the breads are being pulled out of the oven and you sit down with a cup of coffee or capaccino. Bon apetit!

Une Carafe D'eau

Basically "Une Carafe D'eau" is a carafe of water.

Get used to saying it if you want to save a little money while in Paris. Here, I'll pronounce it for you Texas style: "Yewn Caraf d'oh".

Yes, "d'oh" just like as on The Simpsons.

Don't get it mixed up with mineral water otherwise you'll pay more for that baby than you would a bottle of fine wine. I'm not kidding.

The carafe you've ordered is simple, plain, tap water but it's not bad. Don't let them confuse you either. They will ask..."avec Gawwwwwwz"?

"Excuse Me? Gawwwwwz???"

"Oui!!! Avec Gawwwwwwwz!!!"

Ok now I'm starting to get nervous...."Do you mean do I want a glass?"

"Non!!! GAWWWWWWZ!!"

"Yes, okay, okay I'll take the Gawwwwwwz whatever that means."

Later my waiter brings 2 glasses with a bottle of mineral water...the gawwwwwwz was interpreted as "GAS"...or as this Texas girls understands, good old carbination.

As I said before save your money and practice: "Yewn caraf d'oh, s'il vous plait".

And if you survive that... then your next step is to repeatedly ask for ice!

La Tour Eiffel

Nothing beats riding atop a double decker bus on your first day in Paris and having your husband say..."Turn around baby!" only to see the majesty of the Eiffel reaching up toward the clouds, high above the golden autumn trees.

"Oh be still my heart and gaze upon her beauty!!" I thought to myself. Finally, after dreaming about this city for years, here the Eiffel stands before me. La Tour Eiffel...the most popular of European icons in the world.

To stand beneath her is another thing altogether. The crowds, the steel, the height, the enormity of it all. Somehow she alone can bring in all the passion and romance and magic this beautiful "City of Lights" has to offer.