Restaurante ecuatoriano en Paris

Fuimos el otro día a un restaurante ecuatoriano en Paris, "El Rincón de Nilo" (17eme).

Es un restaurante muy pequeño, y las mesas son un tanto estrechas.

La comida es excelente, y relativamente barata. Incluye los platos típicos de Ecuador, aunque el hornado sólo está disponible los domingos. El estilo es mas bien costeño/guayaquileño.

El ambiente es bastante peculiar, dado que suele haber un grupo de clientes transvestistas (no se si sea algo específico al barrio).

Se anuncia que presentan animaciones musicales los viernes, sábados y domingos, aunque el día que fuimos no lo había.

Telf. 01 42 28 41 64

Dirección: 10, Rue Sauffroy
75017 Paris, France

Metro Brochant ligne 13.

Cabe anotar además que el dueño, Nilo, ha apoyado a la comunidad ecuatoriana en Paris (por ejemplo, organizó la colecta de fondos para re-patriar a un compatriota que falleció en Francia).

Cheap Seine cruise

There is now a free or inexpensive boat services on the Seine River in Paris, called Voguéo:

http://www.vogueo.fr/

Those who have a monthly Navigo pass, can use it for free from Gare d'Austerlitz to the Ivry station.

Otherwise, you pay just 3 euros (which includes the last station, Ecole vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort, which is located in Metro Zone 3). If you don't descend, you can take a round trip for the 3 euros.

Near the Ecole vétérinaire station there are nice and inexpensive cafes. Alternatively, you can watch a movie and eat at the Bibliothéque Mitterand stop.

I don't believe there is a cheaper Seine cruise than that!

Top 20 cities to visit in Europe

Top 20 cities to visit in Europe (of those I have visited)

1. Paris
2. Venice (Venezia)
3. Florence (Florencia)
4. Pisa
5. Siena
6. Padua (Padova)
7. Barcelona
8. Berne (Bern)
9. Amsterdam
10. Munich (München)
11. Brussels
12. Rome (Roma)
13. Seville (Sevilla)
14. Salamanca
15. London
16. Madrid
17. Athens
18. Geneva (Geneve)
19. Cologne (Köln)
20. Oporto (Porto)

Still not visited, from these lists:

http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2007/results.cfm?cat=citieseurope
http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2006/results.cfm?cat=citieseurope
http://goeurope.about.com/od/europeantripplanning/a/best_of_europe.htm
http://www.bestworldcities.com/europe/

• Vienna
• Istanbul
• Cracow (Kraków)
• Prague
• Salzburg
• Berlin
• Budapest
• Sofia
• Lisbon
• Belgrade
• Copenhagen
• Dresden
• Glasgow
• Milan (Milano)
• Luxembourg
• Rotterdam

Rome is usually ranked much higher, but I didn’t find it particularly attractive as a city. Of course, it has wonderful historical monuments and ruins. Perhaps it didn’t help that I have gotten sunstroke each time I visited, in July/August. Athens is similar – incredible monuments and ruins, not so great city (and terrible air pollution!).

And here the best cities to live in (based on their quality of life)

http://www.citymayors.com/features/quality_survey.html

The list is dominated by Switzerland and Germany (although personally I could not stand the winter cold!). Paris comes in at # 32. Of the cities on my list, the highest ranked is Geneva (tied at #2 with Vienna). #1 is Zurich.

Familia ecuatoriana fue internada en campo de retención en Francia

Terrible, penoso y absurdo.

http://www.elcomercio.com/noticiaEC.asp?id_seccion=4&id_noticia=210492

Familia ecuatoriana fue internada en campo de retención en Francia
7/31/2008

Francia, AFP

Una familia ecuatoriana llevaba este jueves casi una semana internada en un campo de retención para indocumentados en Francia, después de ser detenida cuando estaba de vacaciones, a pesar de residir regularmente en Bélgica, informó este jueves una ONG.

“Nos han tratado como a criminales” denunció Suntaxi Díaz, contactado por teléfono por la AFP , quien fue detenido el viernes junto a su esposa, también ecuatoriana, y a su hija de dos años, de nacionalidad belga, en Cherburgo (oeste) .

Luego fueron internados en el campo de retención de Rennes (Bretaña, oeste) , según la CIMADE, única ONG de defensa de los derechos humanos autorizada en los campos de retención.

La familia, con residencia en Bélgica, estaba de vacaciones en Francia cuando fue controlada el viernes pasado a bordo de su automóvil en Cherburgo.

Este jueves permanecían internados en el campo de retención de Rennes, que esperan abandonar el viernes.

“Los policías constataron que no teníamos los documentos de nuestra hija y que no podíamos probar que estábamos en territorio francés desde hace menos de tres meses (por no tener que someterse al control fronterizo en el espacio Schengen). Nos llevaron entonces a la comisaría para verificar”, explicó la esposa de Díaz.

“El mismo viernes en la noche, las autoridades belgas habían confirmado que la pequeña era de nacionalidad belga y que los documentos de la pareja estaban en regla”, explicó Damien Nantes, representante de CIMADE.

No obstante, el prefecto (gobernador civil) del departamento de La Mancha ordenó que la familia fuera expulsada del territorio francés, por lo que primero fue detenida en Cherburgo y luego trasladada al campo de retención de Rennes, según la fuente.

“No comprendía por qué nos detenían si los policías habían obtenido las informaciones que les interesaban", agregó la mujer.

“Nos trataron como a asesinos, nos fotografiaron y nos registraron”, explicó. “Mi marido debió desvestirse y me dijeron que hiciera lo mismo”, contó.

Felizmente “la pesadilla se termina mañana”, dijo aliviada. La familia será conducida a la frontera por la policía. “si lo que estamos pidiendo desde el comienzo”, insistió la mujer.

No obstante, la odisea de la familia ecuatoriana no terminará con su expulsión del territorio francés, pues su automóvil quedará retenido. “Nos dijeron que teníamos que pedir una visa para venir a buscarlo”, declaró la mujer.

Para el representante de la CIMADE es “una situación dramática y absurda” dentro de un contexto de objetivos de expulsión en cada prefectura.

Dentro de su política migratoria, el gobierno francés se ha fijado objetivos sobre el número de extranjeros indocumentados que deben ser expulsados.

Contactada por la AFP , la prefectura de La Mancha no ha hecho comentarios sobre lo sucedido.

Interesting web site with rankings of Universities

Interesting web site with rankings of Universities worldwide:

Interesante sitio con rankings de Universidades del mundo:

http://universidades.universia.es/ranking/index.htm

Este sitio provee un ranking de "best buys" entre programas de postgrado acreditados en línea:

Best buys in online master's degrees programs:

http://www.geteducated.com

Restaurantes latinoamericanos en Paris

Estos sitios contienen listas de restaurantes latinoamericanos en Paris, y en Francia.

http://www.restos-latinos.com/

http://www.guideameriquelatine.com/rest/rest.html

http://gridskipper.com/62724/latin-restaurants-in-paris

Estos son restaurantes peruanos, especificamente:

http://www.rico-perou.com/perou_france/restaurants.php

Aqui una guía de Fodor (pero que incluye sólo un restaurante latino, malheuresment!)

http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/france/paris/restaurants-nam.html

Otra lista de vacantes en organismos internacionales

Otra lista de vacantes en organismos internacionales (de la Asociación de Funcionarios Internacionales Españoles, AFIE)

http://www.afie.es/ofertas_de_empleo

Los siguientes enlaces permiten acceder a las páginas web y a los departamentos de personal de algunas organizaciones internacionales.

También se puede buscar más información a través del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, y a través de la International Civil Service Commission para trabajos dentro del sistema de la ONU.

En caso de encontrar algún link erroneo, o conocer otros links de interés, por favor escríbenos.

BID/IDB

Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo

BM/WB

Banco Mundial

CERN

Organización Europea de Investigación Nuclear

COI/IOC

Comité Olímpico Internacional

AELC/EFTA

Asociación Europea de Libre Comercio

UER/EBU

Unión Europea de Radiodifusión

OEE/ESA

Organización Espacial Europea

FAO

Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y Alimentación

FMI/IMF

Fondo Monetario Internacional

IATA

Organización de Transporte Aereo Internacional

OACI/ICAO

Organización de Aviación Civil Internacional

CICR/ICRC

Comité Internacional de la Cruz Roja

CEI/IEC

Comisión Electrotécnica Internacional

OIM/IOM

Organización Internacional para las Migraciones

OMI/IMO

Organización Marítima Internacional

ISO

Organización Internacional de Normalización

CCI/ITC

Centro de Comercio Internacional

OEP/EPO

Oficina Europea de Patentes

OCAH/OCHA

Oficina de Coordinación de Asuntos Humanitarios

ACNUDH/UNHCHR

Alto Comisionado para los Derechos Humanos

OIE

Oficina Internacional de Epizootias

OIEA/AIEA

Organismo Internacional de Energía Atómica

OIE/IBE

Oficina Internacional de Educación

OIT/ILO

Organización Internacional del Trabajo

OMC/WTO

Organización Mundial del Comercio

OMM

Organización Metereológica Mundial

OMPI/WIPO

Organización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual

OMS/WHO

Organización Mundial de la Salud

OMT

Organización Mundial del Turismo

ONU/UN

Organización de las Naciones Unidas

UIT/ITU

Unión Internacional de Telecomunicaciones

UNESCO

Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura

UPOV

Unión Internacional para la Protección de las Obtenciones

UPU

Unión Postal Universal

ONUSIDA/UNAIDS

Programa conjunto de las Naciones Unidas sobre el SIDA

UNICEF

Fondo de las Naciones Unidas para la Infancia

ONU-HABITAT

Programa de las Naciones Unidas para los asentamientos humanos

UNCTAD

Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre Comercio y Desarrollo

ACNUR/UNHCR

Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Refugiados

CEPE/UNECE

Comisión Económica para Europa

PNUMA/UNEP

Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Medio Ambiente

UNOG

Oficina de las Naciones Unidas en Ginebra

WEF

Foro económico mundial

WWF

Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza

IFRC

Federacion Internacional de la Cruz Roja y de la Media Luna Roja

ITER

ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor)

Question: is Emmenthal cheese the same as "Swiss cheese"

Question: is Emmenthal cheese the same as "Swiss cheese"

Answer: Yes.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmental_(cheese)

"Emmental, Emmentaler, Emmenthal, or Emmenthaler is a cheese from Switzerland. It is sometimes known as Swiss cheese in North America, Australia and New Zealand, although Swiss cheese does not always imply Emmental."

The most beautiful city on Earth

Someone made me notice that we tend to harp on the negative aspects of living in Paris, such as the congested traffic and metro, the high cost of living, etc.

Just to clear things up, I have to say that Paris IS the most beautiful city in the world (at least, of the cities I have been to thus far), and I am privileged and fortunate to live here.

The architecture, the monuments, the streets, the people, the cuisine, the wines, the culture, the museums, etc., make this an incredible place to live in. Just strolling down the Champs Elysees makes you feel alive and content.

Going to a fabulous restaurant, and having an excellent dinner with wine, is amazing.

Just looking at the people walking around, très chic and with an obvious "joie de vivre", makes you feel wonderful.

If we sometimes comment on the traffic, the metro, the dog poop and the smells, it is all because we would like to make it even better.

That said, I am reading a hilarious book on the downsides of life in Paris, entitled "A Year in the Merde", which is really, really funny :-)

http://www.amazon.com/Year-Merde-Stephen-Clarke/dp/B000QUUTPU/

Salut!

Sitios de artistas latinoamericanos en Paris

Este sitio tiene enlaces a varios sitios de artistas latinoamericanos en Paris:

http://www.scremini.com/index.php?pg=links

El sitio, en sí mismo, es de Renato Scremini, quien se especializa en mosaicos, collages, espejos, maniquies, etc.:

http://www.scremini.com

También hay enlaces a diversos medios y sitios sobre la cultura latinoamericana en Francia:

Radio latina
Le site de la radio de toutes les musiques latines. Concerts, Cinéma, Théâtre, Expositions, Soirées DJ’s.

Amelatine
L'actualité de l'Amérique latine en France

Latina TV
La premiere chaîne généraliste et multilangue du monde latin en Europe

LAGENDA
Le site de tous les événements.

EVENE.fr, c'est toute la culture !

Caramba Spectacles
CARAMBA Spectacles est une agence de production de spectacles et de tournées, spécialisée dans les musiques du monde

Lecture avec le poète équatorien Jorge Enrique Adoum

Jorge Enrique Adoum es uno de los más destacados escritores ecuatorianos.

Por cierto, recomiendo en general los eventos de la Maison de l'Amérique Latine

http://www.mal217.org/agenda/agenda.cfm

Date : lundi 5 mai 2008
Horaire : 18h30

Rencontre-lecture avec le poète équatorien Jorge Enrique Adoum

A l'occasion de la parution en français de L'amour désenfoui, traduit de l'espagnol (Equateur) par François-Michel Durazzo, Myriam Solal Editeur.

En compagnie de Nicole Adoum, François-Michel Durazzo, Ramiro Oviedo et Jean Portante.

Myriam Solal Editeur

Great restaurant, shopping area and multiplex

By sheer serendipity, we found an excellent and inexpensive restaurant.

It is called "Les 6 Jours", and it is located in the Hotel Ibis near Cour St. Emilion metro station and shopping area.

Ibis is a chain hotel, 2 stars, and I suppose the café is also fairly standard (at least in terms of decoration). But the food is excellent, and relatively inexpensive (for Paris).

Or, if you are feeling a bit more spendthrift, you can go to one of the nice restaurants in Cour St. Emilion, which is a lovely shopping area (it used to be a series of wine warehouses).

Also there is the UGC Ciné-Cité Bercy, which, for my money, is the best multiplex in Paris (and we have been to most of the cinemas within Paris). It is clean, has excellent stadium seating, great surround sound, altogether a great experience. The multiplex itself has a fairly good café.

Fodor's also gives this multipex a "thumbs up":

http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/france/paris/entity_153683.html

Speaking of movies, you cannot beat the "UGC Illimité" card, which enables you to go to as many movies as you want per month, in most of Paris' movie theaters, for 19 euros (or 35 euros for two).

I realize I am starting to sound like a comercial, but this unlimited movie deal is simply fantastic (and makes me miss Netflix a bit less)

Velib, the way to go

The Mayor of Paris has established a system of bike rentals that is available about every 3 or 4 blocks. It is called Velib'

You can get an annual pass for 29 euros, or a weekly pass for 5 euros. There is a charge for using it over 30 minutes (but you could, for example, return a bicycle after 29 minutes, and immediately get another one).

More info:

http://www.velib.paris.fr/

Paris is ideal for this, as it does not have too many hills, and the dowtown area is fairly compact. On the other hand, you do have to deal with the Parisian traffic, except in those areas where there is a bike route.

Highly recommended, and good for the environment!

Listas de calendarios de eventos culturales

Adjunto algunos sitios con listas de eventos culturales en Paris (en francés, inglés, castellano):

Maison de l'Amérique Latine:

http://www.mal217.org/agenda/agenda_liste.cfm

Paris Angloinfo:

http://paris.angloinfo.com/information/whatsontoday.asp

Alcaldía de Paris:

http://www.paris.fr/portail/accueil/Portal.lut?page_id=1&agenda_request_type=1&agenda_directory_id=0

http://www.paris.fr/portail/Culture/Portal.lut?page_id=8370

Sitio de turismo de Paris:

http://english.pidf.com/page/p-879

Blog (Germainpire)

http://agenda.germainpire.info/week.php

UNESCO:

http://events.unesco.org/

OECD:

http://www.oecd.org/document/49/0,3343,en_2649_201185_32618737_1_1_1_1,00.html

Página de cultura de Le Monde:

http://www.lemonde.fr/web/sequence/0,2-3246,1-0,0.html

Página de cultura de Le Figaro:

http://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/index.php

Página de cultura de Liberation:

http://www.liberation.fr/culture/

Eventos en el Museo de Louvre:

http://www.louvre.fr/llv/auditorium/liste_evenements.jsp?theme=theme&bmLocale=fr_FR

Latino Meetups in Paris:

http://latino.meetup.com/cities/fr/paris/

Cityvox:

http://www.fra.cityvox.fr/agenda_paris/CityGuide

Evene.fr

http://www.evene.fr/

Kultura (música latina en Paris)

http://www.kultura.fr/index.php?c=evenements&page=1

Craigslist Paris Events:

http://paris.en.craigslist.org/cal/

Organismos internacionales en Francia e Italia

Adjunto una lista de organismos internacionales con sede en Francia e Italia.

Lista de sitios de vacantes en organismos internacionales.

http://latinamericanresources.blogspot.com/2007/05/this-is-list-of-job-vacancy.html

En Francia hay los siguientes organismos:

UNESCO:

http://recrutweb.unesco.org/postes/postes_visualisation.asp?AffLangue=gb&CATPOSTE=1

OECD:

http://erecruit1.oecd.org/psc/ERECRUIT/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_HM_PRE&Action=A&SiteId=1&languageCd=ENG&

Unión Latina:

http://www.unilat.org/SG/Organisation/Presentation/Recrutement/index.es.asp

Bureau of International Exhibitions:

http://www.bie-paris.org/

International Bureau of Weights and Measures:

http://www.bipm.org/en/home/

International Organization of Vine and Wine:

http://www.oiv.int

World Organization for Animal Health

http://www.oie.int/eng/Services/jobs/en_jobs.htm?e1d12

Aqui una lista de organizaciones internacionales con sede (u oficinas) en Francia:

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france-priorities_1/international-organizations_1100/index.html

Aqui se enumeran algunas otras organizaciones internacionales con sede en Francia:

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france-priorities_1/international-organizations_1100/meeting-with-leaders-of-international-organizations-that-have-their-headquarters-in-france-19.07.07_9542.html

Meeting with leaders of international organizations that have their headquarters in France

Foreign and European Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner will meet on July 19 at noon with leaders of international organizations that have their headquarters in France, including the International Francophonie Organization, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the European Space Agency, but also the Bureau of International Exhibitions, the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, the International Organization of Vine and Wine, and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

Aqui algunas entidades en Italia:

FAO (Roma):

http://www.fao.org/VA/Employ.htm

PMA/WFP (Roma):

http://www.wfp.org/contact_wfp/Vacancies/index.asp?section=8&sub_section=5

IFAD/FIDA (Roma):

http://www.ifad.org/job/index.htm

OIT International Training Center (Turin):

http://www.itcilo.org/Projects/ITCILO/en/about-the-centre/job-opportunities

Este un sitio localizador de entidades del sistema de Naciones Unidas:

http://www.unsystem.org/

Museos gratuitos en Paris

Listas de museos gratuitos en Paris:

http://en.parisinfo.com/museums-monuments-paris/6408-free-entry-in-national-museums

http://www.reidsguides.com/eff/paris/eff_paris_af.html

http://goparis.about.com/od/parismuseums/tp/Free_paris_musuems.htm

http://www.internationalliving.com/countries/france/country_archive__1/01_25_08_museums

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/arts/artsspecial/12euro.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&fta=y&adxnnlx=1206887593-ibDKlglG51NnvEPZSimWdQ&oref=slogin

http://www.paris.fr/portail/Culture/Portal.lut?page_id=144

En el área de Paris, la admisión a los siguientes museos será gratuita hasta junio del 2008:

The musée Guimet
The musée de Cluny
The musée des Arts et métiers
The musée des Antiquités nationales de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
The musée national de la Renaissance d'Ecouen
The musée de l'Air et de l'Espace du Bourget

El museo Guimet es extraordinario, una colección fabulosa de los países de Asia.

Good restaurant, expensive restaurant, Pompidou Center

A few random observations:

a) we had dinner last night at Le Petit Zinc. It is an excellent restaurant, near the St. Germain des Prés church (11, Rue St Benoît, http://www.petit-zinc.com/).

Wonderful food (I had the Menu Petit Zinc, with the poisson soup, saumon and profiteroles, http://www.petit-zinc.com/fr/carte.htm), great service, extraordinary ambience, great art deco decoration, not too expensive. We had a Riesling wine, 22 euros for the bottle, excellent as well. Overall, magnifique!

b) we had a small lunch at the Georges Restaurant at the Pompidou Center. The panoramic views are really incredible (sixth floor, you can see most of southern and western Paris). However, you can also see the views from the terrace, and the restaurant was trés cher (very expensive), and not that good. Service was dismally slow, even to collect payment!

c) the Pompidou Center itself is very uneven, at least if you are not entralled by modern/abstract painting. As an example, there are three very large (and presumably very expensive) canvases which are completely white! I swear I am not making this up:

http://www.centrepompidou.fr/Pompidou/Musee.nsf/Docs/ID18FC9B0C9A11338EC1257411002D755A?OpenDocument&salle=1N4S09=salle&Key=1N4&sessionM=3.2.1&L=1

That said, there are some extraordinary works by Picasso, Mondrian, Kandinsky, Matisse, Miro, Braque, Gris, etc., especially in salles 3-6.

The red rhinoceros is a favorite of mine:

http://www.centrepompidou.fr/Pompidou/Musee.nsf/Docs/1DFC99DD4166966EC1257411002D8D87?OpenDocument&salle=1N4R=salle&Key=1N4&L=1

There was a very long line to enter the building, and another very long line to purchase tickets (and the three automatic ticket vendors were "hors de service", that is out of service). If at all possible, buy the tickets online, or, better yet, buy a weekly pass for the major museums/attractions (and you will avoid all lines, and save money at the same time!):

Museum Tickets:

http://billetterie.cnac-gp.fr/recherche_resultats.asp

Paris Pass:

http://www.paris-pass.com/Find_Paris_Attractions

d) there is a less expensive cafeteria on the second floor, and a very expensive shop as well (t-shirts for 40 euros, that is US$63 as of today).

And, as most other museums, it is free the first Sunday of every month!

Bon chance!

Economist article comparing Paris and London

The Economist magazine has published an interesting article, comparing London and Paris:

http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10849106

It rates London highly for economic dynamism, construction, growth, architectural innovation, start-up companies, financial sector, etc.

But Paris rates better in haute cuisine and haute couture, in cleanliness (of national monuments), in preservation of beautiful buildings, and in the efficiency of the RER trains.

Internet connections, iPhone, Orange, laptops

Establishing an Internet connection in France takes time, patience, and, as always, euros.

A good deal is offered by Orange France Telecom, with the Livebox.

This includes Internet connection, an Internet telephone line, and a fairly broad TV selection, for 40 euros a month (30 euros if you also have a traditional phone landline).

The quality of the TV is not nearly as good as the FIOS option that Verizon offers in the United States, but, with a bit of patience, you can use it. It includes BBC, CNN, TV Española, and other international channels (German, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, etc.).

Bringing an iPhone proved a challenge, as neither AT&T, nor Apple, nor Orange, would unlock it (even though Orange is the official service provider for France). After many phone calls and visits to Orange, finally I was able to establish an official Orange account. But I would advise selling your iPhone in the U.S. (or elsewhere), and buying another one here, although here it costs more (400 euros, which as of today is more than 625 dollars).

On the other hand, I would strongly recommend bringing a lap-top, as they usually work with 220 volts, and they are much LESS expensive in the U.S. (or elsewhere). Also a very good purchase was a portable external hard drive.

Good luck!

Sitios culturales latinoamericanos en Paris

Algunos sitios de interés:

http://www.mal217.org/ Le Maison de l'Amérique Latine

http://www.amelatine.com/ L'Amérique Latine en France

http://www.unilat.org/SG/index.fr.asp Union Latine

http://www.resonancias.org/ns/index.php

http://www.espaces-latinos.org/

http://elboomeran.com/

http://www.ameriquelatine.msh-paris.fr/

Eventos en la UNESCO:

http://events.unesco.org/

Página cultural de Radio Francia:

http://www.radiofrance.fr/chaines/france-culture2/sommaire/

Agenda de eventos en Paris:

http://www.paris.fr/portail/accueil/Portal.lut?page_id=1&agenda_request_type=1&agenda_directory_id=0

Página sobre América Latina en Le Monde:

http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/index/pays/ameriquelatine

Versalles 101

You can get a cheap ticket to go to Versalles at the SNCF ticket offices (in particular, Invalides, but also at others). This includes a round trip RER C ticket plus the entry to various Versalles buildings and exhibitions for 19 euros. Otherwise, you would pay 20 euros just to enter the main chateau, and this after waiting in line a couple of hours to buy the tickets to the castle.

The RER C is an interesting train ride, which goes past Issy, a nice town on the outskirts of Paris. You exit at Versailles Rive Gauche, in front of a small shopping center. A block away is the "Hotel de Ville" (town hall), with an interesting statue to the veterans of war.

About 4 blocks away is the entrance to Versalles. You should expect to spend at least 8 hours here, or else several days. In addition to the main castle and its wonderful rooms (the highlight is the Hall of Mirrors), there are other smaller buildings, including the Grand and Petit Trianon.

The gardens are spectacular, with incredible fountains and statues.

You can find traditional, and inexpensive, restaurants, through the exit towards the right of the fountain of Neptune. We paid 30 euros for a dinner for two, including a pichet of wine.

Prices, wine and bureaucracy

Any country where (good) wine is cheaper than Coke can't be all bad.

However, the counterpart is that sodas, bottled water, and almost everything else is VERY expensive, especially when the euro is above US$1.50, like it is as of this writing.

Bureaucracy, as all guides point out, is impossible, slow, difficult, and often illogical (there are numerous "Catch 22" situations, when you need step A before step B, but step B before step A).

The metro system is very efficient (in terms of covering all downtown Paris), but very dirty, smelly, crowded, and in many cases with old units, rails and stations that breakdown. Line 1 is almost impossible to ride during rush hour.

But, as a friend pointed out, no matter how terrible the bureaucracy or the metro ride, once you step out - you are in Paris!!

A few tips for visiting the Louvre

The Louvre is just phenomenal. If at all possible, you should devote at least three days to start to uncover its many treasures.

A few tips:

a) It is free for all on the first Sunday of each month.

b) It is free for those under 26 every Friday evening, or you can buy an annual pass for a low price.

c) There is an excellent food court (and shopping center) under the inverted pyramid, which is open late every day (except Tuesdays, when the stores close at 5 (and the museum is closed).

d) The free map and guide is very useful, and it points out all the masterpieces (too many to list here: the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Victory of Samothrace, the Hammurabi Code, Egyptian, Summerian, Greek, Etruscan, Roman antiquities, etc., etc.

Enjoy!

Multilingual comments, observations, anecdotes, and reviews about Paris, France, Europe and the world

Welcome/Bienvenido/Bienvenue/Bem-vindo/Benvenuto,

This will be an informal, casual, and entirely unofficial blog about our observations, anecdotes, comments, reviews and other mordant witticisms about life in Paris, in France, in Europe, and in general.

It will be mostly in Spanish and English, although, as time goes by, surely more French will be incorporated, as well as the occasional Portuguese and Italian.

It does not reflect the positions of any entity, organization, group, institution or club with which any of us is affiliated in any way, shape or fashion.

We will try to incorporate suggestions, restaurant reviews, wine reviews, book reviews, and other ideas and comments on how to adapt as a Latin American expatriate in Paris.

For now, let us just recommend that you NEVER, EVER use Dollar rent-a-car, as they will force you to pick up and drop off the car in a Holiday Inn in the middle of nowhere; will have nil to negative customer service skills, and you will then have to pay about 16 euros anyway to get from Charles de Gaulle airport to downtown Paris. Horrible, horrible experience!