ana around the world...

Bail-outs? Bof... from The Economist about the non-economists

2011-08-07T20:04:00.005+02:00

Today is Sunday and as it sometimes happens I treated myself with magazines. I say it's a treat because I have the loveliest newspaper shop near my place.
Check it out

Agrandir le plan

I bought ELLE, ELLE Déco, AD and other foolishness and then The Economist. For me it is a bit like porn you know. It doesn't happen so often, the paper is very thin and yet I make it last forever. Also reading about politics and economics makes my cheeks all rosy... what can I say.

Anyway.

My 1st remark is : only in The Economist do I hear so much about the Chinese one child policy. Why do you care so much? I mean no... I see why you care, it being borderline a human rights violation and shaping and molding the next superpower. Maybe later causing wars based on "give me your women!". But still I feel there is 1 or 2 big articles EVERYtime! But maybe it's just our nation's news silence on the matter that makes it so loud in your pages.

That was just a sidenote. So I was reading and my eyes got caught by this title : Bail-outs? Bof... by .... Never noticed I couldn't find any author name in The Economist before.
Why the French are relaxed about contributing to the Euro Zone rescue.

I'll spare you the details, after all you can just click on the link. I read this very good piece about how we (French that is) wanted to save our more engaged banks and Germany was more eager and alert about protecting its competitiveness gains.
Then I wondered how many French actually knew what Competitiveness Gains means (even if heard a lot about it during and after the 35-hour week debate). And then a more general wonder :

What exact pourcentage of the population have had economics classes?

What I mean by that is what pourcentage of the population understands what's going on? I am not starting a debate on elites ruling the masses. Don't care really. But at some point you have to wonder if our nice rulers for the last 50 years haven't colluded to make us dumber in matters of... what matters.

Philosophy is mandatory in France. Every single one of us had to go through it last year of HS. I remember a smelly professor, who might have been passionate about philosophy one day but lost all interest after years of talking about Socrate's, Plato's & Aristoto's thinking to a bunch of students who were mostly uninterested and certainly all frightned because they knew and everyone had told them so, that philosophy is hard and useless.

Don't get me wrong! During my real philosophy classes in the following years, I understood how important Philosophy is, liking it so much I wanted to double-graduate in it, and certainly at that time I was very proud that we, in France, make it mandatory.
Still proud! But as I was also following my first economics classes (and that was an intense 8 hours / week) I realised that only then was I starting to understand what people were saying in the news. After 2 years at this regiment I was screaming at the TV and cursing at whoever was professing unsustainable bullshit.

So! Really... 20% of high school students choose economics as their specialy. Some other will take it as a 1-hour/week option. So I'll say roughly 65% of the students who leave high school have never had an economics class (I'd love some real numbers on that if you have them).

At that point I am thinking major inter-generations government conspiracy.
I feel I'll be willing to give up philosophy-for-all if we could gain Economics in every classroom. I say their hasn't been an uprise in France about paying for another in-debt country , not because we are weighing pro or cons, but just because this debate flew right over the nations head.

Would loooove some numbers on that because I am both feeling like an elitist prick and yet still can't be sure I am wrong.

May, 10th - The USS Triton's circumnavigation's birthday

2011-05-10T21:51:00.006+02:00

Today on the Place de la Bastille was the concert to celebrate François Mitterand's election 10 years ago.
The organisators said this event was not supposed to be political.

Am I the only one laughing?

I vote we make it "Concert for USS Triton" if that's what they really want.

Scream 4 is smokin'!

2011-04-24T20:16:00.005+02:00

I realise my last post was somehow heated, I might have been rather p*** off and therefore maybe even angry.
So today we'll keep a neutral to happy tone:
AREN'T YOU HAPPY FOR KATE? WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE'LL WEAR?

NO that's just too much. But I WILL talk about Scream 4 and our new packs of cigarettes. For a few weeks now I've been visually assaulted by the new pictures on my Malboro's packs. My reactions have been contrasted.
There's the one with a needle which I had to ask my friends about to be sure it meant that this was an addictive product, almost like a drug. Which I do not find effective on long-time smokers like me because I feel it is too late now for me to start trying coke! (almost wrote cock there... no little red underline from the spellchecker! Useless!)
There's the one with a child breathing into a mask... you kinda wanna say... "Well why don't you pack a mask with the pack if you care so much about my kids!" (nota : I do not have kids please do not send DCFS to my home...)
There's the one with the 2 lungs... you know which one I am talking about... a classic but oh so effective!

There was a big debate in France about this "shock" pictures. Was it too much?
To anybody who's wondering if this is too much, you should go see scream 4 currently in a theater near you!

As you certainly know Scream was one of the 1st (if not the 1st) scary funny movie. The killer... (...s because YES! there were 2 of them!) got kicked in the balls, always a good one! At some point in Scream 4, which is actually a little more gore thant the previous ones (I can tell, we did a trilogy re-run the night before), poor Anthony Anderson (Deputy Perkins) get stabbed in the face. And I mean a foot-long blade between the eyes. NOT a pretty one!!! And I swear the audience (and I, I have to admit) laughed so hard as he just cried, got stabbed, and actually walked a bit with a giant knife planted in his skull, it almost turned into a collective nervous laugh of shame.

So I wonder, we just saw a pretty girl eviscerated, and laughed as a Police offcier getting stadbed in the forehead. How much can a picture of a needle scare us into giving up a year-long addiction?
You pass me the lighter and tell me.

De Gaulle Out!!!

2011-03-07T11:26:00.002+01:00

Sunday February the 27th 2011, I am in the TGV, reading newpapers from the internet, on my iPhone. I live in a world where growing a beard is suspiscious and everybody knows that the longest part of the trans-atlantic flights are the security checks.

From what i just wrote, our great liberator Charles de Gaulle would only be able to understand "February".
The technologies, companies and social paradigm of today weren't even there when he passed away.
Tante Yvonne would never understand that at my age it's very normal to be single, have a carrier, and think that you could just as easily raise a child with a man or a woman.
I have absolutly nothing to do with De Gaulle, I know little about him as he was always in the end of the history books (and therefore often fallen victim of program cuts). I suspect he wouldn't really understand me either. I am grateful for what he did for our country just as much as I am to Louis XIV and Joan of Arc.

So why on earth do politicians keep calling themselves "gaulliste"... And fighting over who deserve it more!!! Nobody cares!!! The only people who actually know what being "gaulliste" means are about to not remember even their children's names!!!!

Might be a little harsh but it drives me crazy that the finest and most powerful politicians are so out of our world they didn't notice De Gaulle didn't mean anything to many voters, that they didn't see that when they claim to be "Gaullist" we only hear "I am elitist".
And it makes me sad that we haven't had any new leader since that new generations would claim to be sons of, that our last historical leader was run out of office by riots 40 years ago and that no man or woman has shaken our political landscape since.

Please kind sirs from the government or the opposition, stop saying "gaulliste" it just makes ME sad and YOU look sad.

Dans l'avion demain

2010-08-20T04:46:00.000+02:00

Notre hôtel a Santa Monica. Dans l'avion demain. Bisous

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone (hence the typo with this bloody French spelling checker)

BBT

2010-08-19T06:37:00.000+02:00

On a vraiment failli ne pas rentrer!!! Je vous raconterai.
Auj beverly Hills, Hollywood, et le port de santa Monica.
Bisous

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Santa barabaraaaaa

2010-08-17T18:40:00.000+02:00

Au début la descente le long de la cote

Et puis finalement ça a pas si mal tourné!!!!!

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SF & le brouillard

2010-08-15T04:22:00.000+02:00

Je voulais vous envoyer cette photo pour vous dire "vous n'avez rien manqué il fait toujours moche a SF

Et puis 1h plus tard

Désolée!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone (hence the typo with this bloody French spelling checker)

Yosemite & San Francisco

2010-08-14T06:50:00.000+02:00

Passage par Yosemite en partant de Carson City (la capitale méconnue du Nevada). J'ai été déçue par Yosemite. Je ne m'en souvenais plus et je trouve qu'après Yellowstone c'est un peu palot. Peut-être aussi manquions nous de temps (arrivée au parc midi départ 16h) ou de préparation (le guide ne parlait quasiment de rien).
Enfin nous sommes arrivés a San Francisco dans notre super hôtel rempli de fresques. Ci-dessous des photos de la chambre.

Bisous

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone (hence the typo with this bloody French spelling checker)

Bryce

2010-08-12T16:36:00.000+02:00

Le temps n'était pas avec nous mais c'est toujours impressionnant quand même
Bisous

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Rencontres du matin

2010-08-12T07:39:00.000+02:00

Notre première rencontre du matin. On remarque l'heure et la température sur le tableau de bord!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone (hence the typo with this bloody French spelling checker)

Old Faithful

2010-08-12T07:24:00.000+02:00

Yellowstone est vraiment superbe. Nous sommes tous les 2 très contents d'avoir fait le détour malgré la longue route. Ça vaut sûrement 1 semaine de voyage. Nous avons fait des rando dans les 4 coins du parcs en 2 jours. Un peu fatigués!
Je voulais vous mettre la vidéo de old faithful. Je vous l'envoie par mail car je ne peux pas sur le blog finalement.

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Camping a Yellowstone

2010-08-12T07:20:00.000+02:00

La valise Longchamp d'Eloi: campeur dans l'âme. Derrière notre petit emplacement. Nous avions prévu le bois et tout pour faire des hamburgers aux barbecue. Ils étaient bon mais il faisait déjà 10•C. Nous avons TRÈS mal dormi. Le détail dans mon mail.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone (hence the typo with this bloody French spelling checker)

Du lake Powell a Ogden

2010-08-12T07:15:00.000+02:00

Nous avons fait étape a ogden sur la route entre lake Powell et Yellowstone. Jolie petite ville de la banlieue de Salt Lake City: bon resto, immense temples Mormon et ignoble Motel 6
Depart le lendemain pour Yellowstone, nous suivions les nuages
Bisous

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Depart pour salt lake city

2010-08-08T16:44:00.000+02:00

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Camping au Lake Powell

2010-08-08T04:12:00.000+02:00

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Aujourd'hui Monument Valley sous la pluie

2010-08-07T16:18:00.000+02:00

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La recette du Sun Tea du Cracker Barrel

2010-08-07T08:30:00.000+02:00

1) prendre 1 gros bocal en verre
2) le remplir d'eau FROIDE
3) ajouter 1 sachet de thé pour chaque "tasse" d'eau
4) fermer le bocal et le placer en plein soleil
5) vérifier la couleur au bout d'une heure
6) mettre au frigo et servir avec des glaçons
Ajouter au besoin sucre, miel ou menthe

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STOP

2010-08-07T08:26:00.000+02:00

Est-ce que quelqu'un connait le conduite a tenir lorsque 4 automobilistes arrivent a l'intersection avec chacun 1 stop. Chez nous on descend et on se concerte.... C'est rare!!!
Ici apparemment personne n'a jamais pensé a donner ne serait-ce qu'une priorité... Du coup nous avons décidé d'y aller un peu n'importe comment en agitant les bras et en criant qu'on est français car il faut bien le dire ils sont gros leurs pick-up!

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This is where he gets his money back!

2010-08-07T08:16:00.000+02:00

Le buffet du bellagio a las Vegas
Biz

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Joshua Tree

2010-08-03T16:19:00.002+02:00

5h : lever
6h : jogging
7h : depart apres dej au special K

On est trop fort!!!!!

quelques details sur Jacksonville

2010-08-02T13:29:00.002+02:00

Alors...

Jour ! : arrivee a Jacksonville autour de 22h30, arrivee au bar Jamaicain ou tout le mondeetait en train de boire quelaues 'red stripes" avec des inconnus : 22h32.

Je n'ai pas tenue tres longtemps le 1er soir car je venais juste de voyager pendant 24h... G me dit que le theme du WE sera Americam Way of Life

2eme jour = visite de Saint Augustine (la plus vieille ville du pays) avec G, Mike, Antti, Feddor & Xenia. Petite marche dans la ville par 40degC et 99% d'humidite. Dej dans un resto de cuisine du Sud, j'ai trouve le poisson grille dans le menu = assez fiere!!!

Ensuite passage par WaltMart (bien dans le theme), douche a la maison (il y a bcp de ca sous ces climats collants) et depart pour Hooters. Apres les fameuse Chicken Wings, nous partons pour un night club tout cequ'il y a de plus normal si ce n'est que l'on peut faire du rodeo mecanic. Une seule chose a dire : je suis nee pour ca, le gentil operateur avec son chapeau de cowboy s'y estrepris a plusieurs fois pour me faire tomber!

Tout cela est bien sur documente avec photo et video, je mettrai le lien des que Fedor est Xenia auront publies leurs photos.

Et puis finalement hier, apres copieux dejeuner americain (pancakes, saucisses et oeuf "over easy" (un oeuf au plat que l'on fait cuir des 2 cotes) depart pour la plage en passant par "Total Wine" un immense magasin ou nous avons pu acheter le rose pour l'apero apres le match de Beach Volley. L'ocean etait tres propre (pas d'algue), les plages de sable n'etaient pas bondee (il y en a tellement en Floride que ce n'est pas la peine de se serrer et le temps etait superbe (c'est a dire un peu couvert donc supportable). Super apres-midi donc alors que je n'aime pas la plage... c'est dire.

Re-passage a la maison pour une douche (et dire bonjour a Punkie le chiot de 4 mois de Mike & G) et depart pour un burger (mon pire repas depuis le debut : cheeseburger , frites et limonade) mais tellement bon! Finalement nous avons fini la soiree dans une grande salle de jeux video... rentres tot car leves a 6h.

Bonne surprise au reveil, G n'a pas dormi et a appeler sontravail pour prendre sa journee donc pas la peine de se lever tot.

Je prends l'avion a 11h pour LA ou Eloi a du arriver hier soir.

Bisous

Bien arrivee

2010-08-01T17:45:00.003+02:00

Hello, bien arrivee a jacksonville. nous sommes en route pour un brunch au diner

bisous

God's justice unearthed

2010-03-25T09:34:00.001+01:00

Today the New York Times unearthed yet another pedo-file linking a bishop abusing children in the US to Cardinal Ratzinger when he was head of the congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This would not be the 1st time that the Vatican high ranking officer would burry such charges even if this time, with 200 children abused over 20 years, it looks more like mass graves under Vatican hill.

Today Pope Benedict is the hot stuff when it comes to that kind of accusation but even before he didn't take any action I guess my wonder is what about the REAL justice. I mean we know the bishop was'nt defrocked but personnaly I couldn't care less about his carrier. What I wonder is "was there ever prosecutions" For me the criminals here are the close Church officials who wrote 2 letters, years appart, to some Cardinal thousands of miles away instead of going to their local police station. What is it ? Are priests and biqhop so out of the real world that they have somz parallel godly courthouses?
And what about the children? 200 deaf children were abused, would a canonical trial defrocking this serial offender have made it all okay? He would have been bqnished from te Church and lose any chance for heaven or somethig like that... Well i beleive he did that on his own before.

What is it with the Church that they believe legal matters should be taken care of internally. I think even more guilty than Ratzinger who didn't allow canonical trial are the Archbishops in the US who just didn't allow ANY kind of unperfect human trial!

Oscar wrapup : I had to say something too

2010-03-11T09:05:00.001+01:00

Just wanted to say I am chocked Avatar didn't get the Best Motion Picture Award. I am all for great films which are so good they overcome their original "little money" fate. But come on Avatar is a turning point in film history. Let The Hurt Locker get la palme, the bear and whatever they give out in Venise or Sundance but hell Avatar should have the Oscar!!!!

I am with you James!

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2 wrongs make 1 right

2010-03-05T13:39:00.011+01:00

Once every month or so, I read some article or hear some news which make me stop and think: "Wouhaou, aren't we in deep if the Americans mind are still so clouded by obscurantism". Then, because I like to think my mind is not, I go on and think about state information propaganda and how it also affects France, and how I am bound to be kind of blind sided.

Anyway, yesterday in the NYT was a scary article entitled Darwin Foes Add Warming to Targets.

We've had state and Church separated for so long in France that we forget how our academic knowledge could be biased with religious beliefs. Americans certainly have not forgotten and are still trying to get Darwin out of school. At least if Darwin's not out their trying to force God in again.
They have recently found a new and unexpected ally...Michael Crichton! As most people are still not sure whether global warming is a reality or a reality show, Boards of Education and Conservatives of some states are riding on skepticism and debatable scientific conclusions to push anti darwinism teaching.

In Kentucky, a bill recently introduced in the Legislature would encourage teachers to discuss “the advantages and disadvantages of scientific theories,” including “evolution, the origins of life, global warming and human cloning.”

The linkage of evolution and global warming is partly a legal strategy: courts have found that singling out evolution for criticism in public schools is a violation of the separation of church and state. By insisting that global warming also be debated, deniers of evolution can argue that they are simply championing academic freedom in general.

Yet there is little doubt that the skepticism about global warming resonates more strongly among conservatives, and Christian conservatives in particular. A survey published in October by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press found that white evangelical Protestants were among those least likely to believe that there was “solid evidence” that the Earth was warming because of human activity.

Only 23 percent of those surveyed accepted that idea, compared with 36 percent of the American population as a whole.

So.....64% of the American population doesn't believe that there are "solid evidence" that the earth is warming because of human activity. Which means that 64% of the population of the most polluting counrty doesn't think there is anything to do about it. and given the medium they use to convey this idea _ class books_ I'd say the reste of us are in deep trouble!

Tragedy and serial jokes

2009-06-03T00:14:00.003+02:00

After the "Foudre" (Thunder), the government has decided to send the "Pourquoi Pas" (Why not) to locate the wreck of AF447. Just waiting for La Moqueuse (the mocking) to show up...

Barack Obama chooses i>Tele

2009-06-02T23:35:00.007+02:00

Tonight I>Tele is proud to annouce they've managed to get the first interview of Barack Obama by French journalists.
Apparently they fought long and hard to convince him that I>Tele was the right medium for him.

I was thinking "This ought to be good, 24/7 news channel, they're going to talk politics and international issues, it's gonna be smart and no-nonsense as they don't have to appeal to the average 40 year-old housewife".

It started okay but then our dear Laurence Haïm started to go all teenager on us. It's seems what she was going for was:
- LH : Do you like France?
- BH (because he can) : I hate it and cheese gives me weird bowel movements

- LH: Did you learn French and can you tell us something in French?
- BH (Yes he did): I can say "wulè wou cucher avec moa ce soi" and I was looking forward to making a fool of myself before I travel to Middle East.

But somehow it didn't go as planned as (what a chock) Barack loves France, its food and wine, and no, he can't say anything in French as he learned it in high school and can't (and won't) remember a thing.

I am very sorry for Laurence but somehow it seems this fantastic opportunity turned into a not-so-fantastic interview, exept for her 'cause I think she's in luuuuuuuv.

La Guardia is our Mecca

2008-03-31T22:47:00.003+02:00

Today I wanted to talk about shoes and my little favorite shop. As I was looking for some pictures _ as usual _ I found their internet site. And what was just my little favorite shop suddenly became "the temple of trendy shoes since the 70's".

The temple is called La Guardia and is about 20 m from my place, kind of the shop around the corner. In their shop I discovered ndc. ndc used to be a bit too "roots" but I find it has became just lovely. Have a look on their website : ndcmadebyhand.com

And I am buying a camera real soon. Promise!

PS : La Guardia, rue des Canettes, Paris 6

I'm on fire today!!!

2008-03-30T17:30:00.004+02:00

Well I have some time today and no wish to do the cleaning I should be doing, so let me introduce one more little thing to you : AESOP.

Aesop and me 1st met in Taiwan. In that great lounge we used to go, Sofa. They had a great hand soap which smelled so good I used to go to the bathroom at least 3 times a night and smell my hands the entire time. I found their store in Taipei but couldn't bring a bottle back in my luggage. I just mourned my good smelling hands and went back to France.

And then one day I am on Colette's website and I see they sell this brand, right here in Paris. I go there looking for my handsoap... They are out. But the lady tells me to check out their boutique, rue Bonaparte, approximately 100 m away from my place!!!

I want looking for the Resurrection Aromatique Handwash ( Lavender and orange) and went out (once again) with a resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm and a face cleanser for my mom.

I have never taken good care of my hands until now because I just forgot to attend to them. I never had my balm with me when I needed it. With this products, it smells so good I use it all the time just to smell it, and my hands say "thanks"...

Soft Sugar for Soft Body

2008-03-30T17:10:00.004+02:00

Except from my trip to Dice Kayek's, I have never been a compulsive buyer when it comes to clothes. The 1st thing certainly being a money problem, I just can't afford what I usually like, the second being a little weight problem, not everything fits me, so I have to be extra cautious.

So!!! All this to say that my real problem is beauty products. I know where Sephora is implanted all over Paris, I just try to avoid them. Last time I went in to buy a cheap nail polish, I went out with a new face cream... no, actually 2 face creams, one eye contour serum and my nail polish... of course!

And yesterday I HAD to go the Printemps de la Beauté and I found a fantastic product : la cassonade from PAYOT.
I was looking for a body scrub, something special (I am always looking for something special actually, which tend to drive the salespersons crazy). And I found THIS. This is moist sugar with essential oils. You take some of it, rub it, it melts, rince... And Oh miracle : you are all soft and you smell good. No need for mosturizing cream that day.

So if you're looking for something special... think Cassonade :-)

My new favorite designer

2008-03-30T16:36:00.010+02:00

During Paris Fashion Week, for some reason I heard this name a lot. And then one afternoon I was walking back from the Bon Marché in the rue du Cherche Midi and POF!!! Dice Kayek's boutique.
Well let"s go in and see what this s all about...

There were not so many pieces in the store, just enough so you can look at everything and find something you love.

There were these little black dress from the 1st line:

Also very colored little top from the Pink Label (2nd line). I bought one, I am so happy with it. Plain red. The details are exquisite.
I found a top that looks just like it on rush I couldn't just copy and paste the picture I am sorry... they are ptotected. Mine is red, the sleeves and collar are made of a transparent silk with mutlicolor dots (and the price was 90€). Please note the difference between the front and back. Holders (hope this is the right translation for pince) and blousing in the back, this just looks so good when you're wearing it.

I guess it's time for me to buy a camera if I really want to show you the things I like.

If, just like me, you are wondering who Dice Kayek is, well just know that the designer's name is Ece Ege, she comes from Turquey and started her fashion line in 1992.

As I am unemployed for the moment I tend to try and stay away from the shop as I seem to have compulsive buying problems when it comes to Dice Kayek: -) but please, feel free to go and have a look (10 , rue du Cherche Midi).

God it's been long!!!

2008-03-10T12:13:00.005+01:00

That's actually all I had to say. I am at work now and really don't have time to talk about the AW 08 collections... Just saying I haven't totally forgotten this blog.

I'll be back with the best of AW 08 on the catwalks and the best of SS 08 in your store!!

AW 08 Haute Couture

2008-01-30T21:08:00.000+01:00

Anne-Valérie Hash

Chanel Haute Couture :

Christian Dior : Just couldn't chose among all the fantastic looks

Christian Lacroix :

Elie Saab :
Couldn't really find any I liked that much. I found them all too wise.

G. Armani Privé :

Givenchy :

Jean-Paul Gaultier :

Maison Martin Margiela :

Valentino :

HAUTE COUTURE... Who can sew this high?

2008-01-30T20:41:00.001+01:00

Haute Couture refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted fashions. The Chambre syndicale de la Haute Couture draws each year a list of fashion house which will be granted the title of Haute Couture designers. These designers have to follow the Chambre's rules :
- Design made for private clients
- Have a workshop in Paris which employs at least 15 people and a certain amount of luxury fabrics
- Present a collection in Paris each season including at least 35 runs with outfit for both daytime and evening wear.

Today it is said that only about 100 women can afford these dresses which prices can rise up to 100,000 EUR.

Presenting a Haute Couture collection every season is very costly, therefore few fashion houses are still interested in making this kind of effort just for the prestige of it. The Chambre Syndicale invite a few designer every year to presnt a Haute Couture collection even if they can't abide by all the criteria.

I was there... at the Lanvin buying session

2008-01-30T20:17:00.001+01:00

Oh my God what a disappointment! I managed to get a seat at our buying session for Lanvin ready-to-wear AW08. I was so excited!!! My favorite! I already had in mind beige thick carpet, a quiet lounge and espressos. I was imagining models who would "slide" around quietly to present the new creations.

I was in for a treat. The Showroom was actually a HUGE room in the Trocadero Museum. 30 square tables for 4 people each dispatched around the room. 1 of each piece of clothing hanging on 1 entire wall of the room. You just had to fight to get to the skirts and dresses, grab a model and have her try it while following a temp sales person who just wouldn't hear that WE DON'T BUY LADY'S SUITS!!!!

The whole time people were grabbing clothes so you had no way of knowing if you weren't missing on something. The model you had trying on the dress you wanted to see "on the body" (on the bones would have been more accurate) just goes past you and you can't see a thing.

At 3PM I was exhausted by the constant noise, unnerved by our uncompetent sales person, and feeling so sad for the models.
I am no fat lover but there are limits. These girls are 16 and they are an insult to the creation they are wearing. YES you need at least a hint of a butt and a 85B to wear anything beautifully. GET rid of these girls and find some real women!

Sarko Bling Bling

2008-01-30T20:01:00.000+01:00

Today I heard that Sarkozy was droping in the polls because he was too bling bling and middle-class people didn't like him exhibiting a luxury watch. I just have 2 things to say :

1) If the most powerful man in France can't afford a Cartier watch, who the hell can? It leaves me with few hopes of ever being able to buy all these luxury items I am dreaming about!

2) I don't really know if I wan't to see our president exhibiting a plastic Casio when talking to the Chinese President with his full Zegna-Cartier-S.T. Dupont outfit!

I am so tired of this country where we envy and despise rich people because we feel like we'll never get there whatever we do. Just so you know I intend to get there, buy a Cartier watch, a Maseratti if I feel like it and travel 1st class all over the world. I don't blame our President for enjoying what pleasure money can bring him. I just hope he'll work on giving French people the beliefs that anybody can get where they want to and the mean to do it.

Billy my love...

2007-11-16T18:38:00.000+01:00

So it's Billy... Just 2 words : Press sale!!! A Large Billy, Yodi purse and Hub Key ring... I am broke and happy!!!
See you!

So many men...

2007-11-11T17:16:00.000+01:00

These days I have a lot of men on my mind. All of them introduced by Jérôme Dreyfuss. I love René, I love Robert, I have a thing for Claude and I could lose all self-respect for Billy.
Jérôme Dreyfuss founded this brand in 1998 after his sucess in ready-to-wear. These bags are what the designer calls luxury roots.
Of course all theses guys and I have a little trouble getting along when talking about money. But I have seen some on Ebay for 200€ but not that many. So I guess we'll just have to wait for the special offers.

Lanvin Envy

2007-10-18T23:55:00.001+02:00

It's so goooooood. I wasn't there but I knew he would be my favorite. Check it out:

1st: So simple. You've seen it 1000 times and yet this is so much more beautifully done than anything you've seen.
2nd: The flounces... you'll see them a lot. Look what it should be like.
3rd: Classic...

Impressive, the 4 of them. Don't think 1 second you'll be able to avoid p^rimary colors this summer :-) Even I (black, grey, brown on crazy days) want some grass green in my life!:-)

You've seen a lot of plateforme shoes lately and yet I still find the proportions of the Lanvin are the best.

Alber Elbaz. Funny how he doesn't look like so much

Stella Mc Cartney SS08

2007-10-15T16:04:00.002+02:00

Le défilé de Stella Mc Cartney

This was the 1st time I was going to a fashion for work. This time I really had to look at the details to know what was good or not, good but not for our kind of customer. So I was critical... and had an experienced colleague with me...

Some flowers again, so it seems it'a a must for SS08. This...

was classified in "PJs" by ELLE... and I agree... Eurk!
My favorites :
This bag, don't know why. Not really THE trend but still feels so comfortable.
This dress :
I loved it with the virginal white and flounce and what you CAN'T see is the back clivage like Mireille Darc in "Le Grand Blond Avec des Chaussures Noires" (check on Google).

And finally talking about shoes:
They don't look so terrible but the models will tell you... impossible!!!

See you!

Fashion world

2007-10-15T14:33:00.001+02:00

I have decided what turn shoudl my blog take. From now on I'll let you know everything about a country girl (me) working in the Fashion Jungle in Paris.

See you soon...

Around the world in Paris

2007-09-10T12:11:00.002+02:00

It's been a while since my last post and I have to say I am wondering what is going to happen to this blog. Anaroundtheworld was supposed to be kind of a travel blog. Pictures and feelings from where I am around the world.
But here I am back in Paris, hopefully with a job I'll be able to keep for the next 3 years. What should I do? Ana in Paris? About what?
I wish I could do a food-blog about good recepies and good restaurants in Paris. But here I am back on a diet (not so much for cooking then) and still a bit poor (so much for testing restaurants).
I wish I could do a fashion-blog but then even if I could have the opportunity of seeing the new trends a little bit in advance thanks to my job, I certainly wouldn't be able to show you any pictures.
I could do a diary-blog but what can I say... Just not my style.

Well let's see how life goes for the next few weeks (I have been back in Paris just for a week now) and see what we can do with Ana...

If you ever lose your passport in China, change your air ticket right away, if you are French, change nationality right away...

2007-07-19T09:00:00.000+02:00

Noooooooo, I am not at all angry at the French ambassy in Beijing... I can even give you their phone number : +86 10 85 32 80 80.
I can also give you their answer : "I'm sorry but there's nothing we can do". If you're lucky that might be "I'm sorry I am not sure but I think there's nothing we can do".

How come I know them so well?
Let's see, day by day, how you can totally mess up your so-well-planned trip...

Day 1 : Thursday
We arrived at Xi'an in the morning. I realise I don't have my passport. Oh I know!!! I think I left it in the drawer in our hotel in Shanghai... No problem! They'll find it and with UPS I can have it delivered in Beijing in 2 days...
Problem is after 5 phone calls and much ordering around... the hotel never found my passport anywhere.
1st call to the French ambassy : I have lost my passport, I will arrive on Saturday morning in Beijing... what do I do? Well they can have a new passport done in 30 minutes as I faxed them the copy of my old one. OOooooh even on Saturday? Oh gosh no I'm sorry not on Saturday. Come on Monday.
Well problem was the trans-mogolia leaves at 7AM on Monday. Not enough time....
Weel you can always come on Saturday as we have always somebody on call here for consulate matter. Maybe somebody can sign you passport but we can't garantee it. Just come as soon as you arrive. In the meantime go to the immigration office to declare your loss... and if you can jump on the next train today it would be better!!!

The Immigration never wanted to make that declaration because I was not sure I lost it in Xi'an. Whether go back to Shanghai or to Shenzhen, were you entered China....

No place in the train leaving today, can't take the plane without passport. I'll arrive in Beijing on Saturday. Nothing else I can do...

Day 2 : Friday
Lots of phone calls to get a plane, to be sure somebody can sign my passport but "we can be sure there will be somebody". So why is their Consulate on call officer??????

Day 3 : Saturday
I arrive in Beijing at 7AM... go to the immigration to report the loss of my passport... AGAIN. I wait a bit but still my story is about losing my passport at the train station at 7 and already being there at 9, it makes the lady police officer raise an eyebrow...
at 9:30 I got it and go to the Ambassy. No Miss, you are not an emergency.... come back on Monday.

Luckily, even if I can't take the train I got a plane at 3AM on Tuesday so I can still arrive even before Louis in the train.

Day 4 : Sunday
Nothing to do... enjoy Beijing

Day 5 : Monday
I run to the Ambassy, get my passport done, almost throw up looking at all these old creepy guys who speak English like a Spanish cow to an almost mute young Chinese girl tryning to get a marriage authorisation, a visa or whatever.

"Do you need a chinese visa?" asks the French girl at the Ambassy. "Oh nooooo. I leave tonight... I'll stay in China less than 24h" (you see I am from a country where we force people in planes so they get out of the country...) "Ah ok" she says....
I run to the Mongolian Ambassy. Get a rush visa.
At 5PM I got everything, as well as my plane ticket for tonight.
I go the airport and say bye to the guys.
Get to the airport, check-in, go to the boarder control... "why don't you have a visa?" "Because I lost my passport, this one was made this morning, here is the copy of my original visa..." "wait a minute" she says...

And here starts 2hours of talks and negotiation. The thing is, I guess, if they had a clear procedure and had told me straight away "we can't let you out, you need a new visa" I would have been less angry.
But there it seemed they were delibarating for hours and finally, looking at me, thought "ok you can't get through".
I call the ambassy... "Sorry there's nothing we can do..."

So after hours of negotiation and depression, I am not allowed in the plane, they give me my bag back. It's 4AM and I am at the airport, not even with an address because I left my travel guide at the Hostel, I thought I wouldn't need it anymore.

The Next week :
back to the immigration, I still have hope I can get a rush visa, be 1 day late. I would miss the Naadam Festival but I still have 2 weeks in Mongolia.
The officer tells me they don't do rush... A visa takes 1 week. Then the other one tells me "No no... ask him if you want quicker". I ask again and the guy starts screaming at me... Most pleasant!
So I call the Ambassy again, I had not gave up on them yet... I get the girl who did my passport and talks to me as if I was the last idiot on earth not to know I need a visa to get out (you could have told me before bitch, not as if you didn't know I was suppose to leave the same day). So anyway, do they have any leverage on the speed of the visa? Is there any case when they could speed that up? "Sorry, there's nothing we can do"

The immigration gives me my receipt for the next Tuesday. I haven't slept in 48h... evrything is cool!!!! I have to go and register at the police station next to my hotel.

So there I go; and they send me to another immigration sub-branch, who doen't know why I am coming to register. They don't do it.
So I call the ambassy again. They might know what a French citizen waiting for a visa has to do with the local authorities because there is no way the next Tuesday the immigration tells me I can't get my visa because I didn't do some stupid registering somewhere. "Sorry we don't know this kind of things, but we know Chinese officers are a pain in the ass..." Thanks for the help!!!

But if I have trouble the next Tuesday I can call them. I guess so they can tell me again there's nothing they can do...

I got my visa the next Tuesday, got on my plane for HK with 1h30 delay, almost missed the connection to Taipei. Lucky I got it otherwise the next plane was at 11PM instead of 5PM.
I am here in Taipei, and Louis just told me he forgot his camera in the Jeep, with all his picture of Mongolia...

Free internet

2007-07-03T17:45:00.000+02:00

I can access blogger in china, no censure, no problem... I just can't access my blog page... How surprising...

Controle des billets, par ici la monnaie

2007-07-02T11:03:00.001+02:00

As I had to admit my blog is not the most read on the internet, so I decided that this story would be written in French so at least the few persons who check my blog could read... thanks Dad...

Ah j'en etait fiere de mon organisation. Les billets de train etaient prets et achetes. J'avais meme pense que nous arriverions a la gare de Shenzhen un dimanche et qu'il fallait donc s'organiser avec l'agence. J'avais le numero de portable du responsable du CITS (China International Travel Service, l'agence nationale pour les etrangers) qui devait nous retrouver a la gare pour nous donner des billets.

Nous arrivons donc a Shenzhen plein d'espoir, trouvons une cabine et appelons... mauvais numero. Nous esayons avec "0", sans "0", avec tous les indicatifs de pays, de regions et de quartiers possible et imaginables sans succes. Nous voila bloques a la gare avec notre train qui part dans une heure et pas de billets... et pas de place disponible dans aucun train qui part aujourd'hui sauf les plus cheres.

Mark va chercher de l'argent au ATM, je commence a parlementer avec les employer de chemin de fer pour avoir le roit de monter dans le train et d'acceder a nos places meme si nous n'avons pas nos billets. On appelle le monsieur de l'agence par les haut-parleurs de la gare sans succes.
Alors que nous attendions qu'il se montre mais sans grand espoir, Anneleen et Robbert entrent dans la gare. Et une fois de plus Anneleen nous sauve la vie (puisqu'elle parle chinois) et nous sommes autorises a monter dans le train. Nous pensions avoir nos couchettes mais en fait nous entrons et payons 4 nouveaux billets STANDING.

Standing cela veut dire que pendant 17h on est soit debout, soit assis par terre avec 50 personnes dans la meme situation. Nous ne sommes pas au top mais enfin au moins on est dans le train.
Je commence a avancer dans le wagon pour trouver un peu plus de place au milieu des sieges du milieu, je fais ma petite impression: une blache dans un wagon assis dur qui envisage de rester debout pendant 17h avec un enorme sac de 15kg sur le dos.

Et Louis m'appelle et me dit " Mark et Hugo sont descendus". Pourquoi? Nous sommes montes dans le train au dernier moment!
Hugo s'etait rendu compte qu'il n'avait plus son sac a dos et est donc sorti en courant le chercher, Mark l'a suivi et les portes du train se sont fermes aussitot.

Bon eh bien le train commence a bouger alors autant chercher ou nous allons nous installer! Bien sur l'employe de la compagnie nous a repere et s'empresse de faire enlever tous les sacs sur les compartiments superieur pour que Louis et moi puissions poser les notres.

Sur ce un autre employe arrive, parle avec le notre et nous dit de le suivre. IL A NOS 4 BILLETS COUCHETTES! La deuxieme employee parle un peu anglais et nous installe dans notre compartiment puis nous demande de la suivre dans le wagon restaurant ou nous rencontrons le chef de la securite, la caissiere/controleuse et quelques autres employes de passage qui se demandent comment nous avons pu faire: voici 2 etrangers avec 4 billets couchettes + 4 billets standing...

Elle nous explique qu'il faudra demander au CITS de rembourser les 2 couchettes et a la gare de Shanghai de rembourser les standings. Mais Louis et moi n'avons pas d'argent du tout alors nous y allons avec la corde sensible des chinois : nous n'avons pas d'argent pour manger, il nous faudrait un remboursement d'au moins quelques billets maintenant.

1h de parlementation et negociation plus tard avec en moyenne 7 agents de passage, on nous recommande de vendre en cachette nos billets couchette a des passagers puis de les retrouver a la prochaine gare pour revendre nos billets standing.
Nous choisissons 2 gentilles jeunes filles trop heureuses de nous acheter nos 2 billets pour 400Yuan... c'est toujours ca de pris!

A la gare suivante nous rejoignong notre amie qui parle anglais et les controleuses. Encore une fois nous faisons l'animation : 4 controleuses et 2 etrangers qui traversent toutes les voitures de 2nde classe en essayant de ne marcher sur personne.
Et une fois arrives au bout on repart "Controle des billets, qui n'a pas de billets' (en chinois of course). Nos billets avaient coute 238Yuan chacun mais comme nous etions a la gare suivante un standing pour Shanghai ne coutait plus que 205Yuan. Chaque passager sans billets voyait la controleuse demander aux 2 etranger si 203 suffisait car celui-ci s'arretait avant Shanghai, puis demander l'argent pour nous le donner en echange de nos billets.
Du racket par les touristes!

Finalement avec l'aide du personnel, Louis et moi nous retrouvions a la tete de 1269Yuan soit plus de 120EUR, alors la c'est sur nous n'allions pas mourir de faim! Les couchettes etaient tres confortables et nos 2 voisines tres silencieuses, Mark & Hugo quant a eux ont passe le nuit a Shenzhen et arrivent demain.

Macau, Hong-Kong, the guys...

2007-07-02T10:20:00.001+02:00

So we left at 5AM on Friday morning. Of course once again I forgot to set up my alarm clock so it is the taxi driver who woke me up at 4:50AM. Luckily my backpack was finished, after 3 days of trial-packing.
We took our plane at 8AM as planned and arrived in Macau and got directly to have our visas for China made.

Then we got to our great hotel. We started with a 3 stars Best Western. Let me introduce my fellow travellers:

Mark

Hugo & Louis

We went for a walk in the old Macau, it was raining if course but it's not as if it was anything new...

Then we went back to our hotel for a little nap to be ready for the dog race at 8PM. Well it was actually only one race but still funny.

Diner at a cantonese place on the Largo de Senado (the plaza with black & white pavement). And after that, of course: Black Jack. I like it really. We ewnt to the Wynn Casino, one of the most luxurious. I lost 15EUR... loser... but the guys won some money.

The next day was Hong-Kong day. We needed a little time getting started as Louis & I had forgotten our passports at the hotel so Hugo & Mark took the Jet ferry first and then we met in Hong-Kong.

Once again a little stroll in the city under the rain. A little beer in Lang Kuai Fang and then Indian diner in the wierdest place on Kowloon. A kind of Indian cover market with a little restaurant at the 7th floor in an aprtment written "members only". I guessed that you had to be member to find the place anyway.

After diner we went on the bank to watch the lighting of the buidings on the other side of the river on Hong-Kong Island. It is amazing, more than 10 buildings light up togetherfor the music & light show.

The pictures of the Bragon Boat Festival Online

2007-06-20T07:21:00.001+02:00

Dragon Boat Festival

Stop! You Lost Your Head

2007-06-18T19:02:00.001+02:00

So here we are, the NCCU IMBA International Dragon Boat Team 2007!!!

How does this work when you are not Asian? You just have a guy (in our case James) who says one day : "who wants to enrole for the Dragon Boat Race?". And you think that this is going to be a nice experience. I had seen a Dragon Boat Race on some HK movies and I wanted to try. I just take one precaution : "James, I am not paddling, I want to be the drummer!". And then he says "Yes Honey no Problem!" And I believed him!!!!

So then 4 weeks before the race we start organizing practice in the morning. 7AM on weekdays!!!
And I paddled to all the practice sessions have been to (I actually missed one). What was practice for? Having the same and correct paddle movement. And efficient also... it helps! And being SYNCHRONIZED. If one guy in the front row messes up, all the rows behind have to follow his false pace because otherwise the paddles collide. That is why you usually put the strong and synchronized people in the front rows so they give the example.

Had we read Wikipedia before, we would have known that they were called the "pacers" and that there was a certain angle we should have had when puting our paddle in the water and a certain elbow movement etc. Well has we hadn't, we just had to come up with that all by ourselves.

As I was the drummer I was in charge of setting the pace. And for practice we actually didn't have any drum, so it implied a lot of screaming. We thought that to make it a little less booring, we could count in French (Un, deux) whenever we were going casually to the starting line, count in German for the fast paced start (Eins, Zwei), and then back to English for the middle part of the race.
Screaming has never been so much a problem for me. But screaming and rowing at the same time was really tiring.

Xindian is the best spot for the Dragon Boat race in Taipei. The water of the river is clear. You can actually swim in it. Our poor colleagues from the Dutch team were rowing in the middle of polluted water and dead fishes. It is also not so serious. No very strict rules about the life jackets and all. It's just family casual. Restaurant a little bit up from the shore. A stage with non-stop spectacles from Dragon Dance to old-ladies dance.

So we arrived at 8:30AM to register. Our 1st race was at 9:20AM. I was kind of stressed because I had messed up the start at the last practice. We get in the boat...
Usaually only 12 people max. showed at the same time for practice. But on race day our boat was full... and unbalanced. God!!! 21 Western people on a Dragon Boat, that brings it very close from the water!!!
So here we go to the starting line. We were put in the wrong category as the administration couldn't see by our western that we were a mixed team, they put us in the men teams category... Niiiice.

And then the gun goes off!!!! And we row!!!! And we are not the last ones. Only 3 boat are per race. We were 2nd, and happy! We had never been so synchronized and efficient.

Then comes lunch and a lot of beers and poker. Our next race was at 2:50PM.

We get there for our 2nd race, confident, we know the drill. Get in the boat in orderly fashion. More to impress the other teams than becasue we really have to. Paddlers, steerer, drummer and flag catcher on the boat. We row backward to get away from the shore:
"Wait, wait, you lost your head!!!!"

The Dragon Head of the Boat is actually removable because we don't need it for practice. Ours stayed on the shore as we left. Was that a bad sign? We come back to take our head. G was not so sure anymore if she wanted to climb on it to catch the flag. We lost this race, our last one, but from what I've heard we'd never been so fast.

Than go some more beers, and tomorrow the finals races and closing ceremony.

Some videos before we get ours done

2007-06-18T18:56:00.000+02:00

One from a team which looks very much like ours. International, young and casual. Well they actually did 6th place so not so casual

And another one from the crazy Taipai University in 2005. Still a legend. Disqualified this year because one of the paddler hadn't correctly attached his life jacket. This is Taiwan, the rules are the rules!!!!

The Dragon Boat Festival June 19th

2007-06-18T18:13:00.000+02:00

A Dragon Boat is a really long boat used by team of paddler for the Dragon Boat Race in June. For the race the Dragon Boat are riggedwith Chinese decorative Dragon Head and tail and must carry a drum aboard.
The crew for our race, was composed of 21 people:

18 paddlers
1 steerer
1 drummer facing the crew
1 flag catcher (only in Taiwan)

The drummer is the heartbeat of the Dragon Boat (no showing off but that's me :-)). He has to indicate the timing of the paddle stroke and and exhorts the crew to perform at their best.

The paddlers are facing forward. The leading pair of paddler (first row) are called the "pacers" or "timers".

The steerer controls the boat with a steering oar as if a tiller. The steerer have the power to override the caller at any time in the race if the safety of the crew is at stake. As you can see the steerer can also paddle when we need power more than direction.

The Taiwanese Flag Catcher must catch a lane flag as the boat crosses the finish line.

For more info see Wiki

Pearl Tea Addict

2007-05-13T16:08:00.001+02:00

Lately I have been totally addicted to Bubble Tea, also called Pearl Tea.

The 1st time I tried I hated it because I like to eat... or drink, but certainly not both at the same time. With the pearl tea, as you try to swallow tea, some tapioca pearls come with... Here comes a moment of panic when you wonder "should I chew? Not chew? Should I spit? Not spit?"

But then you try again once, and suddenly you find interesting to be able to have a little thing to chew and eat as you're enjoying iced tea.

What is also important is how you like it. My favorite :

Milk Black Tea : ZhenZhu NaiCha
Medium
Ice : Bing De
Half Sugar : Ban Tang
"Pearls" and not "Boba" which are the biggest one you usually get (this one I don't know yet how to say in Chinese :-))

Try it but be careful!! ADDICTIVE CONTENT

Day by Day : 9 & 10

2007-05-13T15:05:00.000+02:00

Day 9 : Kamakura

As we were so found of Tokyo we decided to go to Kamakura on Sunday. We took a train, like half of the population of Tokyo it seemed. Then we asked a WONDERFUL lady at the Information desk what we should do and she directed towards the Daibutsu. Some good pictures but I have to say that after Myanmar, Buddha won't be any attraction to me anymore and for the next 20 years.

Then, we walk towards the Hase-Dera. On your way just before reaching the temple, have a look at the little shop selling 2nd hand Kimonos. All prices and all qualities and a lot of nice gifts to do.

Day 10 : Rest in Tokyo

Our last day strolling in Tokyo and in the parks such as the Imperial Palace one which one finally open.

We were just waiting for our bus we were taking at 11PM to Nagoya to take our plane the next morning.

Day by Day : 7 & 8

2007-05-12T10:36:00.000+02:00

Day 7 : Arriving in Tokyo...

Hating the bus... Bad day!

We 1st went to our hostel to leave our bags : Tokyo Backpackers. This might be the cheapest in Tokyo but we have to say this is a dodgy area. Curiously enough, more during the day than at night; But still being 5 girls we were not feeling THAT comfortable coming back at night.

So for our 1st day we just went to Ginza to see the luxury shops 'impressive if you're interested by the way). We also went to Shibuya, THE place we wre looking for, the one we see in movies.

Then quite diner and back to the hotel... So happy to sleep!!

Day 8 : Fish Market

Early morning : wake-up at 7 to be at the fish market before 8:30.

Actually it took us 45 minutes to stroll in the market. We had missed the Tuna auction unfortunately because it was even earlier. If you feel like getting up VERY early you definitly should go though, or so I heard.

Then still a little bit tired, we started queuing at what looked like the most famous sushi restaurant. It was the biggest queue in the street and the longest (1h30) but god knows why we stayed until the end, got our sushis, paid a fortune and still were so happy with it. So worth all that. I kept the name : Dai wa zu si.

Little walk then to the Imperial Palace : Closed. It is actually almost entirely closed to visitors, you can just see some gardens, which were exceptionally closed that day.

So lucky we went back to stroll the city, shopping etc. and had the Tea Ceremony in the Okura Hotel near the Dutch Ambassy. 1000Y for 1 hour, not impressive really but we were still happy to see it. I suppose there are some better ones elsewhere as everybody seems to be amazed by the tea ceremony. Nevertheless I kept seeing this Hotel recommended in different guide books.

Then at night some of us went out, and as Tokyoïtes do, they slept in a Mo's Burger as the taxis are so expensive. So they could wait until 5:30 AM or so that the subway starts again.

Day by Day : 5 & 6

2007-05-12T09:47:00.000+02:00

Day 5 : Hiroshima
8:40 AM : We take the bus from Kyoto to Hiroshima at Kyoto train Station (5500Y). Another one of these rides where we do a break every hours and were you really start to think you'll never get there.

We arrive in Hiroshima Station and start walking towards our hostel (well really we just started walking and didn't really if that was the direction for our hostel but anyway...). We got there (J-Hopers Backpackers Hostel, 2500Y for a dormitory room, very clean and nice) and just left our bags. The guy who welcomed us was actually French and it was a nice little break to be able to speak French there.

We then walked towards the peace park which is just a 10 minute walk. We visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Peace Memorial Park. It is I think THE thing to do in Hiroshima. This is unfortunately why this city is famous for and it really is an experience to be on its ground and try to understand and learn its history.

Then we had diner and wine in a very good Italian place west end of Hondori.

Day 6 : Miya-jima

We checked the tides (very important if you want to see some water under the Torii). Then you get in the #2 tram up until the end when you get to the ferry station and onto th island. We had a particularly awful weather that day. I have to say that from the beginning we were all wearing our ONLY sweater and all scarves we could get because April in Japan is definitly very different from April in Taipei.

We walked on the island trying not to notice the rain too much. We didn't visit the Itsukushima-Jinja because we found the entry fee a little bit expensive and we preferred walking on the island to see the 5-storied Pagoda and sight from up the hill. We arrived on the island around 9 AM which was a very good idea because the Japanese tourists arrived a little bit later.

The sky then opened on us!!!! Very heavy rain, run to the ferry. We had forgotten our dear guide book in a shop so we had to go back and suddenly... Blue sky and fantastic sun!!!!

We were off the island around 2PM.

Then we had to take our night bus Hiroshima - Tokyo (12000Y approx. for 12h) the worst ride ever!!! As we were 5 we had the 5 seats at the rear of the bus. On the engine, no A/C. My feet double vollume in 2 hours. Totally unbearable : TAKE THE TRAIN!

Fun French ad

2007-04-25T18:40:00.000+02:00

Day by Day : 3 & 4

2007-04-18T09:11:00.000+02:00

Day 3 : Daytrip to Nara

We took the train at Kyoto Main Station for our daytrip to Nara (Local train 70 min, 690Y) Trains leave regularly so no real need to check timetable.

When you arrive in Nara you can go straight to the Tourist Info Center on the right, were a lady will give you an English map and some advice that, according to her tone, you'd better follow :-). She was very nice and speaking very good English anyway.

Arriving in Nara you can just walk to the Park. On you way you'll find the Kofuko-Ji and it's Five-storied Pagoda. We didn't visit the other things like the Treasure Hall as there were entry fees and there were so many things to see that we tought it was not really worth it.

Then you take a walk in the park towards Kasuga Grand Shrine. The shrine is all new and we were lucky to arrive during a ceremny. But the walk to the shrine with the numerous stone lantern along the path is just as beautiful.

And again we wandered in the park were people were having a picnic, towards Nigatsu-Do and Sangatsu-Do.

Back down the hill, the Todai-Ji complex is a "must-see" with the monumental buddha. You'll find one of the pillar of the temple with a hole in it, which represent Buddha's nostril. If you can fit in the hole, then you're sure to reach enlightment.

We then walked back to the station through some old city streets. Finally we stayed in Nara from 11:00 to 16:00 which allowed us to come back to Kyoto for late afternoon drinks and diner

Day 4 : Kyoto

On our 3rd day in Kyoyo it was really time to start doing the "tourist" tour of Kyoto as we had avoided the biggest sights up until now.

We started with Nijo-Jo, the castle of Kyoto. Nice but not spectacular... Also a "must see" so... Then we went to the Imperial Palace but you need to apply for entrance in an outside office, which we hadn't done. We just took a walk in the gardens around then...

The philosophers' path was waiting for us. Bus stop at Ginkaku-Ji Mae. A very nice "promenade" along a little river, with cherry blossom all around. And also a lot of tourists but what can you do?

We had to leave without finishing the path as we had to be back at 15:00 to Gion for the Miyako-Odori dance (cherry-blossom dance). This dance is performed by the geishas and Maikos in April. You can reserve seats at the Koubu Kaburenjo Theatre by phone (+81 75 541 3391). The cheapest ones are 1900Y, you're seating on big spaces, not on chairs and you'd better start queuing 1/2 hour before the show. Appart from that the view is certainly just as good as the seats at 3800Y. You can check the pictures on my previous post on Miyako-Odori.

Than we hurried towards Kiyomizu-Dera which is really a fantastic temple. Even only your path to get there is one of the best street in Kyoto. It is tourist shops all along, but still nice. This is also the place where we saw a real geisha "live". Also a lot of legends and beliefs exist around this temple (the two love stones for example).

Day by Day : 1& 2

2007-04-11T09:45:00.000+02:00

I have spent so much time looking up our destinations and sightseeing in Japan on the Internet that I feel it is my duty to help the next people who want to go there.

So here it comes : the Japan 10 days Package. I have to say we were very proud with our organization, we saw the most importants sights and city, didn't feel stressed or lacking time.

Here is our trip and tips, day by day.

Day 1 : From Taipei to Nagoya

It is much cheaper coming from Taipei to fligh to Nagoya rather than Tokyo. We decided to leave the dorm around 10:30AM, take our usual bus-MRT-bus to the airport and enjoy the Burger King there. Well the Whopper we enjoyed but the Passport control line we didn't. We were not travelling inside EU anymore and it tends to take a lot of time to get pass these numerous controls. Our plane was leaving in 3 minutes, we were still queuing. They might have been calling us but even the calls are discreet in Asia so we had no idea (and particularly no excuses to cut the queue, big no-no here). There has been a very long and fast run to the plane, a quick sorry smile to the stewardess at the embarkment gate, a sigh of relief once in our seats, and then an accute stomachache, thank you BG.

We arrived at Nagoya airport and were looking for a way to go to the city when a Japanese volunteer came and helped us. These people are just amazing. They are waiting for lost tourists just as we were, in order to help them get acquainted with the transportation or simply get where they need to.

So we took the Meitetsu train line to the city (800Y). Then we just walked to our hostel Aichiken Seinenkaikan (http://www.jyh.or.jp/english/index.html 3000Y/night).

A little snack keeping near the Fushimi station area and finally a beer at a British pub (Elephant's nest), taking it light on our 1st day.

Day 2 : Nagoya - Kyoto

At 8:00 we get up, most unusual for us but we didn't know yet that it would be one of our longest sleep in 10 days.

We walk to Nagoya station to take the JR bus to Kyoto (3500Y, 2h30). It is our first encounter with Japanese punctuality : the bus was supposed to leave at 10:00, at 9:59 the driver started the engine, at 10:00, we left. We also then learnt about the "1 break every hour policy", we really tought we would never get there!

13:00 Kyoto Station, here we come!

When arriving, go straight to the Tourist Info Center on the 2nd Floor, and grab a Kyoto City Bus Sightseeing Map your new Bible. Also by a day-pass for 500Y, otherwise you have to pay 220Y for each ride. But not from your starting point to your destination, you also have to pay every time you transfer!!!

So we decided to leave our stuff at the hostel first. Very good and conviniently located place : Econo-Inn Kyoto (tel : 07.53.43.66.60)

We also decided to visit Kyoto area by area, starting with North East :

Kinkaku-Ji and the Golden Pavillion

Then a 15 minute walk to the Ryoan-Ji gardens :

Then back in Gion for dinner and drinks :

Miyako-Odori

2007-04-02T14:20:00.000+02:00

Kimono is definitly In!...

2007-04-02T14:02:00.000+02:00

In the streets of Kyoto
Shopping... Going down the stairs.... not easy!
Serving us drinks at our favorite bar And they are at the Gion Koubu Kaburenjo Theatre in Gion for the Miyako Odori, which is the Cherry Blossom dance performed by Geishas and Maiko (the apprentice).

Cherry Blossom and other flowers

2007-04-02T13:39:00.001+02:00

How lucky are we? Spring break is during Cherry Blossom this year... Have a look!
The philosophers's path, Kyoto

Cherry blossom and wishes all together

Japan's first pictures

2007-04-01T16:19:00.000+02:00

And we've only been there 3 days...

Hanami-Koji at night, in Gion, the Geishas' quarter
Incent burning at Daibutsu-den (Hall of the Great Buddha) in Nara

Daibutsu-Den in Nara

Ring the bell and pray in Nigatsu-Do in Nara

Picnic in the park of Nara?

Ceremony at Kasuga Grant Shrine, Shinto temple in Nara

The lanterns leading to the Kasuga Grand Shrine

Still not sure what these are... lanterns?

Wishes

Kyoto Train Station designed by Hara Hiroshi for a national competition

Wishes again...

Kinkaku-Ji, Northwest of Kyoto, the Golden Pavillion

Out team, waiting for the bus in Kyoto

Japan

2007-03-12T14:31:00.000+01:00

Our plane tickets just got confirmed!!!!!

We are going to Japan for Spring Break, which will certainly be also Cherry-blossom as well as Miyako Odori in Kyoto (the cherry dance interpreted by geishas and maikos = apprentice). You've certainly seen it in the movie Memoirs Of A Geisha (even if I don't think it has so much to do with the real thing). Unfortunately there won't be any Sumo competition while we are there.

We got something like 400€ for budget it is going to be spartan. We are 5 girls, the guys are going on their own (more than 5 is just too many).

Our trip :
We arrive in Nogoya as it is cheapest for the plane
Then Kyoto for 2 days
Nara also 2 days
Hiroshima 1 day
Back to Tokyo on a Friday night until Monday morning. Including a day-trip to Mount Fuji.

Salsa

2007-03-12T14:21:00.000+01:00

I am looking for Salsa lesson in taipei so please, if anybody know a good place...

Kind of a weird idea to start latin dance in Asia. Well we went to a latin bar last night and it appears that taiwanese people are not only very interested in latin dance, they are also very good!

So it remind me that I always wanted to take lesson and never did (or just once). And then start again the depression because I can't find any partner. But guess what : I found one!

So I am looking into it and who knows... I might come back a good latin dancer :-)

Un peu de culture...

2007-03-08T18:40:00.000+01:00

LANTERN FESTIVAL

Why are all thos these lanterns up in the sky tonight?

is year March 3rd is also the 15th day of the 1st month of the lunar year which means : the end of chinese new year celebrations.

Traditionally, the date once served as a day for love and matchmaking. It was one of the few nights in ancient times without a strict curfew. Young people were chaperoned in the streets in hopes of finding love. Matchmakers acted busily in hopes of pairing couples. The brightest lanterns were symbolic of good luck and hope.

FEBRUARY 28TH

The "228 incident" or "228 massacre"was an uprising in the Republic of China that began on February 28, 1947 and was suppressed by the Kuomintang government, resulting in between ten thousand to twenty thousand civilians killed. The number "228" refers to the day of the incident, February 28th.

The spark that set off the uprising occurred on February 27t, 1947 when an agent of the government monopoly police attempted to confiscate black market cigarettes from an elderly Taiwanese woman, Lin Jian-Mai. She resisted and then was molested. An angry crowd gathered around and a shot was fired, killing a by-stander.

This event is now commemorated in the Taiwan as Peace Memorial Day. Official government policy had repressed the education of the events until recently, for various reasons. Many of the details of the incident are still highly controversial and hotly debated in Taiwan today, as the largely conservative-controlled government often tries to stifle discussion on the topic. Some people point to Communist involvement as a "justification" for the KMT's action.

Lantern Festival in Pin Xi

2007-03-04T06:05:00.000+01:00

As I just discovered how to link to you tube, I hope you'll be enjoying the video. It's not mine but anyway we were in Ping Xi yesterday and it was just the same.

Starlight in Taipei 228 - With Justice We Can Cure This Nation

2007-03-04T05:57:00.000+01:00

I was there... YES I WAS

The dorms

2007-03-04T03:54:00.002+01:00

My dear Eloi want me to talk about our campus a little bit more... I will tell you about the dorm... I thought my roomate was going to have a break-down the 1st time we entered our room. Here is a picture :

You cannot realise how bad it is because the flash went off. But it is night all day and our only light is a 1950's neon.

Please on the right side, take notice of the bed : yes, this is wooden board. We had to go buy matresses made of bambou and a 3cm layer of synthetic coton (you can see it just behind the suitcase). The first week mine was smelling like vinegar, so did my PJ's... and my hair (yummy).

We had bruises on the hips for a week but now we are just accustomed to sleep on our back and NOT move.

AND we found Ikea!!! Welcome carpets, funny linen, dim light.

And as usual, you just get used to everything : shower with flip-flops and so on. The only thing which is not quite back yet is our sleeping hours... we feel ot is time for sleeping everytime we enter our room. We are napping a lot!

MUSE

2007-02-27T14:21:00.000+01:00

I missed Muse's concert in Lyon a few weeks before I left. Sold out! I already missed them a couple of years before,, I had to re-sell my ticket.

So I started dreaming and hoping, and in my wildest dream Muse would come to Taipei... what are the chances?

And yet here they are and I am going tomorrow at Taipei's stadium for a whole day of music festival with Muse coming up at 9PM...

Nananananeeeeeeeeeeere!

Night Markets

2007-02-26T14:37:00.000+01:00

Welcome to Kaoshiung's night market, open from 5PM till 5AM. Lots of people and lots of things to eat, half of which are not recognisable.

Not all the night markets in Taiwan are food ones, today I went to one in Taipei which was heaven for shoe shopper. They all are, however, on pedestrian streets were the shops expand on the streets.

Whatever the food looks like you should certainly try it. It's what we have been eating for the past week and up until know I heard no complaints, and even more, you can eat for 2EUR/day.

There is one thing a little bit annoying though : it smells like stinky tofu everywhere... And only if you have smelled THAT smell once in you life you can understand how uncomfortable that is. I'm French and like smelly cheese, stinky tofu is just like smelly feet times 1,000. But what is even more annoying is that I have been willing to try stinky tofu for quite a long time now (it is supposedly good for the skin but in chinese food it is always good for someting, especially if it is repulsive) and despite the fact that you can always smell it, you can never locate the stand where you should buy it.

So night markets? A lot people, fantastic taste and dreadful smells.

Do not flush

2007-02-26T14:32:00.000+01:00

And here we are back in a country were you do not flush toilet paper...

Well, I do anyway but always with a slight sense of guilt.

Web albums available!!!!

2007-02-26T03:44:00.000+01:00

You can now go on Picasa to check the latest pictures of Taiwan and Brasil

Live from Taipei

2007-02-16T13:00:00.000+01:00

At the beginning I opened this blog so my folks could have some news when I would be in Taipei... Then I decided to write it in English and therefore clearly lost them in the way.

Anyway here I am in Taipei, arrived yesterday and rediscovered the awful smell of the tea eggs in 7-11 shops.

The shock of civilization is not so hard as it is not my 1st time in Asia but there are still some things that I thought would be different.

1) Building are not so tall. I thought that they would, but it seems that the only real skyscraper is the 101... Well but it is the highest in the world for the moment : they got 1 but not any 1!

2) Girls are really liberated : the miniskirt IS happening

3) I thought my blogger interface would remain in French, well apprently learning Chinese is an emergency!!!

See you later!!

It's been a long time...

2007-01-19T10:13:00.001+01:00

It has been a very long time since I wrote my last note. Well this one won't be long either as I am preparing to move to Taipei and am pretty busy with the packing.

I'll be back...

Media tricks

2006-11-30T11:35:00.000+01:00

I love presidential election time. It's a time when hearing the news you can see all the media tricks the candidate are playing on us.

Appart from the image marketing: Ségolène with her white jacket and Sarko with his white shirt, there's the lobbying on what should journalists say, how to influence the audience by auto-realising prophecies.

The most blatant example is the fact that Ségolène is a poor public speaker. Sarkozy being a very good one, just like me you might think "he's going to eat her up during the very first debate". Logical! I would think that having no charisma on meeting and be unable to formulate one's idea clearly is kind of a low point for a candidate.

But it might turn up very differently! Our left-side newspaper are praising this unability to speak in public, saying Ségolène is such a good example of what French people are today. Personally, most French being poor bad public speaker I would expect my future president to be a little bit above average. But what remains is that is not in the interest of Sarkozy to eat her up anymore, he'll look like the elitist bad guy.

Won't this level down the poltical debate? Should our president be an average Joe/Jane? Is it so bad to be part of an elite that you should hide it by anyway you can?

What is journalism???

2006-11-28T12:41:00.000+01:00

The Pope is visiting Turkey today. The security system is tighter than it was for George W. Bush and I still can't understand what the misunderstanding was about.

I've read the speech already and haven't found anything offensive. So I decide to go on the internet to find an explanation.

For the last hour I have been trying to find an article describing WHY this speech was so offensive. All I could find was the consequences, the request from Muslim representative, that they were offended and so on but nothing about the reason of this anger.

What is journalism? Is it normal to tell people half of the story no explanation whatsoever?

Anyway, I put the link to the text of the speech, make up your own opinion. Personally I am really strarting to think that the only way you can talk about the Coran or Islamism is by praising it. I already didn't really appriciate the caricatures clash. let's see what the future has in store for us.

Meeting in Ratisbonne Français, English

60%

2006-11-17T13:46:00.000+01:00

Today I wonder...

Is she a politician who can actually admit that she doesn't know everything and that opinion can evolve? That she doesn't always have the one and only solution just because she tought about it while cooking diner. That other people's opinion can contribute in finding better solutions?

Or she is just a would-be idol, as some Socialist Party's member said "with ségolène it's Pop Idol every day, we never know if she is not going to tell a blunder and be voted out of the island"

Well to decide I have only one question : yesterday night, was it possible to vote by sms?

Inequalities = Opportunities?

2006-11-17T12:26:00.002+01:00

Last week an Economics Nobel Prize winner was invited on the Le Monde chat room to discuss on the matter of inequalities.

As the chat was entertain by French people, the US were held as the perfect example of inequalities in the world.

Is that true? I mean I always considered the US as a land of opportunities! Had it changed so much?

And as our economist quoted his ex-teacher If I knew the answer to this tricky question, I would already be in New-York making money it tickled me: it seems natural this guy wasn't going to Paris with a good idea. No way he could make money there!

So here we have the average French Joe, holding the US as THE land of inequalities, thinking only about what we call in France "poor workers", the Mexican immigrant who has to put up with 2 jobs to live.

And on the other side a teacher who thinks of the US as THE land of opportunities and relate much more to the wealthy self-made business man driving his Ferrari to get to his house in Santa Monica.

Should we see a direct relation between inequalities and opportunities?

Here is my insight and please feel free to give me yours.

French are not ready to accept low-paid job or workers with 2 jobs. It remains something we should all unite against. Why? Because the poor guy has no hope here. What he is doing today is what he is going to do for the rest of his live. At least it is how we see it and that IN FACT makes it unbearable.

As in the US there is a way out. Why is it so much more accepted? Because it is not seen as fate.

And this thought, that there is no hope here, is what makes me a sad example of one of our French problem: la fuite des cerveaux (brain-drain).

I am no genius but a well-educated 23-year old girl. I am motivated and willing to work hard and become wealthy. I feel I have no unbreakable link with France and that the world is a 10-hour flight away. So what should I do? Stay and work in a country were the world liberalism is considered an insult? Were even with a wonderful work of imagination there is no way I will ever drive a Ferrari to my house on the beach.

Well, no! It's a shame but I see no opportunities here of making my ambitions come true and I'll be in line very soon among my classmates to sell this valuable education France gave me to another country.

Maybe we found a way of reducing the opportunities: letting ambitious ones go!

The world is my hometown

2006-10-31T10:48:00.000+01:00

It striked me as I was talking to one of my school friends "I might go to Shanghai for a few days, see some friends..." Then I heard myself talking... Whao!!!!
I always try to keep in mind that I am a privileged girl whenever I talk, and yet this sentence seemed so harmless.

Explanation. My family and I live in a VERY little town in the French countryside (which we will call PV). You know, ugly-industrial-2000-inhabitants city.
Population: The grant parents used to be farmers (chicken is our thing), the parents are chain workers and the children are whether chain worker, baker, or unemployed. The girls who were in my class now have at least 2 children (often from 2 different men otherwise no fun), they are not working but receiving our beloved French Allocations. They haven't got farer than Lyon, which IS the 2nd biggest city in France but also only 100km far from PV.
And I am here talking about my future exchange program in Taiwan and how it would be nice to see my Shanghainese friends and how I am going to organise my 1 month bacpacking trip through Asia before I start working.

The world is my hometown, this could me my motto, and I am very aware I am lucky to be able to say that. So please, if you are not a 23-year old single mother stuck in PV, take this motto as yours, travel around the world, see all the beautiful things and people who won't stay this way eternally (Mc Donalds coming fast).

Go out and see the world : The world is your hometown!!!

(People's) Republic of China

2006-10-23T10:38:00.000+02:00

As I will be going in Taiwan as an exchange student, I started wondering what exactly was the status of this island.

I knew that the People's Republic of China (PRC) considered Taiwan as a province and that Taiwan considered itself as an independant country.

But today I visited the Taipei city Government's site. And here is the 1st sentence : Taipei is the capital of the Republic of China WHAT??? Did I miss something?

It so appears that Taiwan considers itself as a country : The Republic of China (ROC). Where does that come from?

Here is a little bit if history : Taiwan has been populated bu successive wave of chinese immigration. In 1949 the Guomindang (Chinese nationalists) fled continental China as the Communists are gaining power. So if you're interested, Taiwan is the best place to see the remainings of Chinese traditions as there was no Cultural Revolution.

The Guomindang then claimed that they are the right representants of all China (continental included) which was not so hard as Mao didn't make Continental China take any place in the diplomatic world (no seat at the UN).

Then in 1971 as continental China reappeared in the Diplomatic world, Taiwan got ejected from its seat.

Taiwan's very modern army and the support of the US following the Taiwan Act has ensure Taiwan's autonomy's in the facts.

But should they claim their independance? The taiwanese are not so hot about it (there are the Green ones for Independance and the Blue ones for Reunification). They are independant in the facts and the PRC asserts that one of the main things that could lead to an armed conflict would be if Taiwan declared its Independance.

By whom is Taiwan recognised as an independant country? Some 25 small countries has recognised the ROC. Since 1971, when Taiwan lost its seat at the UN, a prerequisite to any diplomatic relationship with the PRC is the acknowledgement of the "Unity of china".

Today the status-quo still seems to be the best option for everybody. Except for me... Where the hell should I be going to get my visa? Chinese Consulate, Taipei's Paris Office? Anyway, in February I will be going in (People's) republic of China...

Always laugh when you can, it is cheap medicine

2006-10-23T09:00:00.000+02:00

We have a contest among my family and some of my brother’s friends. Who will be able to bring back the most Kitsch picture from his trip?
As I couldn’t find the translation in English for kitsch, let me translate our definition: Tacky, provocatively exhibiting bad taste. I might add: therefore funny.

Up to this summer, my family hold the record with a picture of my father holding the Taj-Mahal with his two fingers and smiling this way: “I am so happy to be halfwitted”. Apparently some friends tried to do the same looking just a little bit more stupid.

The guy who I think should win this contest didn’t actually know there was one, that’s the beauty of it. My friend E. has gone to India for an exchange student program and was so happy and proud when displaying this fantastic picture. Of course I forwarded it instantly to my brother to let the world know we had a winner.

What makes this picture so good for us? You might have noticed the Taj-Mahal is THE best spot for kitsch pictures. So we were all playing “I’m holding it with 2 fingers”, “I smile like a dumb guy”… Etc. E. found out that what would make the difference at the Taj-Mahal was not how you were holding it but actually what you were wearing. Thank you E. for this fantastic Green & Pink striped T-Shirt, it allowed me to have the opportunity of claiming a finder’s fee.

Note: I wrote this post as I thought only my brother and E. had this address. I mean how could anybody find my blog, I am not advertising. Then I received a comment from Melissa. 2 questions then:
1) How come a girl from Australia finds me and leaves me a very nice post as my brother and my friend E. _ to whom I gave the blog’s address on my first day on-line_ didn’t even come and see?
2) The blog being visited _ apparently _ should I cancel this post and spare my friend shame-on-line?
As you can see I decided to half-spare him. I thought with this T-shirt he really didn’t need icing!

My favorite red wines and smelly cheeses

2006-10-20T14:29:00.000+02:00

Back in Lyon I had the occasion of visiting my favorite bar once again. L'harmonie des vins, the best and original wines by the glass, fantastic cheese or home-made charcuterie.

Unfortunately it seems that the word has spread (I am regretting their RPPP) and it is now crouded every night. You even have to book a table for a drink at 6PM.

Anyway if it is Frenchness you're looking for, this bar really lives up to the stereotype!

Adoption at Summer Palace

2006-10-19T10:00:00.000+02:00

The summer Palace of Beijing (Yihehuan)

This was my first trip out of Beijing (where I was spending 1 week holiday)
Not only did I discover the monuments (which are worth the trip) but that is also where I discover the US adoption trips. Scarry thing really.

It all started as I was wondering why there were so many people travelling with baby-carriage. I mean I gathered that there was some travelling agency specialising in burping infant with 10 pounds diaper bags, wouldn't you? At this instant I was feeling very sorry for the pour guys sharing their plane all the way from the US to Beijing with screaming babies.

Then, as a group passed by I realised all these American parents had somehow very Asian infant. It was Group Adoption Tour. You know, "As we are in china getting a child we might as well visit the place and make new friends who also adopted".

Do you find it strange too? I mean don't you think the adopting process and infertility (or other) problems carry something intimate that does not go well with Group travel?

Hi there!

2006-10-19T09:47:00.000+02:00

Hi,

This is my 1st post, I am kind of a blog-virgin. Please be nice...

So what's the idea? In a few month I'll be once again out of the country (mine being France) for quite a long time. I hope that by visiting the blog my friends and family can keep in touch.

Also I realised that I have been lucky enough to travel quite a lot around the world, as a tourist but also as an expatriate. I hope I can share that and may be give some people the will to travel around.

So this is it! I'll start with some pictures and might then be bold enough to edit some opinions... you'll see.

Oh another thing : why in English? Well I do tend to speak English a lot during my trips (sorry Mum and Dad but is has to be said... German doesn't help so much) and let's face it : It does reach so much more people.

I hope you'll enjoy this little blog...