To take or not to take that is the ?

My husband, Y, and I love going to flea markets and finding cheap little knicknacks that will brighten our apartment. But recently we have been gleaning the neighborhood (finding things in the trash and recycling them).

First, it was the three-tier little bookcase that we were thinking of converting into a medecine cabinet or a picture shadow box in honor of our wedding. It needs a paint or modpodge job and then it will look as good as new!


Next, it was the picnic table that Y found near his work, that fold up into a neat box! There really are no problems with it, no broken hinges and it has turned out be a lifesaver, no more dinners sitting down on the floor!

saved 50 - 100 euros

And then it was the TV stand at 3am that looked new to our eyes, so we wheeled it down the street and carried it up a flight of stairs while my sister gave us the talk about how we would really have to put it to use. Later, I have noticed that there are few things missing, but with some paint it will be brand new.

saved 100 euros

And then it as books during our adventure in Montmartre, and the packs of paper sheets (8 with 200 pages each) saved 50 euros.

We have even gleaned potatoes and corn from the leftover harvest. To check out the French gleaners, watch Agnes Varda's film "Les Glaneurs et la Glaneuse" 

To become a gleaner: just remember your eyes are the key and always have a purpose for the item 
+ you never know what you will find and HAVE FUN!

Guide to the métro, tram and the RER

For all those coming to Paris, here is a quick guide to the métro, the tram or the RER, because more than likely you will experience one or all of these modes of transport!

1. There are 14 metro lines, 4 tram lines and 5 RER lines, therefore the first time taking the metro can, but it doesn't have to be a frightening experience!

• Remember your stop and the direction that you need to take to get to the stop ( I don't know how many tourists I have seen who think they are going to CDG when in fact they are going the wrong way!)
• For example, you are on line 4 at Gare du Nord and you want to go to St. Michel (same line), follow the direction Porte d'Orleans until St. Michel. 

• For a clearer explanation refer to ratp.fr interactive map of the transports - this map allows you to click on your starting and ending position and then gives the amount of time to arrive at your destination, the approximate price and also allows you to print it out

2. Keep track of your belongings, make sure they are next to you and keep your eyes on all of them.

• Don't let your cell phone, keys, credit cards or what not in your pockets you never know who's hands will find their way into them, better yet, keep your hands in your pockets or near them.

• Be aware of your surroundings, be aware of pickpocketers, you never know who has been eyeing you or your stuff during your journey and who has been making a plan to steal your stuff, I have seen it action, so please don't let it happen to you, you don't want to spend your whole trip in your nation's consulate - I imagine not a fun trip!

3. Take advantage of the metro, etc.

• Go to Disneyworld, end of RER A!
• Go to a football game (soccer) when in season @ Stade de France RER B
• Versailles - RER C
• Les Puces de Saint-Ouen - The Flea market or Puces de Vanves (line 13)
• Porte de Pantin and the Parc de Villette - line 5 or 7
• Basilique de Saint Denis - tram 1 or line 13

There are so many things to do in Paris, and the metro, tram, RER makes it easier, so don't forget that it exists, it makes life more easier, because you don't have to buy gas, find a parking spot and remember where you parked the car, and last but not least its only 30€ for a 5 day pass!

REQUIEM DES ROIS DE FRANCE DE DU CAURROY

The ensemble performing was called "Douce Memoire" which means Sweet Memory, and a sweet memory it was. Though I didn't see the actual concert, because I was in charge of keeping watch of the dressing rooms and helping with the reception, what I heard was good. The group performs with musical instruments from the Medieval and the Baroque period, about 10 instrumentalists and 6 singers (2 women and 4 men).

The concert was in memory of Henri IV's death and was influenced by the queens and kings of the court. Therefore, when the music started it was reminscent of the sounds one would hear in the 16th century. It made me want to process down the walkway like a princess, "Now presenting Princess Adrienne of Drancy"!

The main instruments used were recorders, bassons, a small pump with your feet type organ and a cross-between a trumpet and a cornette. The trumpet cornette sounded like a flute but it wasn't, I asked one of the woman playing these instruments to describe it and she said there was no relation with the flute.

The music echoed throughout the Basilica and echoed into the courtyard of the church as if angels were sending the music into the ears of the crowd. The only disappointment was the music and the echo did not stay in rhythm, this coming from a musician. But I guess not everything can be perfect.

This ensemble and their concert were great, the women's voices harmonized well and one could see that they loved singing as there was a sort of glitter in their eyes. The men were so enthusiastic when singing, they would just sort of jump right in, when it was their turn to add the harmony to the fugue.
And the instruments, one thing I could never forget... harmonized and sweet melodies never making a mistake, thus creating sweet melodies.

Le Marche

Today was a rare experience, I went to two different marches or markets.

My usual Sunday consists of my husband and I going to the market around 10 making the usual stops to ED (the supermarket), the butcher shop, and then taking a stroll down the main street, where there are mostly non-food vendors, before hitting up the baskets of anything your heart desires from a euro, fifty-two cent lady.

But today was not the typical Sunday, instead it was me who did all of the above alone and then returning home, to find my husband ready to go to the other market down the street. A market which was mostly consisted of Algerian Arabic household items and food supplies. I don't think I have ever seen that many arabic/turkish women in one place at one time in my life. The people were all in a hurry and if I spent one minute extra looking at the fish and deciding if I wanted to buy some, I would get angry glances and comments behind my back. Whereas if I was to do that, in my market in Drancy, never would that happen, or even in a Parisian market.

The markets are a place to meet people and where people come together either to sit at the cafes and people watch, stroll along looking at all of the useless items that no one really needs, but will end up buying because it only cost one euro, or for those who want to get in and get out, because they are not into the crowds. There are endless aisles of bread, meats, veggies and fruits in each little building of the market, alongside rows and rows of clothes from socks to suits, wallets, purses, and shoes for only a mere 5 euros. Its just the people that sometimes get in the way...but if you take your time and let the other people suck it up, the experience is bound to continue.

Doctor Visit

There was no welcoming crew, no one to escort me to the sick or health room, no one with a smile on their face to say in that sweet voice "oh are you sick?" But rather a plain white-washed room with blue door that matched the chairs (and that made my blue scarf fit right in) and a couple of fish tanks. 

Why is it that there are aquariums in doctor's offices? Do people feel comfort with fish? I have decided these doctors want to make you feel like you are in the sea (of sickness) not the relaxing beaches of St. Tropez with music of Bridget Bardot in the background.

 Just a plain and simple office, not even a sign welcoming you there. Disappointed that there was no one there to check me in especially because I didn't know where I was supposed to go, made me a little uneasy if I had might the right choice with choosing this office (my husband sees this doctor). Even more disappointing after having to knocked loudly in order to enter didn't served no purpose. Not knowing which door would be my destiny, was it up the stairs, or in front of me? the questions and the uncertainty continued to pop up, and I wanted someone there to lead me in the right direction.

And at the very second that I was thinking about leaving, because it was already 15 minutes past the time of my appointment, I heard my name! I entered the room and was welcomed with kindness unlike what I encountered upon entering the building the first time. Therefore this doctor's office has become my preferred place to go, despite the lack of homeness.