Chez Singe

by Danielle

After many months of complaining about certain things in my neighborhood (the trash, the constant spitting and public urination), the warm weather has brought out the best in it. The nearby Parc Buttes Chaumont and Canal Saint Martin are glorious this time of year and we take full advantage of them. The cafes are filled with people sitting outside at all hours, to the point that sometimes you can’t find an open table (be warned, it’s smoke free inside, but not outside!).

I was especially tickled when a few weeks ago a renovation project started at the corner of our street. Ever since we moved in the first floor of that building has been boarded up and depressing to behold. Work began and it became clear that a cafe was in the works. I was thrilled, finally a spot that could maybe be “our” place.

While there are ample cafes in the area none has exactly the vibe I favor. They have names like Cafe Cherie (too trendy), Le Week-End (extra-surly waiter), Aux Follies (too punk), Cafe Saint Marthe (not kid friendly), Cafe Sardine (super slow service), Chez Gudule (not kid friendly), La Vielleuse (heart of chinatown/spitters) and so on. Imagine my surprise to have the cafe completed, very modern with shiny modern metal chairs outside and a bright orange awning that reads: “Monkey’s: Funky Food with Soul”  (they serve fancy burgers). The inside looks like a shiny new sports bar you might see in the office wasteland of Rosslyn, VA.  Quel domage.

Quatorze Juillet

by Danielle

My apologies for the lack of posts recently. Now that Dan has graduated from his MBA program it feel like summer is officially here and I’ve been slacking.  We have not been doing anything earth-shaking but enjoying the kids, the weather, and the nearby parks.  So you haven’t missed much, really.

July 14th (Bastille Day) is France’s national holiday of independence, and also happens to be my date of birth. I was always curious to know what it was like to be in Paris for this holiday. There are two main things that happen; a big military style parade down the Champs Elysees in the morning, and at night, a concert and fireworks next to the Eiffel Tower. Neither of which we got to see in person (boo).

I did catch a few minutes of the parade on tv while Joseph and I sat at a cafe. We could see a sliver of the tv inside, between the old men drinking beer (at 10 in the morning). Joseph got pretty excited when we saw a fleet of helicopters on the screen, and a few moments later saw them overhead. At night the fireworks start after 11pm and needless to say I was fast asleep by the time they started.

I should note that we did manage to celebrate my birthday with friends Terence and Sarsha. You may recall that I used to go to their apartment for Sunday morning conversation practice (Terence is French, Sarsha is Australian/Polish). They stopped by with champagne and a very personal gift of original artwork (wow)! It made the day feel extra special to celebrate with friends, and also be showered with emails, calls and gifts from friends and family back home.