Scotland (Edinburgh and Glasgow)

Edinburgh Airport

OK, you're probably wondering why I'm writing about a different country since my blog is about not being a Francophile and living in Paris. To me it made sense to write about other countries that I visit, because it gives my readers a different perspective of how I view things in comparison to France where I live, and the US where I'm from. In some cases it will make me appreciate my life in Paris, in other cases in leaves me wondering, "what was I thinking?" 

Chamarré Montmartre -- Restaurant review

Chamarré Montmartre

52 Rue Lamarck

75018 Paris, France

01 42 55 05 42

Website 

Rating Standards: 4-Stars = Extraordinary; 3-Stars = Excellent; 2-Stars = Good; 1-Star = Fair; NO stars = Poor
€ = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50 -75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)
1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-75); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-80); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (80+)

  3-Stars.........................€....................1-Bells

Variations -- Restaurant review, the way a restaurant should be run!

Stan, Jack and Loui in front of Variations Restaurant

18 Rue des Wallons

75013 Paris

Tel: 01.43.31.36.04

Metro: Saint Marcel

Website

Rating Standards: 4-Stars = Extraordinary; 3-Stars = Excellent; 2-Stars = Good; 1-Star = Fair; NO stars = Poor
€ = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50 -75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)
1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-75); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-80); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (80+)

  3.25-Stars.........................€€....................2-Bells

Vous êtes d'ici? Tips on becoming a "local"

One of the most important aspects of living in Paris for me is to feel like I belong, to feel like I'm part of a community. I guess it doesn't matter whether it's a small town or a big city, a feeling of inclusion is important. Unless you're a hermit, who wants to be an outcast or for that matter rejected. I literally have had friends move to Paris, and expect it to be the same way in the U.S. and feel very isolated and dejected.  It's not that the French are unfriendly, it's just that the they are much more wary of strangers or foreigners. Just like in a small US town e.g., is cautious of foreigners that just moved into their town. Sure like any big city there's going to be the good, the bad and the ugly, and naturally we're going to try and align ourselves with the good whether it be in the US or in France.

Chinatown -- Paris

Inside a modern mall looking out to Place d'Italie

Chinese lanterns adorning the streets

I think every major city across the world has a Chinatown, Paris is no exception. I discovered an Asian area in the 3eme totally by accident. In early 2009, we lived in the 3eme arrondissement, as we were exploring the neighborhood, we came across this tiny street called rue au Maire, with Asian grocery stores, a few shops and a handful of restaurants. I thought how interesting a little Asian quartier. And, it just so happened that it coincided with Chinese New Year, so the streets were decorated with red lanterns throughout.  I later discovered that this was the original Chinatown,  who knew?

Gung hay fat choy

Gung hay fat choy