Is the past just a carriage ride away?

Posted on July 10, 2011 by thetravelingpear

If you had the opportunity to travel back in time would you? What century would you chose? As a student of history, I’ve learned, contemplated, observed and fascinated over various periods of human history. Everything from the ancient Greeks to Napoleon and more recently—the early 19^th century world wars. If there’s one piece of human history that I’m pulled to like a magnet, it’s the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Anyone who knows me would agree that if I had one wish, that wish would be to live during the days of Enlightenment when women would charm with their wit as well as with their beauty (no different from today really) and where frivolousness, big hair and even bigger dresses reigned supreme. I’m looking at it from an aristocrat’s perspective…because that’s of course who I would have been…*wink wink*. It’s completely ridiculous–I understand–but its my *thing*.

Knowing well and good that time machines are not real, I’ve had to make do with the occasional “dress-up and pretend.” I’ve dragged my poor husband to every carnival, festival and “period” *shindig* Texas had to offer. He’s dressed in a leprechaun green suite and top hat to attend a Charles Dickens ball. He’s sweated his butt off in a fur and leather costume to be my Robinhood at a Renaissance festival. So I knew exactly what his reaction would be if I asked to play dress up again—a look of “oh no, now what?” He really does like playing dress-up no matter his initial reaction.

Apparently our arrival to France couldn’t be more right on. The Palace of Versailles had just began hosting what they call Chateau de Versailles Spectacles. Over the course of the summer each weekend the Chateau and its gardens and fountains come alive with musical events. On select weekends the Grand Canal hosts a show called the Vivaldi Venice Versailles. This weekend was the Le Carnaval de Versailles Nuit blanche au Château—a masked ball from midnight until 8am held in the L’Orangerie (a venue large enough for a party of 1500 of your best friends) Marie Antoinette would be so proud! If there’s one place in the world who knows how to put on a masked ball it’s Versailles. Louis XV’s most famous ball, Bal des Ifs or Yew Tree Ball, was given in 1745 in the Hall of Mirrors. It was here that the king’s future mistress, Madame de Pompadour, worked her charm and claimed his heart. Balls at Versailles were always the most splendid of all in Europe!

So, for the past few weeks I’ve done everything possible to organize this once in a lifetime dream fantasy event. My poor husband didn’t have a chance to even complain; he wouldn’t anyway because he knows what an event like this means to me. After tracking down quality costumes from a 100-year-old costume shop here in Paris and making reservations to stay at an exquisite hotel in Versailles, the Chef and I had a date with the past. Here was how 2011 gave way to the legendary 17th and 18th centuries…

Trianon Palace Hotel before history takes over…

Touring the gardens and fountains of Versailles…

And when night takes the day…the past of Versailles returns to show all its grandeur, splendor and glory.

A firework show that Marie Antoinette would have loved to have witnessed on her wedding day–

May 1770

Louis XIV would be amazed at the sights, sounds and colors that were bounced around his Orangerie…

And this is where history bids adieu and the 21st century world returns. If only the past was a carriage ride away…would you return??? I might just stay in for the ride.

Seriously…Life Can’t Be A Fairy Tale?

Posted on June 30, 2011 by thetravelingpear

In a city with so many multisensory stimuli ( who knows where I pulled that language from–the teacher in me won’t let go) I’ve found it hard to comment on just one thing. It’s not that we don’t have anything to blog about, but rather just the opposite–we have an overload of things to blog about. Where to even begin is too complex.

So perhaps I will try—Over the past 2 weeks we’ve met many new friends, learned how to navigate (somewhat) and pretty much adjusted to living in a densely populated city. However, more importantly we have come to realize that we are no longer tourists but new inhabitants to an ancient city so rich in human history and yet so magically unique.

A little of that Paris magic worked it’s way into our lives–as this week we experienced a transition–the Chef is now employed! That’s remarkable given he was here just 2 weeks! He was offered a position at Citrus Etoile and is now training with Michelin Star Chef Gilles Epie. Just so the Chef knew the route to work we made a trial run the night before. Situated just off the Champs-Élysées–this restaurant oozes chicness.

Take a close look at the table---yep...fish bowl complete with gold fish.

Secondly, a dream which I never expected would or could happen is hopefully going to be realized–the Château de Versailles is hosting a Marie Antoinette styled masked ball..called Le Carnaval de Versailles on July 9th. Yep, some Parisian fairy sprinkled her fairy dust and voilà….Elissa is going to the ball. Now I’ve become Cinderella—except I don’t have a dozen mice and some sparrows making my dress…Nor do I have a fairy godmother!! For the past few days I’ve been on the hunt for matching Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette costumes. Speaking limited French is a pain but when you’re on a mission such as I am, no language barrier is going to stand in the way! If I can’t find them in Paris then they might as well not exist. Today while on a reconnaissance mission (scouting/exploring) on my own for a costume shop I ended up in the part of Paris definitely off the tourist path. Where the heck were my fairies? Tomorrow is another day and hopefully I will find my costumes.

Other than that bit of news…here is a look at Paris through our eyes….

Enjoying the shade under the oldest tree in Paris--she's should have a sign that reads "Releasing oxygen since the 17th century."

Pixel art we are always on the look out for.

Another one

Monumenta...art that's just way out there

Our staple food items...

Bon Courage…the French really mean what they say

Posted on June 19, 2011 by thetravelingpear

Well, we have arrived! Paris is now our new home. Wait, what the heck did I just write? Yeah, it hasn’t registered yet. I mean we’re here in bodily form, but somehow it still hasn’t sunk in that we are actually going to LIVE here full time. We have that tourist feel at the moment.

So for the past few days we’ve made our way to Versailles (my new classroom, playground, conference period, staff meeting and training (that’s for my teacher friends). Walked the entire 6th arrondissement at least a dozen times, learned that French banks are silly, French cell phone plans are ridiculous, washing clothes can take 4 hours for just one load of 4 towels (it’s midnight and I’m still waiting) and that to get any kind legal matters taken care of is going to happen at a snail’s pace, that’s OK, we aren’t in a hurry if they aren’t! I guess all the bread, pastries, cheese and Nutella eating makes up for the craziness. Oh and don’t forget the daily glass of wine, Orangina (tastes different here) and espresso!

And no–we aren’t going to gain weight–speed walking all day and I do mean all day takes care of the calories. My thighs feel like I’ve endured a marathon bootcamp session.

I don’t know if it’s the centuries of perfecting the art of gardening or the weather, but Versailles has the most gorgeous flowers! While roaming the gardens the other day I had to restrain myself from picking the roses–not just because they were delightfully beautiful but because they actually smelled like a rose should smell–soft, delicate, clean with a hint of sweetness. Never in my life have I smelled something from nature that heavenly.

Another weird occurance–since it doesn’t really get dark here until after 10pm our human clocks are totally messed up. We find ourselves wide awake at midnight! Hopefully, when the Chef starts school and work our clocks will set–to be somewhat normal. There are some comforting aspects about Paris–we can find some of our favorite foods at the grocery store, we hear English and see Americans everywhere, we can watch the nightly news with Brian Williams every night before bed and we can call home for free!!! How is that even possible? Silly comforts I know–but when you set out on your own in a foreign country the slightest sign of something familiar makes home seem not so far away!

Overall–we are happy with our decision and can’t wait to fully immerse ourselves with the culture we find so intriguing. A challenging venture no doubt, but with a little bon courage anything is possible 😉

Let’s Celebrate!

Posted on June 14, 2011 by thetravelingpear

It has finally arrived…the first day of our French adventure, the first day of a new way of life; the day we planned out many times in our minds yet knew would take years to realize. Those years have now turned into just hours. For today is a day of many celebrations.

Not only is it the celebrated day for us to begin living out a dream, but it’s also the day to celebrate the red, white and blue, aka “Old Glory.” June 14^th is known as “Flag Day.” So find your American Flag and display it with pride!

We hold dear our American heritage and are thankful for the blessings our country has bestowed upon us. For we live and breathe freedom; freedom that has allowed us the opportunity to embark on such a journey.

Students of Oppe Elementary--the last of my teaching career!

June 14^th also marks the birthday of my beloved grandmother Ella—who I know will be watching over us like a guardian angel as we make our way across the big blue Atlantic. There’s no better feeling to have while flying high above the clouds.

So with the celebration of such an eventful day ahead I will say adieu. We love our supportive family and friends very much and are thankful for your encouragement! We invite you with open arms to come visit us—just bring your own inflatable bed!

We believe this is the beginning of something special—a rewarding experience no doubt; but also understand it will be mentally and emotionally challenging. Have faith we will return again—we have our little dog Bailey awaiting our return–he will be accompanying us later this summer once all the excitement has settled.

So as “Old Glory” waves goodbye the French “Tricolore” says…bonjour 🙂

A 10 Year Journey

Posted on May 20, 2011 by thetravelingpear

Exactly 10 years ago–give or take a few days– the Chef graduated from Culinary Institute LeNôtre for the first time when it was just a certificate granting institution. Fast forward to present day and he’s back. A 10 year dream of a college degree was realized today when Matthew graduated from Culinary Institute LeNôtre with top honors as Gold Magna Cum Laude. While giving his commencement speech the emotion of those years and of a life full circle came flowing back, sensing the humbling journey of the student before them, the audience applauded with a standing ovation.

LeNôtre will always be inspirational for Matthew, for it is where he discovered his role in life– in 2001 and again in 2011. It was there he was given the tools to make a career in the culinary industry an actuality. Armed with a steadfast determination and quest to approach each culinary experience as a lesson, Chef Matthew has set his sights on the City of Light…and that means many more adventures are to come.

Here are a few delights from the reception….