From the French Kitchen: Mussels

Mussels are a French staple: they are cheap, easy to make, filling and good for you.

We usually eat them once a week. A few days ago, I experimented and made two different kinds. They are so easy to make, so do not complain that you cannot do it.
1. Heat oil in a pan and cook onions.
2. Put the mussels in the pan and add water. The water should at least be semi-covering the mussels.
3. Add any spices in whatever amount. I usually make 1/2 crushed red pepper and 1/2 indian ( curry, paprika and ginger).
4. They are perfect with fries or bread.
5. Enjoy!

Whew!

I just got done with exams! Weight has been lifted off my shoulders! I had five exams, but one was a three -in-one (art, music, and theater), others were culture sociology, tourism, visual identity and grantwriting for a project proposal. Sound like fun, right? and did I mention they were all in French?

I feel like I did fairly well, I know a lot of statistics so great conversation starters. Like the number of  tourists each year in France, 76.3 millon, if you didn't know. Or survey says: that 8% of French people go to a dance or classical music concert at least once.

That is all for now, my next stress will include my final project for school, more on this later!

Thoughts from the Metro: French Facts

Almost every morning, I try to read a Direct Matin, one of the 3 free newspapers found in the metro.

There was an article about the change in French population in the Wednesday, January 19th version, that I just had to share.

Fun Fact 1: The population has just passed 65 million! According to January 1, 2009, the population was at 64,7 millon.

Fun Fact : 58,7% of French are between the ages of 20-64.

Fun Fact 3: Marriage is way down in France, more people are pacsing, meaning they have signed a contract and are no longer consider single. Pacs are usually for same-sex couples but more and more opposite -sex couples are doing it. Pacsing is the new "marriage" trend, and when it ends it beats getting a divorce!

Fun Fact 4: 54,8% of children born in France are born out of wedlock! Think 36% are born to married parents!

Fun Fact 5: 828,000 babies were born in 2010, beating the normal 800,000 a year. I guess this means more single parents?? based on the fact noted above.

What do you think of these facts? Do you have more to add?

Changes

Hello Adventurers,
My posts are going to change just a little, because I would like to write more about my personal adventures and thoughts about Paris and France than a what-to do and what -not-to do.

I am thinking about starting a couple of series, the exact days for the week have not quite been determined, but I hope they interest you.

The Series:

• French Phrases
• Thoughts from the metro
• Confessions
• Walking in the footsteps...
• From my kitchen to yours.

If you have ideas, please contact me or would like to read about something in particular do not hesitate to ask!

A+ (A plus tard, see you later en français)

SSD Part III

Probably by now you have figured out the shady reputation that this neighborhood is known for, if not I'm going to tell you.

As soon as you step off the metro @ Strasbourg Saint Denis or Chateau d'Eau, you may notice a line of black African men standing in the corridors or at la sortie de metro. These men may approach you and ask if you want your nails or eyebrows done, but mostly they are selling hair products for African women. and they are working off commission, so sometimes they resort to harrassing and pulling your arm. Since I have been going there, I have been only asked once. Usually I hold on to the arm of my husband and they don't approach me. Don't be alarmed and just say no.

Another problem is prostitution. The number of women you see may depend on the time of day, usually there are more women at night. and the pimps often stand with them on the street, to encouraging selling. Y and I were asked if we wanted to do a threesome with a woman and I just looked at the pimp and said "WTF". So that is why SSD has a bad reputation, but don't be scared off.

DO:
- check out the neighborhood and take in it's wonderful qualities
- have fun, you are on vacation
- walk with people you trust
- check out my previous ideas and let me know what you think

DON'T:
- walk around at night/early morning, it can often be dangerous
- act stupid or walk drunk, it is easier for people to take advantage of you

Please comment if you have other suggestions, about visiting the area or if you have encountered it's fault.