Bienvenue à Versailles

Welcome to Versailles.

This is the most common scene in Versailles. Tourists (especially certain ones from certain parts of the world, but not exclusively) MUST have their photo taken by EVERYTHING. In multiple angles. The longest lines I waited in were one to wait for someone to finish having their freaking photo taken next to the king's bed pan, or whatever. This place must be murder in the summer.

France's contribution to world wide arbitration dilemmas:

Here is a painting of a very famous general in the French army. His name is "de Rochambeau." Legend has it (now I could be wrong here, because I read it in french) that when he was fighting in Germany, and he faced a stalemate with a German general, the only way to solve the stalemate was to paper-rock-scissors for the German town. Hence, how we now "rochambeau" for it. Incroyable!

This guy didn't understand my french at all. But he was pleasant enough...

Oh a note on blog comments... I've been trying to comment on your comments, but I must be completely inept, because I can't get it to work. So, until I figure out why, don't be offended that I don't respond to your comments. Keep'm coming...great to read. Merci!

Une leçon en Français

While my french, albiet slowly, seems to be steadily improving - the french's ability to articulate, does not.

I'm considering writing a book on "all you need to know about speaking french." It would go something like this:

To understand french pronounciations, we must first forget everything out teachers told us about articulation. Two rules exist in french:

1. Pronounce as little of the actual word as possible.
2. Patisserie is pronounced "p't-ss-ree," not "patiss-aree." The later will make you sound like a neadrithalic heathen from Marsailles.

So, for example here's a sentance:

"Today, I bought a country ham (prociutto) sandwich in the Latin Quarter."

it is written like this:

Aujourd'hui, j'ai acheté une sandwich au jambon de pays dans le quartier latin.

it is pronounced like this:

1. Oh-shw-di, jay-ash-'tay ewn sandwich oh jaa-boh d'payee da l'kart-chyay la-ta(ng)

2. now say it fast.
3. no, faster.
4. now, slur a little.

There you have it. I suppose if you wanted pronounce it properly as a Quebecois you also need to get drunk first, then return to step one.

This is why I understand no one.

Amuse-toi!

DKS.

Also, discovered a popular french artist by the name of Olivia Ruiz. Google her, she's rad. C'est cool.

FONT! Enfin!

Salut Tout le Monde!

We made our way to Fontainbleue today. Drove down with Em's parents, and met up with Em's friends and local hardmen; while mama et papa hiked through the huge Foret du Fontainbleue.

Everyone talks about how N.A. climbers get their ass kicked on the first day there. Well, yes it was very beta intensive, but I can happily report that I was able to flash a few problems and sent all the one's that mes amis francais ont fait. Although, to be honest I yarded my feet around, while they climbed everything with much more grace. I'm still learning...

Nothing too hard though, to be honest. Hardest send (completed climb w/o falling, in climber-speak) was a 6a/b Font. Felt like a V3. Got spit off many others...projects...

In other news:

Here's a picture of Emilien's grand father, Marcel. An adorable man of 80 years. Super sharp, energetic, and strong as a bull. And about the only person's french I can understand...


Brush with French Célèbre...


We had a lovely dinner with this man, Francois Soulliere (aka Mr.Shoes) and his wife Sophie. Francois is a family friend and also the drummer of a very famous french rock band called "Indochine." I guess you have to be French or Quebecois to be impressed by that. In any case, he was a really great, and funny guy.
check out: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=122920187
For more on Indochine et Francois.

This week I hope to hit the Catacombs, Versaille, and Sacré Coeur...6 more days until skiing in Tignes... J'attends avec impatience!

Ciao!

Une semaine

Well, it's been nearly a week of french life, here in Paris. Here are some quick observations.

1. It matters far less that you understand what someone is saying, and more important that you look like you understand. Most things people are saying to you are just yes/no questions, so you got a 50/50 shot at it if you just smile, nod your head and say "oui."

2. French food will not make you fat. Stuffing yourself silly every meal in North America will. I am happily losing weight because it's just not common to have Texas sized portions. I WILL have another crêpe sucre though...yum.

3. As my french improves, my english worsens. When I write I feel like I am reversing my grammer and speaking in far less sylables.

4. Paris strives to achieve balance constantly. For example, by building the huge cathedral of Sacre Coeur at the start of the 20th century to save the french from their sins. Then immediately building a huge red light district at the base of it. (including the famous Moulin Rouge).

5. Champs Elysée is stupid. Don't go there.

A bientot.

Mon Paris...

So not much happening here. Just the daily struggle of learning french. Planning to go bouldering in Font on dimanche, weather permitting. It's (as the british say) BLOODY COLD right now...so good friction on the rock, but at what cost?

Anyways, my friend Patrick asked for some photos of where I am staying in Paris. I am living in the 19th Arrondissement, on Rue Petit (for those google map nerds). Pictures described below each photo.

Ave. de Laumiere, et Place a Carrel. In the center of the photo is a brown canopy. This is the cafe of the "steak tartar" incident. Also where I do much of my studying.

Rue Petit. Mon batiment est le milieu un sur le droite. (middle right building) (also, thanks for the vocab correction, Mc B)

The dining room. Yep, those are real french doors, kids.

The living room (le salon)

La cuisine

Les escaliers - not a lot of room in these apartments.

Emilien's room, also mine currently. Note the american football wallpaper from his youth. What you don't see is the miriad of skiing and climbing posters around the room. Em is living at home while he renovates his new condo/flat.

The park where from the first photo was taken. (Parc des Buttes Chaumont). It used to be an old quarry. Has a bunch of natural caves and such. Looks magical....almost like Disneyland.

C'est tout pour maintenant. Ciao!

Perdu en traduction (lost in translation)

My french is proving to be better in some instances and worse in others.

Today I bought a swanky new pair of shoes, using only french (my only option at this store). I was proud of my self that I pulled it off. And the sales staff were very helpfull and kind (dispelling and rumours that the french are rude. I haven't found one yet).

However, I haven't been so lucky in all instances. Today I went to the local café/restaurant to have some déjeuner and I was off to a good start by asking the waiter, "Avez-vous une carte?" and a little "Je voudrais un café au lait s.v.p."

Yay pour moi!

Then I perused the menu (la carte) - and saw "Steak Tartar," a frech specialty which my friend Salima in Toronto told me is a must-have.

So, I ordered it. Then told the waiter that I would like it cooked "moyen" (medium).

There was much confusion that followed. So much in fact that he had to go fetch the bartender to translate for him. If you ever had steak tartar before, you'll know why. It's ground beef. raw, essentially. To my surprise. Fortunately, I have a forgiving palette and stomach. It was pretty good, but I don't think I'll have it again. The above photo is what the waiter wrote during our conversation. I found it funny. Tartar...scratch...cooked Tartar...scratch...and so forth...

Thanks for the heads up Salima...

Perdu à Paris

Today I realized my current "plan de Paris" is trés merde. (yes, Jessica my dear, I am aware of the times you insisted I get a map). So, Emilien has now provided me with a much better map. I should have better luck tommorow.

Above is a nice statue I saw while I was looking for the "Gummi De Milo." I couldn't find it, so this will have to do. (sorry Simpsons fans)

In addition...I fixed the comments section so that everyone can comment. And Patrick, I will take some photos of chez nous for you in the comming days.

ciao!

Je suis arrivé!

AVIS: these french computers are wickedly backwards.


Pour example: bqckzqrds = backwards. Nothing is where is should be. Still; that; other than my poor french skills are about the only things posing at best a mild frustration.


I am staying with my friend Emilien and his family in Paris. They are quite possibly the nicest people on earth. Mildly unbelieveable. Em is the only one who speaks english. Which means I've hit the ground running avec mon français, or lack thereof.

Well, the sun is shining, so we will have some lunch and head out to meet some friends and hqve more café in an attempt to stay awake, and reset my sleep-clock.

A bientot,

Etes-vous comme-moi?

Are you like me? Do you think that you are a master of engineering when you pack for a long trip?

Until about half way through - then I get fed up and just start mashing stuff in places it probably shouldn't go. What a mess...but it'll do.

3 odd things in my luggage.

1. Bottle of Cuban Rum.
2. Montreal Bagels
3. Shovel.

8 hours and ticking till I take off.

That should give me some time to rearrange my luggage.