A pichet of rose, a pichet of rouge... and I'm too drunk to blog...
so pomme is apple and pomme de terre is potato, so why did my fromage blanc with pomme come with potato? Still quite good... then there was the bleeding finger accordianist...
We went to see Anti-Christ, the new film by Lars Van Trier, which caused a big controversy at Cannes this year. Most people booed, some declared it a great movie, I'm still up in the air. We went to see it because it may have difficulty getting theaters in the US. Some pretty graphic sexual mutilation stuff going on... But, still, some incredible movie making... Symbolism galore, much of it somewhat silly "chaos reigns!"... I don't know, I keep thinking about the film, which, I guess, is the effect of a good film. Go see it, if possible, but be forewarned, you may get grossed out...
More tomorrow, with more pics...
4.6.09
Some Background
Perhaps I should fill you folks in with a bit of background to this trip to France. Lacey has worked in Lyon many times as part of her Executive MBA program... sort of immerse her students in a foreign situation. So when she arranged a sabbatical this summer, she planned to take it in Lyon. As part of the trip, she will deliver a couple academic papers here in Lyon and also in Vienna. Then she will take some intense French lessons during her six weeks in Lyon.On a previous trip, she found this apartment in Vieux Lyon. The apartment is owned and operated by Stephane and Patrick, two very fine fellows who have done so much to make us feel comfortable. They have a web site for their "tower of Lyon". Check it out for a nice interactive tour of the facilities.
One feature of Lyon in particular is really cool to me. A number of years ago, the city arranged with an arts group to create some amazing murals on buildings around Lyon. We found one yesterday morning:
(You can click on the pic for a larger image). I don't know if we will find anymore, but some are almost impossible to comprehend as murals, they are so realistic and detailed. Here's a link to the arts group responsible for the work: http://www.cite-creation.com/. A web search on murals of Lyon will give you some more pics from better photographers than me.
Then, of course, I'm always excited by the odd, yet wonderful. In honor of motherhood and children, I finally found a tribute that impressed me.
We found this on the patio of a restaurant in one of the more exclusive hotels in Lyon. I'm glad the French have such a wonderful sense of humor.
A block away from our apartment is the Gare de St. Paul. It's an open area with a train and bus terminus. Having worked for UTA, the Utah bus company for many years, I have a fondness for public transit. I've also decided the reason so many (Western) Americans don't ride public transit is because there's no cool involved. Check out this Lyon bus... I'd ride it all the time!
Also around this "plaza", is a little bakery. Of course, one can't come to France without indulging in croissants. And this little bakery has great croissants, as well as other breads and pastries. I come down in the morning to the bakery, and a cute young lady indulges my atrocious French while I pile up the goodies, then back to the apartment to gorge ourselves.
Last night we had dinner at Le Baronn. Some of you will know why we choose this place. A very good meal, but not as expected. The coquille St. Jacques weren't particularly special, the steak was decent, but, again, not special. However, the salads were super, with a wonderful mustard vinegarette. Lacey doesn't particularly care for mustard, but devoured hers. I hate raw onions on a salad, but I devoured mine. The French are fucking us up! Viva La France! Finally, desert was terrific, the best chocolate vesuvius ever, and a great apple tort.
Oh, and then there were the t-shirts... do I dare? do I dare? Lacey may censor this report, stay tuned for the titillating...
Finally, a shot of the happy couple from a height overlooking Lyon. Supposedly we can see Mont Blanc in the Alps from here, but I don't think in this modern industrial age we will ever get a sufficiently clear day (and yesterday was an amazing clear day) to see the Alps.
And then there was the basilica, and the guitar shop, and the recording studio across the street, and so much more... And editorial comments (the deiffication of Mary and the French are just like us...) and more. Stay tuned, but now we have to check out Vengeance with Johnny Halliday..
2.6.09
Vieux Lyon
A few pics from our apartment windows... Vieux Lyon is about an 8 block area of buildings from the 1500's or so. Cobblestone streets, tile roofs, the whole historic European deal. Lots of residential spaces tucked into all the old buildings. Rather chaotic for those of us used to nice, rectangular condo/apartment structures. Way funky!
Then there are the stairs in our apartment. Really wonderful to look at and walk up once or twice, but since they divide the bedroom from the kitchen/den, we are already getting dizzy clomping up and down and all around these narrow steps.
So we dragged our jet lagged asses out into the streets last night. I was amazed! Zillions of cafes and bars and action everywhere! Lots of people in the streets, particularly 20 somethings. Of course, the weather is great at the moment, so a good reason to be out. All this activity, but not touristy... This area seems like real life in Lyon, at least this part of town. Of course, Lyon is quite large (nearly as big as SLC?), and there's lots of other cool areas, but we are happy to explore vieux Lyon.
And, of course, in any historical area, there are the churches. We found cathedral St. Jean just down the street. Classic European cathedral. St. Jean features a mechanical clock with intricate carvings including the zodiac. Pictures can't convey a complete description of this device. We hope to hear it ring with all the mechanical razzle dazzle sometime this week, but a small posted sign indicates the clock is 30 minutes off! Late or early???
Finally, for this post, our first meal in the culinary capitol of France. Lacey, having explored this area on previous trips to Lyon, wanted to try a particular restaurant not too far from our apartment. Based on a recommend from Willis (recently back from Paris), we tried the local Rose. Quite dry, not sweet like California rose. But the house rose was not particularly flavorful, although we sort of got into it as we drank more (wonder why?). Dinner was fabulous, Lacey a pork chop with a basalmic based sauce and an incredible baked peach. I had scallops wrapped in a thin ham (forgot the particular name) with a thin pesto sauce. Then there was the sorbet interlude between courses, sort of a lemon/mango/mint concoction that was tasty beyond belief! We finished off with the proverbial creme brullet... this version was bourbon flavored!
So our first meal lived up to expectations. Can't wait for more... The only problem, due to our fatigue, is the length of time to get our food. No pre-prepared dishes waiting for the final microwave heating, everything we ate was prepared fresh. We almost fell asleep between courses!
Anyway, off to bed and another big day tomorrow...
Then there are the stairs in our apartment. Really wonderful to look at and walk up once or twice, but since they divide the bedroom from the kitchen/den, we are already getting dizzy clomping up and down and all around these narrow steps.
So we dragged our jet lagged asses out into the streets last night. I was amazed! Zillions of cafes and bars and action everywhere! Lots of people in the streets, particularly 20 somethings. Of course, the weather is great at the moment, so a good reason to be out. All this activity, but not touristy... This area seems like real life in Lyon, at least this part of town. Of course, Lyon is quite large (nearly as big as SLC?), and there's lots of other cool areas, but we are happy to explore vieux Lyon.
And, of course, in any historical area, there are the churches. We found cathedral St. Jean just down the street. Classic European cathedral. St. Jean features a mechanical clock with intricate carvings including the zodiac. Pictures can't convey a complete description of this device. We hope to hear it ring with all the mechanical razzle dazzle sometime this week, but a small posted sign indicates the clock is 30 minutes off! Late or early???
Finally, for this post, our first meal in the culinary capitol of France. Lacey, having explored this area on previous trips to Lyon, wanted to try a particular restaurant not too far from our apartment. Based on a recommend from Willis (recently back from Paris), we tried the local Rose. Quite dry, not sweet like California rose. But the house rose was not particularly flavorful, although we sort of got into it as we drank more (wonder why?). Dinner was fabulous, Lacey a pork chop with a basalmic based sauce and an incredible baked peach. I had scallops wrapped in a thin ham (forgot the particular name) with a thin pesto sauce. Then there was the sorbet interlude between courses, sort of a lemon/mango/mint concoction that was tasty beyond belief! We finished off with the proverbial creme brullet... this version was bourbon flavored!
So our first meal lived up to expectations. Can't wait for more... The only problem, due to our fatigue, is the length of time to get our food. No pre-prepared dishes waiting for the final microwave heating, everything we ate was prepared fresh. We almost fell asleep between courses!
Anyway, off to bed and another big day tomorrow...
Flying to France
OK, and we are off. By transferring miles and paying extra bucks, we managed business class. Good food, and too much wine!
First we see Lacey waiting in the SLC lounge for a plane:
Of course we were anxious to get aboard and hit the champaign, but maybe a little too anxious:
But we did get aboard...
And had a wonderful stewardess who kept the wine flowing and the food hot...
Not much sleep, so I'm fighting the jet lag as I blog this stuff. But at least we were comfortable and just after breakfast we hit the French coastline, and then Paris... The Eifel Tower is in there somewhere:
We landed at DeGaulle, Lacey went for the massage, while I went for the booze (and cuban cigars).
Another plane hop and we made it to Lyon. We are staying in the oldest part of the city, dating back to the Roman era, but most of the buildings are probably from the 1500's.
Like our apartment... way old, but super modernized with compact conveniences. Neat fixtures and appliances. Wish we could get this stuff in the US. More pics later. Off to dinner, then some sleep (I hope...).
First we see Lacey waiting in the SLC lounge for a plane:
Of course we were anxious to get aboard and hit the champaign, but maybe a little too anxious:
But we did get aboard...
And had a wonderful stewardess who kept the wine flowing and the food hot...
Not much sleep, so I'm fighting the jet lag as I blog this stuff. But at least we were comfortable and just after breakfast we hit the French coastline, and then Paris... The Eifel Tower is in there somewhere:
We landed at DeGaulle, Lacey went for the massage, while I went for the booze (and cuban cigars).
Another plane hop and we made it to Lyon. We are staying in the oldest part of the city, dating back to the Roman era, but most of the buildings are probably from the 1500's.
Like our apartment... way old, but super modernized with compact conveniences. Neat fixtures and appliances. Wish we could get this stuff in the US. More pics later. Off to dinner, then some sleep (I hope...).
31.5.09
Off We Go
Well, sorry, lots of dead air on this blog. But, big news, I'm off to France with my special lady friend. so I plan to use this blog to post pics from our trip. We are leaving tomorrow, Monday, June 1, so stay tuned.
5.2.09
4.2.09
ecards
My old .mac account has changed to mobileme, or something. That's OK, but I miss sending greeting cards from the .mac site. So off I go looking for a new web based greeting card site. I found this one, and love it, although, again, it is more 20-something oriented. But they have a great attitude about their site, the cards are original and uncensored, and, in general, it's a great site to surf.
someecards.com
someecards.com
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