Paris, Paris, Paris, Paris ... How Many Times Must I Type It to Show I Love It?

So all I've been hearing since I've moved to Brussels is: "Paris is only an hour twenty on the train." Clearly, everyone here in Brussels great appreciates its strategic traveling location, just as I do. With Sheelah here to visit, we decided it would be a good idea to hop on the Thalys and head to Paris for the weekend.

Beautiful sculpture and flowers in the Jardin du Luxembourg on the Left Bank

After enjoying the free wine and food on the first class train (summer sale ... actually cheaper than second), we arrived to a gorgeous Friday afternoon in Paris. Lovely, warm, sunny ... so much nicer than we expected. Once we checked into our hotel on the Left Bank, we strolled through the Jardin du Luxembourg and then headed to Notre Dame to meet Jim, my fancy-schmancy friend who just happened to be spending an entire week in Paris for work (I am seriously jealous of him and his work travel, if you must know. Next stop - Croatia!). We met Jim and headed toward the Centre Pompidou to sit at a cafe and people watch. I didn't take any pictures, but trust me, if you are in Paris, go there to people watch. It is great. Also, we had this awesome smoked salmon on pancakes with creme fresh. It may sound odd but it was delicious. The Parisian version of bagels and lox.

Their future is so bright, they've gotta wear shades. Does anyone else remember that episode of Head of the Class where they made a music video to that song? I always think of that when I hear that song.

And then came my favorite part of the day ... the most awesome Parisian celebrity sighting ever. Yes, when we were over in the Left Bank having drinks and dinner, I looked up and saw Julie Delpy walk by. I love Julie Delpy. I love Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. I love 2 Days in Paris. And as Amanda knows, I love Killing Zoe. I couldn't think of a better celebrity sighting to have in Paris. Maybe Carla Bruni? But really, I love Julie Delpy so I was super excited.

Bonjour, Julie! If only you were still dating the Hebrew Hammer ... dare to dream.

So what to do after dinner in Paris? Visit the Eiffel Tower, of course! La Tour was beautiful, lit up to celebrate the EU (Sarko is really enjoying the EU French Presidency). We took pics, had a lovely after dinner drink in the Trocadero, and made our way home to prepare for a full Saturday in Paris. The pics didn't come out super well, so I can't show you La Tour. But here is a pic of me and Sheelah.

So the rest of the weekend was fun, but also a comedy of errors. We saw a cool exhibit of Richard Avedon photos; had drinks at Le Fumoir with my colleague James and his girlfriend Sabine (she lives in Paris ... again, jealous); and had one of the best meals I've ever had at a tiny little bistro near Place des Vosges. I also ran into a poll while reading a map and have the most disgusting bruise ever; was allergic to the sheets on my bed and had to sleep on the floor to stop itching; and had a panic attack on the ferris wheel in the Tuilleries (note to self: ferris wheels scare you to death ... DO NOT RIDE). But other than that, Paris is great fun. Can't wait to go back to meet my Mom and Dad there in two and half weeks! I leave you with my favorite statue in Jardin du Luxembourg.

If I am so pretty, why am I made of stone?

A Cultural Tradition: The Flower Carpet

On Thursday, Sheelah arrived for a week-long visit from NYC. And she was just in time to see one of the most famous events in Brussels ... the Flower Carpet. Every other year, for one weekend only, they cover the Grand Place in this amazing carpet of flowers.

On the night it opens (which was this past Thursday), there is a big "opening ceremony." We missed the fireworks display, but we were there to see the light show synchronized with classical music. It was pretty cool ... and pretty lucky that it happened this year so that we were able to see it.

We were trying to figure out how all the flowers remain in place, but when you look closer, you see that it is petals, not full flowers. But again, still no clue how it stays down. That doesn't matter though ... it is still pretty impressive.

The Benefits of Winning a Gold for Belarus

From this morning's European Voice:

Athletes who get their hand on Olympic medals will get rewards, often financial ones, when they come back to their respective home countries. The Belarusian athletes who return back from Beijing with a gold medal around their necks can also expect a life-time supply of sausages, according to a Belarusian meat company. “We haven’t really figured out how we will solve it practically but I suppose that we have to send them a package of sausages once or twice a month, said the CEO of the company. He also added that they will listen to the gold medallists’ specific demands on sausage flavours. Belarus claimed two Olympic gold medals in the 2004 Olympics.

Lex aux Bruxelles

Well, my first official visitor arrived on Sunday, August 10th ... and she stayed for a mere 24 hours. Yes ladies and gentlemen, the lovely Ms. Alexious Butler stopped in Brussels on her way to Liberia to spend the day with me. We drank Belgian beer, walked around, drank Belgian beer, saw Manneken Pis, drank Belgian beer, took a nap, drank champagne and went out to dinner. It was fantastic to see her.

Here's Lex with the Hotel de Ville in the background.

And here she is enjoying a glass of wine at my apartment! Yay!