Library cards
This morning we explored the local public library which is just a short walk from our house. Getting library cards is fortunately much easier than getting residence permits! We spent an hour or two reading story books in French to the kids, and then checked out a stack of story books, architecture books, and music CD's to bring home. When we got home, we put on one of the kids' music CD's. Jonah listened for a minute and said, "This nice. This Chinese?" (We had been talking earlier about Dante passing his Chinese exam for the State Department, so maybe that's where he got the idea).
After nap/work time we went for a late afternoon walk in the yet unexplored direction of northwest from our apartment. We walked through the really impressive Place de la Republique and across the 10th and 9th arrondisements to the Galeries Lafayette. This is a very beautiful department store, most well known for its incredible stained glass dome ceiling (see photo). There is also a great panoramic view of Paris from the top floor, but unfortunately, we arrived just as they were closing the terrace (we'll have to go back). We did a little shopping, and then went out to dinner at a sandwich shop.
As we walked, Ella mused: "I think I know why so many people want to come live in Paris." "Why?" "Because in Ohio there are a lot of bees, and here there are not very many bees." Yeah, that must be it: amazing art and architecture, incredible restaurants, unbeatable culture, and not too many bees.
Jonah's favorite expression these days is "Oh fine." For example, he puts his sandals on the wrong feet and I tell him, "Jonah, your sandals are on the wrong feet. Can you fix them?" Then, he has a 5 minute tirade in the style 2-year-olds have down to a science e.g., "no, I like this feet. I want this way. I no fix it." Then, suddenly, Jekel and Hyde like, he is okay with it. He says, as thought I am simply not worth the trouble, "Oh fine. I fix this."
posted by M-E Family at 10:17 PM
5 Comments:
can you imagine the marketing slongan ella has inspired?
"Visit Paris. Less Bees."
They will simply have to add a new airport to accomodate.
Your scavenger hunt idea was amazing. I cant wait to do that for Rowan!!!
I love your marketing campaign.
Today, Ella had another insight into the popularity of Paris. She has noticed there are a lot more Jews here than in Ohio (more kosher retaurants, synagogues, etc.). She has a theory:
"I know why there are so many Jewish people in France. Because there are lots of pillows here that you can use for leaning on during the Passover seder."
Please tell Ella that one of my favorite houses in Lacoste is the "Miel" house or honey house: provence is, of course, rich in des abeilles, and the handwoven ruches were once an iconic image of the area. Lavender honey is a favorite at our house! Ah yes, but the south is very different...
you have to tell ella that she was right. thats exactly why the population there has bloomed.
"Visit Paris. Less Bees. More Jews. What more could you ask for in a vacation?"
"Visit Paris. Less Bees. More Pillows. More Jews. You know what we mean."
encore des abeilles:
as it is a mayoral election year here in Toledo, all the roadways are suddenly being repaired all at once, bringing what passes as the evening rush hour here to a standstill. Which explains why I was staring at a license plate from Maryland on fourteenth street and thinking about Ella's bee comments: the Maryland State Beekeepers Association has their own license plate; complete with emblematic bee over a field of yellow, and BEE in capital letters vertically. Seemed to have been a bee day!
Post a Comment
<< Home