COFFEE!!!

Coffee has been a popular drink in France since the 17th century when the Ambassador from Sultan, Mehmed IV, brought coffee beans with him on a trip to Paris. The french drink their coffee much differently than we do in the states. They don’t typically add milk or sugar. If they do either it is in very small quantities. They enjoy it at all hours of the day here as well.

In France it’s not hard to get a cup o’ joe, because there are hundreds of cafes around any city. The amount of cafes further makes it evident the cultural importance of coffee. And that being able to sit and enjoy your coffee is also very important. The idea of “to-go” coffee isn’t really widespread in France, it’s an American idea.

The french press is a device used to brew coffee that is native to France. It involves pouring hot water and coffee grounds into the press, letting it steep, and then pushing the grounds down to the bottom with the plunger.  Many French people enjoy making their coffee this way. I have found that I LOVE coffee from made with a press. Another French favorite is espresso, which is basically a shot of caffeine. It is done by pouring hot water, under high pressure, through finely ground beans.

As an uneducated American I used to always drink my coffee with a TON of creamer and sugar. But when I arrived in France, I decided to try it the real way. Literally changed my life. I don’t think I’ll ever drink coffee the “American” way again.

Parisians, their Love Locks, and their Public Display of Affection

Parisians, their Love Locks, and their Public Display of Affection

Blogged by Marcus Bellamy

In the states, PDA is typically frowned upon, wherever you are; keep it private because no one wants to see that!  A common enough phrase is “Get a room!” which is said to any couple who is display their affection in public too much.

But in Paris?

That’s not the case at all!  Couples from young…

 …to old…

…show absolutely no shame in displaying their love for one another in Paris.

This brings me to the Love Locks Bridges.  Regardless of its origin – some claim that it began in Paris while still others say that it began in Italy – the Love Locks Bridges in Paris have been a symbol of everlasting love since the early 2000s.

Couples come to these bridges with a lock and key.  Once there, they inscribe their names or initials upon the lock, a significant date in their relationship, and lock the lock on the bridge.  After this, the couple throws the key into the River Seine, symbolizing that the key to unlocking their affection for each is now lost beneath the waves of the Seine.  Nowadays, some bring a combination lock instead, which loses the meaning, in my opinion; the method of opening the lock is a number, which you (can) memorize, and then return to unlock another time if the relationship goes sour.  That’s just MY take on it.

Here is a video of one couple, walking down the Love Locks Bridge near Notre Dame.  They don’t throw their key in the Seine, though…

If you have time, I suggest you read this article about a sudden midnight disappearance off every love lock in Paris:

Apparently, though, there is a difference between the two bridges upon which these locks are locked.  The “Pont des Arts is for your committed love, while Pont de l'Archevêché is for your lover.”  The whole article can be found here:

The Love Locks Bridges are a cute sight for tourists, but they hold deeper significance in the hearts of passionate lovers.

How Not to Look Like an American Tourist

        Any guess where this tourist family is from? You are correct: the United States. Now, while it's fairly obvious to those who have been over in Europe for a while who is an American tourist and who is a native, most Americans fresh off the plane to Paris have no idea that they look so blatantly touristy. Maybe it's the bright colors; maybe it's the tennis shoes and jeans; maybe it's the volume of our speaking voices. Any of these, and many more options, could be the cause of this. However, luckily for you, I am here to tell you how to seamlessly blend in with the very fashionable Parisians.

     Parisian fashion can be described in two words: Effortless and Stylish. Hair styles and make-up are minimal, generally highlighting one particular feature. Handbags are usually large and carried haughtily on the elbow, runway style. Shoes are always heels. It's rare to find a woman walking down the street without heels on. You have to admire their dedication, especially on those cobblestone streets. As the home to numerous famous luxury fashion houses, such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Christian Dior, it should seem fairly obvious that the Parisians, and French, take their fashion very seriously. Considered THE fashion capital of the world, this love of all things fashionable started long ago. Even Anne Boleyn was famous for mimicking the French in her dress, though her use of hoods and low cut dresses (scandalous). 

Chanel Fashion Show; Paris Fashion Week 2011

     Paris became known as an international fashion center during the 18th century, when Rose Bertin was named the Minister for Fashion, which carried over to the Napoleonic Era. In the 19th century, an Englishman living in Paris named Charles Worth, the father of "haute couture", was the first to put his name on clothing that he had made. The trend took off, and from then on, if you wanted to make a name for yourself in the fashion industry, you came to Paris. The Parisian fashion status took a hit during the German occupation of Paris in World War II, but they gained their status back at the top after Dior and YSL took over. The most important and influential fashion houses are based here, the biggest fashion shows are here, and grandest fashion magazines are headquartered here. Paris is the place to be when you want to talk fashion. 

       A few tips: well-tailored coats are always an excellent option. Make sure it's a neutral. The Parisians love their neutrals. Leather boots and superrrrrr skinny jeans are a current trend popular with the people. Ballerina flats, tights, and short skirts are popular with the younger generations. Also, no one here really wears sunglasses. Maybe I'm just missing those that do, but from what I've seen, women generally don't wear sunnies. Clothing colors are very neutral; it's not uncommon to see someone completely dressed in black. Knit sweaters are also very stylish, as are scarves. But a warning: scarves have to be tied very creatively. None of that just looping it around the neck nonsense.  

      I hope that this gave you a small insight into what the fashion is like here. While I still know I dress like a tourist in my NorthFace and Sperry's on occasion, I at least know that there are greater opportunities out there. And besides, what better place to come than Paris to decide you need to buy a whole new wardrobe? (:

-Samantha Tosh

   

     

Seeing Paris on Two Wheels

-Jessica Boyd

Because Paris is one of the largest cities in the world there is no way that you can efficently move around the city by walking. Sometimes the weather is so nice, you don't want to spend your afternoon riding around a hot and sticky metro either.

Enter the Velib bike system.

Paris was late to join the green initiative and start a municipal bike sharing program. Their program began in 2007 and was an instant hit. Within 2 months, the self service bikes clocked about 3.7 million rides and are changing the way people move around Paris. Everyone from tourists to businessmen seem to be enjoying seeing the city from a new perspective.

The concept of the bike system is that you check one out, ride around for up to one day or week perhaps and then return the bike to one of the many stands around the city. When planning the system, they scattered the stands about 300 m from each other so you are never far from renting a bike.

I have not rented a bike yet, but I see people riding them all the time now that it is spring. It is an ingenious system since the majority of residents do not own cars.

Paris has even expanded the system into renting self service cars as well. There not as many of these kiosks around, but I laugh every time I see one because they are such a foreign concept back in America.