tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31932192063545111332024-03-05T07:07:20.544+01:00Paris PerceptionsViva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-70409645819964220842011-04-29T01:35:00.001+02:002011-04-29T01:42:05.962+02:00Was it all a dream? It's almost gone...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blogging isn't easy. Respect to those who are consistent- seriously! I have not posted much for the month of April, if not anything since I have been busy making sure I see everything I want to see before I go. Also, before today, the weather was amazing and the sun seemed to favor the French! Today the sun turned around and started to act like it usually does in April- MIA. But, tonight is the last night I write from Paris and, boy, what a ride!!!<br />
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The whole experience has been wonderful. It all feels like a dream already. I was able to say my goodbyes to those that I got to know most during my last 4 months as an intern in Paris. Friends took me out for some Crepe and ice cream yesterday, after work. Today, Fanny and the rest of the Institute for Leadership team took me out for lunch, and after prepared a champagne party for me for the evening, inviting many to join in the celebration. I am really blessed to have had the chance to develop relationships with Fanny, Hedy, Marie-Pierre, Pascal, Charlotte, Micheline, Julie, Helene, Etienne, Nathalie, and so many others. There are so many people that make this whole experience feel more and more like a beautiful dream- a wonderful social life in Paris... What more can you ask?? I am touched by your support, kindness, and patience. Thank you for everything. I will miss Paris and all its lights and pizazz. I will miss how there is so much to see and do. But most of all, I will miss my colleagues and friends.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: white; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">Gone - flitted away,<br />
Taken the stars from the night and the sun<br />
From the day!<br />
Gone, and a cloud in my heart.<br />
~Alfred Tennyson</span><br />
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</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-73237189513962659822011-03-29T21:01:00.000+02:002011-03-29T21:01:33.060+02:00Hello sun.. please stay forever!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The sun has been very good to us for the last few weeks. My walks to work in the mornings and evenings and all the wandering about I've been doing have allowed me to develop a nice relationship with our dear old sun. I am glad to say that I am starting to take in some color for my pasty skin. My friend, the sun, has been so kind enough to share with me a little preview of Paris under its rays- and my what a different city! The last few weeks have been quite pleasant and very beautiful to say the least. I am still at awe with this old village and all it has to offer.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Palais Royal Garden</span></b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLOzrRTtpDFFmNGY3aGZyYtDo4Ka71gRC6zLINJt-ZaUFJF9PGqnNQtGxpGOCFVgDuUl7lca12C-uUOE1S-2F2ahubqUrjyaotqWxb9C9TtTuBNsYvcLf_mljLZ3ccdsTfsFcyDUbDM4/s1600/Mar29+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLOzrRTtpDFFmNGY3aGZyYtDo4Ka71gRC6zLINJt-ZaUFJF9PGqnNQtGxpGOCFVgDuUl7lca12C-uUOE1S-2F2ahubqUrjyaotqWxb9C9TtTuBNsYvcLf_mljLZ3ccdsTfsFcyDUbDM4/s320/Mar29+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidF5MgIC_6rPstdbbqv7fydWa-s8Z68Y7zWc0-GD2em-USRypUr_BZfFvKmehmBBruGQoNVwQq4hiHwjoYwmWr-moLD0jqDITZq6Hs5DacAiklzfogVfXAeiuWWCZkEvkVTaT_tlnwBGY/s1600/Mar29+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidF5MgIC_6rPstdbbqv7fydWa-s8Z68Y7zWc0-GD2em-USRypUr_BZfFvKmehmBBruGQoNVwQq4hiHwjoYwmWr-moLD0jqDITZq6Hs5DacAiklzfogVfXAeiuWWCZkEvkVTaT_tlnwBGY/s320/Mar29+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXGJ3Ifb8C1INWQ5BeoXvb7yHlXECYi7KCxj5ZnLb26ZYIgXdcTU2hM3DXlAJYIjF6mdZk3nXlETP7z8AHimK-zvlJt_7m5M43lcwqhsS5nTbo2zYhJmkuwkEQG-XOKXf7TLbiS7mU5k/s1600/Mar29+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXGJ3Ifb8C1INWQ5BeoXvb7yHlXECYi7KCxj5ZnLb26ZYIgXdcTU2hM3DXlAJYIjF6mdZk3nXlETP7z8AHimK-zvlJt_7m5M43lcwqhsS5nTbo2zYhJmkuwkEQG-XOKXf7TLbiS7mU5k/s320/Mar29+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpg8H9NV7nU9w1MZ2xgDxzc7v1RvM0Ri1nl8ekDolb42FAIMHnUn3RxPvWMJfOUdV_-9K1VXL6ec5IiuPiegO1LIoSo1-w68crzAEv0dD9sD8corpgQ-y_sEqs-ue-BeKdWs6vzhanhjo/s1600/Mar29+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpg8H9NV7nU9w1MZ2xgDxzc7v1RvM0Ri1nl8ekDolb42FAIMHnUn3RxPvWMJfOUdV_-9K1VXL6ec5IiuPiegO1LIoSo1-w68crzAEv0dD9sD8corpgQ-y_sEqs-ue-BeKdWs6vzhanhjo/s320/Mar29+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> On top of the Arc de Triomphe</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBP_2KRvdTkT67jzbev1k06UIFbTiL1D3FjDyH-FeKpG-eZFbOcbP6JJM0lHE2PcXwXozX_km9CoNaPt9yvfJcMC6uzIjlPV1HWSlnx3AwcjahQyiZAFzm3a3s4_Oc-6AQDd-NattVlA/s1600/Mar29+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBP_2KRvdTkT67jzbev1k06UIFbTiL1D3FjDyH-FeKpG-eZFbOcbP6JJM0lHE2PcXwXozX_km9CoNaPt9yvfJcMC6uzIjlPV1HWSlnx3AwcjahQyiZAFzm3a3s4_Oc-6AQDd-NattVlA/s320/Mar29+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> You can see the Sacre Coeur in the distance on top of that hill</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OJmGa3SYKAUSYKXzxE54R_HZ4ZJ3Mv4BQxs8wPWtgV5cfXBaeJPOdn2ZyQIykjJCMBZ87-lp6rOCkJHr4qjPdDGWvQcSAlpxNsYtRpH4zgs6qZs-SRnn7IRSzSHVW-CiJ4R7JxJ406g/s1600/Mar29+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OJmGa3SYKAUSYKXzxE54R_HZ4ZJ3Mv4BQxs8wPWtgV5cfXBaeJPOdn2ZyQIykjJCMBZ87-lp6rOCkJHr4qjPdDGWvQcSAlpxNsYtRpH4zgs6qZs-SRnn7IRSzSHVW-CiJ4R7JxJ406g/s320/Mar29+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(top) This is what the top of the Arc looks like</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0yh6qQq5TdaOg8aPEfD0_EadnsjE6IAW71iZVX8aucdrxYB1Tcn3bzr-ZIrXM-27uPNVouRkXQzn6-jLORGHb_ivZiEllwUk2ZfYQojGf0kMuEz5Jwz1i-TN4Ntc6KEK7FxfFoZbq3g/s1600/Mar29+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0yh6qQq5TdaOg8aPEfD0_EadnsjE6IAW71iZVX8aucdrxYB1Tcn3bzr-ZIrXM-27uPNVouRkXQzn6-jLORGHb_ivZiEllwUk2ZfYQojGf0kMuEz5Jwz1i-TN4Ntc6KEK7FxfFoZbq3g/s320/Mar29+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d52JVSiVUj7FMcU5Ax5XMWGA2ZDv_XLJlykHrFketgMzPi8l-_hqS3IA8ahlw8ZFHSWRSfAP1rKU042ZqMR2vudFMzOSRjyCGpUztXn1jY9Hd5cY_M5U-EFmFjekNhKF2LVuX3O2c0E/s1600/Mar29+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d52JVSiVUj7FMcU5Ax5XMWGA2ZDv_XLJlykHrFketgMzPi8l-_hqS3IA8ahlw8ZFHSWRSfAP1rKU042ZqMR2vudFMzOSRjyCGpUztXn1jY9Hd5cY_M5U-EFmFjekNhKF2LVuX3O2c0E/s320/Mar29+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(top) The Champs Elysees</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIP6UGPcvchLSAL9j87K4s6KwmpXIn1OdyQaJkfecKil6aTcXiMOwS0-3mrhJlnuDBqtlQpIg3d03H6mzKUHnDnoyZ_tez147sK1nawd9GyajdhxcBfUqRmQWaNgyIVx2S7IgHfgGnFYQ/s1600/Mar29+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIP6UGPcvchLSAL9j87K4s6KwmpXIn1OdyQaJkfecKil6aTcXiMOwS0-3mrhJlnuDBqtlQpIg3d03H6mzKUHnDnoyZ_tez147sK1nawd9GyajdhxcBfUqRmQWaNgyIVx2S7IgHfgGnFYQ/s320/Mar29+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Eiffel Tower</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAHk3PiwZgIBCXWIbqYMmjFeMD_LXbnYHHQsMQGD3B1eZPODlH23KOBAGzYdTPSraSxp2DJtcCxlvKXXdScr21I0KJQE7lOXTjoz7nj3hSRMqorh1IzNi3huoZKgDeemrxVd01x7Q0CE/s1600/Mar29+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAHk3PiwZgIBCXWIbqYMmjFeMD_LXbnYHHQsMQGD3B1eZPODlH23KOBAGzYdTPSraSxp2DJtcCxlvKXXdScr21I0KJQE7lOXTjoz7nj3hSRMqorh1IzNi3huoZKgDeemrxVd01x7Q0CE/s320/Mar29+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxvcLF2U4IfONC_h4RolD_t-JQO5_UjTzQCV3sfqfadu-t4m7gH0IPAD1F6gqLr6QlkT5QKCy9zhElGk1jzBLBV3y-XnhcWM46VvpgxRx4Bx1RTCA4ADYRf2TxYyXm11mRknFRtvzGWs/s1600/Mar29+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxvcLF2U4IfONC_h4RolD_t-JQO5_UjTzQCV3sfqfadu-t4m7gH0IPAD1F6gqLr6QlkT5QKCy9zhElGk1jzBLBV3y-XnhcWM46VvpgxRx4Bx1RTCA4ADYRf2TxYyXm11mRknFRtvzGWs/s320/Mar29+012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Sacre Coeur again..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeGOtkpuUcQ68TTZ85H-gKFTJgMi7dAZ3kv8YOM0SEW4IoDquGaecOr6p0uUkhO-gv6f2Tv2KIPVmSRvEUXMb693jemkTme7EHb4z2qRO33FGBqZqCmW1Cs_Wqepgel3ItFtJg5J1hyQ/s320/Mar29+013.jpg" width="240" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I lost my arm!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-wb96SHv2I3Lxqn5G_pDRzmUWK8XeEpIsrTafxb4PDgsr1erdM_bQqxuDLAcc7lsHmJihaZ9Vmjww8kr4Lo4BKkl0B3rUKx7IMnaSJccO-f4W0GK9-6deXJp209cRObujtwwBmsW17k/s1600/Mar29+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-wb96SHv2I3Lxqn5G_pDRzmUWK8XeEpIsrTafxb4PDgsr1erdM_bQqxuDLAcc7lsHmJihaZ9Vmjww8kr4Lo4BKkl0B3rUKx7IMnaSJccO-f4W0GK9-6deXJp209cRObujtwwBmsW17k/s320/Mar29+014.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcMl9NFvmVyA2HhssoaPm5kZlO5VQ_WFxWB591r4yOK5Xz4BIzIDJVtx6eYyehTSBoJq04oicwktubWlB8e384KwbiiogsdpLjg96izwfgWES9oC1517tHo2m_rH7u9gdieDiQcmsTec/s1600/Mar29+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcMl9NFvmVyA2HhssoaPm5kZlO5VQ_WFxWB591r4yOK5Xz4BIzIDJVtx6eYyehTSBoJq04oicwktubWlB8e384KwbiiogsdpLjg96izwfgWES9oC1517tHo2m_rH7u9gdieDiQcmsTec/s320/Mar29+015.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> In the distance, you can see the Louvre, and behind that, my building..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0bDdVR5ChTnpHF95R4ATrYr7O5KB53xbtYbqzUoCrj_wVyfVDMUwMCiDl9QWu5r2e2o3UBkQxpOQgoxW_lUblXQMWhLjvEQwdqPv4j7mHSfC1Vgc23ddy0S1vdIn-J7axIVKLrIdxxc/s1600/Mar29+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0bDdVR5ChTnpHF95R4ATrYr7O5KB53xbtYbqzUoCrj_wVyfVDMUwMCiDl9QWu5r2e2o3UBkQxpOQgoxW_lUblXQMWhLjvEQwdqPv4j7mHSfC1Vgc23ddy0S1vdIn-J7axIVKLrIdxxc/s320/Mar29+017.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqEo3vOlQ2HQ8M2iZ0A2FpODsZGbVxyhzz9RjyTiCwwWJzHWz4gDdf61z01hMNEBd5gVdU_iAi7ICxVOswtuE9wMjLWnKNqAQeJGmnbkLzOZKUlTO4ebehQp5PRLTcq8uoCd9bj6IXPc/s1600/Mar29+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqEo3vOlQ2HQ8M2iZ0A2FpODsZGbVxyhzz9RjyTiCwwWJzHWz4gDdf61z01hMNEBd5gVdU_iAi7ICxVOswtuE9wMjLWnKNqAQeJGmnbkLzOZKUlTO4ebehQp5PRLTcq8uoCd9bj6IXPc/s320/Mar29+018.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Everything in Paris is in line with each other.. The Louvre is lined up with the Arc de Triomphe through the Concorde and Champs Elysees. This continues through to the Defense (what is known as the business district/skyscraper land in Paris) aligning with a white arc-shaped building. There are other alignments such as the Opera house aligning with the Louvre from another angle..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJr4eumn0_3_R5ZlDRNbZxTUSyjJqPgKQOIYNu_1zzrpJbILS091BdwoKcawpxJN39J7xTgLibS9tJHxUY_0ozxxhlG4-ebqhiWl9b6WhIzcSs3X1EQkFWbN2UwoFuWP1JyA6UMsW8Dg/s1600/Mar29+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJr4eumn0_3_R5ZlDRNbZxTUSyjJqPgKQOIYNu_1zzrpJbILS091BdwoKcawpxJN39J7xTgLibS9tJHxUY_0ozxxhlG4-ebqhiWl9b6WhIzcSs3X1EQkFWbN2UwoFuWP1JyA6UMsW8Dg/s320/Mar29+021.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I believe the picture above was on the Arc when it was first presented.. now it's in it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>On the Seine (pont neuf)</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQQktaf7Z1fiI8xKtfLA78-GQ565ywA0t3HxObKFPgnQKPP5dXlGAXB7Oskv31e9JnfzilWSI1AIIdaPt-JQQNH2aSMjPj3Ww76CLtTKG924m4p9iLJddcNdnAqKUM2i5llwCdEaHZIc/s1600/Mar29+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQQktaf7Z1fiI8xKtfLA78-GQ565ywA0t3HxObKFPgnQKPP5dXlGAXB7Oskv31e9JnfzilWSI1AIIdaPt-JQQNH2aSMjPj3Ww76CLtTKG924m4p9iLJddcNdnAqKUM2i5llwCdEaHZIc/s320/Mar29+022.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I decided to take a walk yesterday after work and saw this captivating sight..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCA_iLovf0lDkWrRLyHYxU812oEP5vEPl6QS5VPET2XQC5zHHB7HSV1UCHhZci_Z-96bf43IoGY06vj4x08fBU9RrdFVc4L-uBMDGIAUjWalUI97E6NAdiR2Crh8oGlVFVekLgysDROQ/s1600/Mar29+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCA_iLovf0lDkWrRLyHYxU812oEP5vEPl6QS5VPET2XQC5zHHB7HSV1UCHhZci_Z-96bf43IoGY06vj4x08fBU9RrdFVc4L-uBMDGIAUjWalUI97E6NAdiR2Crh8oGlVFVekLgysDROQ/s320/Mar29+023.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I am trying to take in as much Paris as possible, because the sun and I have an agreement.. Since I am relocating for the next two months to Chicago, Illinois, the sun will give me an early viewing of Paris. I, in turn, promised to take more walks to keep our lonely sun happy (he likes to shine upon peoples' faces for long periods of time- I sit directly under his rays during lunch- no hiding what-so-ever). The clouds are weakened because of our agreement! - See how everything works out if we all just attempt to get along? :-p<br />
I'll give more details about Chicago once I know it's a sure thing.<br />
<br />
Till the next,<br />
<br />
Viva</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-68944151881666721212011-03-14T21:20:00.001+01:002011-03-29T21:07:44.104+02:00Hi there... it's been a while!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I guess it is inevitable that days or weeks can go by that a blogger somehow forgets to type.. I don't want to make it to a month so I strive to remember the importance of this blog, and I apologize for the delay.<br />
<br />
Much has happened since the 17th of February.<br />
<br />
Weekend in <b>Berlin </b>with Manon<br />
Lost my beloved <b>grandma</b><br />
Visted by my <b>mom</b><br />
<b>Coreena </b>stayed for a weekend<br />
Visited the <b>Loire Castles</b><br />
<br />
<b>BERLIN </b><br />
<br />
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text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTm9eZ-9lhVQom-bb3TFXr62NJQmMFp5l5AChABbcq5xztIX5qCwnVzW_F7Ok2R6N5l0iTPRzaTvJDiF11AgFLtsyq9bJaqLeJI79DDXPepkac_JKO7BNGIu8_VvmKfho4-Sxy8n_ZMFQ/s1600/IMG_0885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zMaDrrafZgEDVZHyLej8JPM77zLrieY3bASxNzOkw0Wgz40MqJXnxMwJgqv6x8UPcq4GSQV1PxNGFfUgzaGFiJEl0ZCKUhHUGcjt_bMDS4ZibqVT4g6D_-k4Dkv-fKoDZfyBRtwXS-g/s1600/IMG_0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zMaDrrafZgEDVZHyLej8JPM77zLrieY3bASxNzOkw0Wgz40MqJXnxMwJgqv6x8UPcq4GSQV1PxNGFfUgzaGFiJEl0ZCKUhHUGcjt_bMDS4ZibqVT4g6D_-k4Dkv-fKoDZfyBRtwXS-g/s320/IMG_0895.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qWf6rruyXarb4Poo0ppOJWAVxmnnzvvR2pBCVqXjMDX568VnNwYppYyGhzK_i6f2IhQGRhx4eIoro2B9A-ID4dwXP3wfUyUawNfbcOmirGOakVIshxROvhAW-esqqJg8zccJ22V8ekE/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; 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Unfortunately, I was unable to stand by her side on her deathbed, but many were there until her last hour.<b> </b>They were with her till the end, my mother, my Aunt Rita, Aunt Lola, Uncle Farid, Uncle Maroun, their cousins Sarah and Mariam, and my cousins Gerges and Rizk. The moment she passed was said to have been one with their voices in prayer, together. There was a lot of tears in the room that evening. The sadness in our hearts was immense. She was a wonderful woman that set the foundations of each and every one of our spiritual lives. Her love was undying and her sacrifice unending. She piously prayed a few hours before she went to bed every night. Her prayers protected me my whole life. I survived living in three different cities all on my own, unharm because of her prayers and her influence on me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Please remember my grandmother Nohad Karam in your prayers.. May her memory be eternal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some posts on facebook after her passing:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><br />
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="messageBody">you taught me how to believe in god, you taught me how to pray, you taught me how to love and how to think positive! you taught me how to always smile and laugh! you raised me up this way! i love you teta, you're my idol! and i hope ill turn out to be just like you! i know you're watching me from above! rest in peace! ♥</span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="messageBody">ya seti ya khetyara ya zinet kil el 7ara hayde sete yali b7eba add el deniyi wil 7ara :D:D she is with you now jesus my lord.</span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="messageBody">REST IN PEACEE MY ANGEL,MY DEAREST TETA MISSING U</span></h6><span class="messageBody"><span dir="rtl">الرب راعي فلا يعوزني شئ ، في مراع خصيبة يقودني ومياه الراحة يوردني، يرد نفسي ويهديني الى سبل البر من اجل اسمه... الله يرحمك عمتي...</span></span><br />
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="messageBody">ma ra7 ensa ya teta kell l salawet yalle 3almtine saliyoun ra7 saliyoun deyman w ente ra7 tkoune ma3e ra7 echta2lik ktir enta halla sorte maleke l 7eres i'll miss u for ever ....</span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="messageBody">chers amis (ies), j'ai ete tres touchee par vos chaleureux souhaits pr mon anniversaire. Quoique mon coeur est effondre par la perte de ma tante maternelle, vs lui avez ajoute une touche de consolation ! Je vs remercie infiniment ! Je vs aime ts! bisous.</span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="messageBody">You will always stay with us TETA Nohad , until we meet again in heaven, now I am sure that U are blessing us with the cross from above as u were doing it on earth .<br />
Now it is your turn to watch for us , NOT from earth , BUT from HEAVEN<br />
Habibet ALbna :)</span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="messageBody">REST IN PEACE TETA NOHAD I LOVE YOU <JESUS I LOVE U ></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="messageBody">Jesus, our Holy mother Mary now teta is with you plz take care of her<br />
love u teta may u rest in peace</span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="messageBody">The world is a worse off place because you're gone. Allah yir7amik teta... Please remember my grandmother in your prayers...</span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="messageBody">I miss you my angel, my hero, my Teta... Allah yir7amik Teta Nohad. May you be with God now and may your soul rest in peace... I love you.</span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="messageBody">My heart is broken, Mom you are the reason but without your intentions. GOD wanted you back. REST IN PEACE MOM.... i miss you already but i know you are in a better place... I LOVE YOU...</span></h6><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPNsJg1MUBxVmZBK3GEZ9WD-mq4n2UnRwFEzuvJXeFI91bv4CL51GPrTZSkTRz8353W57GRpdItI6BtF-UGjKnZL-2E44F9Y__0Y1s3sahEV8W_HaZtY091ld49U9RYyKEjWfOusQSbA/s1600/181976_815172206927_72600620_45737041_6769363_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPNsJg1MUBxVmZBK3GEZ9WD-mq4n2UnRwFEzuvJXeFI91bv4CL51GPrTZSkTRz8353W57GRpdItI6BtF-UGjKnZL-2E44F9Y__0Y1s3sahEV8W_HaZtY091ld49U9RYyKEjWfOusQSbA/s320/181976_815172206927_72600620_45737041_6769363_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="messageBody"></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="messageBody"> </span></h6><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>MOM </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPJFHLAfJyBfOpGO6_GjC9YB7Y2knJNjS2TmfN8Ty7QU10l54HyReCp3UUE9Ottv3pC1CbX9k7gOkbIyVQpyorP4R_zFsgdxSfc1FOelgZrSAL1zTek0-e3W9OYBz9kGO_e1TrWAInJQ/s1600/IMG_0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPJFHLAfJyBfOpGO6_GjC9YB7Y2knJNjS2TmfN8Ty7QU10l54HyReCp3UUE9Ottv3pC1CbX9k7gOkbIyVQpyorP4R_zFsgdxSfc1FOelgZrSAL1zTek0-e3W9OYBz9kGO_e1TrWAInJQ/s320/IMG_0909.JPG" width="240" /></a>After my mom left Lebanon, she headed over to visit me. I knew only 2 days before she arrived that she was coming. It was so nice to see her face, especially in this time of sadness. Her and I visited many churches and found much peace. My hope was that she would be better after she left, and Paris is notorious for making people feel better- whether through churches or food and a lot more!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>COREENA </b></div><div class="" style="clear: both;">A good friend since childhood, Coreena visited me the weekend after my mom left. We had much fun exploring the city.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDGu_LeC4dA-rvsuBmmdrP7DfAupNNL8DC1H91fa9vWYYFIrlCZF-7EOYsnHfxH0HfTGNu-ixYeuNiBVwSkBvF1R4Mabcu9HSej_oo_hzZJYrl8Du4vZGPKIoT-7jtIMVAGvcQlbCQDA/s200/190132_156271654430219_100001421569082_311346_2278283_n.jpg" width="150" /><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmoKyNyJ3mmhX6QXnKCjGgebK5SQd-9A5vF2_0XCluQwX56LSKLEFkAHngiLGaiNrBeAWaKkuwsXNKj4vmeUWl0Cx5uP_Kziv5HUY3SdluCut0Eha6p4zEoKJ06X6jPhccOM49l32K4E/s320/183730_156271551096896_100001421569082_311343_4178991_n.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDGu_LeC4dA-rvsuBmmdrP7DfAupNNL8DC1H91fa9vWYYFIrlCZF-7EOYsnHfxH0HfTGNu-ixYeuNiBVwSkBvF1R4Mabcu9HSej_oo_hzZJYrl8Du4vZGPKIoT-7jtIMVAGvcQlbCQDA/s1600/190132_156271654430219_100001421569082_311346_2278283_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPxP34v83EIGojVZzKXVFCZP3ClnufwSOUo4XA8B5PWbPKUe64ikBSBqSLU5z9_n1IQUKOeoLeCjF6k_Bhh2dJjVq18U30uBNuJE6eujO2XnJdP8HTfysU8_R_xisAOMjFhyvhE8Qoag/s1600/196795_156272104430174_100001421569082_311365_6085881_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNxUkI1FqNHC5v0f0t67isIcWuPu6IbSLU16FfJxPXbbJk4nAHOHVT-UAvvQfPhwAOoHT059GQLHY5aVW_ONUN9jKKhzymRt-pLVR5Tg2IBN79KE7EsFE9w8oP1tC50-FnKTivZb1cNk/s200/198592_156271814430203_100001421569082_311352_1638237_n.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPxP34v83EIGojVZzKXVFCZP3ClnufwSOUo4XA8B5PWbPKUe64ikBSBqSLU5z9_n1IQUKOeoLeCjF6k_Bhh2dJjVq18U30uBNuJE6eujO2XnJdP8HTfysU8_R_xisAOMjFhyvhE8Qoag/s320/196795_156272104430174_100001421569082_311365_6085881_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>LOIRE CASTLES</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Finally a weekend came by where I could explore more of France- and why not the castles!! Melda and I went to Cheverney, Château de Blois, Château de Chenonceau, and Château d'Amboise. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_o6j5qXo5kdFzdO0HvWwc-OSNSnbA_BFkD8cpEWQ6zLhhKZGEA0u6Jmj1AX1vkHSSR826lLiZlSdHPJwo7zKwJ_nH_hkgbwvA8tq1RTqY2l4Ow6o8okU9znMIr2ZRpBBrI2DN9HVsT9I/s1600/IMG_0937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_o6j5qXo5kdFzdO0HvWwc-OSNSnbA_BFkD8cpEWQ6zLhhKZGEA0u6Jmj1AX1vkHSSR826lLiZlSdHPJwo7zKwJ_nH_hkgbwvA8tq1RTqY2l4Ow6o8okU9znMIr2ZRpBBrI2DN9HVsT9I/s200/IMG_0937.JPG" width="150" /></a>The road to the Loire river where many castles can be found..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgqJ-O02flxypCzf85c5EC3P3ttemY95FXSjcwo8ztNY0Fy9IDFyWqCNrOcKt8AjrDhIjmi8xDcc71sdcTlhyrfysBaQQA4wQFY9jHF1XzZiwQiodWtTPOesEmxMgowGakIn-bvuLJ1M/s1600/DSC05797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgqJ-O02flxypCzf85c5EC3P3ttemY95FXSjcwo8ztNY0Fy9IDFyWqCNrOcKt8AjrDhIjmi8xDcc71sdcTlhyrfysBaQQA4wQFY9jHF1XzZiwQiodWtTPOesEmxMgowGakIn-bvuLJ1M/s200/DSC05797.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JZ0kDfGzju2wGlHt0PmpieaJOrTB5QYqIQcPNOLS3P-HpFtDKudDqMYg9Mjw9BvBy4VcEbz9YzxrHOmLS7ghoDj0saun2mzoSWnzqzSvmTE0BF05JzlpHlggVV6zxuBmC0Jtu-rMPtg/s1600/DSC05741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JZ0kDfGzju2wGlHt0PmpieaJOrTB5QYqIQcPNOLS3P-HpFtDKudDqMYg9Mjw9BvBy4VcEbz9YzxrHOmLS7ghoDj0saun2mzoSWnzqzSvmTE0BF05JzlpHlggVV6zxuBmC0Jtu-rMPtg/s200/DSC05741.JPG" width="200" /></a>Cheverny is a beautiful Mansion that they consider a Castle. Royalty never lived in it but it is a very luxurious home. The family who owns it still lives there but we didn't get to meet them. The picture of the hounds doesn't share the stench that I had to survive through to get the photo.. But the dogs are pure breed..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHd_vUPUCQLFNBhrBx3SnVQZOVZFqgIcxMXPljGsq7CL3gRLW5wJKp0pIsTRNApw4HJzDocymPzqYLxjIsE22c7LI7wfK3pIWWTHE_I2S0REYZtGRf8-J8E9bh-b-qIxiBOveaTs8lqo/s1600/DSC05768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHd_vUPUCQLFNBhrBx3SnVQZOVZFqgIcxMXPljGsq7CL3gRLW5wJKp0pIsTRNApw4HJzDocymPzqYLxjIsE22c7LI7wfK3pIWWTHE_I2S0REYZtGRf8-J8E9bh-b-qIxiBOveaTs8lqo/s200/DSC05768.JPG" width="150" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipybBYla7dzYqW2AM_OngtA3yEQZtez_LsyQgrxvRHIYaDDzr1X3esBNa98qE8tNO6NMsU535iLmyMDcmWXbauDkiC5BDzZTDoNhf3C9GQzEd6yC_xXOunlLZIszzmkF6qMm-dgVLVw-o/s1600/DSC05843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipybBYla7dzYqW2AM_OngtA3yEQZtez_LsyQgrxvRHIYaDDzr1X3esBNa98qE8tNO6NMsU535iLmyMDcmWXbauDkiC5BDzZTDoNhf3C9GQzEd6yC_xXOunlLZIszzmkF6qMm-dgVLVw-o/s200/DSC05843.JPG" width="150" /></a>This castle is located in the town of Blois.. Very nice building but I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the castles I saw on the following day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOg3pk26l-PEUZCXIX4Kn1t9Nlc0f6Od0Qg7YCIOgIRuVC5TwXeSC05b_qCeA6Uat0rhPRBVMoyv4zW0JhDPiC2-xkC23Kud6J3Ha_a-YmvreMH9v-5r22tEL7V83-gkrk6hdDR5KqVM/s1600/DSC06002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOg3pk26l-PEUZCXIX4Kn1t9Nlc0f6Od0Qg7YCIOgIRuVC5TwXeSC05b_qCeA6Uat0rhPRBVMoyv4zW0JhDPiC2-xkC23Kud6J3Ha_a-YmvreMH9v-5r22tEL7V83-gkrk6hdDR5KqVM/s200/DSC06002.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipybBYla7dzYqW2AM_OngtA3yEQZtez_LsyQgrxvRHIYaDDzr1X3esBNa98qE8tNO6NMsU535iLmyMDcmWXbauDkiC5BDzZTDoNhf3C9GQzEd6yC_xXOunlLZIszzmkF6qMm-dgVLVw-o/s1600/DSC05843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgho-vv4aR9gEgZzY63QeDzFSoNjBDM57FlBzS6PmgAFuOHsznsZ139q14kG9_wn0sQ6Ag9hhUtJvCRuYr5jrXUkDB9WjDZIeAHRQuYJVIvprwtTW-8T4mseNzi7AZL1aLRHWS5M-iPGpI/s200/DSC05990.JPG" width="200" /></a>Chenonceau is BEAUTIFUL!! I am sure it is even more beautiful in the summer when all the flowers are blooming.. This castle is on the river..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOZuhx5aZmai1q-a5vs7hW3QFPLOQsfQaYzS4_Qx1UyfMPmyjylG5I4Y3aYqkAvMPfhmxCa2BAkY5HCyA-Bs3wFDG6iz4gP9GWF0Em7GyEfxPgfXR6pwFkWgNmOuYX7bRRHhXPTXU9O8/s1600/chenonceau01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOZuhx5aZmai1q-a5vs7hW3QFPLOQsfQaYzS4_Qx1UyfMPmyjylG5I4Y3aYqkAvMPfhmxCa2BAkY5HCyA-Bs3wFDG6iz4gP9GWF0Em7GyEfxPgfXR6pwFkWgNmOuYX7bRRHhXPTXU9O8/s320/chenonceau01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yWp1ea6FyiPkPNeVpwZIvqAPSc5OI9JZwzXkhdzJVBHqhSlheFhXMr1kAEciRh9WhOi408QDpkWJhSK7lMQZCx1imPm0j0D8iE0mNdQJKcMvJTKNKEv0drPIIQ4xTRA7fgQGRyO8R9M/s1600/IMG_0957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yWp1ea6FyiPkPNeVpwZIvqAPSc5OI9JZwzXkhdzJVBHqhSlheFhXMr1kAEciRh9WhOi408QDpkWJhSK7lMQZCx1imPm0j0D8iE0mNdQJKcMvJTKNKEv0drPIIQ4xTRA7fgQGRyO8R9M/s200/IMG_0957.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_unnxxiwLEyp4FgFKRo1jye64KUYkEPFXxm6VQZ7NoEZoN6dUSvzq0XGiNJK3zvxR7eA1o7Toatj_Bd6BT2zJlol1OErF8zk_Uw715XksK4J2esM4t0N8PusiQN8WUDJH9KSmfmlxHG0/s1600/IMG_0951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_unnxxiwLEyp4FgFKRo1jye64KUYkEPFXxm6VQZ7NoEZoN6dUSvzq0XGiNJK3zvxR7eA1o7Toatj_Bd6BT2zJlol1OErF8zk_Uw715XksK4J2esM4t0N8PusiQN8WUDJH9KSmfmlxHG0/s200/IMG_0951.JPG" width="200" /></a>This last castle we visited is in the town of Amboise.. It was breathtaking since it has its own private garden and overlooks the town and the Loire river.. I wouldn't have minded living in a castle like this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42h1bNEmXkRGb78bJkfAAr01w4gCpY_kvly8ebsZwmpkOVsYmEAA56VbyguZIeiiKKIEFNp_gs3A5RN1A4ncJaozSR23feOpcZ26pmH24holW8wCuG4ZTo13TwMryILVnPfV6kO1Fu9I/s1600/IMG_0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42h1bNEmXkRGb78bJkfAAr01w4gCpY_kvly8ebsZwmpkOVsYmEAA56VbyguZIeiiKKIEFNp_gs3A5RN1A4ncJaozSR23feOpcZ26pmH24holW8wCuG4ZTo13TwMryILVnPfV6kO1Fu9I/s200/IMG_0980.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9TeOa_w378-LprtGSqEppv9C1Nq5V0CnudJ2Yg0ztbSEZiJ-Th1Of2doX8jAOD2Lwlf5-iUS_9pVonniQTs5PYlW0jjlSeajpZkZoVCCEt8iI_rzH-tCS6tDADcaGZVYf50x-AtbbIc/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9TeOa_w378-LprtGSqEppv9C1Nq5V0CnudJ2Yg0ztbSEZiJ-Th1Of2doX8jAOD2Lwlf5-iUS_9pVonniQTs5PYlW0jjlSeajpZkZoVCCEt8iI_rzH-tCS6tDADcaGZVYf50x-AtbbIc/s200/IMG_0981.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvYESaMpIe0Dc8LwVsyb4z_zOhQWm2AY8AsmrpmoOatzxIpMk4N2cH3vW4JLol13-2Ut2N-zjFk4DoUI8S7Qj9fjMpfvS4FBQ7k4tKAIUb5R4AtLZKDrij1PWE00ykHHi7NkAMLnDtPA/s1600/DSC06053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvYESaMpIe0Dc8LwVsyb4z_zOhQWm2AY8AsmrpmoOatzxIpMk4N2cH3vW4JLol13-2Ut2N-zjFk4DoUI8S7Qj9fjMpfvS4FBQ7k4tKAIUb5R4AtLZKDrij1PWE00ykHHi7NkAMLnDtPA/s200/DSC06053.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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This church holds the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci.. It was so exciting to go into this church knowing that. It is located in the garden of the castle..<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwKszH0GiZlEzRCZEaLb4PVnOOVD5F6B20AoJQo9gcXDUrQzfhagdLGX2n_0Sr_kIU3bOwfokiaeOYj2uwgxK5BGPYxDV-hJZc3gdbdZVp8G4nSV0n0UEdQU1zbcwVYr1oDc6bwqLx1Q/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwKszH0GiZlEzRCZEaLb4PVnOOVD5F6B20AoJQo9gcXDUrQzfhagdLGX2n_0Sr_kIU3bOwfokiaeOYj2uwgxK5BGPYxDV-hJZc3gdbdZVp8G4nSV0n0UEdQU1zbcwVYr1oDc6bwqLx1Q/s200/IMG_0965.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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Every castle we went to had a beautiful and grand Cedar of Lebanon in its garden. It was even listed like that in the maps of the castles (Cedar of Lebanon). I had to take a picture with one of them. I couldn't help but wonder what history the trees witnessed.. And why these trees are present near castles in France!?!<br />
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Till the next,<br />
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Viva<br />
<br />
</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-83706144929239317852011-02-17T19:03:00.000+01:002011-02-17T19:03:40.257+01:00Women of the Orient in Paris<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5SU0HpczNdDLs7uvxHsvooQnQAcTdGmFjn4GVeEs1IXhPPAWP314oB2XH6B2DhdoG-69aBJybr7ORvC-avfKf8Yhzn8ofCZNVTa66emskjnhO9UwCDLeoxZYtGNx1Bw0oBu1Y2NOmqE/s1600/Feb+17+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlM5QYivhwSL7oQ9ZPTqx_TnyF0mUoZVr3Gprcs576aiBWUVBsckdDYayfZYTs_l0HRZUQRbitBASTLLelQ51zJa1ov-LWmQ9qCIY-mup3YyxHAvnGOCGTGJ_Vi7jB836JVs_ouUF-OE/s1600/Feb+17+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlM5QYivhwSL7oQ9ZPTqx_TnyF0mUoZVr3Gprcs576aiBWUVBsckdDYayfZYTs_l0HRZUQRbitBASTLLelQ51zJa1ov-LWmQ9qCIY-mup3YyxHAvnGOCGTGJ_Vi7jB836JVs_ouUF-OE/s200/Feb+17+007.jpg" width="200" /></a><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5SU0HpczNdDLs7uvxHsvooQnQAcTdGmFjn4GVeEs1IXhPPAWP314oB2XH6B2DhdoG-69aBJybr7ORvC-avfKf8Yhzn8ofCZNVTa66emskjnhO9UwCDLeoxZYtGNx1Bw0oBu1Y2NOmqE/s320/Feb+17+008.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtH0yhvo2znDodGSp7if86OvsK74hNA84peKV3ZX6Bf6ampMEkdivBiyJGm3dNAD-yE2zAUuUZBxl-MyNQ6Nj8-jqlENJO_mSTmjenE8MIgRfoyXRhyphenhyphen0DFJpwv64J1i3I-NKT67xwV3o/s1600/Feb+17+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtH0yhvo2znDodGSp7if86OvsK74hNA84peKV3ZX6Bf6ampMEkdivBiyJGm3dNAD-yE2zAUuUZBxl-MyNQ6Nj8-jqlENJO_mSTmjenE8MIgRfoyXRhyphenhyphen0DFJpwv64J1i3I-NKT67xwV3o/s320/Feb+17+001.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Jly1HTOChdNAH680qmFFJgukcQnxRX0pk_jor6SuhATX2Xoyb9OLY3I2S8FB3UWfbaeEs6LpDCvkgjN9Sw2hDVekNuZzGfgNjsO9y7fAhzxGeswVXHCE2nI1W3UZVM_iZ29y5pTiRRM/s1600/Feb+17+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Jly1HTOChdNAH680qmFFJgukcQnxRX0pk_jor6SuhATX2Xoyb9OLY3I2S8FB3UWfbaeEs6LpDCvkgjN9Sw2hDVekNuZzGfgNjsO9y7fAhzxGeswVXHCE2nI1W3UZVM_iZ29y5pTiRRM/s200/Feb+17+002.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><b>Musée D'Orsay!</b> I am not allowed to take pictures inside but I couldn't help it with my non-flash iphone. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwath2Vt95IGCS8tNSDkX9n1six_cBn2fqhxuASAKzAv0DvY7TpHmgj5rYrmKrwtvTBWKmtb_t73UyFek4iUTPARYJrhQDGUj3BADxvUhSXCkPSTwbAPIAecixjrWH1nb0_NnBHPY25w/s1600/Feb+17+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwath2Vt95IGCS8tNSDkX9n1six_cBn2fqhxuASAKzAv0DvY7TpHmgj5rYrmKrwtvTBWKmtb_t73UyFek4iUTPARYJrhQDGUj3BADxvUhSXCkPSTwbAPIAecixjrWH1nb0_NnBHPY25w/s200/Feb+17+003.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoi7-w1VB5IMEesMmJdRleDq4qddbTI0mPlaVGO6CvKs61d511WAIRX6pyVG0hlWusLo42fHXXlJRlKwSKQTjxp6QZ2KIN3XUmB-corX8g1HAnGBpjNEeY2dNwtAhtVHYHuDbxtqQiUeI/s1600/Feb+17+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoi7-w1VB5IMEesMmJdRleDq4qddbTI0mPlaVGO6CvKs61d511WAIRX6pyVG0hlWusLo42fHXXlJRlKwSKQTjxp6QZ2KIN3XUmB-corX8g1HAnGBpjNEeY2dNwtAhtVHYHuDbxtqQiUeI/s320/Feb+17+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjXvRUyd7BW9j2uM3_3aTKxRMU_9TnROkn2RvzA-6l3YtrYVYDL2hpx8cCEm4f6pjqQBIfTMFEywluEOc0AfjGtcgAcKFGZmHqiobbIB6SdA7hNYdV1KBAhy2jJauTJIJl8HQ55bnnsQ/s1600/Feb+17+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPf5jAR10a-i6eL6jCsxOvB0iwwQVW1TApeOF0f2Kk8FwkIcy7ZMl3Y9-YlGJd7NnWhvp5TyCwNRNZR9LJgZCClAm6aOZEv-HHWmdMXSrUfHyy41CCbZLK1m7b1gViwP5hgyGaJZf6tEs/s1600/Feb+17+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjXvRUyd7BW9j2uM3_3aTKxRMU_9TnROkn2RvzA-6l3YtrYVYDL2hpx8cCEm4f6pjqQBIfTMFEywluEOc0AfjGtcgAcKFGZmHqiobbIB6SdA7hNYdV1KBAhy2jJauTJIJl8HQ55bnnsQ/s1600/Feb+17+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjXvRUyd7BW9j2uM3_3aTKxRMU_9TnROkn2RvzA-6l3YtrYVYDL2hpx8cCEm4f6pjqQBIfTMFEywluEOc0AfjGtcgAcKFGZmHqiobbIB6SdA7hNYdV1KBAhy2jJauTJIJl8HQ55bnnsQ/s200/Feb+17+005.jpg" width="200" /></a><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPf5jAR10a-i6eL6jCsxOvB0iwwQVW1TApeOF0f2Kk8FwkIcy7ZMl3Y9-YlGJd7NnWhvp5TyCwNRNZR9LJgZCClAm6aOZEv-HHWmdMXSrUfHyy41CCbZLK1m7b1gViwP5hgyGaJZf6tEs/s320/Feb+17+006.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
I am a fan of Manet <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jAoR4rhQ6EBdbO13E3vlSo2hmoSV8M6hKCU4rNlynZeGZbckM1G16YYtxev2fTVefhoc0qRv2NFPRYGnHuGPqd40iul6DmFn06HtoF2kRHFjG2aVg39y9puWA-VIiosUGNIcbjdxITw/s1600/Feb+17+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jAoR4rhQ6EBdbO13E3vlSo2hmoSV8M6hKCU4rNlynZeGZbckM1G16YYtxev2fTVefhoc0qRv2NFPRYGnHuGPqd40iul6DmFn06HtoF2kRHFjG2aVg39y9puWA-VIiosUGNIcbjdxITw/s200/Feb+17+009.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfP_xUeYBFJKGsIeoUSEtk2mOxNhf5IHxUDKuIzR4El-LG9Zm0puMI5XnFMftnX3aTwHga3AgIP0lM1zrbNwCKbUpOU6bgUjtjhvIJvenBqWCvyTbFKTTxT4L-OWfEj8omgybz4vXcSo/s1600/Feb+17+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfP_xUeYBFJKGsIeoUSEtk2mOxNhf5IHxUDKuIzR4El-LG9Zm0puMI5XnFMftnX3aTwHga3AgIP0lM1zrbNwCKbUpOU6bgUjtjhvIJvenBqWCvyTbFKTTxT4L-OWfEj8omgybz4vXcSo/s320/Feb+17+010.jpg" width="240" /></a>My phone here sucks. There are times that I can't answer incoming calls and it makes me mad! I used to have an iphone for my cell phone in Canada and I miss its easy access to the internet so badly! The reason why I switched is because I was worried that I would be pickpocketed and I didn't want to worry about losing my iphone though it is an older model. A good friend got me a phone for free but I don't want to lose that one either because it currently holds my Saudi cell chip. Yes, I have 3 phones with me and I choose the worst to carry around. Maybe I'll stomp on it when I am done with it!! :) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKzqvefMWrFjnc9JndlXV7vqfBAj_vI6e-VLtOMoDYQE7sSY77px1-Gw9I9fZjEIiK8yzW2XRJYnHGw_xP55TOWzdOfd781kAFRXcxbBGGkPJzCx_o1Em-nYA_yWlbWRHsJkTOPwWUYc/s1600/Feb+17+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKzqvefMWrFjnc9JndlXV7vqfBAj_vI6e-VLtOMoDYQE7sSY77px1-Gw9I9fZjEIiK8yzW2XRJYnHGw_xP55TOWzdOfd781kAFRXcxbBGGkPJzCx_o1Em-nYA_yWlbWRHsJkTOPwWUYc/s200/Feb+17+011.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ke8zommOwsVCjdyx7CzCINHInSBFwofihl8l0OG_CWcp418xPcSYD9ouqvnCdhdSzh6-UHp8nCQ7yLsgfCnWiouhUKXucDkb6ZKSVtNK73KcGhUyg3rZ5US5zZI-N4pwPPL1el7tyY0/s1600/Feb+17+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ke8zommOwsVCjdyx7CzCINHInSBFwofihl8l0OG_CWcp418xPcSYD9ouqvnCdhdSzh6-UHp8nCQ7yLsgfCnWiouhUKXucDkb6ZKSVtNK73KcGhUyg3rZ5US5zZI-N4pwPPL1el7tyY0/s200/Feb+17+012.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I am falling for the Seine!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltq_VHtWCZtMSwDEAtz0_J98l_NIC0jtcjP-qLqSX-ausG3KeO2u6C2NQYJEilVFB_JO4deKrPRQw29VTBe9MCBhSpFT6IqwMujSROT2URyvWGZ_FVJV2oFYiTV-R8I7rDbtI2eLwP9U/s1600/Feb+17+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltq_VHtWCZtMSwDEAtz0_J98l_NIC0jtcjP-qLqSX-ausG3KeO2u6C2NQYJEilVFB_JO4deKrPRQw29VTBe9MCBhSpFT6IqwMujSROT2URyvWGZ_FVJV2oFYiTV-R8I7rDbtI2eLwP9U/s200/Feb+17+013.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDqe6DLIw1l3XQ0l3Ad8EecltFcxCX96pl4kNIgnpKEtsJa3JPMKlZgWGItIvsyA_2vQD8ixtN8RlirL3kTDaV_ew0Pi1M7EgfgZURWCPGWeN3cS2AZJcfPVJiv4bFTtC7jKY043vw0I/s1600/Feb+17+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDqe6DLIw1l3XQ0l3Ad8EecltFcxCX96pl4kNIgnpKEtsJa3JPMKlZgWGItIvsyA_2vQD8ixtN8RlirL3kTDaV_ew0Pi1M7EgfgZURWCPGWeN3cS2AZJcfPVJiv4bFTtC7jKY043vw0I/s200/Feb+17+014.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Bastille</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi064IvY5UlkIJQhyphenhyphen0nqhn8-u1eR2P-m8M4xYVTZ1H5ZV305nNFC4ZRLfQZmmd38AsUv8Y5VPhmQqter-7okMvNCO3uRox0NjhT6hmw3ncBgdl_9x_wXO1r8w60aWT-3a2ks3Xd6VvRCHY/s1600/Feb+17+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi064IvY5UlkIJQhyphenhyphen0nqhn8-u1eR2P-m8M4xYVTZ1H5ZV305nNFC4ZRLfQZmmd38AsUv8Y5VPhmQqter-7okMvNCO3uRox0NjhT6hmw3ncBgdl_9x_wXO1r8w60aWT-3a2ks3Xd6VvRCHY/s200/Feb+17+015.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdU3I9NemQs5zY563jZeSbwH23QiIJ5PhZNPRyZ_P2YgtS0wsTfJmMDBVFzSN0Iox8Gw0iOBcmnXdEtBe5Hfx3aWTg2OrWSjTuKWoRgvEmLvbiGQ-GbnwhelyRsI43AJfenRMex-882o/s1600/Feb+17+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdU3I9NemQs5zY563jZeSbwH23QiIJ5PhZNPRyZ_P2YgtS0wsTfJmMDBVFzSN0Iox8Gw0iOBcmnXdEtBe5Hfx3aWTg2OrWSjTuKWoRgvEmLvbiGQ-GbnwhelyRsI43AJfenRMex-882o/s200/Feb+17+016.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Musée Quai Branly is a great museum in Paris! They had a special exhibition on the 'Women of the Orient'<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV895ELOgv_eMigBPiqgF9GR_d083Rp-Fs3yoFIdIh2SoKBMUs5c3XAXl1rs84hhE83XfHmVO4_BuLioOlti02LqwIf-994nDN2lfg20KA2XrZhbVEZ6DwQIpKAvQwSdWgqQyJuXTBLzQ/s1600/Feb+17+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV895ELOgv_eMigBPiqgF9GR_d083Rp-Fs3yoFIdIh2SoKBMUs5c3XAXl1rs84hhE83XfHmVO4_BuLioOlti02LqwIf-994nDN2lfg20KA2XrZhbVEZ6DwQIpKAvQwSdWgqQyJuXTBLzQ/s320/Feb+17+020.jpg" width="320" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHh1HZdH4_GMePtGF2xyqxg0FbB6kf8Okli4bofQGd5u8q8zUrC8P1KdpCAcdTSrA-QjvENtej3ur10koB9tKjWmfh9Z5X0eVYdbf66st6OJF4i7ZIY2gVA7BwQvyyvtjd2aiDL80UUg/s1600/Feb+17+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHh1HZdH4_GMePtGF2xyqxg0FbB6kf8Okli4bofQGd5u8q8zUrC8P1KdpCAcdTSrA-QjvENtej3ur10koB9tKjWmfh9Z5X0eVYdbf66st6OJF4i7ZIY2gVA7BwQvyyvtjd2aiDL80UUg/s200/Feb+17+019.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is Lebanese :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXo_T0eDqkqCKcrPEm2-KJlOEJ419tK9vDDsa8MJ45VBWd2YtcybLPOVl7OPgCtyBEHIj9LDpi7TtbOApJe-Ro2VQpa9Oi-Dbu03DtmROuPuuJcTmkjHWQTu611Nm6RuzWh26IAbQSyN4/s1600/Feb+17+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXo_T0eDqkqCKcrPEm2-KJlOEJ419tK9vDDsa8MJ45VBWd2YtcybLPOVl7OPgCtyBEHIj9LDpi7TtbOApJe-Ro2VQpa9Oi-Dbu03DtmROuPuuJcTmkjHWQTu611Nm6RuzWh26IAbQSyN4/s320/Feb+17+021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> They had old Arabic movies playing on one of the TVs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVct2_JS8vFzIMlft9lNAoN4E6QMn29yDyd233HtIKArK2ZWeDK4mh_UXnGXKrvjrE3j1C-cMpII4ahY-txHfCvLDFov8EzQSKawS-b8bFFgwYi2-3HvVFtmZZLFeY_S2RoXn1OKKGRc/s1600/Feb+17+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVct2_JS8vFzIMlft9lNAoN4E6QMn29yDyd233HtIKArK2ZWeDK4mh_UXnGXKrvjrE3j1C-cMpII4ahY-txHfCvLDFov8EzQSKawS-b8bFFgwYi2-3HvVFtmZZLFeY_S2RoXn1OKKGRc/s320/Feb+17+035.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAco9TlCB4NbZPFZrm5w_bGyTDvGl_CF3e1TfouPzI__lsaDzy_MRWiOj2BWhheTh1Go5N_AnjVCvVeKGRa7rXMbRXW-bv9mKJez7IJqrEF0BoDn91PBbDdRxCtHZOPC0lpPBxRaDLgU/s1600/Feb+17+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAco9TlCB4NbZPFZrm5w_bGyTDvGl_CF3e1TfouPzI__lsaDzy_MRWiOj2BWhheTh1Go5N_AnjVCvVeKGRa7rXMbRXW-bv9mKJez7IJqrEF0BoDn91PBbDdRxCtHZOPC0lpPBxRaDLgU/s200/Feb+17+036.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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Who knew that embroidery actually was practiced by our ancestors before North America made it a hobby. Mom, I think you will like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z61eJviY61rqZLycpRNfefLIGvRNEyJzjBwBNkVrAuaSbBdILYoPquSVvhZLi9Agi4cLHQ1KZa4Ga_QUl7V4Wp9E291VRdCcZvmS6st3Xd3V4WPuF05_w4VWr1_AcemgNjI_mMviQ-0/s1600/Feb+17+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z61eJviY61rqZLycpRNfefLIGvRNEyJzjBwBNkVrAuaSbBdILYoPquSVvhZLi9Agi4cLHQ1KZa4Ga_QUl7V4Wp9E291VRdCcZvmS6st3Xd3V4WPuF05_w4VWr1_AcemgNjI_mMviQ-0/s320/Feb+17+039.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JQN7xlfO3hjVbmA7i5T9_id3bF-okkSD2wUTJRH4Pva1o-g7-dl7w7FlgyDWianj0dWQQ1dp72Sg5eKsIivGt36t4v9VHk1GIY-U0MHC-qA0vOd_ADEFcFYuCmopsG5s2ZajIPolgNU/s1600/Feb+17+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JQN7xlfO3hjVbmA7i5T9_id3bF-okkSD2wUTJRH4Pva1o-g7-dl7w7FlgyDWianj0dWQQ1dp72Sg5eKsIivGt36t4v9VHk1GIY-U0MHC-qA0vOd_ADEFcFYuCmopsG5s2ZajIPolgNU/s320/Feb+17+034.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmDmpMEU8lVcpiUbemLxFadUPNXEwGb0VFyla4Xh856yBhaGNauZJze5zuv-UORqmylQ9qDNwZyQFcbIe8JVqPeBozPey_sB9WBoDF1v8ncmLufsGrlP304sOnG5QonCBfZVVW8w3utQ/s1600/Feb+17+038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmDmpMEU8lVcpiUbemLxFadUPNXEwGb0VFyla4Xh856yBhaGNauZJze5zuv-UORqmylQ9qDNwZyQFcbIe8JVqPeBozPey_sB9WBoDF1v8ncmLufsGrlP304sOnG5QonCBfZVVW8w3utQ/s320/Feb+17+038.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
This is a little about the book they were exhibiting... <br />
Yes, we had to show our appreciation for their work.. We are women of the Orient!! :-)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just the other night I walked passed some nice windows...</div><br />
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It was a beautiful street in Paris full of some great jewelery and other fineries.<br />
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Till the next,<br />
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Viva <br />
A woman of the Orient in Paris <br />
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</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-49696659581487621122011-02-15T19:30:00.001+01:002011-02-15T19:30:46.155+01:00The French know how to eat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFwMO-okiFhoWS7vbqXoYkD1LedUSBdALAlZVOqCE_IZVVNYdCfnckC_-HjcvLYjxLdhvr8jRppWy7kzEzLGlAqIdIyKfIBCSoQzFhldXJ6jjBzIiifxaBaKkPHbwW1d6OOTS6zXj_Cw/s1600/Dessert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFwMO-okiFhoWS7vbqXoYkD1LedUSBdALAlZVOqCE_IZVVNYdCfnckC_-HjcvLYjxLdhvr8jRppWy7kzEzLGlAqIdIyKfIBCSoQzFhldXJ6jjBzIiifxaBaKkPHbwW1d6OOTS6zXj_Cw/s400/Dessert.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I was invited to a lunch with my colleagues yesterday. It was a little celebration for my birthday and I really enjoyed the time together. From this picture you can see that I also enjoyed the dessert! I remember also stating that 'the French know how to eat' by which they all responded with smiles and light laughs. I can imagine that they thought: 'Of course we know how to eat!' assuming they took it literally and didn't understand my way of expressing my appreciation for their cuisine. They could have also thought: 'Of course French food is good, we don't allow junk into our mouths!'- not that they would think other cuisine is junk, just that French take much care into the pleasures of life that it wouldn't make sense to simply eat out of boredom. Whatever the case, I don't think they could relate to my appreciation since they are used to this quality. But again, I don't mean to say cuisine that is not French is low in quality. All I have realized during my month and a half in Paris is that the French make every bite count. I hope I can learn from them.<br />
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Till the next,<br />
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Viva </div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-57629590549045537082011-02-11T18:55:00.000+01:002011-02-11T18:55:42.767+01:00Vous me manquez...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I love to reflect. If I could sum up my childhood experience into the activities I was most consistent and determined at, it would be (1) making my parents proud and (2) writing in journals/diaries/sketchbooks/computer files. A sudden need to organize my life, an emotion I needed to express, worries that bogged me down, splurges of need to create art all gave me reason to run to the secret place I kept my thoughts to write what so bothered me. So it was really expected that I take notes as I discover the experience of living in Paris (Another Friday at the Louvre tonight!). I didn't think about writing a blog until, a good friend and mentor of mine suggested it to me from his experience in Kenya. Nik shared with me his blog which I would like to share here: <a href="http://nikinkenya.blogspot.com/">http://nikinkenya.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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<a href="http://nikinkenya.blogspot.com/2008/07/i-had-to-say-it.html">One of his entries</a> inspires me to write today's; what I miss about my life in Canada...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZzU-JonN1LVh6YtABVBPYZhb4qMsW9Jg1SyapknOleafqxfLn-F0CVeqw4BVddqVOIkYnfcrgAMwuwcq0zN5MSfTSSNm13ci0aJjDH-eUQQrcLn5ba-G4Gd23arRx4g2F4DjSJnaras/s1600/snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZzU-JonN1LVh6YtABVBPYZhb4qMsW9Jg1SyapknOleafqxfLn-F0CVeqw4BVddqVOIkYnfcrgAMwuwcq0zN5MSfTSSNm13ci0aJjDH-eUQQrcLn5ba-G4Gd23arRx4g2F4DjSJnaras/s320/snow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZzU-JonN1LVh6YtABVBPYZhb4qMsW9Jg1SyapknOleafqxfLn-F0CVeqw4BVddqVOIkYnfcrgAMwuwcq0zN5MSfTSSNm13ci0aJjDH-eUQQrcLn5ba-G4Gd23arRx4g2F4DjSJnaras/s1600/snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<li>Sitting in a great-looking office that has yet to be improved for ventilation, I wish I was cold right now. I know I will regret this later, but I do miss the cold weather that pinches my cheeks and makes them red. Mostly, I miss the snow just because it really made a steel city look like a calm and serene place just before those noisy snow trucks passed by. It is cold in Paris but right now sitting in the office after work hours, I am hot!</li>
<li>GO, HSR, TTC! I miss you!! Do you know how complicated the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Carte_M%C3%A9tro_de_Paris.jpg">metro system</a> is here in Paris?? If GO was here, I could figure out a way to go to versaille on my own! I could probably get to parts of France quite easily. It seems so complicated here- maybe that's because of the language which leads me to my next point.</li>
<li>L'anglais me manque! I miss the language I can speak in without having to translate in my head. I miss being able to express myself to a stranger on the street- not that I would in Hamilton... I just miss that I could communicate if I wanted to- we'll see where two and a half more months gets me.</li>
<li>My apartment in Hamilton was small compared to others, but relative to my small studio here, it was HUGE! I miss the space I had when I wanted to go to the kitchen. Oh, and I miss kitchens. I have an electric oven-top, small fridge and small counter oven on a table- that is the kitchen here! I also think quite often of the bed I had in Canada. Do you know how nerve-racking it is to wake up in the morning and have to climb down a ladder to get ready for work? </li>
<li>I miss my cat.. He is happy from what I hear with his new owner, but I loved how he would sit right next to my head when I watched TV with his paw outstretched on to my shoulder. :-)</li>
<li>I no longer have internet at my fingertips. Yes, I am at the computer right now and am going to post this on the internet, but I don't have internet on my phone or at home. It is not easy! McDonald's is my best friend here because he let's me use his Wi-Fi. How did the generations before smart phones survive? </li>
<li><a href="http://actm.ca/">Ambitious City Toastmasters</a>!!!! I miss the club so much. Their support and determination always gave me strength at public speaking and leadership. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.mcmaster.ca/">McMaster University</a>... the maroon, white, and gold, don't forget me! </li>
<li>I miss my friends.. I made some of my closest friends during my years in Canada. </li>
<li>Finally, and quite dearly, I miss the <a href="http://www.asna.ca/">All Saints of North America Orthodox Church in Hamilton</a>. They were the spiritual family I spent most Sundays with. I hope you are doing well!</li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>There are more.. lots more. The more you spend in a country, the more you will miss it.. What do you think?<br />
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It is funny that today I was speaking about how 'Tu me manques' (You I miss) is different in French than in English with my colleagues at work. After thinking about it, I like the French approach better. <<<i>I miss you so much that I will put 'you' before 'me'.</i>>><br />
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Friends, family, and Canada, I miss......<br />
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Till the next,<br />
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Viva</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-3151169290697644712011-02-10T18:44:00.000+01:002011-02-10T18:44:33.757+01:00Learning a language<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Language takes time.. It isn't just about learning the words and repeating them. You must be immersed in an environment that only supports the use of that language. I have been blessed to get this opportunity here in Paris. After a month of immersion, i can say that I know enough of French but not enough to be dangerous.. :-)<br />
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I often compare the child's learning curve to that of an adult. The <b>fearlessness</b>; the ability for a child to not let obstacles, such as petty fear, get in the way of a down-hill skiing experience as it did for me. The <b>determination</b>; children don't really take it personally if someone corrects them as long as it is in the right approach, whereas I, among other adults, will refrain from speaking the language to 'save face'. A language mistake of a child is considered cute and even potential for winning $100,000 on America's Funniest Home videos if captured by tape. I don't think I have the same opportunity when I say huile (or oil) as *weee* instead of *weel*. And then of course, there's the idea that the child is learning his first language as opposed to an adult who is usually learning a second or third. We do have a challenge in that we are so accustomed to and trained by a mother tongue that it would make it nearly impossible to correctly pronounce the words of another language.<br />
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Then there's the whole process of language translation that happens in one's head. Have you ever asked someone who knows more than one language, what language they think in? It is always interesting to me how a person can start life thinking in one language and then change it within their lifetimes! It is also interesting to consider what language one thinks in when he or she is speaking in a language he or she doesn't usually think in. Pay attention to your thoughts when you are talking in a language that you don't usually think in. In French, I think in English and actively translate to French- that's why I bore everyone here when I speak in French! You can see it in their expressions. In Arabic, I actually don't think in English except when I want to remember a word in Arabic. I have more observing to do so that I understand what happens further.<br />
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Whatever the case, this is how I understand the development of a second or third language in an environment that allows you to immerse yourself in:<br />
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1- Basic understanding of the French language- the minimum just to survive<br />
2- Understanding a discussion in French<br />
3- A conversation in French of daily topics- a conversation in French about the weather for example<br />
4- You have a dream in French!! I am excited for this one!! <br />
5- You curse absent-mindedly in French<br />
6- A conversation in French of more technical topics- the ability to express ideas more effectively<br />
7- Joining in a discussion where you actively and comfortably participate<br />
8- Wanting to express yourself in English but can't because you only know the French word you want to use.. <br />
9- You unconsciously THINK in French!!<br />
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It probably takes varying durations to get from one level to the next but I would imagine that this is the basic framework of development.Where can you say you are fluent?<br />
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It takes time to learn a language and call yourself fluent so good luck with the patience. My learnings thus far? Be fearless and be determined! You WILL make mistakes, but is'nt that how you learn??<br />
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Till the next,<br />
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Viva</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-19980297316731779022011-02-09T14:14:00.000+01:002011-02-09T14:14:05.371+01:00ZEINA's Visit Jan 27th to Feb 3rd<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I miss her already...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Can you spot the difference?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbOVneaKLaftVwFornwjBYlT-oeh3SRBvROj4ijOH5MWfDbJAFiZVPzUIFbO8PatHf-jSHOKp0gfWPX95Tkq-9cNFMHn7DYCb34bDB5h0QjZfa1UUc6iyqWM_6-IXi1j2DS1fWGal6Vc/s1600/paris+viva+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbOVneaKLaftVwFornwjBYlT-oeh3SRBvROj4ijOH5MWfDbJAFiZVPzUIFbO8PatHf-jSHOKp0gfWPX95Tkq-9cNFMHn7DYCb34bDB5h0QjZfa1UUc6iyqWM_6-IXi1j2DS1fWGal6Vc/s200/paris+viva+040.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYNafddNLKNBX6e1Kbi_ArGwMFBYb5tEDOPdSNI9fFr34ICOaSXNA8j7FCWmiKr1wSaQAt-XkfWskzaITZABa6n9dXaQDT0ys5XRVrC7Zp_r4vaBojVxG6lkgOekLNeVT_zR-022Kb2o/s1600/paris+viva+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYNafddNLKNBX6e1Kbi_ArGwMFBYb5tEDOPdSNI9fFr34ICOaSXNA8j7FCWmiKr1wSaQAt-XkfWskzaITZABa6n9dXaQDT0ys5XRVrC7Zp_r4vaBojVxG6lkgOekLNeVT_zR-022Kb2o/s200/paris+viva+041.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can see the light of the metro near the stairway</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjL8XCtZl7c1GhehGaTMBAgdagm6vkXoA-ilEyNkxZEaNl4GkKh8x__9WxNRbTeJPQCR-g94D1DP6g_SNnCQT1hrkfe6eE8FGXKMzS4MM_Aay13ckM_sp33C5rh04CWFJ1vPPvLpw_-Y/s1600/paris+viva+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjL8XCtZl7c1GhehGaTMBAgdagm6vkXoA-ilEyNkxZEaNl4GkKh8x__9WxNRbTeJPQCR-g94D1DP6g_SNnCQT1hrkfe6eE8FGXKMzS4MM_Aay13ckM_sp33C5rh04CWFJ1vPPvLpw_-Y/s200/paris+viva+056.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmd_rNClwY4JVG-A8lVghOIuAu9CDOD3BxM8s4EdVS2MWaZX4hea2UeeQdIu4npOQmtY2LJfW9Ok90UEp5fchzMTKNR770zcNY3qArlcCQdgcIAQ7d67hpbgOGC-iTkGgl7oTK89B2G8/s1600/paris+viva+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmd_rNClwY4JVG-A8lVghOIuAu9CDOD3BxM8s4EdVS2MWaZX4hea2UeeQdIu4npOQmtY2LJfW9Ok90UEp5fchzMTKNR770zcNY3qArlcCQdgcIAQ7d67hpbgOGC-iTkGgl7oTK89B2G8/s200/paris+viva+058.jpg" width="150" /></a> <img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW0N_EULm3DP4zWdjSeBC-8IV67dG4bTsw5YrHqMBinARZhb5WVZvG_3FkqacBjQG3phXFaP5Emz_d58evqeHpfWX4S4Qikv0qfycA4K-7zH2BMWT7RT9KQN8co8rjtYafUW5CJDt2HI/s200/paris+viva+061.jpg" width="150" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ZEINA!!!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Where Did We Go? </b></span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>What Did We Eat? </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpNTLs25H3urYmdqYnfLIclg-r2uJ45wccoHMqIOxn33B-ZrdI_ZFO6VhV-ihCum1jXt7YLIElds9yLdut5gZRPD9fS46MDD22H24cE5ZuyEZ-esm0u7COFgFMqv4-tn266Ke0qZp940/s200/DSC01417.JPG" width="200" /></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuK-9rqIDm4AnRZfgVYo-HxmRYABdOML7mw5HX5H1Hz2oFvLZZWdRcKQeTaphmyfRc7xL7exenUytpJn1jnWB4Pgxv8GH6SIwD_rbAqv7xkD210DPPzxjj3CpE-yLVBFKGwYcn_lRe3E/s1600/paris+viva+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuK-9rqIDm4AnRZfgVYo-HxmRYABdOML7mw5HX5H1Hz2oFvLZZWdRcKQeTaphmyfRc7xL7exenUytpJn1jnWB4Pgxv8GH6SIwD_rbAqv7xkD210DPPzxjj3CpE-yLVBFKGwYcn_lRe3E/s320/paris+viva+066.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhhUiHTJPaDSW97x5TSlaodM45YOKZokaja6juX1e809eB-Wvu1pdu0EMuYjH0b3qNd_cc_cxFrNOvhoHP9vYcNysBdIXh-hDU_q0WncVnpLE7yqdhPy8-4ohqjBh434iUPR0axaTVZc/s1600/paris+viva+065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhhUiHTJPaDSW97x5TSlaodM45YOKZokaja6juX1e809eB-Wvu1pdu0EMuYjH0b3qNd_cc_cxFrNOvhoHP9vYcNysBdIXh-hDU_q0WncVnpLE7yqdhPy8-4ohqjBh434iUPR0axaTVZc/s320/paris+viva+065.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I really enjoyed Zeina's visit as you can tell from the pictures. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I miss you, Zeina!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Till the next,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Viva </span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></span></div><br />
<br />
</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-27572708800762397502011-01-25T19:54:00.000+01:002011-01-25T19:54:02.582+01:00French museums, movies, churches, lunch, tea time, and tubes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Life in Paris has been good. Though life without continuous access to the internet is difficult!<br />
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FRIDAY (January 21st) <br />
The Louvre continues to be be a fascination. I went with a friend so I wasn't able to ponder the beauty of the masterpieces and take a photo of everyone, but instead was amused by aspects of some pieces through the opinion of my friend.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4oF7cZWVilpiTRsSnKs8CpWL3EdiALkfDSnEbahbQDsmHgmMverU5nM36N50aIwwBtXo9W7feczDse4QHsUfEf13z0EsEAMrhAx5N7Y2ViD0726hd8V-m7yG8p-vgDeQrOCflqbIfvk/s320/Photo+023.jpg" width="240" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTJLIi5hz850GsB_hp7bBehwZDMvW1833EmDHSPaiqZN6IlqJfxGRuBUqIqNnq7dekeAcx33XqSGC4BmZUn_UyKa9W1SqKdTI6IgqX1IP-fazZD8nDQpEAUxtvGxSSnSxLEBeRMTYJwk/s1600/Photo+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTJLIi5hz850GsB_hp7bBehwZDMvW1833EmDHSPaiqZN6IlqJfxGRuBUqIqNnq7dekeAcx33XqSGC4BmZUn_UyKa9W1SqKdTI6IgqX1IP-fazZD8nDQpEAUxtvGxSSnSxLEBeRMTYJwk/s320/Photo+026.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We then walked through the Latin Quarters to get to a famous Crepes place. I took pictures of the process. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI67tR0u_epS4w5e6G8J9Tk9Zh9UFd-MARJuVDYC-PKNxiwn09bebscTrLIATXUIdrveQky420T3zuLE9_BvYldhZnLe-RpcIMhxhgTMguWBAzw_YomCE-SdOOzxi6gJ-4KD49-mIxB3A/s1600/Photo+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI67tR0u_epS4w5e6G8J9Tk9Zh9UFd-MARJuVDYC-PKNxiwn09bebscTrLIATXUIdrveQky420T3zuLE9_BvYldhZnLe-RpcIMhxhgTMguWBAzw_YomCE-SdOOzxi6gJ-4KD49-mIxB3A/s200/Photo+027.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PHMynH6QrUES9QnMvwBqfifnBjRXBBrDohajGzL4fQNBk9YrFvrdm3Bf7U6ksN7-FXtFLnmfMlu3Vr1CtZln5gIEs8_gY7m5MXBh6gqxVlJp9zFKPvgOmRnsGKQxruw-rIw6vxkJlkg/s1600/Photo+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PHMynH6QrUES9QnMvwBqfifnBjRXBBrDohajGzL4fQNBk9YrFvrdm3Bf7U6ksN7-FXtFLnmfMlu3Vr1CtZln5gIEs8_gY7m5MXBh6gqxVlJp9zFKPvgOmRnsGKQxruw-rIw6vxkJlkg/s200/Photo+028.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIoy-WV1gpbyehkyd8xcsidWJVVWhcS3KbbgT4us3Gdlksv7zJI7-lpuU71ideS1IymQu6s3iuRV_Amd06SiTCDbccumObecxvnJg1lWReX4Pvf00DyHkNm4aPGyksNRMXTBehptwqUk/s1600/Photo+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIoy-WV1gpbyehkyd8xcsidWJVVWhcS3KbbgT4us3Gdlksv7zJI7-lpuU71ideS1IymQu6s3iuRV_Amd06SiTCDbccumObecxvnJg1lWReX4Pvf00DyHkNm4aPGyksNRMXTBehptwqUk/s200/Photo+029.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7xEl5jTfQ3mromKU9si4eIG-nde-cD6SSTbN53GBdHwk2pP1HpoSps_DkcqYuAtscEFre4Wph_MWFAiUD5CxnljOSDSbtX0GWBsCh4VPsQHIsKpNpj1FMQ1o4Kn1J6CrduaUgBPs6d8/s1600/Photo+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7xEl5jTfQ3mromKU9si4eIG-nde-cD6SSTbN53GBdHwk2pP1HpoSps_DkcqYuAtscEFre4Wph_MWFAiUD5CxnljOSDSbtX0GWBsCh4VPsQHIsKpNpj1FMQ1o4Kn1J6CrduaUgBPs6d8/s200/Photo+030.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD7d-kimhT_9jhPcc7XP0tT83gGeR3MTm-e5MJvS-rVCzxiZvpgyrFhfSsRpIoc4x1bWOqMwK5yFvLbwg34sIzrpw9VxduKWveMF06EZRh4fwD8frV3p_w9tEfwVio3aCJQxRifX1jv4/s1600/Photo+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD7d-kimhT_9jhPcc7XP0tT83gGeR3MTm-e5MJvS-rVCzxiZvpgyrFhfSsRpIoc4x1bWOqMwK5yFvLbwg34sIzrpw9VxduKWveMF06EZRh4fwD8frV3p_w9tEfwVio3aCJQxRifX1jv4/s200/Photo+032.jpg" width="150" /></a><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmO0oz2jTy22ER8DMxZ3XqJB4G59mrsTNWeI1wsRcrOMLhgH4v9xIZDoLu63yjMOmHkRYIqRkOvA1JELXNp5aXZGAt8t7jLxK9wqnCb1wccVOZPn8rcQFGsY_oLtU8vtedfHZQQ-NZJM/s200/Photo+034.jpg" width="150" /></div> SOOO GOOOOOD!!!<br />
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SATURDAY (January 22nd) <br />
I went to a movie theater with a few friends I had just recently met. The movie tickets were the equivalent of 5 dollars per person for those under 26!!! I think I will go every weekend! No? But I do miss my movie partners!!!!! :-)<br />
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We went to this movie thinking it would be in English but it turned out to be in French and Arabic. My friend was so nice to translate the French parts to me throughout the movie. We did have complainers but they were nice and understanding..<br />
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The movie is called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YStpiwG3CiE">Incendies</a>. Click on that link to be taken to the youtube trailer. I do recommend it though it is a little harsh for my taste.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlXCWFcwwb39Reerfe1avb0UBjOEnEqR1ruOmLndfUkj7Dh8wVJVRnbfdiRAlleOeCa5v_s2gCT9whJebvbQMFpzWvPGN5OzcYsEWNGotfDlbC5T2p4neZUEK2aIsMHVpisga9Hqi5PE/s200/Photo+035.jpg" width="150" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqjAE6qpnQy9iSCQqL3ZjvuTVxPm-hhiNvOQIWqZk1NsOJyFdiKNDxKYZGJpd6TZr4Oc6o2WrSEkRUw4q_Ep9DJdjaRn6toKPc9pRvtRhdOrH624Vq87S3OcQzAgmfegbxw5I9s9A0qU/s1600/Photo+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqjAE6qpnQy9iSCQqL3ZjvuTVxPm-hhiNvOQIWqZk1NsOJyFdiKNDxKYZGJpd6TZr4Oc6o2WrSEkRUw4q_Ep9DJdjaRn6toKPc9pRvtRhdOrH624Vq87S3OcQzAgmfegbxw5I9s9A0qU/s200/Photo+036.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRna8_T4urUaeWAd38k4OHSN-ne8opg6HdownirqFXv3Go8SVcUsl1l2BwU3aWeuq-dx9uGuNocAP557XQpMlETu3J-euxP9Ne9A7VRCNecefXt109CnEY5WtFs97fOoP5TICZJpt9OvY/s1600/Photo+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRna8_T4urUaeWAd38k4OHSN-ne8opg6HdownirqFXv3Go8SVcUsl1l2BwU3aWeuq-dx9uGuNocAP557XQpMlETu3J-euxP9Ne9A7VRCNecefXt109CnEY5WtFs97fOoP5TICZJpt9OvY/s200/Photo+037.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> There was a lot of people. I was impressed by the amount of people that showed up.<br />
I was also carded on my way to the theater room. Do I look older than 26? :-p<br />
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SUNDAY (January 23rd) <br />
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I woke up a little late on Sunday morning so I had to go to a nearby church. It was in French, so the experience was quite enlightening. I could follow the whole French liturgy because it was the same as the English Divine Liturgy I know quite well. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzP5l6m9ZovFmic6mF904GxvZF7pyYW3ZxX3LdKMVEk37pkznYKBGmo6hgGI3x3OVgB-MKvfgo-LBH8cIZQjoVnmQcnBET0_d1B2OqDyvJ3BarHudNn9cR6ZJ9rmMnSp0iRxBbVFxt0s/s1600/Photo+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzP5l6m9ZovFmic6mF904GxvZF7pyYW3ZxX3LdKMVEk37pkznYKBGmo6hgGI3x3OVgB-MKvfgo-LBH8cIZQjoVnmQcnBET0_d1B2OqDyvJ3BarHudNn9cR6ZJ9rmMnSp0iRxBbVFxt0s/s200/Photo+041.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudUo0LWAiZRGrxhgsrRq9JumAgbMZQyfK-k025C9GnovUtogjtZEG287EomfkGPlTdWr7OS5bpb0-GTq51xoYYvP85WlxXxQw2VJCJ7F-Ejqgr6Eu2gm3AghH_GmVYCmai24PpQ-Pzjo/s1600/Photo+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudUo0LWAiZRGrxhgsrRq9JumAgbMZQyfK-k025C9GnovUtogjtZEG287EomfkGPlTdWr7OS5bpb0-GTq51xoYYvP85WlxXxQw2VJCJ7F-Ejqgr6Eu2gm3AghH_GmVYCmai24PpQ-Pzjo/s200/Photo+043.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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We went for lunch at a nearby restaurant where I had raw meat as the French like to have it. I really enjoyed it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdsK_WtS4ZW5yPBPX_ejVmiIbbvHq_zLs08M5v3gnR-tUY20UcdpEpc-WrZtHxPXQAMCCA5YYDmQHWkc7CAqERFr4uU1PTle4owUXvICUYNO2dJsQJ8ljkAYYDbLBtsoc40Zqo-l3lLk/s1600/Photo+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdsK_WtS4ZW5yPBPX_ejVmiIbbvHq_zLs08M5v3gnR-tUY20UcdpEpc-WrZtHxPXQAMCCA5YYDmQHWkc7CAqERFr4uU1PTle4owUXvICUYNO2dJsQJ8ljkAYYDbLBtsoc40Zqo-l3lLk/s200/Photo+046.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHiVNUIgd1W08HwFIpQdrLFFGA__2QiVcNseAqB_-vlOUK_D0Oo7Fuv8lkn1nffeBchdLnKux8EWXRsANbnaUGrGBwOAxP56iKSap9cJvUMBNLMveL18me3mS03AXHh7pk4WNTayZMCQ/s1600/Photo+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHiVNUIgd1W08HwFIpQdrLFFGA__2QiVcNseAqB_-vlOUK_D0Oo7Fuv8lkn1nffeBchdLnKux8EWXRsANbnaUGrGBwOAxP56iKSap9cJvUMBNLMveL18me3mS03AXHh7pk4WNTayZMCQ/s200/Photo+045.jpg" width="200" /></a>We then went to a tea place that was so classy and so wonderful with all it's tea scents.<br />
I also loved seeing all the <i>quite expensive</i> teapots and took a few pictures because my mom collects teapots.<br />
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We ordered Marco Polo tea and Caramel Orange tea with cake and Macarons. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTc8VtYBPRnglXPQ6isA4IrS3eI1duWmHiLCIzu8cX1nwdzBtjFoaRNWIi41v_IjcVoju_88ZB63y60z5kYCwchqsoetKhf-YDyCoui9rbTlWycPAF0fkVGD1Vd-469QJvJo4LtPdqTj0/s1600/Photo+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTc8VtYBPRnglXPQ6isA4IrS3eI1duWmHiLCIzu8cX1nwdzBtjFoaRNWIi41v_IjcVoju_88ZB63y60z5kYCwchqsoetKhf-YDyCoui9rbTlWycPAF0fkVGD1Vd-469QJvJo4LtPdqTj0/s320/Photo+047.jpg" width="240" /></a><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidRNgfxgUQ8VgW6_Tu0B_u0ElUmlgL4pfeb_V-7PAN1qzJKTqqvuoZhWiHKMEY28qqayZuhLKiFNiiKpzmpfAhHE91aEVFOSDYVflzOSZT8aJnNeqjD8nsYRTE_GuYIGrYZkiyVGWkKw/s320/Photo+048.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzujBvaHk1-5b9oUCAPMvjPtwpFyrFE3ffzb2PHWZRWzwS2GY52hfutsLYYYWdwy1NFXTh2tUOnSNtZXugPG1o7lYBNBjUMD-gvVkzKO0kv4oRO7TnTAK4ib6GHPd2u2hCdJ8LSPipPU/s1600/Photo+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzujBvaHk1-5b9oUCAPMvjPtwpFyrFE3ffzb2PHWZRWzwS2GY52hfutsLYYYWdwy1NFXTh2tUOnSNtZXugPG1o7lYBNBjUMD-gvVkzKO0kv4oRO7TnTAK4ib6GHPd2u2hCdJ8LSPipPU/s320/Photo+051.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqp5gBOVq0VT9fr7y5X6xHivsiNnDxQGKjkyV3NvnOF9bhHmzPDbgR3X2x8B_-shfUI2Dj3eMMbIH56FjbINVEwlM4iADf6lxdUHGM3cYvTF7LfYilAA8bs4gk06gLSoV6rcnN_rniEFE/s1600/Photo+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqp5gBOVq0VT9fr7y5X6xHivsiNnDxQGKjkyV3NvnOF9bhHmzPDbgR3X2x8B_-shfUI2Dj3eMMbIH56FjbINVEwlM4iADf6lxdUHGM3cYvTF7LfYilAA8bs4gk06gLSoV6rcnN_rniEFE/s320/Photo+052.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
And yes, in case you were wondering, I am gaining those pounds! But I will only be in Paris for 3 months and 1 week more. The dieting will start soon after but while I am here, yes, I will indulge!<br />
<br />
MONDAY (January 24th) <br />
<br />
A month after Christmas holiday. I miss my family!!<br />
Nonetheless, I met up with a friend after work and enjoyed <i>another</i> movie at that theater that likes those who aren't 26 yet! (I won't claim that they are ageists until I turn 26!)<br />
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On the way back, I was told that the metro train was operated automatically so we went to the front end of the subway train where I was dumbfounded to find what I was told to be true!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B5kFOAXxtVOQv99IYUPI4fbp-5KQDVYZxrKIYqysSrte6mz-eqMDQjl6scvK0SSGad2r3Ngx1_2y3n3igemrZZ19tI0AhyXeq3I68UX7GAr2Cnmm5ddZnjgtAZS1YMl7TJPurJI6Av8/s1600/Photo+055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B5kFOAXxtVOQv99IYUPI4fbp-5KQDVYZxrKIYqysSrte6mz-eqMDQjl6scvK0SSGad2r3Ngx1_2y3n3igemrZZ19tI0AhyXeq3I68UX7GAr2Cnmm5ddZnjgtAZS1YMl7TJPurJI6Av8/s200/Photo+055.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKXHPNDxI6FnNlWa1GGB0_VzCOFXSMvbtQEHeQ5N7aEWG5GSS1QQTmppHXdhoMeTRKZfHSD6Cxya1exlm2rKXAkh_V3LQNLfgi6Qz_vgAk5f9RXcyNuVbgF4jSS2v3KmTMqoDP-VjJho/s1600/Photo+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKXHPNDxI6FnNlWa1GGB0_VzCOFXSMvbtQEHeQ5N7aEWG5GSS1QQTmppHXdhoMeTRKZfHSD6Cxya1exlm2rKXAkh_V3LQNLfgi6Qz_vgAk5f9RXcyNuVbgF4jSS2v3KmTMqoDP-VjJho/s200/Photo+056.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXphutZQWUhvepGDHSstuN0xyGhzeo_FxBYPbhyphenhyphen0bv9_T5QTXhzzW3UZpWkokHkEgOIqwLQH12OO1L0NWN9dh4fHXchPYA_PeGvFo0dDk7NfZ8d_kxpE-S0k5KWqKmVc-b-MkAEYvnmlY/s1600/Photo+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXphutZQWUhvepGDHSstuN0xyGhzeo_FxBYPbhyphenhyphen0bv9_T5QTXhzzW3UZpWkokHkEgOIqwLQH12OO1L0NWN9dh4fHXchPYA_PeGvFo0dDk7NfZ8d_kxpE-S0k5KWqKmVc-b-MkAEYvnmlY/s200/Photo+057.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> If you look closely, you could see the tracks! I stepped back so you could see how there is NO operator actually ON the train!<br />
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8bQv51qMbj8nd1l_PL0DjFXj4z_NZHysxSotfjDyRMpkfArnrLK7_Sm5Q53EnP4haS59tUIzYNIBir_6UQ3j-Cewb0YZM5EJBEAo9m8tBz3KyIKwpfo8Id8b4DO8OHZdTY25KxGIlHY/s1600/Photo+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8bQv51qMbj8nd1l_PL0DjFXj4z_NZHysxSotfjDyRMpkfArnrLK7_Sm5Q53EnP4haS59tUIzYNIBir_6UQ3j-Cewb0YZM5EJBEAo9m8tBz3KyIKwpfo8Id8b4DO8OHZdTY25KxGIlHY/s200/Photo+054.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTH78_Y9tsGAelft1yVcW3GKhZkN9Ka5fgmT9bFBnpu7PRfNyjS-uVRkJIywy739we7JRnkLzCUFx96RF6rJjhaPou6Qu2l1RqB9U1VH4h1mwF3P73FYSXHxaVc8iY6bVWHgYlIiGO6E/s1600/Photo+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTH78_Y9tsGAelft1yVcW3GKhZkN9Ka5fgmT9bFBnpu7PRfNyjS-uVRkJIywy739we7JRnkLzCUFx96RF6rJjhaPou6Qu2l1RqB9U1VH4h1mwF3P73FYSXHxaVc8iY6bVWHgYlIiGO6E/s200/Photo+058.jpg" width="200" /></a>This is what you see behind where the operator is supposed to sit. There are no doors or sections within this subway train. You can go from the front of the train to the back without having to open any doors or get off. This way, the subway company can maximize passenger space! It looks so clean and sophisticated too.</div><br />
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I hope you have been doing well. Please bear with me as I currently don't have internet access at home. I MISS HOME!! (Canada and family!)<br />
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Till the next,<br />
<br />
Viva<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-74845531333577049462011-01-19T19:00:00.001+01:002011-01-19T19:08:46.572+01:00I am a chef in Paris!Yes, you heard right. I am a chef in Paris. I thought I was one in Saudi Arabia, Canada, and even amongst my maternal grandma and eldest aunt in Lebanon, but I am not. In those locations, I was accustomed to going to a grocery store or the house fridge to collect my goods so that I could create something that looks and tastes superb. Yes, I can still attempt to make a good meal wherever I am, but the difference in Paris is the act of going from store to store collecting the right ingredients. That is what I am talking about. That is what makes you <i>feel </i>like a <b>chef</b>!<br />
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Yesterday night, I walked the streets of Paris choosing the right Patisserie, vegetable place, cheese place etc. to collect the best ingredients to put together. I was so proud of myself for the sandwich I made in the evening, even though it was just a sandwich. The baguette was wonderous and the cheese, so flavourful!<br />
I no longer am a fan of the grocery stores though they offer the competitive quality of convenience. I am now a committed fan to being picky about the ingredients I buy and the copious amounts of walking/traveling required to make the best meal concoction ever.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdSNAUGEFS4KaOLuPWmjNcLo7hKvSLrIAvXU_ValU5fhaq0pFDhGoVG_laciXE1syYeeg-tJKJUDdjPMevgJGIr_1Zsp00h2cfDj7nTaaH8_ZmphwTR_K7EQT-ZKyJ9Jui56NBaL1Baw/s1600/Photo+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdSNAUGEFS4KaOLuPWmjNcLo7hKvSLrIAvXU_ValU5fhaq0pFDhGoVG_laciXE1syYeeg-tJKJUDdjPMevgJGIr_1Zsp00h2cfDj7nTaaH8_ZmphwTR_K7EQT-ZKyJ9Jui56NBaL1Baw/s320/Photo+012.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEj-p1ddJlkXXxOFeE0tVLQ_HUaoUqS5d2TMAecZ0-0TiUHIvHerIOcbjDJSRt17EKEYtuXeys9IrmpHrtX7RDenarxxlRcmDYXIkFrKslwXkd6k7_gk6kUdkFOdOzTR4UPvZ13WZUzAE/s1600/Photo+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEj-p1ddJlkXXxOFeE0tVLQ_HUaoUqS5d2TMAecZ0-0TiUHIvHerIOcbjDJSRt17EKEYtuXeys9IrmpHrtX7RDenarxxlRcmDYXIkFrKslwXkd6k7_gk6kUdkFOdOzTR4UPvZ13WZUzAE/s320/Photo+013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I believe this is the Fromagerie. I ended up buying a block of cheese from that that big yellow one show at the top of the first picture. Goes wonderfully with baguettes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvWVdAVjwBBRwokbxhjl_0TniaEgl3peIh_ufnh2A-HekZaU8S3GTWMbcPnQlCrj7MJMYd9ChipriLN1ISa7kLo_2dBIkJ8VtIrJ2CP_jDHAI3reM1GPu2LlhGC07B44h3Z4khUSR9Zc/s1600/Photo+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvWVdAVjwBBRwokbxhjl_0TniaEgl3peIh_ufnh2A-HekZaU8S3GTWMbcPnQlCrj7MJMYd9ChipriLN1ISa7kLo_2dBIkJ8VtIrJ2CP_jDHAI3reM1GPu2LlhGC07B44h3Z4khUSR9Zc/s200/Photo+014.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDG9yvsg6wlFXYIG9vDT5g_G0g05YWnqwBYZHhRNvH6lvNZZ-V5H-cfdSX69x98Nk9tLn-GtRwJ8djTAZTdyBcReB7L0TYfk1Vd-Cvh0tjsHzCBjn2M3iMdImoaQLkl5AAkFEjkl2b0k/s1600/Photo+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDG9yvsg6wlFXYIG9vDT5g_G0g05YWnqwBYZHhRNvH6lvNZZ-V5H-cfdSX69x98Nk9tLn-GtRwJ8djTAZTdyBcReB7L0TYfk1Vd-Cvh0tjsHzCBjn2M3iMdImoaQLkl5AAkFEjkl2b0k/s320/Photo+015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is the second time I go to this Patisserie/Boulangerie. The baguette was for 1 euro and tasted like gold!! I think that sandwich tasted so good because I had made that extra effort NOT to go to the grocery store. Or maybe it's because I went to stores that specialized in creating what they're good at creating.<br />
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I also bought a vanille macaron. I'm telling you, this addiction to macarons is not good! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijr_Xdbl6dsOtfObQ1AAo_1GN-AiGEDCVG60y66D_Agz-Uh43hNnrHxmJLjZ-SRx9WD5YK7S8Gm6XZ9t6ERYP2W3biBvyJi2kekJ5QJ7CkBNGy9hFCDFMq3CClfudOu1EMccL7nN7qNm4/s1600/Photo+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijr_Xdbl6dsOtfObQ1AAo_1GN-AiGEDCVG60y66D_Agz-Uh43hNnrHxmJLjZ-SRx9WD5YK7S8Gm6XZ9t6ERYP2W3biBvyJi2kekJ5QJ7CkBNGy9hFCDFMq3CClfudOu1EMccL7nN7qNm4/s320/Photo+016.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAw0ScWaUUdDy-V-XILDxtNBNaKQzfVUgEosY-5-JEKmPmUjSB2mIJcns3aU5YJOlmC1kx_wSmzCiXdslhf8VcTtx_zVoC96EzIWpgYDGR8laO-ya-R_Xv_lvt7-qRAZPvyZYAnkq3iM/s1600/Photo+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAw0ScWaUUdDy-V-XILDxtNBNaKQzfVUgEosY-5-JEKmPmUjSB2mIJcns3aU5YJOlmC1kx_wSmzCiXdslhf8VcTtx_zVoC96EzIWpgYDGR8laO-ya-R_Xv_lvt7-qRAZPvyZYAnkq3iM/s320/Photo+017.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> There was even a food shop that specialized in selling frozen foods. They're all freezers inside! I'll get back to you on how frozen food tastes here in Paris.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycMLqTf4lGKamJCmdbVb19z20JGOprSXXtHUUi9O9l0EExTlrIJLSCvfz9VcS6VHi2pfRBtDVCfvP334T8F7fgwFP7H9XkzjYC0TXC1ygrVmwlJwO_dAP8MfkJyAcxr2t92STmULruwg/s1600/Photo+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycMLqTf4lGKamJCmdbVb19z20JGOprSXXtHUUi9O9l0EExTlrIJLSCvfz9VcS6VHi2pfRBtDVCfvP334T8F7fgwFP7H9XkzjYC0TXC1ygrVmwlJwO_dAP8MfkJyAcxr2t92STmULruwg/s200/Photo+018.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>On an exciting note, I finally got my bank card today! LCL is a great bank for students who plan to stay in France for less than a year. It took me a week to get this card, which is also a Credit Card (Carte Bleue) when I don't have money in the account.<br />
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkfBCYCtbZLbwYE-BZ35LBaxxtYzhWsPzjZrzPCgcqoq0H-u2Memy3vurRKZxtQnY82QsvU-HyMIJSFrg55XLkWjjp1AOo6QHLzA1-DWGvvQXJ6-NI1e5pE3YPVTUCrfjLl1peI3mn7g/s1600/Photo+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkfBCYCtbZLbwYE-BZ35LBaxxtYzhWsPzjZrzPCgcqoq0H-u2Memy3vurRKZxtQnY82QsvU-HyMIJSFrg55XLkWjjp1AOo6QHLzA1-DWGvvQXJ6-NI1e5pE3YPVTUCrfjLl1peI3mn7g/s320/Photo+020.jpg" width="320" /></a> The following is a picture of a popular Lebanese restaurant in Paris. I will have to try it soon but I wanted to post it here because it reminded me of a good friend of mine! Miss you Noora.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheY3cnAaQylIbZw_ku0hMBTG3RmuOrQILbzvWjKYnmGW6nF2khknPpVFJuVI-J_yWaQCUwYvl5ED6olDaB22pES7zL_QaaSentIIc6STHO86XeyPXXDwdABNmnw0l-1gWeuQ7w2kPxqO4/s1600/Photo+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheY3cnAaQylIbZw_ku0hMBTG3RmuOrQILbzvWjKYnmGW6nF2khknPpVFJuVI-J_yWaQCUwYvl5ED6olDaB22pES7zL_QaaSentIIc6STHO86XeyPXXDwdABNmnw0l-1gWeuQ7w2kPxqO4/s200/Photo+021.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Till the next,<br />
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VivaViva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-78177666619018947192011-01-18T18:40:00.000+01:002011-01-18T18:40:56.310+01:00Je débrouiller en FrancaisIt's been a while since I have added a new entry because the internet access at my studio is unreliable.<br />
However, this last weekend was quite a wonderful, laid back second weekend in Paris that contributed to allowing me to get to know new acquaintances better.<br />
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<b>Saturday </b>started with a visit to my tenant's place who is almost 70 years old. She told me that she stays this healthy from eating an apple a day. She even invited me to a slice. It was wonderful chatting with her for a little bit in her ancient little apartment right across from the Louvre. Her antique furniture and the painting on the wall of her great great grandmother allowed me to imagine how it would've been like 100 to 150 years ago in Paris.<br />
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I took the subway after that visit to meet up with a friend who has been kind enough to give me lessons in French. I learned to say the phrase that makes up the title of this post. I hope I used it correctly!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2bgPFHi_ZnaJEJqV2SbfPniqMYWDTOljfYMFtz_rqvqgQP9xkH_ruFRRhmWLYQMGz8P2j5gBXtNh373Ex00Dc__JCTA7BBISEwaWVhCYZNTE9iTaQhvFiHiaznyTK5dctbWhOybF774/s1600/Photo+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2bgPFHi_ZnaJEJqV2SbfPniqMYWDTOljfYMFtz_rqvqgQP9xkH_ruFRRhmWLYQMGz8P2j5gBXtNh373Ex00Dc__JCTA7BBISEwaWVhCYZNTE9iTaQhvFiHiaznyTK5dctbWhOybF774/s320/Photo+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A picture of the tube station as I wait for the tube. (I hope I said that correctly!)</div><br />
Finally, I joined a bunch of new friends for a fun night of Crépes, fooseball, singing, and dancing. I was reacquainted with the Lebanese vivacious and quite contagious love of life since it was a gathering of several masters/phd students and young professionals from Lebanon and other Arabic, Mediterranean countries. <br />
This took place at the Cité Universitaire; the residence compound for foreign students in Paris. It's great because the houses are arranged by country and there's even a Maison du Liban (Lebanese House) for students of Lebanese Origin.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaaGPD3r8NFn68HBI1H8B6qMqgEAhKRr60sI4wtly6ftVtLTWBuhQgE4X0EQ6R6Wv0ASFD3G0LE0F4KXsak6ZSSjwMCPMW3X1uU6P-nV4H5BGLyNhIc4kOEOoQBLaHSs6VQVnDP5PwzI/s1600/Photo+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaaGPD3r8NFn68HBI1H8B6qMqgEAhKRr60sI4wtly6ftVtLTWBuhQgE4X0EQ6R6Wv0ASFD3G0LE0F4KXsak6ZSSjwMCPMW3X1uU6P-nV4H5BGLyNhIc4kOEOoQBLaHSs6VQVnDP5PwzI/s200/Photo+003.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEk3j-9WRLiYzj0o8I4EGVKEYOJrwjYwAifqYgOj3JfNSCk6d_VuR_1nniUKu_iwJtCF1pEXfKrwsEefEkqf8q5w7i52Q7CV6GNvxUZHEMRZZSORwkfC-32MYL1tiANQ2W8E8dtVDC_s/s1600/Photo+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEk3j-9WRLiYzj0o8I4EGVKEYOJrwjYwAifqYgOj3JfNSCk6d_VuR_1nniUKu_iwJtCF1pEXfKrwsEefEkqf8q5w7i52Q7CV6GNvxUZHEMRZZSORwkfC-32MYL1tiANQ2W8E8dtVDC_s/s200/Photo+004.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>This first picture is the grand entrance of the Cité Universitaire and the second is the map.<br />
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I was accompanies by two friends on my way home. I am glad that they came with me because the subway train on the way back carried along a bald man with a very short stature that had a major attitude problem possibly ignited by an excessive amount of alcohol. He seemed around 40 years and he yelled at several passengers on the train for being too loud, for eating near him, and laughing/ talking about him. Such a short man, yet he still proceeded to slap the guy eating because the guy refused to move to another location. With one blow, the guys he attacked could have knocked him out, but they all refrained from doing that because this short and very tough man could have pulled out a knife. When he got off the train, the passengers all clapped with joy and that angered him even more so he got back on to threaten them before the train departed. I guess it's one of those situations where I have to say you would have to be there to understand the lunacy of the whole occurrence. I hope I never see him again!<br />
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<b>Sunday </b>was more of a chore day for me as I cleaned my studio and did the laundry at the local laudromat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-Y-ZtUQrBNgdhnXX0jmXUKLS6FHnCOFUuf6zETTl8lJ5CN0NLxJ7-sVcMC0DhDUE0BCy6wwAuCG0GXSB8BIn6pZzVuOY0o3f-KWDxdlXnzDjcVKGKBxtYT4r4xznCFJnq0mlhTD-arg/s1600/Photo+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-Y-ZtUQrBNgdhnXX0jmXUKLS6FHnCOFUuf6zETTl8lJ5CN0NLxJ7-sVcMC0DhDUE0BCy6wwAuCG0GXSB8BIn6pZzVuOY0o3f-KWDxdlXnzDjcVKGKBxtYT4r4xznCFJnq0mlhTD-arg/s200/Photo+005.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1g82kQfvMhYFeIBWwNR8jat6eO64Tkky9eMDZnkQ6s1vCf8ac1BRV3WChfrl44ajSEfAvQtKz0MpghA6N-lUm8A0Ki0iTg4Bj3AVjQOM9pJz9A5zIFBUd3dmdKTzsCTYfrml0IPwle8/s1600/Photo+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1g82kQfvMhYFeIBWwNR8jat6eO64Tkky9eMDZnkQ6s1vCf8ac1BRV3WChfrl44ajSEfAvQtKz0MpghA6N-lUm8A0Ki0iTg4Bj3AVjQOM9pJz9A5zIFBUd3dmdKTzsCTYfrml0IPwle8/s200/Photo+006.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfFszQ-1eFlCY9L0jcudeTy_w4rTn4kh4ucMbS-7tmnyIBJws4OJgbUrczcEzVgfI1aqdsHhiCWBM05rNHgEniOAkub4mZEcYEFo7_0JEdPu4hCk4kMAMylsWzj9SvtIoOF7O2pPXKsE/s1600/Photo+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfFszQ-1eFlCY9L0jcudeTy_w4rTn4kh4ucMbS-7tmnyIBJws4OJgbUrczcEzVgfI1aqdsHhiCWBM05rNHgEniOAkub4mZEcYEFo7_0JEdPu4hCk4kMAMylsWzj9SvtIoOF7O2pPXKsE/s200/Photo+007.jpg" width="150" /></a></div> I was worried someone would come in and steal my precious clothes so I stayed in the laudromat until my clothes were done. It cost me 6 euros to do the whole deed and my clothes came out smelling wonderful as a result.<br />
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<b>Monday</b> was back to work for me. But has it ever happened to you that you see a recurring thing that makes you think that there may be some practical joke being played on you? Well, Monday morning, as I walked to work, all I kept seeing were these workers pushing carts full of mail. I saw about 6 or 7 on my short 15 minute walk to the office. It was quite amusing considering I hadn't even known they existed before those 15 minutes!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOtkzW8zHzE1IfSBuztlj78gukmBNmgqELm8eKUKEbQLQ4_bQ10TSauec4C4vMTmMITtxS3VJYQVrFoSUbb9YCOOyTTCiTfYRJ08fQFdzVLhYVAg8VaNwBJHP3jO0cZuIfxgHsR-rexA/s1600/Photo+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOtkzW8zHzE1IfSBuztlj78gukmBNmgqELm8eKUKEbQLQ4_bQ10TSauec4C4vMTmMITtxS3VJYQVrFoSUbb9YCOOyTTCiTfYRJ08fQFdzVLhYVAg8VaNwBJHP3jO0cZuIfxgHsR-rexA/s320/Photo+009.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I had to take a picture! From far they look like men pushing baby carriages, but I guess for the average Parisian, they are just another characteristic of Paris that doesn't usually take notice, along with the mini cars and the small portioned but delightful meals.<br />
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On my way home yesterday, I was quite saddened when I saw graffiti on the fountain monument that sits in the square outside my building. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontaine_des_Innocents">Fontaine des Innocents</a> is a structure built in the 16th century and now it has graffiti on it!!! It says 'Ston' on either side and it even glows in the dark!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD96T1VzLJyB_-mfmhse5by7951z1ioNXAf2khorAJy1Yb7_HLSYEz73JkVWh9sTEjlYcmx4oGW8deLXoslfcWaRzJx_HvlUxekZ7F0cdgYSD8UKmqMxrMbjhxAkYAV5Nj3iqO1q3BEE/s1600/Photo+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD96T1VzLJyB_-mfmhse5by7951z1ioNXAf2khorAJy1Yb7_HLSYEz73JkVWh9sTEjlYcmx4oGW8deLXoslfcWaRzJx_HvlUxekZ7F0cdgYSD8UKmqMxrMbjhxAkYAV5Nj3iqO1q3BEE/s320/Photo+010.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFT2W_LZLxC8GFmfJjFnMZhyh-ax8QrNZQhSpETI69XEkFGAi8hFNv7pVIXHUTyv71dcw5T_P6uR1Fk8lyeevKHIzYWhACc_U99FKb0yeYobFTpoJaXq3ZZEHI90uidlsy69uoSa7e1Zs/s1600/Photo+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFT2W_LZLxC8GFmfJjFnMZhyh-ax8QrNZQhSpETI69XEkFGAi8hFNv7pVIXHUTyv71dcw5T_P6uR1Fk8lyeevKHIzYWhACc_U99FKb0yeYobFTpoJaXq3ZZEHI90uidlsy69uoSa7e1Zs/s320/Photo+011.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Till the next,<br />
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VivaViva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-55221248543170852662011-01-15T02:51:00.000+01:002011-01-15T02:51:39.713+01:00When in Paris, too much chocolate is too muchThis morning I started my day with two slices of toast and Nutella spread. The first meeting of the day has a box of truffles present in the room, teasing me to try- which of course I did with my coffee. Then, there was a wonderful little cafe restaurant that my manager recommended, and I had the most delicious Pain au Chocolat I ever had from there. I headed to the BPI headquarters and bought a wonderful crepe with melted cheese. I then had two chocolate truffles with the coffee that followed and a dessert of fromage blanc when Helene was having her lunch. I then had another French sweet, un galette framboise- almost like a cake/pie/pastry mix. I was full for the rest of the day at work until I was heading home to prepare for my weekly trip to the Lourve and laid my eyes on a bunch of sweets:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrud8OVOvVLnQv52MvXNUp_lorEepHrkJGePhsaXFTOPDhQFsNqAvx-T-aXdqQxuka7Nnaew6cMKkYFcWQFIF_LJjSjVsOrnYJ8DH6zzL4Wzl0Y4JfqTmNndUWRu3-HRdi6k_Q3SQarVA/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrud8OVOvVLnQv52MvXNUp_lorEepHrkJGePhsaXFTOPDhQFsNqAvx-T-aXdqQxuka7Nnaew6cMKkYFcWQFIF_LJjSjVsOrnYJ8DH6zzL4Wzl0Y4JfqTmNndUWRu3-HRdi6k_Q3SQarVA/s200/IMG_0500.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecN3ILD5ORbzgYVLh4qcPIVYGeFF05uwodMOY9S_ANtoS77SNp25YRCMbyD8D-dwCjBMhgDWC_u78oHKklwc4vAqJXJGFFjQCnBUgC-m2F2o97b4c2yQWGesvqWeWXAUt8YdNp0UsamI/s1600/IMG_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecN3ILD5ORbzgYVLh4qcPIVYGeFF05uwodMOY9S_ANtoS77SNp25YRCMbyD8D-dwCjBMhgDWC_u78oHKklwc4vAqJXJGFFjQCnBUgC-m2F2o97b4c2yQWGesvqWeWXAUt8YdNp0UsamI/s200/IMG_0502.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4-vI5YbqN1XejKL30efInwfouXL1t3IvN3IxLFOlwvqigI8QUEEBebeieOPqkqYKqVYh1RgV5W04S-GyXMUKD7QwngTKX3rv3QS1kE8ItSlCYtTqn7r-V0SPHEykf7SpnCTgSKFfyds/s1600/IMG_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4-vI5YbqN1XejKL30efInwfouXL1t3IvN3IxLFOlwvqigI8QUEEBebeieOPqkqYKqVYh1RgV5W04S-GyXMUKD7QwngTKX3rv3QS1kE8ItSlCYtTqn7r-V0SPHEykf7SpnCTgSKFfyds/s200/IMG_0501.JPG" width="150" /></a>So I think that I have a problem.. Because, I just had to see that Chocolate pie thing right there in the center, and I bought it. I am a chocoholic and living in Paris doesn't help. BTW, photos are for you Jo! I'll make sure I take many more! I don't mean to make this blog a food diary or whatever some people do these days, but this chocolate addiction is out of hand, wouldn't you agree?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I had a very wonderful day! I saw the Place de la Bastille- A prison used to stand there before it was destroyed in the French Revolution. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuyAnTz05yuU0GsWQBClVwhUuvfMrtKD70E6dYhHdoJLMDlzhSI65w3wS3Oqiv4-NWuelx8sDME49FyA3eIv68_Dh7Rf8I3ytar9lASrHIWE6BMcGTJ4rozvjKSQ735yM1joJZpErGNs/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuyAnTz05yuU0GsWQBClVwhUuvfMrtKD70E6dYhHdoJLMDlzhSI65w3wS3Oqiv4-NWuelx8sDME49FyA3eIv68_Dh7Rf8I3ytar9lASrHIWE6BMcGTJ4rozvjKSQ735yM1joJZpErGNs/s400/IMG_0497.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2iN_n1byUuH24wU4yggXkcsNb3bMhDot0nU6Oj19Zf-ct4VlDxYF9n4DOy9_3tReUqbIfcWDOtRZW53Dy4T01zj8DDaKd2YU_5K0oA_cqor-YpxcBgb2Uzb2XpQiA0aJyNrygMiZMbk/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2iN_n1byUuH24wU4yggXkcsNb3bMhDot0nU6Oj19Zf-ct4VlDxYF9n4DOy9_3tReUqbIfcWDOtRZW53Dy4T01zj8DDaKd2YU_5K0oA_cqor-YpxcBgb2Uzb2XpQiA0aJyNrygMiZMbk/s400/IMG_0499.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2iN_n1byUuH24wU4yggXkcsNb3bMhDot0nU6Oj19Zf-ct4VlDxYF9n4DOy9_3tReUqbIfcWDOtRZW53Dy4T01zj8DDaKd2YU_5K0oA_cqor-YpxcBgb2Uzb2XpQiA0aJyNrygMiZMbk/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a>When I took the subway today to get to work from the meeting in the morning, I saw this woman speaking on the phone while her baby sat there in her little 'area' sucking happily. I was so amused by this baby's wide eyes watching the exciting world of the subway and so patiently waiting to get to her destination. It was as if the baby was used to this way of life and still watched everything around her. Maybe she was her mommy's body guard watching whether any pickpockets were around. The baby didn't move but her eyes rolled around to her heart's desire. I couldn't resist taking a picture. </div><br />
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So contrary to last week, I wanted to get as many pictures of me as possible. I asked different people take these pictures and it's so nice to see what comes out as the result. I particularly like the last one since I distinctly remember being fascinated by the story that the statue has been made to imitate. It is of the Greek runner who ran the first marathon to tell a town in Greece that they had won the war. He died after telling them the news from the speed and amount of running.<br />
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I was very much inspired by several students all throughout the Louvre who were practicing their Art skills and drawing images of the statues from different angles. Maybe I'll do that next week- but with no instruction.. I liked this second picture so much because I felt like I could take this baby fro under his arms and make him feel better... It is a statues of St. John the Baptist when he was a baby. I don't know why they portray him to be sad here. This last picture is yet another picture of me as I look at other Art Objects that were owned by people in the 10th to the 13th century.<br />
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I love the courtyards in the Louvre. I feel like a rich Roman daughter when I walk among the statues. Their environment is very suiting with the glass roofing.<br />
The second two images are of Mosaics. My mother loves mosaics so I had to take these pictures. I was impressed by how small the mosaics were and put my hand there to give you a reference point. Beautiful!<br />
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Even though the Louvre seems to say that Napoleon the third owned this apartment. It is not true. I am the owner of this apartment. It is my home here in Paris. As you can see, that's me in the lobby. I usually put friends' children here when they come to visit me. That way they have nothing to break since there is really nothing in these rooms. It's a free space for them to run free.<br />
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That is my fire place. It is grand and it is turned on every night but tonight I wanted you to focus on me in the picture-not the fire... That is the courtyard right outside my apartment. It is well kept by my neighbors, the Louvre. As you can see, the last picture is of me in the sitting room. I love chandeliers so I had them installed throughout. I hate it when people walk on my carpet with their shoes, so I prohibited the camera men from entering my sitting room by putting those poles and rope- less cleaning for me, I mean my servants!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKFnd8iQFtD9nZef_66i-HqtbWycIiFceF21k0h6v-IkIGGt4twafrawBPSrFWwVA2j3XXvjXeynHFpT67-tNrcRCKn-zdDv-kElXBi_1MHD66V9yr1y2Lf_EwR0XmJuOvMizAXQSkXw/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKFnd8iQFtD9nZef_66i-HqtbWycIiFceF21k0h6v-IkIGGt4twafrawBPSrFWwVA2j3XXvjXeynHFpT67-tNrcRCKn-zdDv-kElXBi_1MHD66V9yr1y2Lf_EwR0XmJuOvMizAXQSkXw/s320/IMG_0529.JPG" width="240" /></a>This statue to the left is so nice! At first glance, it looked as though it was of a naked man checking his messages on his smart phone. I had to take another glance to see exactly what he was holding - a twig perhaps. Maybe he had the idea for the smart phone but didn't know exactly how to make it work. Planning is as important as making it happen! It made me smile in amusement at myself for thinking for that very brief second that he was checking his emails..</div><br />
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That's a picture of me and my favorite China. It's only for VIP guests so if you visit me, I'll make sure to take them out of the cupboard to use them!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6a3xw_ZOcpoARkzxm8zSO-V0ZP1jn-gt2cslrl-qbhQD0maWcglQk09w2u0RGMjYtcmJbjjp7GvIYbyQqpL2jD6KOdoFp4UbcP3pDvQyZXdBw2JcVFJjVoTxpBdzQjO0wJDIai-CtH4/s1600/IMG_0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6a3xw_ZOcpoARkzxm8zSO-V0ZP1jn-gt2cslrl-qbhQD0maWcglQk09w2u0RGMjYtcmJbjjp7GvIYbyQqpL2jD6KOdoFp4UbcP3pDvQyZXdBw2JcVFJjVoTxpBdzQjO0wJDIai-CtH4/s200/IMG_0532.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGCL3uWHm1T3SmS2zxHk93qV-7RXfbkUlD4uA0prjpSqjw5yN0ppwfATRhKpVcSLewqzo0XF-LzWunomhlArYnjYvRL3uO2H3HHCdySXefUMaJXyT-eGBhbwM41WKswIKWD6Zv6IQDiQ/s1600/IMG_0534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGCL3uWHm1T3SmS2zxHk93qV-7RXfbkUlD4uA0prjpSqjw5yN0ppwfATRhKpVcSLewqzo0XF-LzWunomhlArYnjYvRL3uO2H3HHCdySXefUMaJXyT-eGBhbwM41WKswIKWD6Zv6IQDiQ/s200/IMG_0534.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6a3xw_ZOcpoARkzxm8zSO-V0ZP1jn-gt2cslrl-qbhQD0maWcglQk09w2u0RGMjYtcmJbjjp7GvIYbyQqpL2jD6KOdoFp4UbcP3pDvQyZXdBw2JcVFJjVoTxpBdzQjO0wJDIai-CtH4/s1600/IMG_0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
This picture is of my main Salon. The room is so big that I had to have two pictures taken. I had that famous Michael Angelo come over and paint the Sisteen Chapel on my ceiling. He said that masterpieces are not repainted so he proposed to paint my more recent ancestors instead. I agreed. I love the rouge on that gold. Only the best for my place in Paris. Please do visit!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUcuHIFz0IZLcnXoqGwUb87qKqGq2LGK9DwDLFr11-7eTWeAncySJ8uNLZTak8UW0SwNh-NMcLfscibzHsF8wPkxz5QndeRHz4b9o80RBTq_Sboi_EXLsOVAw7457qnL3yJ4cFG5B9_E/s1600/IMG_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUcuHIFz0IZLcnXoqGwUb87qKqGq2LGK9DwDLFr11-7eTWeAncySJ8uNLZTak8UW0SwNh-NMcLfscibzHsF8wPkxz5QndeRHz4b9o80RBTq_Sboi_EXLsOVAw7457qnL3yJ4cFG5B9_E/s200/IMG_0536.JPG" width="200" /></a>This is the dining room table. I like to sit at the head when I have guests coming from all over the world. Also, the chandelier above my seat there makes it easier to see what I am eating. The lighting is not as good for guests sitting in the other seats. Don't worry, I'll feed you well. I just need to see that I don't eat too much Chocolate...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXcexvorn9KHQpRa3MeKgOB_jWMy98w3HFGkz-h71psxiGXHCaEpc7Rw-MhoOyfAVRLy05mcrdM2hAWD4260PCgogM8xgTnjloY62rWZu9_vQOLx0yw-DOniWKofNTaTA1I1oMK9_mRc/s1600/IMG_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXcexvorn9KHQpRa3MeKgOB_jWMy98w3HFGkz-h71psxiGXHCaEpc7Rw-MhoOyfAVRLy05mcrdM2hAWD4260PCgogM8xgTnjloY62rWZu9_vQOLx0yw-DOniWKofNTaTA1I1oMK9_mRc/s320/IMG_0538.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhcvhTh7bXUWKUCUZpYLwM3_lmAhHFPDlXPqr0WO4JWKF0xxCHBSeYbxthn6wHo8TxYQKiUvetBfO76H6xLvTDsobIckoriRJpcpulu0I-s4H_TmKYBG0wxHsy529rfQmZ1Z3dyviiFw/s1600/IMG_0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhcvhTh7bXUWKUCUZpYLwM3_lmAhHFPDlXPqr0WO4JWKF0xxCHBSeYbxthn6wHo8TxYQKiUvetBfO76H6xLvTDsobIckoriRJpcpulu0I-s4H_TmKYBG0wxHsy529rfQmZ1Z3dyviiFw/s320/IMG_0537.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> This is where I sit on my throne when I rule my little world.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBx6ii9kxLdYMv9l86ylJW_bbGXI33h98_djVqtR8dkX15_Awur-WwIzO4PlpKPQUhCddk7uy7mwPQLd6ig7F0RbGSy2_GtnIz4ssUXNKIawxKRcWfNhWANecAzYCLOkKFsakkB1DWElg/s1600/IMG_0544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBx6ii9kxLdYMv9l86ylJW_bbGXI33h98_djVqtR8dkX15_Awur-WwIzO4PlpKPQUhCddk7uy7mwPQLd6ig7F0RbGSy2_GtnIz4ssUXNKIawxKRcWfNhWANecAzYCLOkKFsakkB1DWElg/s200/IMG_0544.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx0ReLijyUUvDd1wA9zjQTxCrwl9RqzEGxmid_HiHOQrFaJfbWWdU9DvtuvCzlOAg3hlIm3EG47nGclPUtLM5PWueCdLgls6IaxyTxMGExA76F9rLOBXHd7zvrfkm6UrEswFwxvmfy5I/s1600/IMG_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx0ReLijyUUvDd1wA9zjQTxCrwl9RqzEGxmid_HiHOQrFaJfbWWdU9DvtuvCzlOAg3hlIm3EG47nGclPUtLM5PWueCdLgls6IaxyTxMGExA76F9rLOBXHd7zvrfkm6UrEswFwxvmfy5I/s200/IMG_0546.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODsrSiDDUdEAraxZnZzVoTmQfErcReO2VxPbpHgUtJW4XSrAkw1b6DQCAWuHGrpFGt64_J-CEknJo4sNjYJrBf8Orfuknjb1k-wYJMWTo6WuqabWYREXjiXqigjrg3fNJ_OnnV1PaXLk/s1600/IMG_0548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODsrSiDDUdEAraxZnZzVoTmQfErcReO2VxPbpHgUtJW4XSrAkw1b6DQCAWuHGrpFGt64_J-CEknJo4sNjYJrBf8Orfuknjb1k-wYJMWTo6WuqabWYREXjiXqigjrg3fNJ_OnnV1PaXLk/s200/IMG_0548.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
This mirror was for a countess I believe in the 18th century. Those jewel crowns are of emerald and diamond. Which one should I wear next?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUypP_NMCQtgTeFphc-CoyyAuwpKlYOnp128USgNjc1NNdnL6Ob-SRvD8Vg8-iXwTv5bAl9PEGa2lHZfI80CyHm4UHUMiyf257U30cy7I7YUAuTRwKJH2LjHl1AcEYe9JMlPz8QRquNvA/s1600/IMG_0549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUypP_NMCQtgTeFphc-CoyyAuwpKlYOnp128USgNjc1NNdnL6Ob-SRvD8Vg8-iXwTv5bAl9PEGa2lHZfI80CyHm4UHUMiyf257U30cy7I7YUAuTRwKJH2LjHl1AcEYe9JMlPz8QRquNvA/s200/IMG_0549.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHxG3DgYsEO9lOBiNmmeeRVsNcRVA3AQNA0i3qa3pJFXw0msaWJa3J2zvjn0BS7Afm4pD9wIRBOB4kmKrzuwNUiJ4uPjRtUct3Qpj25-BgDJVOtTSb4M_wrh4A1oAA7XYvi-AFx5Dn_s/s1600/IMG_0550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHxG3DgYsEO9lOBiNmmeeRVsNcRVA3AQNA0i3qa3pJFXw0msaWJa3J2zvjn0BS7Afm4pD9wIRBOB4kmKrzuwNUiJ4uPjRtUct3Qpj25-BgDJVOtTSb4M_wrh4A1oAA7XYvi-AFx5Dn_s/s200/IMG_0550.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSPm-s7ykfeR-jSTXlpXd1216_1c3vtlX4zDvR_k9TayyajZDChos4pOnZC68AnhEmI8ynI8b-k1_ihkcH1x1nivRMRwpEVG0eLHapLxWCdDr5zqzKxmjEgcugIIInPQhKW3wdvzqTyI/s1600/IMG_0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSPm-s7ykfeR-jSTXlpXd1216_1c3vtlX4zDvR_k9TayyajZDChos4pOnZC68AnhEmI8ynI8b-k1_ihkcH1x1nivRMRwpEVG0eLHapLxWCdDr5zqzKxmjEgcugIIInPQhKW3wdvzqTyI/s200/IMG_0551.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
That seat is the throne of Napoleon I. I wish I could have sat where he sat!<br />
That third picture has all the Louvre employees in the distance. To empty out the museum when they are set to close, all the Louvre employees move from room to room collecting othe Louvre employees and visitors. They are a swarm of people dressed in black pushing the visitors out. I don't like it because I feel like I am being attacked or targeted by a cult. As soon as they start to gather, I try to resist and then try to go ahead of them by a lot so that I could comfortably 'decide' to leave.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMNqYm5Bz1y6EcHkioO28fydSGy9nhoWB2aQN_EZn9RYxDSsW-sJTVJZOmpEhyphenhyphenRo55AL_gTSBYRu9VLHO6koqHCqmz3RuJBaMzfAi81XwJt9OpeyFzn9F0vp68LfpAK19lcMuQel07tU/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMNqYm5Bz1y6EcHkioO28fydSGy9nhoWB2aQN_EZn9RYxDSsW-sJTVJZOmpEhyphenhyphenRo55AL_gTSBYRu9VLHO6koqHCqmz3RuJBaMzfAi81XwJt9OpeyFzn9F0vp68LfpAK19lcMuQel07tU/s640/IMG_0552.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Under the pyramid of the Louvre. You can see one of the parts of the Louvre as I take the picture from below the ground. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So much more to see at this museum. Can't wait to visit it next!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Till the next,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Viva</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-9222426248664066302011-01-15T01:11:00.001+01:002011-01-15T01:13:01.700+01:00When can I claim I've lived somewhere?Before I left for Paris, I wondered what were the requirements for me to say that I lived somewhere. Can I visit Bali for a week and say that I've lived there? I've been in Lebanon for 2.5 months one summer. Can I say I lived there? After my wonderful experience in Paris comes to an end, can I tell others that I lived in Paris? Do I have to have a job to say I lived in a country? Maybe it depends on how often and for how much I paid rent.<br />
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And then I wondered, when can I say I'm Parisian. I'm sure that takes years in some minds, or it's dependent on how long it takes me to get accustomed to the way of life as others will argue. Perhaps I need to have Parisian blood, or I have to have been born and raised in this city. What if it's when I go along for a conference about empowering French entrepreneurs to commercialize their innovations? I accompanied my manager to a great event Thursday night. It was at a wonderful location as well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwi-mIxH3a-XT5Py-r0cX0cxn-xjLCyoiqxAcQztBlhaOQU4JV2zHmoyMIWArBTw3YcB1o4qwpvJ76SZleElgIcyGXgZKr1tEzNCnh-wRaPmsjfROYoXI0mpj1BJ8VN1CRXmxo0-CXII/s1600/IMG_0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwi-mIxH3a-XT5Py-r0cX0cxn-xjLCyoiqxAcQztBlhaOQU4JV2zHmoyMIWArBTw3YcB1o4qwpvJ76SZleElgIcyGXgZKr1tEzNCnh-wRaPmsjfROYoXI0mpj1BJ8VN1CRXmxo0-CXII/s200/IMG_0493.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5oCPy3Ltm8rRjNiKnFI8i6CWLk7-Yi4eycB7gBA0MHhF_gazgeOSM5Pxch1uZoLFx7SQ0FvbQt5MqF0sfRRLe6vdG0UrZlwtrSSSXXKVUyJMmlzIJQQ01YqEu7q-UOvSioVlFSeMAlY/s1600/IMG_0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5oCPy3Ltm8rRjNiKnFI8i6CWLk7-Yi4eycB7gBA0MHhF_gazgeOSM5Pxch1uZoLFx7SQ0FvbQt5MqF0sfRRLe6vdG0UrZlwtrSSSXXKVUyJMmlzIJQQ01YqEu7q-UOvSioVlFSeMAlY/s200/IMG_0485.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDamVoDlX0jhZOCVXDkgM9kEoWtc-rrmMwa36w_V4Ndc_yv1JyKoZlVoyBnQ7MDjbPqOpPKIish19GPfBZgnNjApm8N6KU10Pclcuz7KaPJprDys4msiqLVyoxcHwDCJtJ2UTNsb9Uso0/s1600/IMG_0486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDamVoDlX0jhZOCVXDkgM9kEoWtc-rrmMwa36w_V4Ndc_yv1JyKoZlVoyBnQ7MDjbPqOpPKIish19GPfBZgnNjApm8N6KU10Pclcuz7KaPJprDys4msiqLVyoxcHwDCJtJ2UTNsb9Uso0/s200/IMG_0486.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From the outside, from the inside, and as the first speaker starts the introduction.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJzfrs3IPs9RtQaZGqNgC3uiYs18_k_JE_2cNEezeWN1S_LxE8QZ1CubS1_cHt5pXvyjBUeSoWkULd254KpJqAyS2aJkVYqA_-ClerAfwBpdORUf0eRemZjZiOcUJ4CAINFOfGZQIbfM/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJzfrs3IPs9RtQaZGqNgC3uiYs18_k_JE_2cNEezeWN1S_LxE8QZ1CubS1_cHt5pXvyjBUeSoWkULd254KpJqAyS2aJkVYqA_-ClerAfwBpdORUf0eRemZjZiOcUJ4CAINFOfGZQIbfM/s200/IMG_0487.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wf4TLXicVwhdKDLlqAR1wpvrYEz0YNG2JUpnb4IgvQWc5LY-vhjJim_49GZP2kWNEQkzmUXhQhyphenhyphenhc4PIv7cpIW0hUItjna054-XqlZiSZezm2DLPZGAgxN-P9-VGMxInR6_8DuZSNRg/s1600/IMG_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wf4TLXicVwhdKDLlqAR1wpvrYEz0YNG2JUpnb4IgvQWc5LY-vhjJim_49GZP2kWNEQkzmUXhQhyphenhyphenhc4PIv7cpIW0hUItjna054-XqlZiSZezm2DLPZGAgxN-P9-VGMxInR6_8DuZSNRg/s200/IMG_0489.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtA9xB6N87F7P7WJ36B2CjAzh5r1z4Ljf8NcZ8cGmxEDWG91kV60JEDJ7BgxwF7V-TraQfow5kHPPfOhUPogC2WRZiNEdkQMyUF9q4bte1gM-zMwP79nfv3TYSn4J05qbiSs-FmfKiWs/s1600/IMG_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtA9xB6N87F7P7WJ36B2CjAzh5r1z4Ljf8NcZ8cGmxEDWG91kV60JEDJ7BgxwF7V-TraQfow5kHPPfOhUPogC2WRZiNEdkQMyUF9q4bte1gM-zMwP79nfv3TYSn4J05qbiSs-FmfKiWs/s200/IMG_0490.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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Before I arrived to Paris, Zeina and I discussed what made us Hamiltonians or Torontonians. We concluded that if we are comfortably able to give directions if a tourist asks, we can hold that noun as our own. I arrived in Paris with that mind set. The funny thing is that it happened the day that I arrived. I was buying some groceries on my first day of being in Paris and a Spanish family asked me where the Louvre was. I was able to tell them! So then, what is it? What is required for me to claim a city as my own and have others easily agree to the claim? Is it relative? Is it a clear definition? One thing's for sure. I am not Saudi though I lived most of my childhood in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I am from Beirut, though I have never been able to say that I live there. I am from Montreal, though we only became Canadian there. And I am from Hamilton, though I only lived there for my post-secondary education and without my parents. What city do I call my own? If I got to choose, I would say Paris, but what is 4 months out of my 24 years of life?<br />
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Till the next,<br />
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VivaViva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-38050412022036349102011-01-13T00:45:00.000+01:002011-01-13T00:45:00.693+01:00Madilin, Envilade and LesalleHow do you grow if you are too comfortable in your routine life? How do you challenge your current ways and try to connect with new and different people if you don't put yourself in new and unfamiliar surroundings? I have learnt this over and over in my life. When I worked at the call centre for McMaster University, I learned that I cannot improve my donor scores if I keep saying the same thing every time. If it is not working, don't try it again! It's the same lesson I learn here; a new city, a new language, a new culture that is a sure way of learning and growing. It's taking myself out of my comfort zone to experience something new. Sure, I may humiliate myself in the process.<br />
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My pronunciation in French is quite horrible compared to what I thought it was. For Madeleine, I said Madilin- I didn't fully pronounce the 'n'. For the Invalides, I said Envilade- totally messing up the vowel order. And for Les Halles, I said lesalle- It doesn't require you to actually pronounce the 's' in Les because the 'H' in Halles is not a vowel, well obviously! All these errors I made in the last 24 hours.. How pitiful since I only just saw these locations- one being right outside my window. The bottom line is that I made a fool of myself trying to describe these historical and well-known locations in Paris because my colleagues didn't understand my pronunciation. I only learned this because I put myself in these situations, and these are the humiliating examples I chose to share. There are definitely more!<br />
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I think everyone has many doubts when they embark on a new journey in life that is out of their comfort zone. I have regularly had them in the last few months and especially in the last few weeks. But, challenging your ways, taking yourself into the unknown, venturing off into new territories, that guarantees you will develop your skills, teach you new ways to enjoy life, and at least allow you to meet new people from all walks of life.<br />
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After work today, I went to an Orthodox club meeting. I met so many wonderful accomplished people with varying backgrounds. What a wonderful time I had learning about the backgrounds of others and telling them about my experiences. I conversed in Arabic, stumbled in French, and supported in English. I even discovered I have a common friend with someone! This lightened my heart and allowed me to readjust my perspective on my experience here in Paris.<br />
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The unknown is scary, but it's worth it!Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-13084623996469648412011-01-12T01:11:00.000+01:002011-01-12T01:11:44.452+01:00<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I accompanied my manager to a meeting at a location near the Concorde. Before we commenced, our colleague invited us to step out onto the little office balcony to see the view. You can even see the Eiffel Tower in the distance. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZXjjZjUJoCkhBsRSwI1t3xBd_71cAlYqTUN_VptU_sgHNK_6_d0zAbBUaT4ZvdOpMRk2KbE7yyWIUeexCUdXzmJmzeKcfq7VdvmJ929mbcXo2mMAxCF0zYwUQmglOxSWLM29zfP5mFE/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZXjjZjUJoCkhBsRSwI1t3xBd_71cAlYqTUN_VptU_sgHNK_6_d0zAbBUaT4ZvdOpMRk2KbE7yyWIUeexCUdXzmJmzeKcfq7VdvmJ929mbcXo2mMAxCF0zYwUQmglOxSWLM29zfP5mFE/s320/IMG_0475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Work has been wonderful these first few days. I really like the culture of BPI Group. I am told it is really unlike other organizations in France. I have to admit that the French language continues to be quite an obstacle. But, I take it as a challenge to have to rely more on non-verbal communication than I usually do. Every day I learn several new words. Today, I learned ampoule, which means blister. That's because I got one on my ankle from the copious amount of walking I had been doing. </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Have you ever heard of the French word 'truc' (pronounced trook, like troop with a 'k'). I heard it quite a lot last week and wondered what it meant. Google Translations gave the English equivalent of 'trick' when I checked. The next time someone used it, it just didn't add up. They're talking about innovation in an organization and then they seem to say 'trick'.. And too often as well! I had to ask my colleagues. It turns out, it's equivalent to 'stuff' or 'thing'. It's a word that really doesn't help a person who is trying to understand a comment in French. Why? Well, because it does not give any hints to the point of the sentence said if it is the only word I understand in that sentence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's not a helpful word and quite an annoying one. Inspired by the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and my own past endeavours to find my favourite sounding word in each language, I hope to soon discover my favourite sounding French word. I know I can at least cross off 'truc' from the list!</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">On my way home today, I noticed something very interesting and very relevant to my taste.. All the shops were putting 'SOLDE' signs up in preparation for tomorrow. Last week, I had been told by several colleagues and friends that sales are coming up on the 12th. If you look closely at the pictures, you can see the employees hastily working inside to prepare for the busy day tomorrow.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Till the next truc,</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Viva</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-29033383745237648752011-01-11T00:13:00.001+01:002011-01-11T14:40:49.898+01:00Sinking into it.<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">It's been 3 days since my last entry, and I apologize to those I have disappointed. However, no obstacle appeared to keep me from touring. On Saturday, I continued on my journey to discover Paris, and what better place to start than what I had already experienced; the L'Opentour bus. It's a touring service that is offered through double-decker buses. Even though it is quite cold in Paris compared to its summer months, I elected to sit on the top deck with the wind in my hair and the sun at my face. I remember enjoying this tour service the last time that I was in this exciting city. It provides you with headphones that you can plug into the bus to get in tune with the automated tour guide. I started at the Louvre and bought a two day pass since an extra day is only 4 Euros more than a single day. It gave me something to do in a city I needed to learn more about and before my social life is revived. I did the Grand Tour of Paris in my first L'Opentour trip. That included the Notre Dame, then East along the Seine river, past a few other historical buildings, around the Concorde, up the Champs Elysees towards the Arc de Triomphe, to circle around the Eiffel Tower, then to salute the tomb of Napoleon the first in the Invalide, and finally to greet the Madeleine and the Opera. The pictures follow:</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthf9khZ1qJ_btwIaXOkGIX63CjwqYkf0rdrkab73PGcMCATxmZvT8ds6L6rtC5jhyphenhyphentSnEWFItHS238iG2jHfouBg-Km3PhOqnvSazgUpcc0kZ49olttSHZNS5fb2-Om0G6wsskjirJrc/s1600/IMG_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthf9khZ1qJ_btwIaXOkGIX63CjwqYkf0rdrkab73PGcMCATxmZvT8ds6L6rtC5jhyphenhyphentSnEWFItHS238iG2jHfouBg-Km3PhOqnvSazgUpcc0kZ49olttSHZNS5fb2-Om0G6wsskjirJrc/s200/IMG_0338.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh0b9vtU7KTUuStJO-IuKWt9nc3LyMme62C-P7cewao1Gm1msUyK19YEwSUflY7h1T3f6HKpGZIz2rXVXZjsrkD3Y8dn0y-2tni0uTgrvF_xOHnKJ5ejcKPicZ4EIVrjr63LD0BK7zMw/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh0b9vtU7KTUuStJO-IuKWt9nc3LyMme62C-P7cewao1Gm1msUyK19YEwSUflY7h1T3f6HKpGZIz2rXVXZjsrkD3Y8dn0y-2tni0uTgrvF_xOHnKJ5ejcKPicZ4EIVrjr63LD0BK7zMw/s200/IMG_0339.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Reminder: the stairway sucks in my building. I'm always huffing and puffing..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I discovered the wonderful Macarons of McCafe, McDonalds.. There's still a chocolate one on that tray there. Very small so you don't feel guilty but very tasty so you can't really draw the line! I had a vanilla one just before. Ever since Saturday, I've been having Macarons! I think an addiction is surfacing.. This is not good!!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HkmVBPT047nshpctIO7qtO3wiywvm6BkqJBCEQ_XDZFkZSA7Tw1TJtzriOJtpx1KHHoNytl55LCZXMGMkQf5mJRaw0klnMF0O2ydRa_8-s47hS1FXj5gFb0FeYbpPQNSmoTKMTwbGPI/s1600/IMG_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HkmVBPT047nshpctIO7qtO3wiywvm6BkqJBCEQ_XDZFkZSA7Tw1TJtzriOJtpx1KHHoNytl55LCZXMGMkQf5mJRaw0klnMF0O2ydRa_8-s47hS1FXj5gFb0FeYbpPQNSmoTKMTwbGPI/s200/IMG_0351.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBELy7z2vDOpgZH5RaQd18D4HWeNneIu6GiVuUon587RPLOCR3wuGc2LScAFIB-iRIB-q11_4QBfKVR9mSB8qe8BRlZ5N3EoV04hWRp15ClL8cgxwuC82YIIHPlDweCTQuE4V1CtAIFaM/s1600/IMG_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBELy7z2vDOpgZH5RaQd18D4HWeNneIu6GiVuUon587RPLOCR3wuGc2LScAFIB-iRIB-q11_4QBfKVR9mSB8qe8BRlZ5N3EoV04hWRp15ClL8cgxwuC82YIIHPlDweCTQuE4V1CtAIFaM/s200/IMG_0353.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SjQKOBOMJ50RUPtwJC3cJQLyRdHP_oLUFzLsBMjhs4Y_Of8LGlztIcVS1vzXj-u1nyAQhKYu8TDQt4z5C871S1TwF2fmCgOQ_ug0OocUfrudlDo4hLVVDPVqGFPWqzpPeRuGKUQqs3A/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SjQKOBOMJ50RUPtwJC3cJQLyRdHP_oLUFzLsBMjhs4Y_Of8LGlztIcVS1vzXj-u1nyAQhKYu8TDQt4z5C871S1TwF2fmCgOQ_ug0OocUfrudlDo4hLVVDPVqGFPWqzpPeRuGKUQqs3A/s200/IMG_0355.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Down the Champs Elysees...</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-EI5jJ7_az2PEUnFzbV9Qy_AEscpgUmShdLS4rX3YSqQcA4UF4aj8eN8UVEEJ6Oe8HBhk3_0Zcv3C5rdLYCfmGvySUkSOLNMx1cJO78nJxGgkVRI-V6FfuUmKzv2JsoeivgDjoyf8lE/s1600/IMG_0357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-EI5jJ7_az2PEUnFzbV9Qy_AEscpgUmShdLS4rX3YSqQcA4UF4aj8eN8UVEEJ6Oe8HBhk3_0Zcv3C5rdLYCfmGvySUkSOLNMx1cJO78nJxGgkVRI-V6FfuUmKzv2JsoeivgDjoyf8lE/s200/IMG_0357.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYeiorf8GBAwZaNfkjwHzK364x7YVv90_ueYF94fR1YgeeOB4af9H2aFEdj9_HK_lBEBBzO98sAR1H8xLoZXVWdqI6wzpSjo1NGxnF59tw3pge2xS3-8ApXVkqAr51XH3oU62drgHwCI/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYeiorf8GBAwZaNfkjwHzK364x7YVv90_ueYF94fR1YgeeOB4af9H2aFEdj9_HK_lBEBBzO98sAR1H8xLoZXVWdqI6wzpSjo1NGxnF59tw3pge2xS3-8ApXVkqAr51XH3oU62drgHwCI/s200/IMG_0361.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8nGnzA9ehG9dJflB5jwlGFk-PLkNi1rP1NwjP7GBrFI5KJTV6qJKjOk37osqEbMUiT-TPn2dzydLjDnEe1zYXZS_GpfgCvfQiKMhqCFN5Du_uKgFL_GIaI15THpfjFLq_9U97_Wb_24/s1600/IMG_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8nGnzA9ehG9dJflB5jwlGFk-PLkNi1rP1NwjP7GBrFI5KJTV6qJKjOk37osqEbMUiT-TPn2dzydLjDnEe1zYXZS_GpfgCvfQiKMhqCFN5Du_uKgFL_GIaI15THpfjFLq_9U97_Wb_24/s200/IMG_0363.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>The Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. This second picture showing the Eiffel Tower makes the tower look so much smaller than it really is! I like how that turned out.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCWuNhm3Ct-wB_s1uinDIpZ_pNDuvbGGsERuluX6IR-_prl-Z0653SviAkAWEp-nlwPYnIfNWtVO5EYKwsznjnXYHnI6RwtGZZhII-gsYvOnGMgQrGbaPsmSMMNWCwH2zhzr9J1VuRso/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCWuNhm3Ct-wB_s1uinDIpZ_pNDuvbGGsERuluX6IR-_prl-Z0653SviAkAWEp-nlwPYnIfNWtVO5EYKwsznjnXYHnI6RwtGZZhII-gsYvOnGMgQrGbaPsmSMMNWCwH2zhzr9J1VuRso/s200/IMG_0364.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBXF5Pl8q3HpxZjPpSf505fV8cnP12yO2zmsC0Vul0arL1KE5gLe0PLzdSDKSPFrS1Y6BUp7A4rpa3PF1koAQ7Xua_4iIHV8DrhW6YbiIKMn8xXZTb5Ste78lwDgGo2s1lETG_w57G2U/s1600/IMG_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBXF5Pl8q3HpxZjPpSf505fV8cnP12yO2zmsC0Vul0arL1KE5gLe0PLzdSDKSPFrS1Y6BUp7A4rpa3PF1koAQ7Xua_4iIHV8DrhW6YbiIKMn8xXZTb5Ste78lwDgGo2s1lETG_w57G2U/s200/IMG_0370.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen4tvth6lVWoHqHwDfo6QBCF37J3-39RVm7Z4bjPEyvsMpeg4WciDMPZyCmz7EHr-KtSfD-O2ZtH4tjD7PEDK0SXJG-IKE8AIIIjLhUo4Qk5b0O_dsVH8DmJIXW55OqyNGJK5BsENOHQ/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen4tvth6lVWoHqHwDfo6QBCF37J3-39RVm7Z4bjPEyvsMpeg4WciDMPZyCmz7EHr-KtSfD-O2ZtH4tjD7PEDK0SXJG-IKE8AIIIjLhUo4Qk5b0O_dsVH8DmJIXW55OqyNGJK5BsENOHQ/s200/IMG_0371.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Oh la la! The Eiffel Tower. I love that second picture. I took it from a moving vehicle with an iphone! Some pictures do surprise you. If you'd like it, please send me an email and I will definitely send you this pic if you would like it as a background. The third picture is the Invalide building. It was made to take care of the soldiers permanently effected by battle. The tomb of Napoleon the Great rests there.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NAtoRfYsVb5BJQHR6N0r3GQV22UBhAeTCsefhfO-sV8C621hQrQH6h_rimTc0jMhfjwfFqO6a3lFE2fr9GRVeU77SeNQSn35QDl3msEw2ZYLo9auofWH0I5FwcZuiuvGMqj2E8brdVM/s1600/IMG_0374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NAtoRfYsVb5BJQHR6N0r3GQV22UBhAeTCsefhfO-sV8C621hQrQH6h_rimTc0jMhfjwfFqO6a3lFE2fr9GRVeU77SeNQSn35QDl3msEw2ZYLo9auofWH0I5FwcZuiuvGMqj2E8brdVM/s200/IMG_0374.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllShWkXSP270lTjHgwc_0YU-yXTmxZk7II9QJ93x-BV3NSK0RIZlqZlb62ZA7aVkmdmVYyZl5cYDn0qTP_vrnsaSIKm7NhwFwDR6iyOo8suE9Jr58rVVsnOOBZhkP9Gspi-jn0j4Cxws/s1600/IMG_0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllShWkXSP270lTjHgwc_0YU-yXTmxZk7II9QJ93x-BV3NSK0RIZlqZlb62ZA7aVkmdmVYyZl5cYDn0qTP_vrnsaSIKm7NhwFwDR6iyOo8suE9Jr58rVVsnOOBZhkP9Gspi-jn0j4Cxws/s200/IMG_0376.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s5OTmcqNYLIa5i2FNzeQqVY0aj87XRzUFYg8EdfqjxDBMV1VulvOJ2gkVgs7RWF5VWahm40DvDrskyI2K1pNNuaUm4HW7t1FXYhC_BbawrjCRZxBDwLCuJWMF6W4QdgqkA4PcVdLO5w/s1600/IMG_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s5OTmcqNYLIa5i2FNzeQqVY0aj87XRzUFYg8EdfqjxDBMV1VulvOJ2gkVgs7RWF5VWahm40DvDrskyI2K1pNNuaUm4HW7t1FXYhC_BbawrjCRZxBDwLCuJWMF6W4QdgqkA4PcVdLO5w/s200/IMG_0377.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>The first picture is of the Concorde. I think they added the ride behind it just recently in the last few years because it wasn't there when I came in 2008. The second picture is of the hieroglyphic statue placed there after the French Revolution because it didn't have any political or religious significance. The third is the Madeleine church, which Napoleon had built to resemble the buildings of Rome and commemorate the victories. It was supposed to be a temple to recognized courage in the times of war, but he later gave it to the religious authorities as an additional church.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX9RBveGMl_jYYa-FpzQMogVDlHYeWZ4JVPx5NchVT4Ggy95jCIYxIVxAIS7bvfc-7E-ChxaZDDHfhhz0I7TyWm7Fk83JvhRPoN-cW-ybWBD99kzIN9V_N6IvnSBUhtOvtgdkwrPKuV4/s1600/IMG_0378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX9RBveGMl_jYYa-FpzQMogVDlHYeWZ4JVPx5NchVT4Ggy95jCIYxIVxAIS7bvfc-7E-ChxaZDDHfhhz0I7TyWm7Fk83JvhRPoN-cW-ybWBD99kzIN9V_N6IvnSBUhtOvtgdkwrPKuV4/s200/IMG_0378.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw1y3SqNOjxpOOhovjNNSbvlWQ0hA3mPOgGj9t7BGpVGx1IdY2d6jsyKSYdl0CvvCbWaG49J1eop5aFUdUO3r4ghy3eH8dHqLkD7N3BLdh8xZAnz69Tu8KT7zgagBFKyobu7g1uEqdz4/s1600/IMG_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw1y3SqNOjxpOOhovjNNSbvlWQ0hA3mPOgGj9t7BGpVGx1IdY2d6jsyKSYdl0CvvCbWaG49J1eop5aFUdUO3r4ghy3eH8dHqLkD7N3BLdh8xZAnz69Tu8KT7zgagBFKyobu7g1uEqdz4/s200/IMG_0380.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8NnDxyUEA1NDWBDgZvZjhdxc3Sz8nDEYitaG-EReriVcBr8Geicc9cvzcr5bbV-NXgpbSWlfXLsLR976lXp127U9GjagwDiAZKyAafn3l3C5w7QLASlQtsr5y8KXcOkmWEIyhY_vm-I/s1600/IMG_0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8NnDxyUEA1NDWBDgZvZjhdxc3Sz8nDEYitaG-EReriVcBr8Geicc9cvzcr5bbV-NXgpbSWlfXLsLR976lXp127U9GjagwDiAZKyAafn3l3C5w7QLASlQtsr5y8KXcOkmWEIyhY_vm-I/s200/IMG_0381.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>This first picture is of the Opera. The second is of the Crypt underneath the Notre Dame which shows how the Parisii people lived 2 centuries BC. This third picture made me think of Zeina because I have a memory of her amused by the idea of 'Free Hugs' and they were giving free hugs just outside of the Notre Dame. I'll take you there when you visit me Zeina!<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">It was wonderful to see a co-worker outside of work. She and I enjoyed some coffee at a great cafe in the Latin Quarters of Paris. Helene is a very helpful and enthusiastic employee of BPI Groupe that I am so happy to have working in the same office as me. I have already gone to her several times for support and guidance. She reminds me so much of my mother's cousin Sarah with the way she communicates with others. Very easy to approach and such a delight to talk to no matter the topics. I wouldn't mind being stuck in an elevator with her for a few hours. I would learn so much from her. It felt so good to sit with a new friend and enjoy the Parisian lifestyle together.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9NH2aSEG2NpGAtyNhfAJ4LH1ne3izMii3y14dvfO6g3S0IkWVbyt688bImRr-GQ9HJXmpu7B8gihSC7TL82uI78PoqXjDwnpBJUYeuuSTotWaqN6SfqAp6Ec0Ke4IB7GnHMHLHhhQus/s1600/IMG_0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9NH2aSEG2NpGAtyNhfAJ4LH1ne3izMii3y14dvfO6g3S0IkWVbyt688bImRr-GQ9HJXmpu7B8gihSC7TL82uI78PoqXjDwnpBJUYeuuSTotWaqN6SfqAp6Ec0Ke4IB7GnHMHLHhhQus/s200/IMG_0382.JPG" width="150" /></a>After meeting up with Helene, I walked back to Pont St. Michel (where the bridge to the island where Notre Dame is meets the Latin Quarter). I was to meet an old friend there after a few hours so I had some time to kill. Or should I say indulge! As I walked to Pont St. Michel, I happened to pass a Lebanese Cuisine eatery. I saw the guys dancing the Lebanese debkeh to very loud music in an already very loud area. It brought a smile to my face as I approached the guys working there. I asked about where they were from in Lebanon and how long they had been there. It was nice to speak Arabic comfortably, as opposed to French, uncomfortably, this last week. They told me that there is a weekly Lebanese party on Mondays near the Champs Elysees. It was quite inconvenient for my schedule here in Paris, but maybe I'll have the opportunity with a friend or when Zeina comes to visit. Otherwise, I was on my way shortly after to walk around the Latin Quarter and grab a hot chocolate from McDonalds (this picture on the right- it wasn't that good..), and by then it was around 6:30pm. I had two and a half hours to walk around before I was to meet up with Putri at Pont St. Michel. I walked down St. Michel, and as I am slowly getting accustomed to, I happened to find another wonderful historic building, the Pantheon. I learned later that this building is a church that houses the tombs of many famous French people of history including Voltaire and Victor Hugo. I MUST visit that church sometime soon. Voltaire!! Wow! He's so ancient, that it is enough to identify him by her first name. In fact, even we do know his last name, I don't know it and I don't think many do. I walked back and enter into a department store where I busied myself with a book about Paris. I found a little excerpt about the Fontaine Des Innocents which guards the front door of the building I live in. I don't know if you recognized it from earlier pictures. </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrMTnanhwMEGml9AuCB0lyR7rNVee69TmDwSxDKaowpfs0eZqft7eAf-Gueb8-TSA-qRCsWdRrAuYCbCKziq1NvO8iYj_r74tCFSR596pE1vhHt0mP0u-p0Eh_8ls9UL8yVChYx2H394/s1600/IMG_0388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrMTnanhwMEGml9AuCB0lyR7rNVee69TmDwSxDKaowpfs0eZqft7eAf-Gueb8-TSA-qRCsWdRrAuYCbCKziq1NvO8iYj_r74tCFSR596pE1vhHt0mP0u-p0Eh_8ls9UL8yVChYx2H394/s640/IMG_0388.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBjxMFlE0xWg9opPHY-IeEY2o7klHRQMAVJy8Ud_3EMDW0EpjCjFYKjgao9nIjqrzXnd7XdYN0k5hDqJH1OSVRNaX-xmDu98PAP4bKA2Pie2djU-IfETiXDI3emV8R_PTLFmmlXpJfA8/s1600/IMG_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBjxMFlE0xWg9opPHY-IeEY2o7klHRQMAVJy8Ud_3EMDW0EpjCjFYKjgao9nIjqrzXnd7XdYN0k5hDqJH1OSVRNaX-xmDu98PAP4bKA2Pie2djU-IfETiXDI3emV8R_PTLFmmlXpJfA8/s200/IMG_0400.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXzxFXqYYhIU8kOQwsesFtJ2gW1UvwXOXXe66rRa5WVZh9Ne7l3HFlZFnRS1kj3ra_0Uad_G6hqliM67NF-7Um3DQfBqu0tlycbFljjmidEuIgsUPWYZ7N_5Ks-kP2OEKKEMZZvMJsm4/s1600/IMG_0392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXzxFXqYYhIU8kOQwsesFtJ2gW1UvwXOXXe66rRa5WVZh9Ne7l3HFlZFnRS1kj3ra_0Uad_G6hqliM67NF-7Um3DQfBqu0tlycbFljjmidEuIgsUPWYZ7N_5Ks-kP2OEKKEMZZvMJsm4/s200/IMG_0392.JPG" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px;">At 9pm, I finally met up with Putri, a girl I hadn't seen for close to 8 or 9 years! She was in the grade below mine in our days of school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and it was so nice to see her after soo long! I don't think I would have been able to recognize her if we were to pass randomly on the street. The wonderful thing was that her personality hadn't changed. She is still that wonderfully fun and pleasant girl I remember so well. We went to a greek restaurant in the St. Germaine district, again Latin Quarters. We had such a great time after as well while we enjoyed some wonderful Creme Brulee.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8j4ksMHcPONZ6Lescy8J7kt-6xXquS0xL2s_QVJ2RFGznRZ-Vt_gCVrAdY8zW2QDN8OP9fkR82DFAUX7lTws3e22b2gWy_ozdOkbWbkYUikbjCW749DI_z20dI60tHxTrgRwEUbnB-ic/s1600/IMG_0401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8j4ksMHcPONZ6Lescy8J7kt-6xXquS0xL2s_QVJ2RFGznRZ-Vt_gCVrAdY8zW2QDN8OP9fkR82DFAUX7lTws3e22b2gWy_ozdOkbWbkYUikbjCW749DI_z20dI60tHxTrgRwEUbnB-ic/s200/IMG_0401.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KI_53l4oL7VjaK7YmgNT4pQcEH3yit_N7wQt0rXMm83Wb82hSDbULtZk2npbC4Bt7AcxXfWa-GGQ_-7eBKU4YsW7y6khiw1iYeAQBgcmaECJxrWpixgKeBAbZN_DLZII1C2PBfSXQTk/s1600/IMG_0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KI_53l4oL7VjaK7YmgNT4pQcEH3yit_N7wQt0rXMm83Wb82hSDbULtZk2npbC4Bt7AcxXfWa-GGQ_-7eBKU4YsW7y6khiw1iYeAQBgcmaECJxrWpixgKeBAbZN_DLZII1C2PBfSXQTk/s200/IMG_0402.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>As we walked out of the Greek restaurant, I took a picture of the front step where a lot of 'OPA' occurences had taken place. The Maitre D' gave me a plate to smash!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAa39JeczcTFbiRe6RIZPIwIIhmBmqROMuO0H2855htiK6E6kcCUB62w7jy4-4MyPww87FmjI8gjkAvXR2NWSsVTntX1bYthQaCse8R_OXZfwBTUk8Ete_H8_z0SUXqmmGXBZGO_nVEQ/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAa39JeczcTFbiRe6RIZPIwIIhmBmqROMuO0H2855htiK6E6kcCUB62w7jy4-4MyPww87FmjI8gjkAvXR2NWSsVTntX1bYthQaCse8R_OXZfwBTUk8Ete_H8_z0SUXqmmGXBZGO_nVEQ/s200/IMG_0404.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EYXx2cURm92x40i_mfSRXAwxL99s317bUi3_jLn7GU1NSFKoJjgSZFoqObvJqlsPdW58uD6Ao84kUrhyphenhyphenUGH6vvIeKb0JPrx2bvLz7qtCqTqGzkbrim2TrV16Mt5eZ2XSb1WEQfJifSc/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EYXx2cURm92x40i_mfSRXAwxL99s317bUi3_jLn7GU1NSFKoJjgSZFoqObvJqlsPdW58uD6Ao84kUrhyphenhyphenUGH6vvIeKb0JPrx2bvLz7qtCqTqGzkbrim2TrV16Mt5eZ2XSb1WEQfJifSc/s200/IMG_0406.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">On Sunday, I woke up early to get to church in time. I had to take a few trains to get to my destination in Vaucresson, a suburb of Paris just half an hour away from where I live. I arrived at 10:40am, only 10 mins late, and it was quite easy to get to. After the Sunday service, I made friends with a wonderful group of Lebanese students that are here in Paris for their Masters or PhDs. They are all good friends from the parish, and they invited me to join them for lunch. I wish I was able to go, but because I had another day of L'Opentour and plans to meet up with friend later, I promised a rain-check for next Sunday. </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">I headed back to Paris and got on the tour bus that took me through the Montmartre district as recommended by Mrs. Camilleri. What a beautiful area, especially the Sacre Coeur! The view was spectacular and the inside of the church was beautiful. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside, so I'll leave it to your imagination. The church was built after a nun had an apparition to have a church built for the Sacred Heart. I was not able to take pictures that translated the breathtaking view to digital images because I had left my camera at my logement. I was able to see the Notre Dame, the Pompidou (the contemporary art museum), the Eglise de st. Eustache, and almost pinpoint my location. Unfortunately, the iphone could not capture this magnificence. The next time you go to Paris, you MUST see the view from the Sacre Coeur. It is truly remarkable. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2UXEd33JSreWwDteZmClT_z9Njeb4PcMwTnbdpa0-ZehsiY5nFHwCNjsj2eiiC95UPAj0Cp5c19S5V4MsQjA8MmHoUYFHy-pJw04vp4H7jnMERDkyrw5-0-ecEiVYuvRq5PA1_gio5A/s1600/IMG_0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2UXEd33JSreWwDteZmClT_z9Njeb4PcMwTnbdpa0-ZehsiY5nFHwCNjsj2eiiC95UPAj0Cp5c19S5V4MsQjA8MmHoUYFHy-pJw04vp4H7jnMERDkyrw5-0-ecEiVYuvRq5PA1_gio5A/s200/IMG_0409.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMfX6pkZIkbPD-Lxv-Qiu9Ux9luAjw9mOvNBCEtHjcCNrvD5794__anMEb_E5eTznH31qGE72crD-OP9aH408ofkeK14aV7iEn4uiXMR1Aqwc3qRd3jbFEVfnX9LLdKrseroc7ktgdzY/s1600/IMG_0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMfX6pkZIkbPD-Lxv-Qiu9Ux9luAjw9mOvNBCEtHjcCNrvD5794__anMEb_E5eTznH31qGE72crD-OP9aH408ofkeK14aV7iEn4uiXMR1Aqwc3qRd3jbFEVfnX9LLdKrseroc7ktgdzY/s200/IMG_0414.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9dCqLvrrDv0MfJLlFOCPriCDe5k4yPoYlXBhj21NBx-1JN3c5myxuNsqPwQGHObfkD-UWuwYO26SAFV3VMqt93KPyLmZpLT17UfMCh7R4g-RVkTYq_vtcgeBH8YBV6dAugHJm_HNbu4/s1600/IMG_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9dCqLvrrDv0MfJLlFOCPriCDe5k4yPoYlXBhj21NBx-1JN3c5myxuNsqPwQGHObfkD-UWuwYO26SAFV3VMqt93KPyLmZpLT17UfMCh7R4g-RVkTYq_vtcgeBH8YBV6dAugHJm_HNbu4/s200/IMG_0418.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> This station is La Gare St. Lazare. It has been made timeless by a Monet painting. I hope to visit it at Musee D'Orsay this Thursday. in the second picture, I have captured a shot of the Eiffel Tower rising over the rest of Paris. You can see closer if you click on the picture. It's clearer in the third picture.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpldLSxyjHrTImHyXJGgQRaXvyGQ1IJWtJgzLkkdSNdU1uIrp96-ptlXzejcjSwbw1ljME0gSqblFMwiaLdA5Amu13NlM8w4fdoDdb7BITMhqhmZ6QGUlhcneayfu8qZbioVMv0m4wvcU/s1600/IMG_0421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpldLSxyjHrTImHyXJGgQRaXvyGQ1IJWtJgzLkkdSNdU1uIrp96-ptlXzejcjSwbw1ljME0gSqblFMwiaLdA5Amu13NlM8w4fdoDdb7BITMhqhmZ6QGUlhcneayfu8qZbioVMv0m4wvcU/s200/IMG_0421.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPFUd954gckB9OT2k8ZmLWvTXimTN99VtxZDXIH12CkOryq-1reHJyRhohKfU8Y8t4LRJmQmL6tRJhqJx3Va3MrUtGMjH7LZnyZsgYezxaVosKjAHi-3z6327wpL8HsXJUjIXsTB1ogk/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPFUd954gckB9OT2k8ZmLWvTXimTN99VtxZDXIH12CkOryq-1reHJyRhohKfU8Y8t4LRJmQmL6tRJhqJx3Va3MrUtGMjH7LZnyZsgYezxaVosKjAHi-3z6327wpL8HsXJUjIXsTB1ogk/s200/IMG_0419.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAVE9TqTGSs2zJGdGuXSDduJqKmy-rwpoWAWyp3b_9P0tWTbhM7QE6bycdlcUESEpjCfmTK8bzcCngG1PuVvA3uPPkY1TJ6aNsGBaVqXhXMA67pl2lJJGBC2sQS4DtAGYSa5BqlXGKNs/s1600/IMG_0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAVE9TqTGSs2zJGdGuXSDduJqKmy-rwpoWAWyp3b_9P0tWTbhM7QE6bycdlcUESEpjCfmTK8bzcCngG1PuVvA3uPPkY1TJ6aNsGBaVqXhXMA67pl2lJJGBC2sQS4DtAGYSa5BqlXGKNs/s200/IMG_0420.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> My train journey to church.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EAbuwyQaFl_BeQXQ_4Kn5MWGqN5pu6XOXcd9W05X2QTVBjcbRp-99LRA57q8AOtgnlVTF5U_HgZThmExacZiILPiA4ybjYIwXmFqY9WALiZwLbFYWrYC6w33MpAO5iaD5xaPZ2VBNDo/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EAbuwyQaFl_BeQXQ_4Kn5MWGqN5pu6XOXcd9W05X2QTVBjcbRp-99LRA57q8AOtgnlVTF5U_HgZThmExacZiILPiA4ybjYIwXmFqY9WALiZwLbFYWrYC6w33MpAO5iaD5xaPZ2VBNDo/s200/IMG_0429.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw75rX1blXeHR3YygNM7Gu7-NJfgE2VflYyTZrHQBwucJrefwturN1QodTAC1DPQpft67R2WrcffBdYd_Yo95-UuTrMj_sOMGwoYBfTeXPAhhQPeAnNtsrmIubdVeigkTPkEDk1yt1vSs/s1600/IMG_0430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw75rX1blXeHR3YygNM7Gu7-NJfgE2VflYyTZrHQBwucJrefwturN1QodTAC1DPQpft67R2WrcffBdYd_Yo95-UuTrMj_sOMGwoYBfTeXPAhhQPeAnNtsrmIubdVeigkTPkEDk1yt1vSs/s200/IMG_0430.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> The Moulin Rouge!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTJLfUNeoEqF4ygGA0K9mozdqnD65H_jf6MPlNvyEZ-UqJqAtKce9Fb0htKDeMXXUlBWIpwEx2097uNB0AFga8oD0RS8rXBKYM1eG4GIbBBUoV0A_MyO57f-RAQyqg3QoYcVCmPq258M/s1600/IMG_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTJLfUNeoEqF4ygGA0K9mozdqnD65H_jf6MPlNvyEZ-UqJqAtKce9Fb0htKDeMXXUlBWIpwEx2097uNB0AFga8oD0RS8rXBKYM1eG4GIbBBUoV0A_MyO57f-RAQyqg3QoYcVCmPq258M/s200/IMG_0432.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9Uwh8IXQjD_LyWZqqFjdQ4Zr_4h9q2leZLl1_WsGw-SlxZVhAzcNhyphenhypheneJS9gQUyAYNW7TyS4rDvS30YhHCab-odJE1IPOYGV54PoBvComMcBuXKvmhN6U2TvXH-rT-NsLNJffeIp9Gn8/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9Uwh8IXQjD_LyWZqqFjdQ4Zr_4h9q2leZLl1_WsGw-SlxZVhAzcNhyphenhypheneJS9gQUyAYNW7TyS4rDvS30YhHCab-odJE1IPOYGV54PoBvComMcBuXKvmhN6U2TvXH-rT-NsLNJffeIp9Gn8/s320/IMG_0434.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I stopped at this delightful candy shop on my way up to the Sacre Coeur. There were chocolate almond pieces that you see in the left picture that were so good! I bought 50 grams worth (2 euros) and ate them on my journey up. I was definitely burning the calories since there were so many steps!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMVbuF_oNjNW-nwB8fgGBHZf3p9m9VvZFj_X3R4VRNi6k7Pb_EaOJIwAKN8hjsdypUXzYTJV1ccHgm-MhVYxZVz9z5aUO4KaONXq5j9cn2WvGmIoBHVu_emTO1ZV_BuxawIHoYpsnxP0/s1600/IMG_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMVbuF_oNjNW-nwB8fgGBHZf3p9m9VvZFj_X3R4VRNi6k7Pb_EaOJIwAKN8hjsdypUXzYTJV1ccHgm-MhVYxZVz9z5aUO4KaONXq5j9cn2WvGmIoBHVu_emTO1ZV_BuxawIHoYpsnxP0/s320/IMG_0444.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> There were so many people well taken care of by street entertainment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCmUpos18Fc5_f1wuw5uW-rJhZIWMzVD-7yQFGanvf7AgyJLBpt9dl_0uG3SCOxJ25LQuBmv9Y-a56HN8bXgb5DhYtin1GdlBierF2KfecXb6WaUGzndl-JPNQxP5DjFzu-wr-8SG9Rs/s1600/IMG_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCmUpos18Fc5_f1wuw5uW-rJhZIWMzVD-7yQFGanvf7AgyJLBpt9dl_0uG3SCOxJ25LQuBmv9Y-a56HN8bXgb5DhYtin1GdlBierF2KfecXb6WaUGzndl-JPNQxP5DjFzu-wr-8SG9Rs/s640/IMG_0445.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This picture really doesn't do the view justice at all! The view was glorious and I could see all the historical buildings including the Notre Dame so well! I will return to this spot.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3Z5wa2-qlPb_Z_nvpNVv1M5AfK9IU94XUmmKEtrFAoxJreB2SFQbOD9uWM_1OqhcB5VeaMtcakFrft5MjlIj8YXsFjshEf79Ow7FPJqQ2CYAnM90dpQ9E9sz345nZFY2b09hw-dhORA/s1600/IMG_0448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3Z5wa2-qlPb_Z_nvpNVv1M5AfK9IU94XUmmKEtrFAoxJreB2SFQbOD9uWM_1OqhcB5VeaMtcakFrft5MjlIj8YXsFjshEf79Ow7FPJqQ2CYAnM90dpQ9E9sz345nZFY2b09hw-dhORA/s320/IMG_0448.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Do you see the Eiffel Tower in the distance?</div><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">I continued on my journey and got on another line of the tour bus company to learn about the southern part of the city. However, a very nice person started chatting with me during that tour, and I had been "over" guided, that I valued the conversation over the knowledge I would have gained from that particular excursion. He seemed like a bright enthusiastic Mexican guy who came with a bunch of friends to travel all over Europe. He had been to London, Naples, Rome, Madrid, and really wanted to go to Amsterdam before they left on Wednesday, Jan. 12th. I definitely encouraged him to do so even though his fellow-travellers weren't as interested. He shared his dreams and plans for starting a sea-food business that would sell to giant superstores like Costco. I appreciated the change of perspective that his experiences presented as he shared them. I finished that tour with a need for chocolate crepe and Macarons. Such wonderful desserts in Paris! I found a nicely pried Creperrie near where I was and enjoyed a wonderfully made Nutella crepe. I then enjoyed some Macarons from McCafe on my way home to meet with a good friend in front of my building. </div><div style="margin: 0in;"><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"> This first picture is of the East Station. This next picture has a beautiful mural on the side of the building just in the center of the picture. This picture also shows the bikes you can rent out. I'll try that soon!</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OskQZLRsRPQUF1vnbB3t0veZWddPGjhzUAha8xoNp48CMk0-TQdSUexGnXUz0BxynHGjhq6Oyi4XeTFfuAP5t0DBqqsw4vRNsi78ebQu-2bRV2G3K78zdT6nkza1vVVFdb18yQpumds/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OskQZLRsRPQUF1vnbB3t0veZWddPGjhzUAha8xoNp48CMk0-TQdSUexGnXUz0BxynHGjhq6Oyi4XeTFfuAP5t0DBqqsw4vRNsi78ebQu-2bRV2G3K78zdT6nkza1vVVFdb18yQpumds/s200/IMG_0462.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2fMWfe4c2OuSgAr8Rm1zAXbQJwLloO-nRd1RmF16luFWcg0cUwD1RYBl4209X-SedMApQ50e74u1HKYVt3zlGIaUVm0dWkHJu1hZTCYMtyWsSsZleew4YpvYLFSMN-0jfWxXUnjpuFI/s1600/IMG_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2fMWfe4c2OuSgAr8Rm1zAXbQJwLloO-nRd1RmF16luFWcg0cUwD1RYBl4209X-SedMApQ50e74u1HKYVt3zlGIaUVm0dWkHJu1hZTCYMtyWsSsZleew4YpvYLFSMN-0jfWxXUnjpuFI/s200/IMG_0463.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3hAVXopG-Q8Fo3EzGxC54FahjvaCY2y6XNtgaWSmg_dLY3y8neRpnk32VBSH_GGcWGQ4m-re4kmbnWh80kE_VKXhf79h1L0N2yr8Me8ns9ftgK-BypoA-axgWWuWkmxb-eBOKDGCAO0/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3hAVXopG-Q8Fo3EzGxC54FahjvaCY2y6XNtgaWSmg_dLY3y8neRpnk32VBSH_GGcWGQ4m-re4kmbnWh80kE_VKXhf79h1L0N2yr8Me8ns9ftgK-BypoA-axgWWuWkmxb-eBOKDGCAO0/s200/IMG_0464.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"> So I took a picture of the trees on the side of the rode in hopes of being philosophical regarding the beauty of nature. <i> </i>I was thinking of how beautiful those trees are. They almost seem painted from one of the Manet and Monet impressionism paintings. It's almost as if the trees grew jealous of all this attention to art that they had no other choice but to attempt to copy the way in which trees are painted by impressionist artists. The color of these trees' trunks are 'blochy' but they seem to meld together from far. I'll show you when you visit me. </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">The second picture was taken because in the distance, in the red, there is a band playing in front of the Opera. It was exciting!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11pt;">The third is of the outside of the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">Madeleine. How grand!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIn9jK7KblqvlDfHRHAncTO0l8FIdxqHT7NtJ_3sEyzbMwhqYEtuic689AJ-emXGDPVXtVMxYAknE9vPL5J_5pSpS7Q1RM5jcJArRkVt3DF0GSbJr_mzUNV5mSBenI8jRxsPVJH-Oiqo/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIn9jK7KblqvlDfHRHAncTO0l8FIdxqHT7NtJ_3sEyzbMwhqYEtuic689AJ-emXGDPVXtVMxYAknE9vPL5J_5pSpS7Q1RM5jcJArRkVt3DF0GSbJr_mzUNV5mSBenI8jRxsPVJH-Oiqo/s200/IMG_0468.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIn9jK7KblqvlDfHRHAncTO0l8FIdxqHT7NtJ_3sEyzbMwhqYEtuic689AJ-emXGDPVXtVMxYAknE9vPL5J_5pSpS7Q1RM5jcJArRkVt3DF0GSbJr_mzUNV5mSBenI8jRxsPVJH-Oiqo/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11pt;">This last picture is what faces the Madeleine when you step out. It is the Concorde with the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">Egyptian</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11pt;"> heiroglyphic statue. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
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</div></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">It was so nice to see Manon after 8 months! She had come to Hamilton a year ago to finish her studies within the MBA, and I had the opportunity to get to know her in our Leadership class. A beautiful girl with Moroccan heritage and a heart of gold, I enjoyed so much our familiar conversation at a great restaurant near the Pantheon. We entered the place and quickly noticed the large group of young adults taking up half of the room. Their loud interactions only meant they were Arab, and Lebanese, nonetheless! It was funny because one of the guys was a little obnoxious and the comedic type. A girl that had just joined them mistakenly slapped her scarf onto our table, just barely missing our cups, and this guy intervened to over-dramatize the situation to her in Arabic. I was so amused to understand his teasingly disciplinary response and so badly wanted to surprise them with some smart response in Arabic. Of course, the whole thing didn't happen as I had anticipated. I didn't know what to say, and I didn't want to be rude to Manon. More people kept coming to join their group so the waiter approached us to apologize because he had to move us to another location so that this group could continue to sit together. And thus were my chances of surprising them. </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Nonetheless, our evening was so well spent catching up and enjoying crepes salees. I had already had a crepe sucree earlier so I needed to try some with cheese and..... how wonderful! </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">What a wonderful weekend that lead me to fall fast asleep that Sunday night, excited for another day of Paris work-life. But, I still have the recorded voice of the guide from the Bus tour in my head! His calming, matter-of-fact, British voice personality was quite entertaining as it added to the whole exciting and mysterious feel of the touring experience. </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Today was a wonderful day of work. I was able to get into the groove of being quite productive. I also discovered the most wonderful Patisserie in Paris, thanks to my Manager and another wonderful co-worker. I had a Pain au Chocolat, a cheese and butter baguette sandwich, and 4 Macarons from that place and they all melted in your mouth. I was also able to schedule another meeting with the bank for tomorrow at 10am. I hope that I have no more obstacles. None can come from miscommunication though since another co-worker joined me to make sure I got all the hours right and would be successful in the end- that's if I don't mess up tomorrow! Why do I feel like something else will happen? Things seem to come in 3s.. And I have two fails. I'll let you know. I ended the day today with a wonderful spinach an salmon Quiche from shop on my way home. My oh my! I better start to take pictures of food as I promised. Apologies to Joanna and Clara.. </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Till the next,</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Viva</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-29178328821314416272011-01-08T00:28:00.003+01:002011-01-08T01:18:47.697+01:00Rainy with a High Chance of Missing an Appointment<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Did you know that the French don't use am or pm? They do use apres midi but even then, in the business world, they'll say 15 heurs for 3pm and 20 heurs for 8pm. Well, remember that bank appointment I told you I had scheduled with the help of this delightful lady from Credit Mutuel? It was at 3pm today, not 5pm as I had recorded. In my defence, she said 15 in French. I am just ashamed at myself for how I will tell my tenant and my manager. Both 'potential' meetings this week were without purpose due to miscommunication! All I can say is that they were mistakes I will learn from.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">It was quite hectic for me because I had to get to the bank by 5pm, and I left the office at 4:30 which would normally be enough time, except that I didn't account for the fact that its only my 5th day in Paris! I didn't know where to buy tickets from the Bourse station. A nice lady gave me a ticket, but I didn't even need it since the machine wasn't accepting them. So the lady and I jumped over the bars- and we had a right to do so!</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">On my way to the bank, I ate the piece of the Galette des Rois as seen following. It's apparently a French tradition that takes place after Christmas whereby the cake is associated with the time when the North Star led the Magis to Jesus's manger. A bean or some sort of little stone thing is hidden in the cake. The one that has the slice with the thing is crowned king or queen and has to pick their queen or king. I guess I'm the queen here (see that blue thing?). It was the head of a clown made of porcelain. Thank God I saw it before I bit into that! </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-P3eey0lrnR24P2NEAX7aQm1PBRB5bgZXVsq4i-plShpsGwHhWoKXbARfrMHETbyHsavXP8jboJMox5m6P8nL33YTgsx65vfiakxyxaRt0KLcDUIMgmgDjF9uEUF9vTOw-tacHq-GbM/s1600/IMG_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-P3eey0lrnR24P2NEAX7aQm1PBRB5bgZXVsq4i-plShpsGwHhWoKXbARfrMHETbyHsavXP8jboJMox5m6P8nL33YTgsx65vfiakxyxaRt0KLcDUIMgmgDjF9uEUF9vTOw-tacHq-GbM/s200/IMG_0264.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5ZCaJ5CULh0S569ynb_uhLFkEyLH_Z8nTBSxDpBAM4OVWdcNL3UVyOXz_smAbmUeYvryBQRc7MNb26OYP4cHs93mUKVhSFC8degvg3x4pZMfC1GPdBfROxMrQGFZvjj3wCQCAC0kAhs/s1600/IMG_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5ZCaJ5CULh0S569ynb_uhLFkEyLH_Z8nTBSxDpBAM4OVWdcNL3UVyOXz_smAbmUeYvryBQRc7MNb26OYP4cHs93mUKVhSFC8degvg3x4pZMfC1GPdBfROxMrQGFZvjj3wCQCAC0kAhs/s200/IMG_0265.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6L25TYuPakH24ZoVtxQwVz5pHbOa3cb09r0UhKwjhmryUwvG2Bu1FwfAXlwN7H1aVK2mdPFohmwhPS2HFpFgbdngzuD_glsqfUefhTLCWt_KBGlRvEFkaLMyOKNqkZd3VPvsbSpvLnCU/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6L25TYuPakH24ZoVtxQwVz5pHbOa3cb09r0UhKwjhmryUwvG2Bu1FwfAXlwN7H1aVK2mdPFohmwhPS2HFpFgbdngzuD_glsqfUefhTLCWt_KBGlRvEFkaLMyOKNqkZd3VPvsbSpvLnCU/s200/IMG_0266.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11pt;">When I got out of the subway to get to the bank just before 5pm, I was waiting to cross the street and thought that it would be interesting to try to capture the courage of the French. They will cross the street even if the light is red for pedestrians. I am still </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">flabbergasted</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11pt;"> by this! If you look in the right hand upper corner of the following picture just above the ladies shoulder, you can see that it is clearly red- no pedestrian crossing! It is again a wonderful mix of Canadian ways, where cars follow the instructions of the lights unlike Lebanon, but also of Lebanese ways, where people don't follow instructions when crossing the streets. I have no idea how it works in Lebanon, but it does.. And it works well here.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxE3B0iSsn6F61Yf3Qve-ZllzMQYvLk4H-8n4EMhZn21FOjEKvbPWdKEzxmo57EDj5GNbthJLBpDGmKsikQW96HdsWaz7M4vf9VJ4zH2yEBMeQFt7taPPB_JGfWGJaWXg6K-KF8TiQAMY/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxE3B0iSsn6F61Yf3Qve-ZllzMQYvLk4H-8n4EMhZn21FOjEKvbPWdKEzxmo57EDj5GNbthJLBpDGmKsikQW96HdsWaz7M4vf9VJ4zH2yEBMeQFt7taPPB_JGfWGJaWXg6K-KF8TiQAMY/s320/IMG_0270.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ixoFHedb4BmQIWSP1WeXcEAl7Zn1lsAkX7fDykUJ0vHFDbKSW3QQGA5bF-LkSq_LQc1sQWex5TyCywKGD4X8A42cntSBTviUTA-XY9A9HfzLfWMTdBHTplU00vhHxcqDFjjGnU_08FE/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ixoFHedb4BmQIWSP1WeXcEAl7Zn1lsAkX7fDykUJ0vHFDbKSW3QQGA5bF-LkSq_LQc1sQWex5TyCywKGD4X8A42cntSBTviUTA-XY9A9HfzLfWMTdBHTplU00vhHxcqDFjjGnU_08FE/s320/IMG_0275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px;">I am also impressed with the amount of</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px;">"holding hands" that goes on in this city! It's wonderful because this expression of love has no age restrictions. Do you see how this last picture has a couple on the left side holding hands while waiting for the last motorcycle to pass?</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">And here is a window shot of the Galettes des Rois. It looks great! I would love to try one au chocolat!</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0qOen7jJGhM6PgSDxpGt3uSmE4LqL_gx-rHiHVRn3bkYxle4qGD_UUJ7OXflG1vrqfXl6_DsfyWtXo6eCL5Q_jH6hcpwe1LFSQjcaf1BQmY4VGKJIQ9CVyYN9Hfo8ufednh0Zmm-HII/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0qOen7jJGhM6PgSDxpGt3uSmE4LqL_gx-rHiHVRn3bkYxle4qGD_UUJ7OXflG1vrqfXl6_DsfyWtXo6eCL5Q_jH6hcpwe1LFSQjcaf1BQmY4VGKJIQ9CVyYN9Hfo8ufednh0Zmm-HII/s320/IMG_0276.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">On that note,</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!</span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Christ is born, glorify Him!</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I, unfortunately, did not take today off to celebrate. However, I remembered, repeated, where I would have been last year. I definitely miss the Hamilton parish- All Saints of North America. I did celebrate, though! After my major humiliation with the bank- I talked to a bank representatives through some gates and almost begged him to give me an account since he was standing right there and I had all my documents!- I walked back home and picked up a short stories French book on my way. It was only 0.20 Euros! On my way back, another beautiful structure made me take out my iphone. The following middle picture is in the Latin Quarters. And of course, my favourite structure in Paris, the Notre Dame. </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfsCbAu9m1mcF3a6pcIqGLJVDHlEzMuxLiIpVgWk9-sZ0e3QLZUU93VWGOKKLwxP7vfV-T3ENciizzoO2P9XWCCa90rflVmE5HHNiO8X-w3YtvwmukYA78sfaKnMlui0jigZYFb-FVTo/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfsCbAu9m1mcF3a6pcIqGLJVDHlEzMuxLiIpVgWk9-sZ0e3QLZUU93VWGOKKLwxP7vfV-T3ENciizzoO2P9XWCCa90rflVmE5HHNiO8X-w3YtvwmukYA78sfaKnMlui0jigZYFb-FVTo/s200/IMG_0280.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RA6aPeTB1htot3Smm_vNtENuHNOug_Yl43hp6uytmr-jbaZMG75c-hPuMe1QL9efRsolrtjmBGYBoD30wtGJYj5scvU0hl9p4t-jgjRBaUU_Kp7zWn2cvYuTGYfsxMT7Miqbhx5CDmc/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RA6aPeTB1htot3Smm_vNtENuHNOug_Yl43hp6uytmr-jbaZMG75c-hPuMe1QL9efRsolrtjmBGYBoD30wtGJYj5scvU0hl9p4t-jgjRBaUU_Kp7zWn2cvYuTGYfsxMT7Miqbhx5CDmc/s200/IMG_0281.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmfvwkOubizgCGEg4OsH_V_PC_HC3oC7X3dk5k1B0zpWIwKIIBQ1TVM6UavDBBks129fqBMnTysqOfKZ12-usvsdKOECHjE9mPD-PIwn3sIoDIGvWVdKjmqAbeFHrehbmG4Bo4FOGL6A/s1600/IMG_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmfvwkOubizgCGEg4OsH_V_PC_HC3oC7X3dk5k1B0zpWIwKIIBQ1TVM6UavDBBks129fqBMnTysqOfKZ12-usvsdKOECHjE9mPD-PIwn3sIoDIGvWVdKjmqAbeFHrehbmG4Bo4FOGL6A/s200/IMG_0283.JPG" width="150" /></a></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I got home and prepared to treat myself to a free evening at the Louvre. How exciting and only a 7 mins walk from my place! What a BEAUTIFUL palace. I got in for free because I am under 26 years of age and it was past 6pm, or 18 heurs, on a Friday. I got the electronic guide to give me a very basic introduction to the most important pieces of the museum. I kept remembering the last time I was there with Noora, and how she did the tour while I chose to roam free, punching in numbers of the pieces into that electronic guide. After 4 or 5 hours that time in 2008, Noora was mad that I didn't even see the Winged Victory of Samothrace or the Venus de Milo. This time, I did the guided tour for those famous pieces, including the Mona Lisa. </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUDvkRtNY5sXK2icvQ1Wz9gcGFYSGxhetwp-H8YsRMRLthogLvUGeZ-2N3bTW6BHDOZXpGH-Hau_USRQdq0Qj5TxM2-XXeV2maJs5QN4LOBc8_HDhyphenhyphenaG8T3uVB6rZ3c3qKIlEn7-egN8/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUDvkRtNY5sXK2icvQ1Wz9gcGFYSGxhetwp-H8YsRMRLthogLvUGeZ-2N3bTW6BHDOZXpGH-Hau_USRQdq0Qj5TxM2-XXeV2maJs5QN4LOBc8_HDhyphenhyphenaG8T3uVB6rZ3c3qKIlEn7-egN8/s200/IMG_0289.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bGpNI7pfAbIYAbrt_otc6BS5noGx8YIdOX0igwW7R1PFlYiOmbrJeVIhYBo8AAjES9sSaNsKEknapfj7R9-lYd3JFWZE7MkwCzeavHKNQ0c4E6clA7aWWan2vA9sfVQ1i6P7DpYZDfA/s1600/IMG_0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bGpNI7pfAbIYAbrt_otc6BS5noGx8YIdOX0igwW7R1PFlYiOmbrJeVIhYBo8AAjES9sSaNsKEknapfj7R9-lYd3JFWZE7MkwCzeavHKNQ0c4E6clA7aWWan2vA9sfVQ1i6P7DpYZDfA/s200/IMG_0290.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div> The outside of the Palais du Louvre.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAES4JQ8ZM_Td2HVwG9xZZtkplu7axnQSLOVX2_VDEXy_4H4N4UzGlzGvqSc6avSmAQdQdaU_3W249ukwR72RovHHJQDwBvEK_16PSheuLfNAa90eQjNSlrN1ea1FGLJraum7qaOLV4Y/s1600/IMG_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAES4JQ8ZM_Td2HVwG9xZZtkplu7axnQSLOVX2_VDEXy_4H4N4UzGlzGvqSc6avSmAQdQdaU_3W249ukwR72RovHHJQDwBvEK_16PSheuLfNAa90eQjNSlrN1ea1FGLJraum7qaOLV4Y/s200/IMG_0292.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1Rb9IJPseDRnj9-pWtBRGc3vi_qnse-C31hbbvMlwn_RMl8qMauASTwCRMHpIVq8CwGCKlJfYUXmxGP3IxQzjIl73eU7W7YqmloYwCGzS3NWWFMtVWwkhjas6W-g-P_e1ScKaiPjbnc/s1600/IMG_0293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1Rb9IJPseDRnj9-pWtBRGc3vi_qnse-C31hbbvMlwn_RMl8qMauASTwCRMHpIVq8CwGCKlJfYUXmxGP3IxQzjIl73eU7W7YqmloYwCGzS3NWWFMtVWwkhjas6W-g-P_e1ScKaiPjbnc/s200/IMG_0293.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Qctd-WigbReXt_dIraBL0yo4O9F4q6LI3RuwxyK8gzEBPNEIh_ExtfGva-7ZXtKPmbeI9_mCtCdBNQFRa1ccnRC8JO9TkFlOLZcOL8eWkP1v4oMDXAsv_sOYdcHSPm4ALIxXtyZgmpw/s1600/IMG_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Qctd-WigbReXt_dIraBL0yo4O9F4q6LI3RuwxyK8gzEBPNEIh_ExtfGva-7ZXtKPmbeI9_mCtCdBNQFRa1ccnRC8JO9TkFlOLZcOL8eWkP1v4oMDXAsv_sOYdcHSPm4ALIxXtyZgmpw/s200/IMG_0295.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div> You enter under the pyramid. The middle picture is the electronic guide I mentioned previously. This third pic is in the basement of the palace which is supposed to be an inside look into the Louvre in medieval times. I think there was some contemporary art displayed on the brick walls- I didnt understand it..<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyNRL3AKiOy1HF8WqDAYq9jo4u6VRRwA6M6b0Ed8FQ3-s9Qg7L4fusZVN6D5jKwds5X-BGJ-WAiQtZ6Vb1d75pHVixd_wsG3PKNHEhTl37e6a_Rd6sx_n9btXUdAR4XPJ-F4V4vHGPDs/s1600/IMG_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyNRL3AKiOy1HF8WqDAYq9jo4u6VRRwA6M6b0Ed8FQ3-s9Qg7L4fusZVN6D5jKwds5X-BGJ-WAiQtZ6Vb1d75pHVixd_wsG3PKNHEhTl37e6a_Rd6sx_n9btXUdAR4XPJ-F4V4vHGPDs/s200/IMG_0296.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3esc01yrNe1itKMw-QtadqZC80vKyglwCh4fRJ9qZQqkC0vZtk-bQWuIuw6k-3d-VQIaXX561rzn_-wR1k8utkN0ADsancYUoYDkrWrlH8L4ssPa3kLpEPc9-O-vNkue5TxfQ6mFWug/s1600/IMG_0297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3esc01yrNe1itKMw-QtadqZC80vKyglwCh4fRJ9qZQqkC0vZtk-bQWuIuw6k-3d-VQIaXX561rzn_-wR1k8utkN0ADsancYUoYDkrWrlH8L4ssPa3kLpEPc9-O-vNkue5TxfQ6mFWug/s200/IMG_0297.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnShkQ8UWsrpP1knBFni1O6x_Rfhcv1_VpFbBXwCHqnGWNSOzVHwGwFuyj3XLuSEKo7xlNjX2dHY5ThC0Ew5mpktqLgnVjO70EjsSUyXsO4HSQ8dDlLLx51jlwurJpCB3x4U0PxlVWCU/s1600/IMG_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnShkQ8UWsrpP1knBFni1O6x_Rfhcv1_VpFbBXwCHqnGWNSOzVHwGwFuyj3XLuSEKo7xlNjX2dHY5ThC0Ew5mpktqLgnVjO70EjsSUyXsO4HSQ8dDlLLx51jlwurJpCB3x4U0PxlVWCU/s200/IMG_0298.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><br />
I love statues that represent mythology. I love to admire the beauty of the structure and how it looks so fluid when it is made of limestone!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HgR2Xj0-wfm4Cp32gmJQYDudrqbQUHtCl__GiCrXW-VBFEydyjdtlediIyIIODcTIsrvvpzh74JZkdE6twDWpGDkFCvJDQR3uY7n0qAoen2z8RJyrVSDAFKBoYUvM4GXjDUNY8-YNUs/s1600/IMG_0300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HgR2Xj0-wfm4Cp32gmJQYDudrqbQUHtCl__GiCrXW-VBFEydyjdtlediIyIIODcTIsrvvpzh74JZkdE6twDWpGDkFCvJDQR3uY7n0qAoen2z8RJyrVSDAFKBoYUvM4GXjDUNY8-YNUs/s200/IMG_0300.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8-5uCKJ6PCXZ9i0Uw3zqlgADcT3XA1H3yPRFJgfKBfjUI4U93ZFhaWgwJwZ70-v152zMvZmmCdGnmdjW_inqS6IF8D8aVx6qyOu6rS2oEEYvSfbc8dO-7XjnWDqsMyBcsz6xiQVtgo8/s1600/IMG_0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8-5uCKJ6PCXZ9i0Uw3zqlgADcT3XA1H3yPRFJgfKBfjUI4U93ZFhaWgwJwZ70-v152zMvZmmCdGnmdjW_inqS6IF8D8aVx6qyOu6rS2oEEYvSfbc8dO-7XjnWDqsMyBcsz6xiQVtgo8/s200/IMG_0301.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cPBYaUh1BqJTP9IJq3K4fFJQV1MnWQkKa5Cb8hvTeg4Kl3zyUcT0e0u_qPP5iSntZxNZ622GIatL-k_n2BdR5_YicgwwBPu8MBQpnGgwn5z9qvrOpryQomNmGgOJgHcQVpD2KHjUVjs/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cPBYaUh1BqJTP9IJq3K4fFJQV1MnWQkKa5Cb8hvTeg4Kl3zyUcT0e0u_qPP5iSntZxNZ622GIatL-k_n2BdR5_YicgwwBPu8MBQpnGgwn5z9qvrOpryQomNmGgOJgHcQVpD2KHjUVjs/s200/IMG_0303.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
The Venis de Milo! I like to believe the structure was holding a pot of water and pouring. Its supposedly Aphrodite, so they presume that she would be caring an apple.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9JKiQxQ20LrhSyWXEGPX4bE36YmTCREX5ZuHEF67XGKaTl-2G7Yid8ZyraWHViWRDK9t2AnxzNXHmKUT93Vn2Sglap-F6R-T2YDAhW_o9Iu5IUg1iow4JdEcDIrU-lEEX-0S2LC6PIg/s1600/IMG_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9JKiQxQ20LrhSyWXEGPX4bE36YmTCREX5ZuHEF67XGKaTl-2G7Yid8ZyraWHViWRDK9t2AnxzNXHmKUT93Vn2Sglap-F6R-T2YDAhW_o9Iu5IUg1iow4JdEcDIrU-lEEX-0S2LC6PIg/s200/IMG_0306.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmJzu0p2ebQaX8xLn76OZXO1E4c7C8kPs9pB7jtEPt6UsaNw7e3a6DwO0wQluHAypy9pgpL7r8d_aJT3lKoFR5bIgYHb-iA7uzYjCARS8-gBmKTI0iBNsnQ4LiVnmUco6j64Sk4ZXkaE/s1600/IMG_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmJzu0p2ebQaX8xLn76OZXO1E4c7C8kPs9pB7jtEPt6UsaNw7e3a6DwO0wQluHAypy9pgpL7r8d_aJT3lKoFR5bIgYHb-iA7uzYjCARS8-gBmKTI0iBNsnQ4LiVnmUco6j64Sk4ZXkaE/s200/IMG_0307.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This picture of 4 statues caring the balcony where Louis the 18th had music played shows a beautiful work of art. I appreciate art like this where a pillar is made into a woman supposedly carrying the balcony. You can go deeper by thinking of those women as muses who were the basis of musical inspiration as they held the balcony that allowed musicians to play. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXH1PD0anSbhB0SZet8qAP2RiEVNqFqAeWNvxpxk7MGKZAij7iqKAK18FGMluqtr2kneQIH1RKBWGJHidBn0MAeI7LYY47wut4NlKUr-J5ge1aNvtBaswQpIOYaXUifXCO4Sa1hk648S0/s1600/IMG_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXH1PD0anSbhB0SZet8qAP2RiEVNqFqAeWNvxpxk7MGKZAij7iqKAK18FGMluqtr2kneQIH1RKBWGJHidBn0MAeI7LYY47wut4NlKUr-J5ge1aNvtBaswQpIOYaXUifXCO4Sa1hk648S0/s200/IMG_0308.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWf3oKSTHakSgqzxK_K-5wdT09nQLXZtqs77K6AbTm_g-L5s_apfVLhuUeU3dpUmOUr4RFPMLdrLhiFV-bCLMG1t7SsIOP4d2WKgGnIbEMEx_MbCKmgCno8P8yI9M5u752E3VovtSuk0/s1600/IMG_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWf3oKSTHakSgqzxK_K-5wdT09nQLXZtqs77K6AbTm_g-L5s_apfVLhuUeU3dpUmOUr4RFPMLdrLhiFV-bCLMG1t7SsIOP4d2WKgGnIbEMEx_MbCKmgCno8P8yI9M5u752E3VovtSuk0/s200/IMG_0310.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qv5q7Q0qcM9KscbtnNmyyZvmVsfFgWf_Ub2SEwgkP61Gd6Rx_EDzf8VPtEC_EePZ0mjOFEj-Y_kdlUOmk78X7kFjyxNJm2Sw8oRTOZBn8STM3gd_7V_uk0DrMUVBcSyf3GEesKS8C1g/s1600/IMG_0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qv5q7Q0qcM9KscbtnNmyyZvmVsfFgWf_Ub2SEwgkP61Gd6Rx_EDzf8VPtEC_EePZ0mjOFEj-Y_kdlUOmk78X7kFjyxNJm2Sw8oRTOZBn8STM3gd_7V_uk0DrMUVBcSyf3GEesKS8C1g/s200/IMG_0311.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px;">Winged Victory of Samothrace. How grand! Its placement is so well studied for the Louvre. The movement of the structure, though half of it is missing, is extraordinary! </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6c5UI5cRbUnJKCtRq7Bf5-bsEsYBhy2jwEVo4svPSGcYGMAYsM03pXxzlhX3QHF_3e8O8GsYygMlHavLfX__ifXnDG5v2AJzTmPi5LIhxTkW35SyLKrIwD5fTLhOy9Gx10sOuIWqHpZM/s1600/IMG_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6c5UI5cRbUnJKCtRq7Bf5-bsEsYBhy2jwEVo4svPSGcYGMAYsM03pXxzlhX3QHF_3e8O8GsYygMlHavLfX__ifXnDG5v2AJzTmPi5LIhxTkW35SyLKrIwD5fTLhOy9Gx10sOuIWqHpZM/s200/IMG_0312.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WmqvwBay-yDUmKOXj4Xkh1dJIwIiuktEoiqzJvx7XTuMXVt43aD1qnPEcUT8MVTAtO1Sk9MHAOYhs5yE9Ofze-U8Glm0fE-4NNTN-rwvF_zeFCevvAQdHDeL6q3licatnzyyOizmF1k/s1600/IMG_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WmqvwBay-yDUmKOXj4Xkh1dJIwIiuktEoiqzJvx7XTuMXVt43aD1qnPEcUT8MVTAtO1Sk9MHAOYhs5yE9Ofze-U8Glm0fE-4NNTN-rwvF_zeFCevvAQdHDeL6q3licatnzyyOizmF1k/s200/IMG_0313.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDBbwvnRpX6-U9Gl8XSatSM1I51yRpQ5IjR3wX_nRCTnjb6hFZYONt1odYpWLHSvQa7oLia8bfTdXaZedKB55oe-LeTdbncBD0Mh7-ffv_8MmsOOnpEVowGc5dpfDyRONzkPVTeS_zI8/s1600/IMG_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDBbwvnRpX6-U9Gl8XSatSM1I51yRpQ5IjR3wX_nRCTnjb6hFZYONt1odYpWLHSvQa7oLia8bfTdXaZedKB55oe-LeTdbncBD0Mh7-ffv_8MmsOOnpEVowGc5dpfDyRONzkPVTeS_zI8/s200/IMG_0314.JPG" width="150" /></a></div> This is the statues from the back and its left hand side. The picture on the right is of the pyramid and where I had reached on this journey of discovery!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJfRg6d6dBeHKWh9UunuHq91wfFxoyteIBohCZHfc2AEX-HJj8M9QLubUBEBK0vWexEePXmR4c3fxaAfQELL6AT0s5z3G_H82TvZr8aT9GsU-b2UCx5iEgl67_1l8idwyPMKSSB1l_do/s1600/IMG_0321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJfRg6d6dBeHKWh9UunuHq91wfFxoyteIBohCZHfc2AEX-HJj8M9QLubUBEBK0vWexEePXmR4c3fxaAfQELL6AT0s5z3G_H82TvZr8aT9GsU-b2UCx5iEgl67_1l8idwyPMKSSB1l_do/s200/IMG_0321.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyxDLAKVqiBr_07k3nE-MP8q7rWfr9eGFEgAQ02a8nduYzSXLaDwCGYof1Q9EygurW21O0yIDoruF7Fb-1zHa2sLOvdmJfq416POkLBDSJN49LwBDfCczB9qEoj8hteLYXzl-Z3ix6m0/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyxDLAKVqiBr_07k3nE-MP8q7rWfr9eGFEgAQ02a8nduYzSXLaDwCGYof1Q9EygurW21O0yIDoruF7Fb-1zHa2sLOvdmJfq416POkLBDSJN49LwBDfCczB9qEoj8hteLYXzl-Z3ix6m0/s200/IMG_0322.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlcTleHwG2TSnwY7GKyTosgD8ayXeUPYWhtCOa4QBoVZAoE-YxPuaRMFC-IsFVu1BC7WdJkzqNs0purOWfvT1vKBfWLjoGwS_0yv3v2dMAO1uvVHCR-_hgz_SjudD8ENyRawnOFy1KNk/s1600/IMG_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlcTleHwG2TSnwY7GKyTosgD8ayXeUPYWhtCOa4QBoVZAoE-YxPuaRMFC-IsFVu1BC7WdJkzqNs0purOWfvT1vKBfWLjoGwS_0yv3v2dMAO1uvVHCR-_hgz_SjudD8ENyRawnOFy1KNk/s200/IMG_0323.JPG" width="150" /></a></div> The Mona Lisa. I appreciated how the guide described the power of Da Vinci s painting. Her eyes follow you and her smile is so wonderfully subtle. The famous artist is able to draw her emotions in addition to her portrait. It is also a popular piece one man stole it from the Lourve in the early 1900s and this caused a lot of publicity. Later in the 1900s, some visitor to the Louvre threw a rock at the portrait. Her smile makes her quite desirable or detested. I just wanted to say hello.<br />
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This part is the Oriental section as described by the museum. The first two are pictures of a statue that presents an offering of prayer since the structures hands are at it's chest. There is writing describing the purpose of the statue (offering to a god for success) on the right shoulder of this funny-eyed piece. I remember studying this with Mr. Fleetwood in World History and World History AP!! That structure of the Mesopotamian king's head on the body of a flying horse is one I remember well from our books. I had to have a picture with it. Look how big it is!<br />
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The lion is a beautiful piece I wanted a picture of to remind me of what I want to have on my living room wall. It's beautiful and so colourful. It is from ancient Iran. This block is beautiful and so powerful because it is from the ancient Phoenicians. It is a written declaration of the King's doings for the gods. It specifically mentions what buildings were built to honour these gods. It shows the ancient Phoenician alphabet (similar to ancient Hebrew). What I found particularly interesting was that a certain French man was interested in this piece in the 1800s because he was able to understand its value because of the writings. Upon hearing that this French man found interest for it, the Arabs that were hired to transport this piece to France were inquisitive of the purpose of this interest. They thought that there may be gold within it. So, they heat up the piece and broke it into many pieces. The French man later found a way to get all the pieces to him so that he could have it repaired. This explains the different colouring of this block. I wonder if there was any gold in there.. I guess we'll never know for sure.<br />
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There are other artifacts from the Phoenicians.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">It seems the Phoenicians were meticulous. A lot of there statues are very small! I like to wonder who made them and who held them. I kept imagining a big storm coming over what is now modern day Byblos, Lebanon to bury all these artifacts and preserve them for us to wonder. I wonder how the world was like so long ago. I wonder what they thought when they thought of 2000 years into the future. It makes you feel so small! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Till the next,<br />
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Viva</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-2791627546117844442011-01-06T22:39:00.000+01:002011-01-06T22:39:41.639+01:00<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Meeting after meeting after meeting after.. Yes..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>another meeting.. I attended 4 meetings today. They were<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all in French.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call me crazy, but I feel like I learned so much over the day that I thought I had mastered the French language by the end of the day. I understood the last meeting the most. But then again, the meetings varied in style. The first was a weekly meeting that included around 15 ladies. The second was a smaller meeting of 3 ladies including myself. The third was a seminar type for one whole branch of the business. We had a PhD student come in and talk about creativity and its essence. It was quite intense! The last meeting was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a small group of 6 consultants, students, and managers in a brainstorming discussion. I enjoyed the last one most since I understood what everyone was saying, at least I think I understood.. It was also wonderful to see a French discussion of ideas and terms. </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I got home at 9pm today. It was a very busy work day with the meetings. I am loving everything of the French. I feel like it's a great mix between what I love about Canada and what I love about Lebanon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Honestly, I wasn't going to make an entry to the blog today, but Paris doesn't let up! I was heading home and right outside my building, there was a protest. It was Tunisian so I appreciated the familiarity. The first<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>protest in Paris, and I definitely took pictures when I passed by and from my window. </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Tunisian solidarity!!</span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Before I end off today, I want to thank everyone for their support. Being in a new place is not easy, and your words of encouragement mean the word to me; I am already quite homesick! </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">But, as recommended, I will drink all the wine I can, experience the food, enjoy the Louvre, other museums and landmarks once every few weeks- remembering the history lessons concerning the French revolution and soo much more. I will travel around Europe, make the most out of these 4 months, and take you with me. Thanks for following my blog and sharing your comments.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Till the next,</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-11195295445156083222011-01-05T20:55:00.000+01:002011-01-05T20:55:06.515+01:00<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Parisians are not afraid of cars. Where in Toronto pedestrians will wait for the light to change to green indicating that they can cross<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>even if there are no signs of cars coming anywhere, the Parisian pedestrian will walk across as though she is a car waiting her turn for example. I have to be extra careful here because I may get into an accident though I will be a pedestrian throughout my time here. The sad part is that it would probably be my fault if something happens. I'll definitely be extra careful.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I almost got lost going to work today! I am glad to emphasize the ALMOST...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I didn't even need the security map I have in my purse.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I was able to take some pictures from work. It has a wonderful view from my desk, too. I took the following picture from the comfort of my own desk. This part of the building was made with the same concept and materials that were used to make the Eiffel Tower. Leave it to the French to make something beautiful out of steel!</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3PWgQc5LAJhLT9mk3snSo6D0ChuYOYKWl4KafJNko-9YPDZXDgmOSm44jGVHlYYkyyWhgLqiJDyiiXp-wWwsTEBWgj25EU4QPzSQX8GOHTCnYUOALHzcVXmKg1Il4QSOPRWQG278MgA/s1600/IMG_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3PWgQc5LAJhLT9mk3snSo6D0ChuYOYKWl4KafJNko-9YPDZXDgmOSm44jGVHlYYkyyWhgLqiJDyiiXp-wWwsTEBWgj25EU4QPzSQX8GOHTCnYUOALHzcVXmKg1Il4QSOPRWQG278MgA/s200/IMG_0249.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUqOKpRvOtQIcuibjvqbYPO_rUeJtDR6q4O7Bxf3cFwwMCTYvLNO8olOExUBCpUfXRabSsheQMQkagg_UywOq-utjChR9XVL1q9Ya7JY0F3YBOCwmz38sRqwoP3OeSpDx0j-ExM3oFiE/s1600/IMG_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUqOKpRvOtQIcuibjvqbYPO_rUeJtDR6q4O7Bxf3cFwwMCTYvLNO8olOExUBCpUfXRabSsheQMQkagg_UywOq-utjChR9XVL1q9Ya7JY0F3YBOCwmz38sRqwoP3OeSpDx0j-ExM3oFiE/s200/IMG_0250.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Here's a quick picture of me from today. </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoGXMpEH_g4I0WBU9RN8Gh7EoGA-kJ6xwZLKKIYDaf7HqKYK2qOooBzVYYk3XsS5KvabHO9k005cM3SveZvICnTbFr3UHnlc9pAfOXjeCTzYR9FvBPV3ITiugelw0y6YAE6TnoD2Kuck/s200/IMG_0251.JPG" width="150" /></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Also very interesting is the areas designated for smoking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure that some Canadians would absolutely LOVE this at their work places- especially in the cold.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAcfV3mVRR8Vg1IKBRjXY-gX_AOZB7qnepEQmqgUypW1z8ifhhOc6Ae_AHfg2Y4hTV6d19UcOwg8rTNIHrlSeUNVTFW1vkxnuKODj2-p6yV1bdnRvEjN51SKTwIhPgXsynVAOmpy99hM/s1600/IMG_0256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAcfV3mVRR8Vg1IKBRjXY-gX_AOZB7qnepEQmqgUypW1z8ifhhOc6Ae_AHfg2Y4hTV6d19UcOwg8rTNIHrlSeUNVTFW1vkxnuKODj2-p6yV1bdnRvEjN51SKTwIhPgXsynVAOmpy99hM/s200/IMG_0256.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">During lunch today, Julie, Celine, Helene, and I went to a Sushi restaurant. It was nice to be able to recognize the names of the different items on the menu, but it made me miss the all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants in Hamilton- Sapparo, August 8. If anyone is going there in the next few days/weeks, please think of me while you enjoy a Salmon Rose. I would really appreciate it. Nonetheless, the company was wonderful and I am proud to say that the conversation was mostly in French. I did not understand all of it, but I hope I soon will!</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I got lost leaving work today. It got to the level where I was going East when I needed to be going South. To make things worse,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was late to a bank appointment, AND I took out that awkward-looking map! Zeina, sorry to disappoint you. I'll be better with these directions when you visit.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Anyway, I finally got to the bank half an hour late to my appointment, only to find that they don't give accounts to people who are staying here less than a year, and that credit cards are tied to these accounts. Both are inaccessible!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lady that was assigned to me was quite wonderful because she called her husband who works at another bank to ask if they would accept me. She reassured me that they would and set up an appointment for me. It's set for Friday so I'll let you know how it goes. </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I decided to take an early night with a movie while I enjoyed a good friend's gift to me of Tea from Teaopia. Thanks so much, Nancy!</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Till the next,</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Viva</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-90313358915101784732011-01-04T21:30:00.001+01:002011-01-05T15:46:10.080+01:00Is every day an adventure?<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Yes. I think Paris provides everyone with an adventure every day! That's why it is the most visited city in the world. But then again, I've only been here for 2 days. I'll get back to you on that one.</span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">But yes, today was also an adventure. I was at work by 9am and my, was it wonderful! Everyone at BPI Group is so friendly, so helpful. I was able to practice a whole day of French and eat the most AMAZING Canard and potato meal. Every bite was flavourful and so well expressed. I apologize for not taking a picture of it. The smell with the ail (garlic) was just so wonderful, you couldn't help but just engulf it.</span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">My manager is so impressive as well. She's easy to talk to (in both in English and French), and she is a strong part of the organization. Also, what a great organization! Very professional with an excellent atmosphere of learning and support. It is run by collectively impressive group of devoted employees. </span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The big surprise today was that the keyboard is made slightly differently. The 'A' and the 'Q' are switched, which is the worst part of it. The 'Z' is switched with the 'W', and the 'M' is in the place of the semi-colon. It's also interesting that the numbers at the top of the keyboard are only activated if they are pressed when pressing the shift key. It will just take some getting used to. </span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I also blew my CHI fuse today because I didn't check that the volts here are 110. To those who learn from others' mistakes, ELECTRIC OUTLETS IN PARIS ARE 220VOLTS! I don't know about the rest of France but I'll probably make that mistake too and let you know- I'll get back to you about that.</span></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">After I got home from work today, I took some pictures of the stair way up to my apartment. I think there is a high chance that I'll gain an injury from those stairs in the next 4 months- some steps have become very slippery over time! But interestingly about my building, it is one of the oldest in the area. It is right in front of what used to be a cemetery and, later, where a certain someone of importance was executed. So exciting! I'll right out the details in a later post- once these daily adventures start to become boring.</span></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oZ8ZZSo42cWZmKDNmPglDBuNNYqoJEqYQZjIhEPzAbRrhF4p_fvGwQ8Ks9cvwKgjtAwOkNMN7FkI904a2_QLHpR34y8RdC9UaQwWEDsEIUaP82019cFxSGVkVtLcAubV25q9nMnsd0M/s1600/IMG_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oZ8ZZSo42cWZmKDNmPglDBuNNYqoJEqYQZjIhEPzAbRrhF4p_fvGwQ8Ks9cvwKgjtAwOkNMN7FkI904a2_QLHpR34y8RdC9UaQwWEDsEIUaP82019cFxSGVkVtLcAubV25q9nMnsd0M/s200/IMG_0228.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichE01H4e4B5hZwzFxR4RIovZNXFlkj9-6nSP-ESKIOc1lwBXchykTK6f-6sn3jBhny1K3u_z0w9JTYHwGIgTgewEPCwML0RX8bpKf0W9I7FZDJYXZ3712qUU5LSdLvxcfSI9vpAg23sw/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichE01H4e4B5hZwzFxR4RIovZNXFlkj9-6nSP-ESKIOc1lwBXchykTK6f-6sn3jBhny1K3u_z0w9JTYHwGIgTgewEPCwML0RX8bpKf0W9I7FZDJYXZ3712qUU5LSdLvxcfSI9vpAg23sw/s200/IMG_0232.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB__CnXqA5i0ZUcNXnohnpNmxhALTdz21HERiAE6_v896qXZYrJAsMKTB2emivN7MglTPcVNYbcTxSmCcY28NliEWytcXatnuR-dFCOBYZGysK_r_ttBc-NGh3oXU6zlIU5bIkSarxE2U/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB__CnXqA5i0ZUcNXnohnpNmxhALTdz21HERiAE6_v896qXZYrJAsMKTB2emivN7MglTPcVNYbcTxSmCcY28NliEWytcXatnuR-dFCOBYZGysK_r_ttBc-NGh3oXU6zlIU5bIkSarxE2U/s200/IMG_0231.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pic 1: Looking down on the first flight of stairs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pic 2: Looking up on how much more I have to do after 2 flights of stairs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pic 3: Looking at the 2nd flight.. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You get the idea..</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3JNmkO1_Txz3NWZK9yDAUb1gi-DInK5R9c2VtQC1DCqa3-MTRu2rH4kJjl_g1LyNhzKFLpslytr7TnG1RWse_-AXJd1FIkGb-uc3qWtcxuu9IqZ9AYtwHLCzp2sbkjUp1lELOpWO6rA/s1600/IMG_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3JNmkO1_Txz3NWZK9yDAUb1gi-DInK5R9c2VtQC1DCqa3-MTRu2rH4kJjl_g1LyNhzKFLpslytr7TnG1RWse_-AXJd1FIkGb-uc3qWtcxuu9IqZ9AYtwHLCzp2sbkjUp1lELOpWO6rA/s200/IMG_0238.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOEHuYBoFUP9zhq4gUUiVjn1_kQzGaDheE4aosmuCkaDU-6tFBBLbanT-qxE-wj2uWIfb8hnjLnCnkGzVTGBzeU4Fxo55BAO3JpyVE-cCZz5S5mczwvehgfNijh0R5WyqldUnEvWVs9Y/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOEHuYBoFUP9zhq4gUUiVjn1_kQzGaDheE4aosmuCkaDU-6tFBBLbanT-qxE-wj2uWIfb8hnjLnCnkGzVTGBzeU4Fxo55BAO3JpyVE-cCZz5S5mczwvehgfNijh0R5WyqldUnEvWVs9Y/s200/IMG_0239.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The blue door of this last picture is my door. :-)</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSVQ1P1whItsWvBfNT0ZR81Q9kIzSiaPYjwNtHJc3CYdf-yzG7Gpqz6dwVxrWBUPQtjO66DsY2641e5VMV7Pq2Pfbs5PaWSmETNTcrQkO2H_diwdsxPZ4Cg4cNa4vF61Fd2LAA1iILBM/s1600/IMG_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSVQ1P1whItsWvBfNT0ZR81Q9kIzSiaPYjwNtHJc3CYdf-yzG7Gpqz6dwVxrWBUPQtjO66DsY2641e5VMV7Pq2Pfbs5PaWSmETNTcrQkO2H_diwdsxPZ4Cg4cNa4vF61Fd2LAA1iILBM/s200/IMG_0242.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbWB0W7kIvtJZy2W-2tbuFF0cOsUMG_NppP-BVKcGB4Cq5lE6JzaNuGrfHKQFeuhe-68tGYM7-f_qDIdCsk-KxxprVj-Ujp75Gm2o2yKedQTsnYNfYe9YjyRtwnnuRjfq_yPhQ8Pp7MA/s1600/IMG_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbWB0W7kIvtJZy2W-2tbuFF0cOsUMG_NppP-BVKcGB4Cq5lE6JzaNuGrfHKQFeuhe-68tGYM7-f_qDIdCsk-KxxprVj-Ujp75Gm2o2yKedQTsnYNfYe9YjyRtwnnuRjfq_yPhQ8Pp7MA/s200/IMG_0248.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
That's what's right outside my door and this dark picture was taken in the evening of the stairway right outside my door looking down.<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">So I wanted to go to the Latin Quarters for a walk. On my way, found an outdoor skating rink and some very impressive skaters. It was fun to watch. I took a few pictures and stopped by the Notre Dame again where there was a Mass taking place. I continued to the 5th Arrondisement and just browsed the stores. The streets are always busy in Paris and it was nice to arrive safely back home. </div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">I want to end off by saying that the place that I have, even though it's small, is quite central and sufficient. In fact, it's ideal for a minimum of a month-long stay in Paris. If anyone ever wants this location, which I genuinely recommend, please let me know and I'll definitely connect you to the tenant. The only thing is that there is no elevator, but, the way I look at it, I get a great view and a very demanding, yet free body sculpting gym experience!</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAXqLlEYiHOk8Jnxg-lbiPoJTq9YgqF2HIlsN3-GPu1xJ1jk_CHAGsfCKtxQLFIGswV4FARY6mL1DTfPO1S1EqJUjJff9JusQ49hNP6hINuf4VwZ8FAh_4oIROTyU0tPTxqxUPO2Hjyc/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAXqLlEYiHOk8Jnxg-lbiPoJTq9YgqF2HIlsN3-GPu1xJ1jk_CHAGsfCKtxQLFIGswV4FARY6mL1DTfPO1S1EqJUjJff9JusQ49hNP6hINuf4VwZ8FAh_4oIROTyU0tPTxqxUPO2Hjyc/s200/IMG_0240.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Till the next,</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Viva</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-703526227690492762011-01-03T20:11:00.000+01:002011-01-03T20:21:36.116+01:00Luxurious, homeless wanderer<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I was so excited to leave yesterday. I had been talking about going to Paris for the last 8 months of my life, so it seemed for a while like it was never gonna happen. Visiting family in Jeddah is always wonderful because there's nothing to do except spend quality time with family and friends. The following is a few shots of a random street I was on, waiting for my dad to get spagghetti from the local convenient store. These are shots of the more shabby parts of the city, in the alleyways. Jeddah is more of a high-end city with several malls and a lot of space for cars. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBN8AQ9HoyuNg9aDG7ekwwXJt91QMt16B_jWZtTe94CerJ-u2-0MPs2C37l_7qqQCbDJAfNfkoJRPQJQCAritGluDvWzISeTN4uhKmmIFvybPpK8noVVU3eKVtA_5nj8QCNiI2G_XTY0/s200/IMG_0168.JPG" width="200" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLflk3fdCpYAOfwIhS2hEHziKmRFtWGqBpWLJ6qVKgacd52vvZ0yHLpApkE0YjwIrnjaTHT9LmdvOYAPnRYvXepDxoaovvVP5504Q62e5I67xRtzrR7ZxEdkVu3TJd1gzbAVL5C-hgOU/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLflk3fdCpYAOfwIhS2hEHziKmRFtWGqBpWLJ6qVKgacd52vvZ0yHLpApkE0YjwIrnjaTHT9LmdvOYAPnRYvXepDxoaovvVP5504Q62e5I67xRtzrR7ZxEdkVu3TJd1gzbAVL5C-hgOU/s200/IMG_0169.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-1FE8BgRMap2uC6dlkfyA1cIcTC0GYLSAQRSX4I0KEnemvJN7zcdhkcMMod5rNRcl0kGjpUf2gYs3mDLj3eite95nTAGJy9Nmjh_S94vzmHWzdzvKNGYdktqtDUcEazlJ89sm77jgGs/s1600/IMG_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-1FE8BgRMap2uC6dlkfyA1cIcTC0GYLSAQRSX4I0KEnemvJN7zcdhkcMMod5rNRcl0kGjpUf2gYs3mDLj3eite95nTAGJy9Nmjh_S94vzmHWzdzvKNGYdktqtDUcEazlJ89sm77jgGs/s400/IMG_0170.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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</div>But, alas, the day came. I was in Jeddah's international airport yesterday at 11:30 pm. My dad had confirmed my reservation for the 1:15pm flight. There's my family in the distance waving goodbye. </div><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pRQV-wzwCg-atGuaUIBGCl3djiPbqqRA8eZvIkTPjpquWytrLeUvWCxIVE55aIl9j2roJvlTVHG8vs_7fmeuUfiC8DGpfN01kLo2xfz7u5nZZEOIdvrXQKGak4KvSrOJvbgu-2k4SaE/s1600/IMG_0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pRQV-wzwCg-atGuaUIBGCl3djiPbqqRA8eZvIkTPjpquWytrLeUvWCxIVE55aIl9j2roJvlTVHG8vs_7fmeuUfiC8DGpfN01kLo2xfz7u5nZZEOIdvrXQKGak4KvSrOJvbgu-2k4SaE/s1600/IMG_0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pRQV-wzwCg-atGuaUIBGCl3djiPbqqRA8eZvIkTPjpquWytrLeUvWCxIVE55aIl9j2roJvlTVHG8vs_7fmeuUfiC8DGpfN01kLo2xfz7u5nZZEOIdvrXQKGak4KvSrOJvbgu-2k4SaE/s200/IMG_0171.JPG" width="200" /></a>The situation was so wonderful that an upgrade to first class was so unexpected! The last time I had been upgraded was around 6 years ago so the timing was magnificent. </div><br />
<img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbbrb3OcE7eOfaiBBjzvb65gGB-kUdzP5GGGldsktFeD5UvajSTo3_P0Zb6DIS7nBZoGnDzpWglUOwXCNMYIPQlsWJLL9lh4AM0IVP-OH_mCjbGaP2twIwG0OYOjNEeXPM1Z5s_oe0Fo/s200/IMG_0178.JPG" width="200" /><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Seven hours later and we arrive at 5:53 at CDG Airport.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_P3pYhw7ucYB74zei6gBev6JWyYuDtaKS3OWwRFLFuzGthX55GZP7M1bwPpm9dK0lsf-AxJKXH7Cz9hnQvLvNCv_V3iJE2AfvHh2VYhP53ykrPVyQMcnJeOFDM8XlTOe0zNi79c6nys/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_P3pYhw7ucYB74zei6gBev6JWyYuDtaKS3OWwRFLFuzGthX55GZP7M1bwPpm9dK0lsf-AxJKXH7Cz9hnQvLvNCv_V3iJE2AfvHh2VYhP53ykrPVyQMcnJeOFDM8XlTOe0zNi79c6nys/s320/IMG_0183.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwcnorBI2tXgfHm3_4VDnYWByMWvXC-tEhgH2h7T4w2kwBl8XXpSqeNobgWFw_7EZLIjOUw5pUP7l-7Ab5cZF6aegF5RpAoJRKK0R4cvVC62CHhoOrstLYzKg7LHTMiPzJhxkkK9x7rE/s320/IMG_0184.JPG" width="240" /><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdmM5M6b6mZdrNxWUdfdgY3XTqVqLnHOsBICg5eEiaS3VK73bbDKMgamz32YLEFYUIE9Ks06DzZGePUQzK9XIUJ3HKFCT47cIdgGq022tH3kDclcLaC2PLmAeuUQtdfR1w1euDQPiDuw/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdmM5M6b6mZdrNxWUdfdgY3XTqVqLnHOsBICg5eEiaS3VK73bbDKMgamz32YLEFYUIE9Ks06DzZGePUQzK9XIUJ3HKFCT47cIdgGq022tH3kDclcLaC2PLmAeuUQtdfR1w1euDQPiDuw/s200/IMG_0186.JPG" width="150" /></a>And so I take the train, RER B, to Chatelier- Les Halle with major paranoia. I might have given mean looks to people: <i>I will outsmart you if you try to pick-pocket me.</i> But, I don't my efforts prevented anything. Most people were headed to work and seemed to have other cares. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I arrived at the station and exited to find that the sun still hadn't shown as seen to the right. It was dark though the streets were filled with many getting to their destinations. Most importantly, I made sure I knew where I was going- and I did more or less. Google Maps is quite extraordinary- didn't keep me homeless for me lugging a 50lb bag behind me.</div><div style="text-align: left;">But the streets still look a little creepy and deserted 7:40 in the morning. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So I met up with my tenant and she lead me around the block to see points of interest as I get accustomed to the area. But this point, I am exhausted! I have not slept for a bit and I am sick of my bag, hating the moment I put each thing into that bag for whatever use it had- but that wasn't the bad part. I had to lug that old black suitcase up 4 floors of stairs, and they were small and numerous! I was cold at the bottom of the staircase and dripping sweat by the top. It was my worst heavy lifting experience ever. A few times, I almost lost grasp of the handle so much so that the tenant, who was right after me on the stairway, decided to wait till I did a level of stairs before she followed with that level! It was bad and only prayer pulled me through that. I thought I had been through a lot in Canada with bringing groceries home. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Later on that day, I decided to by some groceries, contact solution, and the plug adaptor to be able to charge my laptop. Most importantly, I wanted to walk around Paris and feel like a Parisien.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFArkS45rrWtdI1Z_-JuF5rNmPX3s8g3BIf4u5l7P_4Lv19zjP2I5l-P5YyBInfSSLjRQchjRJkS2h1i_os6jChSJHBUhiXrodgM8J2xN-qKndpOTXk2w7ST-h20TFVQEhKhD-oTOXEw/s1600/IMG_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBcVRou0AqTsXzzfDi7ly2b0y1mw7F6uYMYipeAEOv0Di6JXeXC2nKC2NaRTWq7xKA4wRI1IXtAjFn1acz1QzRAU7WfpO6GGI3kOhdRelqcZdcL7URZhGNW7sM0OhvZoLeSDZtyyRACg/s1600/IMG_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBcVRou0AqTsXzzfDi7ly2b0y1mw7F6uYMYipeAEOv0Di6JXeXC2nKC2NaRTWq7xKA4wRI1IXtAjFn1acz1QzRAU7WfpO6GGI3kOhdRelqcZdcL7URZhGNW7sM0OhvZoLeSDZtyyRACg/s200/IMG_0193.JPG" width="200" /></a><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFArkS45rrWtdI1Z_-JuF5rNmPX3s8g3BIf4u5l7P_4Lv19zjP2I5l-P5YyBInfSSLjRQchjRJkS2h1i_os6jChSJHBUhiXrodgM8J2xN-qKndpOTXk2w7ST-h20TFVQEhKhD-oTOXEw/s200/IMG_0187.JPG" width="150" /><br />
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I was still tired and right in front of my little studio location is a McDonald's. I wanted something cheap, quick and recognizable. I know that I hadn't even been 12 hours in Paris but I needed that link to familiarity before venturing off onto unknown territories. I got a cheeseburger for 1,75 euros and sat in a cafe-looking lounge. Too bad I watched Supersize Me. I could just eat a burger of McDonald's a day! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTKdNcfV-ileLv7xy57aOSYUFpeTfOd-B8P9khakE1p8ICgxZFBwiM9uQxSMi9XPz4NGnaSfDa9NW_ef_Jq50fUr_POxEjH8ciC1aDqw7BlVWeqSSRMLZxWL1xLp1IRtxyaOz48WDhCk/s1600/IMG_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTKdNcfV-ileLv7xy57aOSYUFpeTfOd-B8P9khakE1p8ICgxZFBwiM9uQxSMi9XPz4NGnaSfDa9NW_ef_Jq50fUr_POxEjH8ciC1aDqw7BlVWeqSSRMLZxWL1xLp1IRtxyaOz48WDhCk/s200/IMG_0192.JPG" width="150" /></a>From the place I was sitting at McDonald's you can see my two windows as in this picture. I took this picture so that my two windows are the ones fully showing on the upper right hand corner of the picture to the left. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So after that burger, I am walking and walking. Just observing the world around me. A few people with proposals approach me and others on the street for money. Thankfully, I've learned how to pass by these people quite swiftly. If I was not raised in the Arab world, how am I supposed to have just passed them by?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A major realization I came across today was how there is an amazing piece of history at every street corner in Paris. I just happened to come across this beautiful church- L'Eglise de St. Eustache. There were homeless people sleeping in it as well!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YsNvR_-d3pC01JZY6TlsgrK9Yj4D9rzQLLeHihImXzYuFIL86rVys7_nDDE9FX04nJEyctxwUU-s882YVtXj8loknoUkJeWiSQDN3I7aiDR7hrADs03QL8Cy-NXjefNOBI4DoKBajLQ/s200/IMG_0194.JPG" width="150" /><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64DRyyHGnPb7e_vWa-2VHfa8mHPqyL1A86QQtyBFjH-CJkvmBiawTUqCDPreANRL_oWa0Y85HQChN9QF10sqzAWkQkMF6PQJFHzc0F0UFMlbbyrVAQzYm3sVk-mU8XCwEXXv99gA1nlM/s200/IMG_0195.JPG" width="150" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_monxLkO_7WCD1BgNEEPE393pAns_41yOzR2FlKnlvDLwph7MHiU6WflcdKXCKW4yzGLN7TAFBha2ZyEyII5Hr-kfPMjLQIatpcGqiCXANjg5rjH6aUoOpRg_ivSV3KtIMiQ01wdgjE/s1600/IMG_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_monxLkO_7WCD1BgNEEPE393pAns_41yOzR2FlKnlvDLwph7MHiU6WflcdKXCKW4yzGLN7TAFBha2ZyEyII5Hr-kfPMjLQIatpcGqiCXANjg5rjH6aUoOpRg_ivSV3KtIMiQ01wdgjE/s200/IMG_0196.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQU6xGUznB2w6l_pKO3J5uUU2truQCLrPsqPfgOsO_FwaGUd3u4MdXc5R_5_mlSqiKuvvlFp0i5QmuuSFAe2f9PuiTPN_QpFRvzx6KZ3C0O7Vcju10XY9vC64iD5CUZO74pqj8B24Tsg/s1600/IMG_0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQU6xGUznB2w6l_pKO3J5uUU2truQCLrPsqPfgOsO_FwaGUd3u4MdXc5R_5_mlSqiKuvvlFp0i5QmuuSFAe2f9PuiTPN_QpFRvzx6KZ3C0O7Vcju10XY9vC64iD5CUZO74pqj8B24Tsg/s200/IMG_0197.JPG" width="150" /></a>I walked around looking for a grocery store. When I found the place, I found something that made me smile. Mom and Zeina, this is for you:</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I wanted to see the Notre Dame so I walked all the way around taking pictures and even ordering a Nutella crepe. I even directed some tourists to the Louvre while on my way!</div><br />
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<div style="color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I finally arrived home extremely exhausted. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">View from my apartment.</span></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">The day had taken a lot out of me. After a nice warm shower and warm tea, I'm typing this up hoping to be able to share the little adventure I was on today. I don't even know when this day started- but it was enjoyable nonetheless. January 3rd, 2011, thanks for being a unique and unforgettable day!</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">Till the next,</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">Viva</div><div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">PS- I watched Matchstick Men with Nicholas Cage on the plane over so you can't blame me for these symptoms of acute paranoia</div><div style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
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</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-72268196835335844012011-01-03T10:46:00.003+01:002011-01-03T10:46:47.323+01:00It hasn't hit me yet, has it?<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I AM IN PARIS!! I am sitting in a plastic chair in a 13 m2 studio. It is so exciting! I left Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at 1:15am on January 3rd, 2011 and arrived at 5:53am local time. It feels soo surreal, but what an experience!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I left Jeddah with a mix of anxiety, excitement, and French in my head. I have been cautioned quite repeatedly about pick-pockets that I think I'm slightly paranoid now. I feel like I'm taking it too far. If I am in a public place, I will study every person around me to answer the question of whether they look like they would so slyly steal from me. I think this horrible habit I am developing won't last long, though. Not a lot of aggressive, and pick-pocket-y looking people out there. Of course, I don't know what they'd look like anyway, and I don't really want to find out. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">So I forgot three things in my excitement to arrive: contact solution (I head it's so hard to find in this city-I'll let you know if I'm stuck wearing glasses for the next four months), my travel guide books for Paris and Europe (not really happy about that!), and the plugs to be able to plug in my electronics, including this laptop! So, I have to leave the descriptive post of my journey here to later. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Preview: Number one lesson I learned today was to travel light and NOT like Americans, as was used to describe me today. I am sore all over because I carried a 50 lb bag up 4 flights of stairs!!! Is there a chiropractor in Paris?!?!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">A tres vite,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Viva</div>Viva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193219206354511133.post-69384424558472041852010-12-08T09:33:00.001+01:002010-12-08T09:33:35.234+01:00A TEST.. ONLY A TESTTESTING ONE TWO THREEEViva Libanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206761264642243584noreply@blogger.com0