Today is like the first day of the rest of my life. You know when everything feels sorta new and refreshed? Well, that´s today. The feeling is grand, it´s like I am reborn again, only fully grown and experienced up to where I was last night.
I just found out that a really good friend of mine is moving to Paris, he will be here in 15 or 16 days. I emailed him earlier and just told him to bring tortillas (the Mexican corn kind), 1 kilo (almost 2 lbs.) is only $1.15 USD there, 10 Euros in Paris ($13.15 USD), slight difference and just a tiny joke that can also be taken as advice.
See, tortillas with melted cheese inside are quesadillas, you can garnish them with salsa, or vegetables, they are really good and super easy to make. Quesadillas are to Mexicans what sandwiches are for Americans, or what a croque is for Frenchs. With the variety of cheeses in France and with some tortillas from Mexico, when it come to types of quesadillas one can make here, the parisian sky is the limit.
Then while working out, after repeating the mantras I repeat every time I do cardio, I thought I would write him again and give him a heads up in some of the other "small" things one cannot found in this awesome city.
You see, not long ago, I found out I was the holder of this "magical thinking" power; almost everything I wish comes true, and I say almost, because one of the conditions is that all I wish for has to be good for me and those around me, that would count for a good 90%, give or take. That includes shooting stars, 11:11, 1:11 (or any succession of identical numbers... more elaborated than it sounds, but subject for another post), magic lamps, mantras, double rainbows, any given normal situation, etc.
So, one day I came to Paris for the first time, awful experience, but then I came back for the second time and Loved it, and then I wished to live here one day, and now I do. The circumstances are very particular and also deserve an independent post, but the thing is that my wish came true as many others I have made along my life.
When I first arrived here to officially "move in" was odd, I got here with a couple of big suitcases, a carry on, my back pack with my Mac and my cat, a half persian, half street black feline that sometimes plays hard to get and sometimes begs for love and kisses, but mostly meows loud when hungry.
The day of my departure, the flight was delayed like 5 hours and the airline gave the passengers a big bunch of vouchers for food and drinks, I was so hungry, and just after finishing my scrumptious dinner it started to itch here and there, then everywhere and in 10 minutes I was in the airport´s hospital, major food poisoning and that was a couple of hours before boarding. By the time I landed in Paris, my diet for the 5 next days would be just rice "toasties", avocado and banana, basically, maybe something else I don't remember. I couldn't eat normally until I landed in Barcelona a week later to spend xmas, where some of the closes members of my family live and are from, so its basically home, I guess I can say: "I couldn't eat normally until I landed in Barcelona and I was home", very good deal for me, one of my favorite restaurants in the world is there, Ugarit, Xix Tavuk combination my fave dish. It was just awesome.
So I live in Paris now.
Apparently, the city is wonderful always, but once you´re installed you start to realize that many things that you take for granted when you live in Canada, Mexico or USA don't actually exist here. At first you think it is only this one supermarket that don´t have whatever one´s looking for, but then, it´s tens of supermarkets and at the end it´s just not there, or it is in this little store near Saint Paul, only it costs 10 times their known (by you) cost.
I was about to email my dear friend and tell him to bring Degree, Sure or Arrid XX, you know antiperspirant/deodorant.
But before we have to go back a little bit in history, just to understand this better.
Remember how perfumes and scents in general are super popular in France? in fact the country is very well known by this product in particular. The village of Grasse is in the south of France, where a big deal of The Perfume, by Patrick Süskind, takes place, such a big deal. Most people outside here (the popular knowledge back in America and the Americas I mean) think it is because the french don´t shower and thus, they smell bad. Well, it´s not entirely a myth. You see, I like to workout, I´m a foodie and I will always prefer to leave part of the calories and as much fat as possible in the gym, rather than stop enjoying food, and I have to say that currently I´m in pretty good shape, maintaining my weight and slowly (actually) getting in better shape. So I go to the gym, 50 to 60 minutes of cardio first and then a group of muscles, very simple. In the gym some smell awful and they seem to not be aware of that fact and when they finish their routines and all the shower, but ultimately don't apply any "armpit" product. Deodorant or antiperspirant that is.
Long story short, there are deodorants in France, and a few antiperspirants, but not as powerful. The options are, A) the ingredients on deodorants and antiperspirants in France are basically shit and it´s like spreading transparent Nutella, or, B) the body´s PH of some of the inhabitants in this city it´s pretty fucked up, and it probably has to do with the food the eat, but anyway, it´s better to bring the hard guns from somewhere else. I usually bring my antiperspirants from the US, very reliable chemical products that will keep you dry and smelling like a high sophisticated executive or as lavender forever, take your pick.
Also, there´s no Pam, Boom!! There, I said it, no one was acknowledging the anti adherent elephant in the room. "I have no idea how they bake", I said to my two BFFs here, one was shocked and the other took a couple of seconds and said. "maybe they just butter", sure they do. Now I bring mine, a two pack from Costco, and I would bring for my expats friends, it´s like xmas every time someone arrives from the US. My flight back to Paris usually originates in San Diego, CA.
Differences are always there, I think only the UK and the US have enough products to make all expats from every nationality comfortable with the selection of international products. Other than that, not even "super expat" friendly Mexico, good thing the US it´s just right there, a couple of hours away by plane from Mexico City and just minutes away by car from my house in Tijuana. Trader´ Joe´s, Whole Foods Market, Vons, etc. You can always stock up there.
Spain is adorable and the food delicious, but super markets look as if they´re still in Francisco Franco´s time, only two of every product tops, three on a very good week, but nothing very international and the feeling of "fascism" it´s very palpable in super markets. As a member of the latin community I can say it´s not that bad either, Equatorians, Venezuelans, Colombians, Argentinienas and lots of Mexicans go there to study or work, so, their products are available in many spots.
Italy has such an amazing variety... of only italian products, they love their food so much, that they devote entire floors in big gourmet stores to their goods, but only italian stuff on display though. I like that italians support their food so much, I mean, who wouldn´t, right? I think italian it´s one of the most popular foods in the entire world, but that´s also limiting. There are a few latin and asian markets, but that´s pretty much it.
France it´s ok, a lot friendlier with expats in terms of ingredients. The gourmet section of Galeries Lafayette it´s a great place, although La Grande Epicerie de Paris it´s paradise, and I´m not going to start talking about Marks & Spencers food store, one of the best things that has ever happened to Paris since the liberation from the Nazis in 1944. Latin markets are here and there, not as many as asians, but definitely those that rule in Paris are the middle easterns, north africans and africans in general, they got their business going on here. Amen!
Integration to Paris lifestyle it´s not easy, but I bet it´s easier than integrating to Russia´s or Bhutan´s, I don't even wanna picture myself living there. Other than the antiperspirant and heavy odors stuff for people´s PH, food it´s pretty friendly and can accommodate plenty. Croissants are so good, and just as language, after a while you will understand why when it comes to pastries and all, Frenchs are so picky. In the dome of croissants there are even better qualities; if you thought you had the most amazing butter or almond croissant, there´s a friend that know an even better one, and when you try it you know this friend was right, but then you stumble into a new bakery and they make even better buttery croissants there; it´s start from scratch all over again, to classify the top 5 croissants in Paris it´s a hard task... But someone has to do it, right? That´s why I run until I burn 1500 calories and then and only then I feel more or less, less guilty about eating that many croissants. Only today I had 5, not the regular size though, the mini ones, but even then, that´s like 2 and a half, and that´s pretty much a lot for one day, considering tomorrow I will try the best almond croissants with my (about to leave back home... sniff) BFF.
At the end, Paris is lovely. You tend to forget you live here, but when it hits you because you´re walking busy and all distracted and, suddenly, you find yourself with the sparkling Eiffel Tower in the dusk of day right in front of you gigantic and powerful seducing you with lots of light winks; or crossing the Pont Neuf witnessing this stunning view of the Seine river and the beautiful monumental buildings along the left and right banks.
Not too long, a very smart person that´s not from Paris (but she´s a resident since a few years ago) told me we are very lucky to be here. That a big bunch of people wish to live here and not a big percentage of those wishes come true. Ours came true and we are here. We travel the streets of Paris day and night and get to go wherever in the city to will. For that I´m grateful. When I get to that thought I´m suddenly super happy; I usually take a selfie and post it with the caption, "I live here", code for "blessed and thankful to be living my dream". And smile for joy knowing whatever I wish for becomes a reality.
I just found out that a really good friend of mine is moving to Paris, he will be here in 15 or 16 days. I emailed him earlier and just told him to bring tortillas (the Mexican corn kind), 1 kilo (almost 2 lbs.) is only $1.15 USD there, 10 Euros in Paris ($13.15 USD), slight difference and just a tiny joke that can also be taken as advice.
See, tortillas with melted cheese inside are quesadillas, you can garnish them with salsa, or vegetables, they are really good and super easy to make. Quesadillas are to Mexicans what sandwiches are for Americans, or what a croque is for Frenchs. With the variety of cheeses in France and with some tortillas from Mexico, when it come to types of quesadillas one can make here, the parisian sky is the limit.
Then while working out, after repeating the mantras I repeat every time I do cardio, I thought I would write him again and give him a heads up in some of the other "small" things one cannot found in this awesome city.
You see, not long ago, I found out I was the holder of this "magical thinking" power; almost everything I wish comes true, and I say almost, because one of the conditions is that all I wish for has to be good for me and those around me, that would count for a good 90%, give or take. That includes shooting stars, 11:11, 1:11 (or any succession of identical numbers... more elaborated than it sounds, but subject for another post), magic lamps, mantras, double rainbows, any given normal situation, etc.
So, one day I came to Paris for the first time, awful experience, but then I came back for the second time and Loved it, and then I wished to live here one day, and now I do. The circumstances are very particular and also deserve an independent post, but the thing is that my wish came true as many others I have made along my life.
When I first arrived here to officially "move in" was odd, I got here with a couple of big suitcases, a carry on, my back pack with my Mac and my cat, a half persian, half street black feline that sometimes plays hard to get and sometimes begs for love and kisses, but mostly meows loud when hungry.
The day of my departure, the flight was delayed like 5 hours and the airline gave the passengers a big bunch of vouchers for food and drinks, I was so hungry, and just after finishing my scrumptious dinner it started to itch here and there, then everywhere and in 10 minutes I was in the airport´s hospital, major food poisoning and that was a couple of hours before boarding. By the time I landed in Paris, my diet for the 5 next days would be just rice "toasties", avocado and banana, basically, maybe something else I don't remember. I couldn't eat normally until I landed in Barcelona a week later to spend xmas, where some of the closes members of my family live and are from, so its basically home, I guess I can say: "I couldn't eat normally until I landed in Barcelona and I was home", very good deal for me, one of my favorite restaurants in the world is there, Ugarit, Xix Tavuk combination my fave dish. It was just awesome.
So I live in Paris now.
Apparently, the city is wonderful always, but once you´re installed you start to realize that many things that you take for granted when you live in Canada, Mexico or USA don't actually exist here. At first you think it is only this one supermarket that don´t have whatever one´s looking for, but then, it´s tens of supermarkets and at the end it´s just not there, or it is in this little store near Saint Paul, only it costs 10 times their known (by you) cost.
I was about to email my dear friend and tell him to bring Degree, Sure or Arrid XX, you know antiperspirant/deodorant.
But before we have to go back a little bit in history, just to understand this better.
Remember how perfumes and scents in general are super popular in France? in fact the country is very well known by this product in particular. The village of Grasse is in the south of France, where a big deal of The Perfume, by Patrick Süskind, takes place, such a big deal. Most people outside here (the popular knowledge back in America and the Americas I mean) think it is because the french don´t shower and thus, they smell bad. Well, it´s not entirely a myth. You see, I like to workout, I´m a foodie and I will always prefer to leave part of the calories and as much fat as possible in the gym, rather than stop enjoying food, and I have to say that currently I´m in pretty good shape, maintaining my weight and slowly (actually) getting in better shape. So I go to the gym, 50 to 60 minutes of cardio first and then a group of muscles, very simple. In the gym some smell awful and they seem to not be aware of that fact and when they finish their routines and all the shower, but ultimately don't apply any "armpit" product. Deodorant or antiperspirant that is.
Long story short, there are deodorants in France, and a few antiperspirants, but not as powerful. The options are, A) the ingredients on deodorants and antiperspirants in France are basically shit and it´s like spreading transparent Nutella, or, B) the body´s PH of some of the inhabitants in this city it´s pretty fucked up, and it probably has to do with the food the eat, but anyway, it´s better to bring the hard guns from somewhere else. I usually bring my antiperspirants from the US, very reliable chemical products that will keep you dry and smelling like a high sophisticated executive or as lavender forever, take your pick.
Also, there´s no Pam, Boom!! There, I said it, no one was acknowledging the anti adherent elephant in the room. "I have no idea how they bake", I said to my two BFFs here, one was shocked and the other took a couple of seconds and said. "maybe they just butter", sure they do. Now I bring mine, a two pack from Costco, and I would bring for my expats friends, it´s like xmas every time someone arrives from the US. My flight back to Paris usually originates in San Diego, CA.
Differences are always there, I think only the UK and the US have enough products to make all expats from every nationality comfortable with the selection of international products. Other than that, not even "super expat" friendly Mexico, good thing the US it´s just right there, a couple of hours away by plane from Mexico City and just minutes away by car from my house in Tijuana. Trader´ Joe´s, Whole Foods Market, Vons, etc. You can always stock up there.
Spain is adorable and the food delicious, but super markets look as if they´re still in Francisco Franco´s time, only two of every product tops, three on a very good week, but nothing very international and the feeling of "fascism" it´s very palpable in super markets. As a member of the latin community I can say it´s not that bad either, Equatorians, Venezuelans, Colombians, Argentinienas and lots of Mexicans go there to study or work, so, their products are available in many spots.
Italy has such an amazing variety... of only italian products, they love their food so much, that they devote entire floors in big gourmet stores to their goods, but only italian stuff on display though. I like that italians support their food so much, I mean, who wouldn´t, right? I think italian it´s one of the most popular foods in the entire world, but that´s also limiting. There are a few latin and asian markets, but that´s pretty much it.
France it´s ok, a lot friendlier with expats in terms of ingredients. The gourmet section of Galeries Lafayette it´s a great place, although La Grande Epicerie de Paris it´s paradise, and I´m not going to start talking about Marks & Spencers food store, one of the best things that has ever happened to Paris since the liberation from the Nazis in 1944. Latin markets are here and there, not as many as asians, but definitely those that rule in Paris are the middle easterns, north africans and africans in general, they got their business going on here. Amen!
Integration to Paris lifestyle it´s not easy, but I bet it´s easier than integrating to Russia´s or Bhutan´s, I don't even wanna picture myself living there. Other than the antiperspirant and heavy odors stuff for people´s PH, food it´s pretty friendly and can accommodate plenty. Croissants are so good, and just as language, after a while you will understand why when it comes to pastries and all, Frenchs are so picky. In the dome of croissants there are even better qualities; if you thought you had the most amazing butter or almond croissant, there´s a friend that know an even better one, and when you try it you know this friend was right, but then you stumble into a new bakery and they make even better buttery croissants there; it´s start from scratch all over again, to classify the top 5 croissants in Paris it´s a hard task... But someone has to do it, right? That´s why I run until I burn 1500 calories and then and only then I feel more or less, less guilty about eating that many croissants. Only today I had 5, not the regular size though, the mini ones, but even then, that´s like 2 and a half, and that´s pretty much a lot for one day, considering tomorrow I will try the best almond croissants with my (about to leave back home... sniff) BFF.
At the end, Paris is lovely. You tend to forget you live here, but when it hits you because you´re walking busy and all distracted and, suddenly, you find yourself with the sparkling Eiffel Tower in the dusk of day right in front of you gigantic and powerful seducing you with lots of light winks; or crossing the Pont Neuf witnessing this stunning view of the Seine river and the beautiful monumental buildings along the left and right banks.
Not too long, a very smart person that´s not from Paris (but she´s a resident since a few years ago) told me we are very lucky to be here. That a big bunch of people wish to live here and not a big percentage of those wishes come true. Ours came true and we are here. We travel the streets of Paris day and night and get to go wherever in the city to will. For that I´m grateful. When I get to that thought I´m suddenly super happy; I usually take a selfie and post it with the caption, "I live here", code for "blessed and thankful to be living my dream". And smile for joy knowing whatever I wish for becomes a reality.
