Paris is a Woman. New York is a Man.
Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference For more information and to register, click here FrenchPropertyconference or email info@adrianleeds.com
Dear Parler Paris Reader, It’s pretty easy to board a plane, sit back and relax, watch a few movies, eat bad food and a few hours later, you’re speaking another language, taking in a totally new landscape and growing accustomed to another culture. That’s what I did Friday — land in the unofficial capital of the U.S. of A. — New York City. It’s always a bit of a culture shock after having lived so many years in Paris, no matter how many times a year I visit New York. Paris is as different from New York as any major city can get. I have always seem them both in terms of ‘gender.’ Paris is a woman — feminine. New York is a man — masculine. (I also find Amsterdam feminine and London masculine — can’t really tell you why.) From the window of my daughter’s West Village apartment, there is a perfect view of the Empire State Building, tall and clear. It’s a rather masculine spire, wouldn’t you agree…and with a lighted tip. And while you may think that the Eiffel Tower is also masculine in shape, ‘she’ is often called “La Grande Dame” and think about it — does she not look like a woman wearing a broad skirt with a narrow waist? So, I wonder. Did the architects of these iconic structures have the same sentiments and carry through the gender theme without even realizing it? New Yorkers’ love for France is evident everywhere. Retailers, restaurants and all sorts of services have long taken up the habit of giving themselves French names, which of course make them seem more chic, or ‘sexy,’ just like a feminine woman can decorate a room. And so do all things French enhance the masculine landscape of New York. We ‘Parisians’ tend to gravitate toward those things ‘French.’ At the “brasserie” on the corner of 57th Street and Avenue of the Americas, aptly named “Rue 57″ (which New Yorkers call “ROO FIFTY-SEVEN,” instead of “ERRRRUUUUU SANKONT SET”), we each ordered “une Salade Niçoise.” It seemed appropriate. When I asked for “une noisette” (an espresso with milk) out of habit, not even realizing I had spoken French, the waitress knew exactly what I was talking about. She was French — we heard it in her accent. Like in Paris there are very accomplished musicians playing for money in the “subway,” that they now call the “Métro” (wonder where they got that name!?). One gentleman, extremely well dressed, almost like a ‘dandy,’ was playing a saw, and quite beautifully. He had chosen an artistic backdrop for himself and had gathered a large crowd. It felt right at home, except for the musical saw — that was a strange first-sighting in any city. A trip to a wine shop was a shock for us Parisians who have the habit of buying pretty decent 5€ bottles of wine at the supermarket — the kind that are equivalent to a $10 or $12 bottle here. Trader Joes is known to sell “Two Buck Chuck” — California wines that sell for as little as $1.99 a bottle. It’s no wonder then why there was a line of people waiting to enter the store on 14th Street. We gave up and opted for $10 bottles to avoid the crowds. While taking in the best of New York, we’ve already succumbed to a big juicy American burger with crispy fries at the Corner Bistrot on 4th Street (number 331)at the corner of Jane Street. It’s been written up as the best burger in Manhattan, but that’s a pretty tall order, considering how many burgers one might have in New York. Burgers have become all the rage in Paris, now you find them on just about any brasserie menu. Nonetheless, it was down right delicious and we ate it with our hands, of course, letting it drip down our wrists, chuckling all the while about how the French eat burgers with a fork and knife. But of course, the French burgers aren’t as juicy as these thanks to lean French meat. If they were, they’d likely learn to eat them with their hands, too. Then the day was not complete without a really creamy dense New York Cheesecake (served with whipped cream and hot chocolate) at the Brooklyn Diner at Times Square (155 W. 43rd Street). It’s as delicious as any N.Y.C. (New York Cheesecake) can be. This is a dessert the French have not perfected. Thank goodness…at this rate, if we keep working our way through New York’s culinary delights, we’ll end up looking more American (well fed) and less French (gaunt) every day. Celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day started early. The pubs and bars are already spilling onto the sidewalks with drinkers and party-goers. You can almost smell the beer from the street, it’s so prevalent. The official celebration is tomorrow with the annual Saint Patty’s Day Parade along 5th Avenue, beginning at 44th Street and heading north, turning east on 86th Street. Marching bands come from every county in Ireland to participate, the unofficial dress code is green (uh oh, I didn’t bring anything appropriate to wear) and as I understand it, the best viewing spot is from the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There’s no way this feminine “Parisienne” is going to miss all the special festivities in this masculine city, New York. So, stay tuned until Wednesday’s Nouvellettre®, before we head south to a more feminine city — New Orleans. Don’t you agree she’s more of a woman like Paris? ![]() Adrian Leeds Editor, Parler Paris ![]() P.S. Be sure to scroll down or visit our FrenchPropertyconference Web site and the Parler Paris Community Calendar for all the fabulous workshops coming up soon… P.P.S. For those of you who have dreamed of having a luxurious chalet in Chamonix, don’t miss the special offering to Parler Paris readers…to save 500,000€!!! Scroll down for more information. ![]() NEW EPISODE, NEW DATES AND TIMES! SEE ADRIAN LEEDS AND FRENCH PROPERTY CONSULTATION ON HOUSE HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL! ***NEW: “Vacation Home in Paris” – Episode HHINT-1A05
New Yorkers Jeff Ballinger and Mary Schiller recently began the first steps toward making their dream together a reality. After honeymooning in Paris, they knew they wanted their own vacation property in France. Now, they’ve moved out of their house and into a smaller condo in the Bronx, NY, and have begun their search for a pied-a-terre in Paris. To learn more, visit parlerparis.com/calendar.html or email Adrian Leeds, at adrian@adrianleeds.com
You’ve done your Imaginative Storm work. You’ve generated fragments, snippets, images, and story lines. Now, it’s time to play with form and structure…
For more information, visit /parlerparis/ or contact Antonio, antonio.psicom@gmail.com Own a Luxurious Chalet in France… and Save 500,000€! A Special Savings for French Property Insider and Parler Paris Readers! Chalet Beaumont, Chamonix, France * 7/9 apartments total of 409m2 on 4 levels and 3573m2 of land. FOR OUR READERS AND SUBSCRIBERS: 1,995,000€ (save 500,000€!) To inquire further email adrian@adrianleeds.com
Over the past seven years, the Paris Poetry Workshop May 10-15, 2009 led by poet Cecilia Woloch, has become a tradition in the English-speaking Paris poetry community. This is your chance to see and experience a side of Paris not readily accessible to the average tourist… For more information visit: /frenchproperty/conference/poetry/poetry_paris_2009.html
Saturday, March 28, 2009 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Ann Cary Dana is an American-born French immigration lawyer specialized in foreigners working in France (work permits, temporary assignments, students working or applying for a change of status). For more information visit /frenchproperty/conference/
Four Weeks a Year of Heaven in Your Own Part of “Le Palace des Vosges!” Now you can own a share in an AMAZING “maison” — more of For more information visit frenchpropertyfractional.com or maryellen@adrianleeds.com RESERVE NOW FOR UPCOMING LIVING AND INVESTING IN FRANCE REAL ESTATE CONFERENCES…
This newly renovated air-conditioned apartment, located in a 16th-century building, is an immaculate and calm one-bedroom oasis in the heart of Paris. Bright and luxurious, La Terrasse du Temple offers all the comforts of home in a well layed-out 35 square-meter package…
Insider Paris Guide for Good Value Restaurants You don’t need to be rich to dine well in Paris – you just need to know where to go. Enjoy fabulous three-course meals with wine for just $20 to $35, including tax and tip. Explore more than 200 hand-picked great-value restaurants. Plus, get a pull-out glossary of common food and dining terms found on French menus!
For more information, visit Insider Paris Guides at InsiderParisGuides.com
The second Tuesday of every month, Parler Paris and French Property Insider readers gather at La Pierre du Marais for a drink and a “schmooze” — it’s an opportunity to meet and chat with other like-minded people and a great way to make friends! Costs nothing except whatever you drink, so don’t miss the next gathering on Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 from 3 to 5 p.m. For more information, visit Parler Paris Après Midi
Practice speaking French and English. Make friends, discuss interesting topics, learn about other cultures, progress in understanding and speaking, naturally and easily. Meets three times a week — come as often as you like!
nt> For further details, visit Parler Parlor
France Today is an insider’s look at French culture, people and trends — your savvy guide to off-the-beaten-track places and events in Paris and all over France!
To subscribe, visit France Today or call 1-800-901-6560 Buy and sell with Parler Paris classifieds: ParlerParis.com/advertise.html Copyright 2010, Adrian Leeds® |
Paris is a Woman. New York is a Man.
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