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Patricia Sands

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Bonjour Paris

Vive La Différence!

June 7, 2013 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

It’s a pleasure to welcome Anne-Marie Simons to this spot today. She and her husband, Oscar, left Washington, DC, in 1998 in search of the perfect place to retire. They settled in beautiful Aix-En-Provence and are living my dream.

7. hiking picture w. rainbow copy

Anne-Marie is a vibrant and energetic woman and no wonder! Her resumé includes positions as a19. Ephrussi gardens Cap Ferrat copy translator, teacher, journalist, sportswriter (covering Formula 1 races), and director of corporate communications. Today she blogs at PROVENCE TODAY where she keeps her readers up to date on the latest happenings in France. Drop in to visit and mention I sent you. And Oscar? Oo-la-la … after a career in international development banking, Oscar has become an expert on Provençal cooking!

They are perfect examples of how it’s never too late to do something different: true possibilitarians ~ which you know is one of my favourite words!

Anne-Marie has written a delightful book of vignettes of life in France ~ TAKING ROOT IN PROVENCE. Reading this book is great way to take your time and be immersed in the lifestyle, customs and quirks of living in France. Here is an excerpt from the chapter Vive La Différence.

Book cover smallAnne-Marie said, “I thought this might be a good choice, not because it is so revealing but because it concerns little everyday differences in such areas as grooming, eating, and a certain view of the world.”

The interest in the body, for instance – particularly by women – is different here than elsewhere. You try to make it look as good as you can, maintain it by putting healthy food into it, and show it off proudly and seductively. It is a subtle game of drawing attention to it and pretending not to care; a certain well rehearsed nonchalance.

Seducing by your appearance, your cooking prowess, your intelligence, your sexiness is the overriding mission of the Frenchwoman that starts young and never ends. Common sense and practicality be damned if it does not look good, and a stressed-out Parisienne rushing to work would rather risk breaking a leg on her high heels than use those awful “American” running shoes. There are more hairdressers and nail salons here than I ever saw elsewhere and they are all doing well. And whenever the hard-working Frenchwoman has some breathing space she is likely to go to a spa for a session of aqua-gym, a massage, a facial, waxing, or nail care for that never-ending maintenance. The fad of anti-aging products, or lotions and creams that promise a flat stomach and a tight butt – they believe in it and buy it. Hope springs eternal, and the job is never done.

So much for the outside, but the inside is not forgotten – especially that most important organ of all: the stomach.

3. market copyCooking and enjoying food is placed above literacy (alright, not quite) and if you live here it is essential that you share that interest. I take a gym class twice a week and all we ever talk about is food and recipes. Oscar goes to the market every day where he picks up not only fresh foods but also cooking tips and recipes, and listens to long discussions about the regional differences of certain dishes. There is not a single meal with friends where we don’t talk about food, and with the same passion as Americans might reserve for baseball or football. Eating here is a sensuous activity which is meant to give pleasure rather than mere nourishment, and people spend vast amounts of time in preparing, testing, eating and discussing food.

Another great pastime in France is debating. No matter what the subject or who does the talking, everyone argues, questions, reasons and protests, from the intellectual to the laborer; and this happens in the street, on radio and on television where most debates end in a cacophony of voices where everyone talks at the same time and nobody listens. Rien de méchant; it’s just the way they are and if you think differently it must be because you are a foreigner and the French know they are superior. Ha-ha.

So what does it mean to us who settled here 15 years ago? We don’t notice the differences anymore us & old chapell copyand have become part of the local fabric by speaking the language and doing as they do – and doing just fine, thank you. So they have weird shopping hours and in summertime close from 12 to 4PM? We too like a siesta, either at home or in the movies. The streets in Aix are dirty with dog poop and discarded sandwich wrappers? Bitch about it but don’t expect it to change. The world will keep on turning. Life’s too short and there is still so much wine to be tried. There is plenty to enjoy: the climate, the lifestyle, the markets, the relaxed pace, the in-town movie theaters and bookshops, and the many cultural events throughout the year − both high (opera) and low (chickpea festival) culture. And of course the great natural beauty of Provence. But you knew that all along, didn’t you? 

Do you have plans to live somewhere different one day or are you already living in the place of your dreams? Is there something new you would like to try when retirement beckons? I know this time of life seems a long way off for many of you, but for others of us the time is now. Dream on! 

Excerpts from Taking Root in Provence often can be found on the fabulous Bonjour Paris website where I love to spend time reading and dreaming. In fact I have a post there today about a village I often visit when I’m in the neighbourhood. Pop on over and visit with me!

Bon weekend tout le monde!

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Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog, France, If it is France... Tagged With: Aix-En-Provence, Anne-Marie Simons, Bonjour Paris, France, Patricia Sands, Taking Root In Provence

Worth waiting for …

March 24, 2013 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Yes, I know it’s Sunday and this post is a bit late. Désolée!

We dashed off for a few days to visit the Gulf side, play some tennis and bridge and relax in the warm and hilarious company of dear friends. I have to admit it was good to break my obsessive and all-consuming writing routine. Please forgive my tardiness but I think you will agree this post was worth waiting for.

logo-01As you know, Bonjour Paris is one of my favourite websites and the following article by Ashlee Girdner from the most recent edition took my breath away.  I was SO excited to see it there! Don’t you love those kind of surprises?

The man known as Brassai, arrived in Paris from Hungary in 1924 and began to associate with the avant-garde artist community, in particular with Picasso and the Parisian surrealist circles. His proclivity to work at night produces a combination of unique authenticity and surrealism. I treasure his book Paris By Night, which can be found here on Amazon.

Brassai - Photo from Wikipedia
Brassai – Photo from Wikipedia

A multi-talented artist he was truly a pioneer in the art of candid photography.

Even if you are not a photography buff I think you will appreciate the reminder of the times evoked here. I hope so. Here’s how this beautifully-written article begins. Enjoy!

Brassai: Capturing the Beautiful Underbelly of Paris
By Ashlee Girdner
There is a jovial group of youths sitting in the shadows of an ambiguous dance hall. Their expressions show the serenity that only absinthe and rich French wine can provide.

There are dark, mist-filled streets that only the seediest creatures of the world could populate. The whores of Pigalle lurk, like deep-sea creatures with luminescent lures to attract prey on the streets of Paris.

Pablo Picasso creeps like a cat along the walls of his studio, studying his newest sculptures with his calloused hands.

The cafes of Montparnasse in the 30’s are crowded with the highest creative minds of the 20th century. Full of ambition and hunger, men like Jean Cocteau and Ernest Hemingway write opuses and operas. There to capture every sparkling, surreal moment is a heavy browed man, stalking about the filthy rooms. This man is Gyula Halasz, otherwise known as Brassai.

To read the rest of the excellent article about this masterful artist, please click here. You’ll be very glad you did!

5186e3jVcYL._SX240_How about you? Are you familiar with Brassai’s work? Do you share a fascination for Les Années Folles, as I do? Do you find his subject matter too gritty at times? Do we need to see all sides of life captured forever on film?

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Filed Under: Blog, France, If it is France... Tagged With: Bonjour Paris, Brassai, candid photography, Paris By Night, photography

Bonjour Paris

January 18, 2013 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Bonjour! I follow a lot of creative, informative and truly enjoyable websites and blogs about France. In fact, I’m compiling a list  to share with you soon.

Paris-PSandsPhotos
Paris-PSandsPhotos

Let’s begin with Bonjour Paris, an addictive amazingly comprehensive website I have followed for years.

If you really want the skinny on everything absolutely don’t want to miss one single detail, their Insiders Club offers articles like the Savvy Shoppers Secret, A Geek Chic Tour of Paris, How To Rent An Apartment in Paris (… and not get screwed) and, my personal favourite, Can You Say Deux Cheveaux?

I was over the moon to receive an invitation to contribute  an article this week and invite you to join me in Antibes (no surprise there!) by clicking right here.

Before you go, since Paris is on our minds, spend a moment with me below on a drizzly afternoon in Montmartre.

Sacré Coeur/Le Carousel-PSandsPhotos
Sacré Coeur/Le Carousel-PSandsPhotos

Hmmm- should we walk up or take the Funicular today?

Strolling Montmartre-PSandsPhotos
Strolling Montmartre-PSandsPhotos

A drizzle simply adds to the character of the streets of Montmartre.

Pizza in Montmartre-PSandsPhotos
Pizza in Montmartre-PSandsPhotos

Time for a lunch break. Who knew fried egg on a pizza could be so tasty?

Never let a little rain spoil a day of your holiday. Do you have a favourite travel website to share with us here? A girl can never have enough. Merci mille fois!

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Filed Under: Blog, France, If it is France..., Photo blogs Tagged With: Antibes, Bonjour Paris, France, Montmartre, Paris, Patricia Sands, travel websites

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