Chinese New Year 2013

I LOVE Chinese new year, the food, the parades and the general all round merriment. I also believe that if your new years resolutions are not going as well as hoped when they were drunkenly first made that Chinese new year is a great second chance. I was so excited to watch the parade in Paris for the first time as the Chinese population here becomes more and more influential every year, winning over the French with their food and bright colourful culture. Who would have thought that ardent French foodies would relish the bustling development of Asian cuisine, not just as a side line food choice but as a major rival to the filet mignon? I was surprised how many people turned up, considering the horrific weather. JC and I joined the crowds at the Centre Pompidou and looked for a sneaky quiet spot to watch the fun. 

Not even the snow could get in the way of JC and I watching the parade and unlike in most cities there were no barriers or security holding back the crowd, so we ended up getting a little too close to the action! Golden yellow dragons, beautiful dancers and drummers added a little colour to the Dior grey of Paris and the chic black crowd of spectators. Children leapt up to try and touch the dancing dragon and confetti was spraying down, thrown by those watching from balconies. 

After the parade we quickly found shelter in a little corner-cafe to avoid the snow and had a steaming hot chocolate and a crepe to warm us up. The perfect blend of Parisian and Asian culture.

I really disliked seeing the confetti being stomped into the ground and being drowned in puddles rather than raining down on us like a multi-coloured snowstorm. 

I will definitely being going for Chinese soon.

At times, Paris could do with a bit of colour. 

Mood - hungry for noodles! 

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Bruxelles - Day 2

Nothing beats a fantastic night's sleep in a big hotel bed. We stayed in the Sandton Pillows Hotel in the old town, a nine month old boutique hotel and it was delightful; perfect for a girls weekend away. After a quick breakfast in a local cafe on the square we decided that the aim of the day was to investigate Belgian chocolates, after all, that is what Belgium is famous for. Now when I say investigate, I mean track down every chocolate shop, test every chocolate cafe and even a trip to the chocolate museum. There was even a wheel of melted chocolate that you could dip shortbread biscuits into, MW and I thought we had found heaven and cheekily went back for several dips!

We then headed over to the Royal Palace and on the way found a beautiful garden and water fountain so stopped for a break and took some photos of the scenery. The gardener was so friendly and quickly offered us a quick tour and a brief history of the garden, what a lovely man. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon leisurely wandering around the city, stopping to read about the history of famous buildings and to buy postcards. It was so nice to have time just to walk, with no sense of directions or needing to keep to a time schedule but just to truly enjoy soaking up the sights of a new place. Particularly interesting was the Manneken Pis statue. The fountain was much smaller than I had expected it to be but it was fascinating to hear all the different folk stories about its origin, no Belgian seemed to tell the same history. I think there is something quite unique and special about a statue that holds a different significance for each person who sees it.

My camera sadly decided to die on me just as we arrived at the Manneken Pis and therefore I have no photos, however I do have a picture of several statues of the little man that are sold in tourist shops all over Brussels. I decided that I probably didn't need to buy one as a souvenir. 

After several hours of visiting the sights we ended up at the Cathedral which sits at what seems like the highest point of the city as the views from the top were amazing. 

There was just time for a quick visit to another friterie and then for a waffle before we headed back to Paris. Waffles are very famous in Brussels and can be found all over the city, sold from street vendors and cooked freshly while you wait. I decided to go for the classic topping of icing sugar but MW opted for melted dark chocolate while also looked delicious. The perfect end to a fantastic weekend. 

Mood- Spoilt and satisfyingly full 

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Bruxelles - Day 1

This post is long overdue. I have been a little out of the blogging loop recently due to starting my new job, friends visiting and my fantastic new flatmate arriving. You can check his awesomeness out here!

Way way back, in the deep dark depths of January I decided to take a little Euro road trip, because lets face it, January is a bit of a let-down month after all the fun and magic of Christmas. First stop was a ski-break in Samoens, the to Geneva to visit JJ, quick stop over in London town to catch up with beautiful friends and then to BRUSSELS!

Everyone kept telling me that Brussels is one of the most boring city to visit, I cannot disagree more. An hour or so on the Eurostar, a quick metro to our hotel and MW and I were loving life in the beautiful city of Brussels.

Obviously food was the first thing on our minds and we headed out to a famous burger restaurant right in the heart of the old town and munched out way through the biggest burgers I have seen for a long time and our first plate of Belgian frites......delicious!

The most famous sight in Brussels is the Grand Place, a picture-perfect square surrounded by grand guild houses and the impressive town hall. The flowers were not quite in bloom but the colours on the roofs of the houses are quintessentially Belgian.

Next stop, you guessed it, more food! We stumbled across one of the many world-renowned friteries; Fritland and quickly ordered two huge portions of perfectly crispy and wonderfully fluffy chips. Beautiful. 

On of my favourite things about Brussels was the incredible array of street art on display on every available wall, mostly featuring the Belgian comic book character Tintin. Even at night, several buildings had projectors lighting up artwork depicting life inside Belgian homes, so unique and such a fantastic idea.

City hopping is exhausting, no wonder we managed to polish off a deliciously rich hot chocolate in the afternoon, before returning to our hotel and collapsed into our squishy hotel bed.

Mood- Missing those chips and hot choc!

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Reflections on Paris as the "City of Love" and on beauty in general: An Anniversary Poem

I have to share this incredible poem that was written for me by the very talented OC. 

You said Paris was beautiful, and moved there one September,

And from my visits there are many sights that i'll remember.

Though through its arrondissements, I could forever roam, 

I don't believe it's really special when it's on its own.

"The padlock bridge is sweet", they say. I have to disagree,

'cause every loving couple's padlock only takes one key.

The Eiffel Tower's wonderful, but how alone it stands.

The Mona Lisa's painted well but she's holding her own hands. 

And sure it looks sublime, when the sun shines off the Seine,

But it isn't as appealing when its filling up with rain

'Cause real beauty doesn't change, or hinge upon the weather,

And two things that look nice will look better when together.

If three's the magic number, then the beauty number's two,

And you never look as beautiful as when I'm in love with you.

I never usually share things like this and i'm the first person to curse others who do, however this boy's talents need to be shared. What is Paris doing to me??

Mood - Changed

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Marché au Puces

The 18th arrondissement is well know for the bohemian and artistic quarter of Montmartre with its cobbled squares, authentic cafes and struggling artists. During my time in Paris I have discovered that the 18th is an interesting area, beautiful in parts and in others pretty grim. Prior to living in Paris I believe that all of the city was picture-perfect with wide avenues and pretty cafes but my time in Clignancourt has proved otherwise. After spending five months in the Sorbonne Clignancourt campus I had promised myself that when I finished I would never return there, under any circumstance!

But........last week I bravely ventured back with my friends JM and AS, to visit the marché au puces, the most famous antique/ flea market in the Europe. It was fantastic, miles of sprawling stalls and fancy boutique-style shops displaying everything from 17th century suits of armour, art and furniture. The market is arranged as a series of alleys, creating a fascinating maze of all that is weird and wonderful. I can safely say that this is one of the best and most unique ways to spend a lazy sunday afternoon in Paris.

It is incredible that in the middle of an urbanised area, down the backstreet of the market, tucked away inconspicuously are some of the most incredible stalls I have ever seen. Beautiful vintage Chanel dresses are displayed on racks and Hermes scarves overflow from decadent displays creating every girl's dream shop. Sadly prices ran into several thousands but seeing such incredible items hidden away was like, I imagine, stumbling upon Aladdin's cave stuffed with treasures upon your wildest dreams.

                         

You can even buy an oversized clock or the statue of liberty if that is what takes your fancy?

Mood- Hankering for a vintage Chanel dress! 

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