....things that make you go "huh, what the...."

But first on the home front:

So I have been dutifully going to French lessons on Tuesday and Thursday and have only reconfirmed my belief that languages are not my forte.  Instead of each lesson making things clearer, it seems that once I think I finally understand, my instructor says "Non" and then throws a new monkey wrench into the plan.  And who's bright idea was it to assign genders to inanimate objects over here?!?  The table is feminine but the telephone is masculine......I mean COME ON really!!!  So now you just can't say "the table" because you have to say "la table" because supposedly it's a girl!  But the male telephone must be called "le telephone" or you might offend it or give it some kind of complex about it's sexuality!

The kids are doing great.  They just got back from a class trip to Normandy.  They spent 3 days and 2 nights at the PGL Center (uk/PGLWeb/Schools/Primary-schools/france/centres/Normandy.htm) and loved it. The kids said "PGL" stands for "Parents Get Lost"!  Each class takes a trip durning the school year (starting in Year 3 - just a day trip) and the time away increases as they go up in grades.  I think the seniors actually do a week-long trip somewhere each year. It is a class building trip and involves mostly fun and games, but there is some "cerebral" activities too.

They both loved the agility/obstacle course even though Samantha came home with a huge bruise on her shin she doesn't remember getting but thinks it was this course (really, the bruise is about 2 1/2 inches wide and about 6 inches long....you'd think you'd remember that hit!?)  They also did rock climbing, repelling and something called "problem solving".  Max was excited about the problem solving activities.  It seems, as best I can tell, that they were on a course like the obstacle course, and given a set of instructions and then had to figure out as a team the best way to "solve" the problem.  The way he told it, the camp leader would say something like "You are stuck on an island, you have no boat, but there are rocks every 3 feet and you have a 4 foot long piece of board with you, how do you get off the island?".  Then there would be tires or other low lying things placed 3 feet apart and the team of boys (3 or 4 in a group) would figure out a strategy and get off the island.  Of course, then there were also land mines and guns and all things "boy" as the problems got harder.


Patrick's work is going well.  Coming from a private office in N.C. back to "cubicle world" here as been a slight challenge for him, but he is embracing it as best he can.  There are more women than men it seems in his office, which is also a challenge for him as he doesn't do well with "petty women stuff".  But I have to give him this one, because I have met and talked to some of his co-workers/friends and they confirm that there are some doozies up there! Like the woman who takes naps under her desk during the day or the one who books the conference room for a whole week just so she can have a private office!  One way he's "rebelling" is he purchased a USB "missile launcher" that shoots Nerf-like darts at his co-workers from controls on his computer.  Maybe they will rethink his being with the general population and put him behind closed doors again!


The dogs are doing well.  Walking gets easier every day and they aren't as alarmed at everything either.  Morgan has actually been able to walk off the leash both in the neighborhood and in open spaces and does very well, keeping close to us and coming when called.  Einstein does okay in secluded places off the leash, but we still don't trust her in populated places!  Morgan is happy with her 4 walks a day, but I think Einstein really misses her yard.  She has taken to climbing out onto the 2 foot ledge that overlooks the central garden (don't worry, there's a rail) and lying down for a nap.

Poor Einstein.  She misses her yard!

Four Stories in the air

"Don't mind me, I'll just lie here looking
pathetic"

Now, other pictures that make you go "Huh, what the....."

This is the "American" section at one of the grocery stores.
It is primarily Pepperidge Farm cookies with a little peanut butter
and condiments!  This is what the French think we eat!

Poster for a car.  I don't know, but he name "Punto" just doesn't
seem like a model I'd want to buy.  "Punt"o this one to the
curb!

That's right, ladies and gentlemen!
The fashion capital of the world has people walking around in Harem pants!
Not only is this chick "rocking 'em" but they are ORANGE!
M.C. Hammer take notice.....they're back!

What!?!
The definition of Foie Gras is "a food product made of the liver of a duck or goose that has been specially fattened"
Really Weight Watchers?!?

Now a little name recognition!

For my super smart niece!
Congrats on your graduation!
Come take a picture with your store.

And of course, gotta have the last name too!

Oh so close!  Damn hyphen.....
Too bad it's a stinky cheese store.......

And lastly, nothing is complete without a pig in a basket.

Surprisingly, not a butcher!
Another stinky cheese store.......

'Til next time...................

Things that make you go hmmmm...

This weekend we went to Sacré-Cœur and the Montmartre neighborhood.  This has to be one of the most popular places for tourists.  It was crowded but there was something to see at every turn.  Of course, the cathedral is the centerpiece.

just a few folks.....

As we were wandering the surrounding neighborhoods, we crossed a bridge and saw the most spectacular cemetery.  It was quite old and we only went part way in, but I wouldn't mind going back and wandering around sans kids so I could take my time.  It is the Cimetiere de Montmarte.  Even though we only went part way in, we saw some interesting things.

The first thing I saw was this sign.

Rules

This is what it looks like closer up.

Lots of "can'ts"

The kids were looking at it and asked me about the middle row, middle square....  "Mom, who would bring their cat to the cemetery?" and "why can't you feed your cat?".  Reading below the picture in my limited French, I deduced that they aren't objecting to feeding your OWN cat, just don't feed the cats that supposedly roam the cemetery.  Oh, okay.....  Next question (middle row, first picture) "why can't you throw stuff away?".  Again, reading the caption as best I could, I figured out that no one is supposed to throw any flowers away they might find on the graves.  I guess they have someone who does that, but I did see A LOT of dead flowers around on graves.  Maybe they don't thrown them away and leave the flower maintenance for the families.....

As we walked on, I noticed a grave that gave me pause.  

Is that a small tire made of concert on the grave?

On further investigation I noticed the engraving on the headstone.....

Fiat?!?
Is that why there is a tire on this grave?
Was he run over by a Fiat?

We walked on and saw this cool statue.

Max trying to give high five!

Sam and man in the wall

Didn't quite make in through!

There were also street performers around, but this guy was impressive.  That is some dedication to his art!

Bronze man is real!

I have more to share, but must go and start my day.  Will post again soon to share the rest of the pictures!

I know I'm in Paris when I see........

Today we decided to start the day by going down to the Eiffel Tower and perhaps taking a ride to the top.  The kids have been wanting to do this since we got here.  So we took the Metro, because there is absolutely NO parking down there, and were greeted by throngs of people already in line at 10:00 a.m.  I mean this line was crazy long!  Worse than any line I have seen at Disney or major concert!  I mean this thing wound around like a snake for about a mile.  So the kids said "we'll pass and come back, maybe on a weekday".  Whew!

See the people on the second tier?
It's a 45 minute wait for the elevator from this point to go to the top!

As we walked under and away from the Eiffel, we heard a dog barking very excitedly.  We came up on an area where there were about 6 or 7 dogs having a "play date".  The barker was a golden retriever closely following his owner who was occasionally throwing a tennis ball for him.  He would bring it back to her and start the process all over again.  This dog was excited about something so we kept an eye on him and his owner and since were walking in the same direction, saw what this puppy was so excited about.

Following his tennis ball!

Dogs swimming in a fountain in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower

There were about 4 or 5 dogs just wading around like little kids!  The edges were a little steep so owners would occasionally have to help their dogs out, but they all just kept jumping back in!

We walked on in search of some lunch.  On our walk we passed a lot of markets.  These are common sites and one of the things I will never get tired of seeing.  It's amazing that they set these up and break them down daily.  

Seafood sounds so much better in French
fruits de mer
(literally "fruits of the sea"

Then there are the flowers.......

Then there is stuff......

Need some shoes?

On our walk to lunch we saw carriages getting ready for the afternoon.  There was one carriage that stood out......

Going to the ball?

We found a nice place to eat on a corner.  Great people watching!  Since the weather has changed and Spring has arrived, every restaurant that has sidewalk space has outdoor seating, which we took advantage of.  The kids were thrilled because they had burgers and fries.  It was a little pricey, but everything within walking distance of the Eiffel tends to be.  Also in France, there is no such thing as free refills and Coke is an imported product!  So we have had to tell the kids "only on drink per meal and then it's water" because......

My wine 4,15 Euros
Samantha's Coke 5,00 Euros 

Patrick's 1/2 liter beer - 8,50 Euros
Max's 10 oz Sprite - 5,00 Euros

After lunch we walked around a little more, then jumped the Metro back home.  Tomorrow is Easter and we are supposed to attend an Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by a group I joined of English speakers.  Has been cloudy and a little rainy this afternoon, but hoping that it clears up by tomorrow afternoon.

I paid $4.19 for a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese

.....and $7.15 for a jar of dill pickle chips!  But I didn't break down and buy the Pop Tarts for $8.50!!  No, I was not on a game show.......just shopping for what qualified as "imports" here in Paris.

Patrick took today off for a long Easter weekend and we decided to make the rounds of the stores in the area that specialize in carrying the imported American products.  It was so nice to just see the shelves filled with familiar names and products.  I never thought I would "ooh and aah" over a can of baked beans.....or a tub of Betty Crocker frosting for at whopping $12.87.  Needless to say, I passed on the frosting!  Thank goodness my Mom taught me how to make frosting!

We treated the kids at the first store with a Nerds Rope for Max and an A&W root beer for Samantha.  I got myself a box of brown sugar ~ and was damn happy!  I ran into the other store by myself 'cause parking was nonexistent around the store.  Again, the shelves looked like home.  I just had to pick up a little something for everyone waiting in the car.  I got Samantha the Mac and Cheese, Max got the pickles and I picked up a jar of jalapenos for Patrick ($10.00!).  On impulse, I grabbed a can of Dr. Pepper and a can of Mountain Dew from the cooler!  Fantastic!

Worth $4.19 to me!

Mmm, mmmm, good

Of course with a French touch!
On a baguette!

Max's favorite sandwich
B.L.P. (bacon, lettuce, pickles)

Since it is a long weekend, I'll keep this short as I am sure we will have more to report later.  Hope everyone is having a wonderful start to their holiday weekend.

I got a little behind on my posting.

This weekend we did some fun stuff.....got a car......took the dogs to the Parc de Saint Cloud......went to Ikea (again!!) 'cause we had to return something.....

But last weekend, we had some fun too!  We live right down the road from a beautiful pedestrian bridge that leads into the a huge green space know as Bois de Boulogne.  But I had been told that if you take a sharp turn off the bridge, you can walk along the Seine on a trail that goes along by the houseboats and few people know about it and therefore it is less populated.  We found the path without problem and walked for awhile.  We came upon a area that was open field and turned the girls loose!

Happy, Happy!

Nice dog....looking pretty!

Einstein doing her fox impression

Flower Girl

As we crossed the bridge, we could see houseboats along the banks of the Seine.  They came in many shape and sizes.  Some done up nicely; others you kinda had to wonder how they were still afloat.  But one really stood out.  

Is that a gator!

Concrete alligator chained to the roof of a houseboat.
Gotta love someone with a sense of humor!

As I walk around the neighborhood, I am seeing lots of flowers and plants.  I think I may have discovered a patch of blackberries (no fruit yet) by the Tram station.  

I am seeing these flowers in decorative beds all over.  Anyone know what they are?  They are about two feet tall and the blooms hang upside down!  The bloom colors I have seen have been yellow and orange/red.

This is what they look like looking up into the bloom

Love how the blooms hang down.

 I think these are lilacs....  They grow wild here (kinda like honeysuckle in N.C.) and you see them all over.

This is a beautiful blooming tree in the park where I take the dogs for their walks.  There are pink ones and white ones.  Now that the blooms are falling off, it looks like colorful snow around the trees and on the walkways.

Pink snow

That's all for now....sorry it's a short post!  Kids are out for another week on Spring Break and Patrick is taking Friday off to make a four day weekend over Easter, so I am sure I will have more tales to tell and pictures to share.

....we saw the signs.

No, not of the spiritual/religious nature, just everyday signs around town that are supposed to inform you of things.  Well maybe if you spoke the language.  Since we don't, we have improvised the meaning of a few of them.

The first, and one of my personal favorites because it makes me smile every time I see it, is any sign for:

Hotel de Ville

These signs are everywhere.  This is just the one closest to the kid's bus stop.  Every time I see these signs, images of a hotel decorated in dalmatian spots by Cruella Deville jumps into my mind.

You know Cruella, right?!?

I have found some images of what I think the Hotel de Ville should look like:

The outside
Obviously, Disney agrees on the hotel.

Lovely room

What this sign really means:  In France the sign for Hotel de Ville is a directional sign pointing you to the town hall.  So of course you see these every where which is good for me because then I smile in every town I'm in at least once! 

The second sign we have seen in a couple of locations.  This picture is by one of the bus stops we use.

This is a large sign close to an intersection.

We have made up a couple of things that we think this sign could be.  (1) Careful! Your car might spontaneously combust once you turn here (2) If you are not a large truck, you will burst into flames or (3) Danger!  Angry, hot headed drivers ahead.

What this sign really means:  This is a road sign letting you know that vehicles carrying combustable materials and trucks over 3.5 tons are not allowed on these roads.  Boring!  We like ours better.....

The next sign I have only spotted in a few places.  I think it is an old sign/sticker that is not used much any more (and for good reason!).  Most often I have seen these stuck to windows in a place of business.

What the.......????

As you can well imagine, our thoughts for what this sign could mean where all over the place......  Mammograms.......?  Breast exams?  Watch out for your female children......?  Run away!?!?

What this sign really means via translation is "driving accompanied by a qualified driver".  Okay, that's better....kind of.  So this is a sticker for driver's eduction cars.......Driver's eduction taught by adults to minors......still kinda creepy........

I had to do some more research on this one.  I googled the saying and found a picture of the sticker.

Better.  The ones I have seen
have obviously faded!  Whew.....

 So what does this sticker mean? The steering wheel clue would probably have given it away if it didn't fade. The text, if you speak French, would also give it away. It actually means that the person driving is learning how to drive, and it’s known in France as conduite accompagnée or ‘accompanied driver’ in English. In other words, the driver is being yelled at in French by someone who already has a license to drive. However, there’s every chance that the person driving has a license already because it’s not obligatory to remove the sign when the learner driver stops learning.  Maybe they should find a different logo or perhaps one that doesn't fade.

Scarlet letter???
Better than the other sticker, but come on folks!

Also seen on cars, this one means apprenti which pretty much translates to ‘apprentice’ in English. When someone has finally jumped through the hoops required to get a license (no small feat from what we have been told!), this sticker must be displayed on the car for 2 years.  It requires drivers to drive more slowly than the speed limit allows. However I have heard drivers rarely see any car with this sticker going less than 10km over the speed limit, let alone that much under.

I am sure that we will find more signs to "translate", but for now these are some of our favorites.