Where’s the Damn “M” Key

Sherry and I just returned from a wonderful Paris vacation.  While we were there I intended to write at least three or so posts for this blog.  What happened?  Well, while the apartment we rented did have a laptop, the laptop had a French keyboard.  It is just different enough to drive you a bit insane.  Take a look for yourself!

Here were some of the harder things for me to overcome.  The commonly used M, A, and W keys are in different places.  You have to hold the shift key for periods and numbers (yes, numbers).  And finally, you have this third option, as highlighted in the photo, of the Alt Gr key.  This is used for any key with three options.  For example, to type the @ symbol you needed to press Alt Gr – 0.

While I did manage to write one post while I was in Paris, it was very challenging since I do type by touch.  So, I am just typing away and then I realize what I am typing looks like gobbely-gook (that’s a technical writing term).  Here is an example of a sentence I eventually got correct and how it was typed originally.

Correct version:  “So, most of us Americans should be able to make our way through a French menu without too much difficulty.”

Original version:  “So, ;ost of us Q;ericqns should be qble to ;qke our zqy through q French ;enu zithout too ;uch difficulty.”

Finally, I gave up and limited my typing to emails and Facebook posts.  However, I did some old fashion writing by hand as I sat in cafes sipping coffee or wine so look for these stories, in no particular order, in the very near future.

• Shopping for Dinner
• Le petite Chaperon Rouge
• Riding the 69 Bus
• Lunch at Le Voltaire
• The Monet Exhibit at the Grand Palais

There may be a few more as well but that should get me started.

Until then . . .

Au revoir!

No English Menus for Us

If there is one thing Sherry and I both dislike when we are in France, it's when a restaurant automatically gives us menus in English. This mostly occurs in Paris. We come to France to enjoy the people, sights and sounds of another country. If we wanted to read menus in English, we would have stayed in the States. Frequently, when this occurs we will send the menus back and ask for French ones.

Here's the deal. Many of the words we use in cooking and eating come from French terms. So, most of us Americans should be able to make our way through a French menu without too much difficulty. Sure, there will be things you don't recognize but what the hell, you're in France so try new things. Plus, the simple act of taking a French menu will open doors that you did not know existed.

Last night we ate at Chez Fernand. We have been there before and were smart enough to make reservations when we happened to walk by the day before. On arrival, we were seated at a very nice table and asked "English menus?" My response? "Non, non! Les menus en Francais; s'il vous plait." His response? "Excellent!" And then, he offered us 2 glasses of champagne.

The next day, we happened upon the bistro, Le Grand Colbert, during our stroll through Paris. As it was just past noon, and we planned on eating there any way, we stopped in for lunch. Once again the English menu option was offered and refused. This brought a sly look of respect and acceptance from our host.

Now, I'm not saying that choosing a French menu will get you treated like a true Parisien. (BTW - I've seen the way some Parisiens are treated and this is not a bad thing!) However, it will go a long way in showing and gaining respect. And, in the end, you will have even more wonderful memories and isn't that what vacations are all about?

Au revoir!

Off to France

Sherry and I are off on yet another adventure to the City of Lights.  That’s right!  For the next 11 days, we are going to drink wine, sip café crèmes, sketch, write, relax, and do all the other things people do while in Paris.  The plan?  To relax and go where ever our mood, and the Metro, takes us.

This will be our 6th or 7th trip to Paris so we have done all of the touristy things.  Now, we just enjoy trying to live in the city for a few days as if we lived there permanently.  The only way to accomplish this is by staying in an apartment versus a hotel  We found this beautiful place in the 6th arrondissement, which is where we prefer to “live” while we are there. 

Apartment living is the way to go in Paris.  We are using Paris Vacation Apartments on this trip and so far they have been delightful to work with.  There’s just something about going shopping to cook in your flat versus eating out every night.

Although we don’t have any real plans, there is one thing we would love to see while we are there.  Snow!  We have been to Paris in winter before but we have never seen it snow there.  So far, the forecasts is working in our favor.

Keep checking back over the next few days as we continue to post stories about our wonderful adventures in the City of Lights.

Au revoir!