Sunday, September 28, 2014

Oh no, not another shoe store...

Weekend 7: September 27th – September 28th 2014
Saturday, September 27th
                Spoiler alert- It was a pretty quiet weekend for us as we did not plan any train trips or out of the country trip. Just a weekend in Paris J. So if you chose to stop reading – we don’t blame you.
                The other co-worker that came with us to Paris wanted to go shopping so we slept in then met her on Rue de Rivoli for some shoe shopping! We didn’t end up finding shoes (as Stevie’s co-worker was looking for shoes for a wedding she was in next weekend). Nevertheless it was fun just to go shopping in Paris (for Stevie and Rachel, that is) for the afternoon. Stuart didn’t have as much fun as us, but he was quite the trooper!
                As we were shopping along the street we saw the Tour Saint-Jacques. A lone bell tower from the 16th century church was all that remained from the church that was there. The French Revolution destroyed the church.
                Also along this street is the Hôtel de Ville or Town Hall of Paris. The building is quite impressive and the location has been used since 1357 (or so Wikipedia says). After checking out the building we kept walking down the street into the neighborhood known as Le Marais – also known as the gay neighborhood. It has some more shopping but more unique vintage type boutiques. We did stop for a small little butter cake that is known to Normandy (Kouign Amann) at a nice boulangerie.
                After shopping we went home and took a nice little powernap before our evening. Another co-worker of Stevie’s that works at the research facility and has been in Paris for about two years invited the three of us to a show. She bought the three of us some tickets to a light and fun comedy show at the theater La Grande Comédie. The show was “Le clan des divorcées”. It was about a divorced woman looking for roommates and ends up with two other divorced women as roommates. One of the roommates was supposed to be from England and played “the dumb blonde” while the other woman was played by a man and was the star of the show. The women put an ad in the paper to get some dates and the woman played by the man was the only one who actually got an honest date but turned it down to stay with her/his friends. It was a cute show regardless of the language barrier. Even in quick French we were able to get the gist of the play. It’s probably a lot funnier actually knowing what they were saying!
                After the show we got some dinner at a nearby brasserie then headed back towards the city center. We were able to see the Assemblée Nationale (National Assembly or House of Representatives) all lit up on our way to the river. We then watched the Eiffel tower glitter and waited for a friend of a friend of Rachel’s to hang out. While we waited along the river, we were able to do some serious people watching. There is a lot of seating right along the river and hundreds (no joke- hundreds) of people were just enjoying bottles of wine and hanging out with their friends before they were off to the clubs or whatever people do after midnight in Paris. There are a lot of bars and restaurant boats along the river too that were extremely popular. We didn’t stay out with the others too late, but we did wait around to see the tower glitter again then it was off to bed for us!

 Sunday, September 28th
                Another unplanned day in Paris. This weekend was very nice with sunshine and warm weather so we tried to stay outside today. We got up and went to the English speaking church 10 minutes away from us then headed towards the Champ de Mars for breakfast and people watching around the Eiffel Towel. We also passed the Paris aquarium on our walk to the tower from church. Anyway - the park (Champ de Mars) is big and was extremely crowded, even on a Sunday morning. We got some crepes nearby and found a bench to peoplewatch. This peoplewatching included viewing some sort of square dancing in the park led by an American with men and women dancing. The women had on very rufflely skirts- not exactly your jeans and cowboy boot sort of attire you would think to wear when square dancing.
                After breakfast we made our way to another huge park in the north side of Paris, Parc La Villette. This park houses the Cite des Sciences et de l’Industrie (City of Science and Industry – museum). The museum has a geode that looks like a giant mirrored golf ball but it’s actually a theater inside. There was also a submarine outside the museum as well and the rest of the park had a lot of play area for kids and adults! It was a great day for a picnic or just sitting in the park. There’s also a music museum and a concert hall in the park. After exploring around the park, we walked along the canal (Canal de l’Ourcq) that runs through the park. Apparently there was a sort of utopian recycling festival that was going on that we walked through. There were interesting pieces of art made of cardboard and plastic bottles as well as a bunch of pamphlets on different organizations that stood for recycling or public education on some sort of environmental or social issue.
                We took a stroll through the festival alongside the canal then made our way to the metro, stopping for a fresh baguette to buy for dinner.
                We didn't do much after that as Stuart was a little bit sick this weekend so we took it easy.

Next weekend though….AMSTERDAM!
Bien amicalement (sincerely),

Stevie and Stuart

Monday, September 22, 2014

Chocolate, Waffles, and Fries (aka Belgium)

Weekend 6: September 20th – September 21st  2014
Saturday, September 20th
                We took not the first, but the second train to Brussels at 6:30 this morning. We were able to see the sun rise on the train ride to Brussels, Belgium. Once we got to Brussels we hopped on the next little train to get to Bruges, a super cute medieval town near the coast of northwest Belgium. We stored our backpacks at the train station and took a bus right into the city center. Once we got to Bruges (~9:30 in the morning) we walked around the Markt (main square) and realized that nothing was open until 10AM at least…so  we got some breakfast!
                After a nice warm café au lait (and orange juice for Stuart), we started to wander around the city. This tiny cute city was really fun to just wander (and get lost multiple times). The next thing we did was go to the Historium history museum to get some free wifi and a free map from the tourist office. By then it was time for chocolate. After that we did some more wandering. As it was Saturday morning, there were a lot of little flea market type tents selling all sorts of chatchkie, but we were in search of chocolate. There were chocolate shops all over the place, but we found a really good one for a nice little treat.
                After our chocolate fix (for the hour) we went to the Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed (Basilica of the Holy Blood). Legend has it that the relic that is housed in this Basilica (a vile of old blood) is some of Jesus’ blood. It was carried through the crusades and every so often it turns from liquid to solid then to liquid again. Regardless of the legend that is associated with the relic, it was a very awe inspiring experience. The church was well decorated too!
                After the basilica we went on a boat tour of the canal. People call Bruge the Venice of the North. It really is too! It was a nice canal ride up and down the town. (Pictures explain better than words.)
                Then, it was time for lunch. So what did we do…we got some frites!!! (French fries! Which aren’t really French, they were invented in Belgium! Get your facts straight America!) Frites are served with mayo here in Europe so I (Stevie) got a curry-mayo sauce and Rachel and Stuart…well, they got ketchup.
                To walk off our hot delicious frites, we climbed up the bell tower (Belfort or Belfry) in the main town square. It was 366 steps and had a really neat clock and mechanical bell ringing system inside.
                After that we went back to the Historium for a small beer tasting (Duvel) and got to see the town square from above. After the tasting we wandered the town a little bit more, got some more chocolate (bacon and wasabi flavored chocolates!), got a super delicious waffle (wafel!) in the Belgian fashion – not the lighter more square Brussel fashion waffle that we all know as Sunday morning breakfast. These waffles tasted like crescent dough pressed in an iron with sugar so they were hot, buttery, and sugary. Of course we had to add whipped cream and more chocolate on top of our waffle too (no regrets!).
                Back to Brussels for the evening! We got back and ate at some touristic restaurant near the center square of the town. Not too exciting. But then – we got some more chocolate (ginger and cinnamon flavors for Stevie and a s’more type chocolate for Stuart).

Sunday, September 21st
                We all got up and went to the Cathedrale des Saints Michel et Gudule (<anyone know of Saint Gudule?) to see it and celebrate mass there in French and Dutch. Belgium has three parts to it, the French speaking part, the Dutch speaking part (like the Netherlands/Holland), and the German speaking part. Most of the country speaks French AND Dutch and the news channels are offered in both.
                After mass we met up with a friend of mine (Stevie’s) that I met in Spain. She was in one of my classes and in a group project with me. Marjolaine was able to show us the city (it’s not very big, but it is the seat of European Union!!!). Brussels is one of the most popular conference spots for Europe.
                First we walked to get some breakfast then to St. Catherine’s church. Today was a day without cars in Brussels so the bus, metro, and trams were all FREE!!! There were a TON of flea market shack things and mini festivals going on throughout the city. Outside of St. Catherine’s was a medieval themed little festival thing with people dressed in their middle aged garb.
                After seeing the church we went into an old market building turned into a bar/exhibition area. Then we wandered to try and see the Manneken Pis. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Legend has it that when Brussels was at war (they were in a lot of wars), a little boy came up to a bomb and peed on it thus saving the city from destruction. So, there’s a tiny little statue downtown Brussels commemorating the little boy. This statue has clothes made for it and when he’s done wearing them; the clothes are put in the city’s main museum on their main square, the Grand Place. There was an unveiling of his clothing and way too many people to wait for him to be unveiled, so we left.
                We wandered through the city then got some typical Belgian lunch. Meatballs and fries for Stuart, beef stew and fries for Stevie. After that we went to Delirium, which has the 2004 Guinness Book of World Records record for the most beer held there (2004 types of beer counted in 2004). The beer menu was like a telephone book! Stuart got a cherry flavored lambic and Stevie got a mango flavored beer. We’re not beer drinkers, but these beers were made in Belgium, so it counts!
                After that we went back to Manneken Pis to get a picture, then we walked through a gallery type mall. We then went to the Museum of Musical Instruments. This building was SO COOL! The museum was neat because we had an audio guide that played the old instruments as we walked by them. We only got to be in the museum for an hour as it was closing, but we saw traditional instruments of the world, instruments of the west, then an exhibit on Adolphe Sax (guess what he invented).
                After the museum we walked around by the King’s Palace and saw the festival that was happening near the big park by the Palace and got a free Belgian apple. We kept walking in that neighborhood which had a lot of antique stores and old buildings. We made our way up a hill to see the Palais Justice. The building was huge and had a great view of the city and the Atomium. Built for an exhibition, the Atomium replicates the crystalline structure that iron forms naturally (times 165 billion in size), as the statue is made of iron (stainless steel).
                We made our way back to the Grand Place after observing a very bizarre beach party happening outside the Palais Justice. The party was apparently for the birthday of the European lottery. There was free champagne, bananas, jet skis, sand, and cabanas on roundabout in front of the justice building. Quite entertaining.
                On our way to the Grand Place we got some more chocolates (as souvenirs and free tasters!) and of course, another waffle, but this time with ice cream. Marjolaine had to leave us then, but she was a very good tour guide and showed us all over Brussels! After that we moseyed over to the train station then made our way home.
Best. Weekend. Yet. J
On the agenda for this coming weekend: Paris (including a comedy show?, shopping!?, more exploring of different neighborhoods!)
A bientôt! (See ya or talk to you soon!),

Stevie and Stuart

Monday, September 15, 2014

Loire Valley: Home of 71 Castles and Châteaux

Weekend 5: September 13th – September 14th 2014
Wednesday, September 10th
                I (Stevie) just wanted document my work experience in Frankfurt Germany from Wednesday, the 10th. I had the opportunity to film some of the FIRST EVER meeting where engineering and operations electrical experts gathered from around the world. It was a great experience and will definitely help in one of my projects I’m working on. We were able to fly to and from Germany in the same day. It was a  long day,  but I got to meet a lot of really experienced people at the very new and modern Frankfurt Global Engineering and Construction Solutions center, so that was neat! By the way, the flight attendants gave out croissants (TWICE!) on the flight to Germany. It was pretty legit.

Saturday, September 13th
                Well, there’s not TOO much to say about today…We ended up on trains for the majority of the day trying to get to the Chenonceau castle/chateau just outside of Tours France in the Loire Valley. The Loire valley is known for its castles as there are 71 along the river Loire. (We definitely want to go back with a rental car so we can get to more castles!) The castle itself had 5 large gardens and multiple kings/royal people have lived in it including Catherine de Medici (<that woman has her name on a lot of stuff all over France). This chateau wasn’t nearly as extravagant as Fontainebleau, but it was staged like people still live there. The castle staff gathers fresh flowers from the gardens every day to decorate the rooms, so the whole place smelled like death (to Stevie), or flowers to people.
                Anyway, we eventually made it to the castle after a very very minor detour in Tours to check out the cathedral there. That cathedral is definitely one of the best ones that we have seen! We got back to our hotel in Orléans (the original Orleans!) then had a nice dinner at a pizzeria in the old part of town.

Sunday, September 14th
                We wanted to visit another castle today (Sully-Sur-Loire), but the bus schedule was not in our favor. Stuart and I got up early to go to mass nearby then we set out for a nice French breakfast (croissants, pastries, and coffee). After breakfast, we went to check out the ‘Maison de Jeanne d’Arc’(house of Joan of Arc). It actually wasn’t ever Joan’s house, but she stayed there with the town’s treasurer during her heroic battle where she (successfully) saved the town of Orleans. The house was just a 15 minute video interactive room. The video was pretty cool with statues, tapestry, and walls getting projected on or lit up. No one actually ever drew Joan of Arc while she was in sight. The best drawing of her that there is in the world is just a sketch from a guy who was in Paris while she was in Orleans (it looked like an 8 year old drew it).
                After the museum we went to the cathedral in the center of town. The cathedral had stained glass windows devoted to the life story of Joan of Arc. It was a very well preserved cathedral with cool flags with a different coat of arms on each one lining the main worship space.
                After the church we made our way across the street to Hotel Groslet, a 16th century mansion where a lot of the Mayors of Orleans had an office. Francois the second died there...The building was pretty cool with more Joan of Arc memorabilia and old stuff.
                We made our way over to the Museum of Fine Arts next and saw some art. There were four or five stories of paintings, sculptures, old plates and stuff. Not much to say here…I (Stevie) am not much of an art museum person, but I did have the camera during the museum, so I only took pictures of really funny or awkward pieces of art. I hope you enjoy those pictures!
                Moving from museum to museum, we went to the Museum of Archeology next where we saw an exhibit of Joan of Arc original pieces of art. The museum also had some old terra cotta, metal pots, and statues and stuff.
                After the museum we got a late lunch/early dinner at an American style diner. They did a good job trying to capture the typical American (steak and shake) type menu. This was also one of the only places open because France (a lot like Spain) closes up shop on Sundays.
                After dinner we got our stuff from the hotel then went to a free concert in the Cathedral with the Symphonic Orchestra and Choir of Orleans. We sat near the back but had a great view of the giant front door of the church. There was stage lighting on the sides of the door and columns near the orchestra which changed color for each song according to the mood of the song. It was a very good free concert! I (Stevie) was expecting a dragon to bust thought the front of the church (like in Shrek) because it really looked like something that would be in a movie.
                After the concert we got an aperitif (happy hour cocktail) then made our way to the train back to Paris.

That was pretty much the weekend! Up next weekend: BELGIUM! Chocolate, waffles, a medieval town and Brussels with an old study abroad friend of Stevie’s from Spain who is from the Brussels area!
Chaleureusement (with warm regards),

Stevie and Stuart

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Châteauxs, Gorgeous Gardens, and Good Food!

Weekend 4: September 6th – September 7th 2014
Saturday, September 6th
                We woke up early this morning to take an hour train ride out to Fontainebleau to see the châteaux. The châteaux is huge and a lot of important people have stayed there (King Louis VII, Philip Augustus, Louis IX, Henry II, Catherine de’Medici, Napoleon Bonaparte, Pope Pius VII, etc.). It’s very similar to Versailles, but a little older and less well known. Some of the neat things in the châteaux were some of Napoleon’s stuff (clothing, furniture, swords, etc.) and the bed that was made for Marie Antoinette (that she never used). The châteaux had a conglomeration of 4 or 5 gardens around it and a grand canal.
                After the châteaux we walked around the small city a little bit and bought some lunch for a picnic in the nearby forest. The forest of Fontainebleau used to be a royal hunting ground, but well…now it’s not. We had a nice little picnic in the forest then headed back to Paris for dinner.
                We went to church that night and then had dinner off the Champs-Élysées. We chose a very eclectic but nice Asian restaurant. It was getting dark so we took a stroll around the Triangle D’Or  (Golden Triangle) near the Champs-Élysées then watched the Eiffel Tour light up at 9. The tower glitters for five minutes every hour on the hour at night. We then got some soft serve ice cream and called it a night.

Sunday, September 7th
                         Today was a busy day. We spent the morning planning out the rest of our weekends here in France. After that we headed to the Jardin du Luxemburg – a huge and beautiful park in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. We got a crepe (chicken and mozzarella for Stuart) and a sandwich on the way (a delicious jabon cru et fromage de chèvre or smoked ham and goat cheese sandwich for Stevie). After eating our picnic in the park we walked around and found the very pretty fountain there that Marie had built (Medici Fountain). This park was made in 1612 for Marie de’Medici as well as her Luxembourg Palace that now houses the French Senate.
                After the gardens we found the oldest church in Paris, l'église saint germain des prés (St. Germain’s church). This church was built in 558 as an abbey then rebuilt in 1014. This church sits in the ‘Latin Quarter’ of Paris because the abbey donated some land for the University of Paris where Latin students came to study. After the church we moseyed over to Shakespeare and Company English bookstore only to get stopped by a huge herd of rollerbladers through the streets of Paris. We also saw the fountain for St. Michael on the way. ALSO along the way was Notre Dame, so we stopped for some pictures. Finally we made it to the tiny little English bookstore where writers like Ernest Hemingway and Ezra Pound gathered.
              After the bookstore we went over the bridge in Paris just off of the Notre Dame, which happened to have thousands of locks on it. It’s on THE ‘love lock’ bridge, but it sure looked like it. We finally made it to our destination, the world famous ice cream shop of Berthillon on the Île Saint-Louis. After that, our feet were ready to take us home.

On the agenda for next weekend…possibly Loire valley! (Castles, castles, and more castles!)
Bons baisers (lots of love),
Stevie and Stuart