Still moving on!

It’s been 10 days since my last post. Sorry but I’ve been here and there. Don’t stop moving baby…

I’m leaving in an hour to Lyon. I’ll stay a couple of Days at my fathers-in-law. My mum is also there. After Gemma and Moi’s wedding, my mum came with us back to Prague. It was her first time here and she loved it. It was great having her home, but I prefer it when I’m just with David.

Last news! We are going to Ukraine for a week with George of the jungle and his friend Ivan. We’re really looking forward for this trip, as it would be my last for this “non working” period I’m going through.

On the 7th I’ll become a worker as everybody else.

My taxi is waiting.

Bye

Tourism in Prague: Day 1

Victor & Stan are in town. Their plane was delayed, as usual, and they almost missed it, but after racing other passengers through the Orly satellites, they made it. They needed all night to recover from the sprint, but now here they are in Prague.

Yesterday we went on a tour. We took the tram and we started our visit in Vaclavské náměsti. (Wenceslas square). This bustling centre of the city was once Prague’s main horse market. The site is placed in the Nové Město (New town), founded by Charles IV in 1348. Over the years it has been a regular parade ground for all kinds of organisations and political parties. From anti-communist uprisings to winning the World Ice Hockey Championships, this is where Czech's come to protest and to celebrate. The square is named after Saint Wencelas, son of Vratislav I, Duke of Bohemia. In 924 after gaining the throne at the age of eighteen, he promoted the spread of Christianity throughout Bohemia. He was murdered on his way to church by his brother Boleslaus, who succeeded him as the Prince of Bohemia. After his death, Wenceslaus was canonised as a saint due to his martyr's death.

We passed the Municipal House & Powder Tower and walked to the Old Town Square in Staré Město (Old Town). There we watched the astrinomical clock on the tower of the town hall. We made a short stop at the tourist office for some maps. They thought Stan was Polish, how strange is that? ;P

As a must-do in Prague, we crossed the Karlův most (Charles Bridge). For several centuries, this was the only bridge in Prague, with heavy traffic. At present the bridge is only open to pedestrians. It's always jam-packed with people morning, noon, or night, but the views are just great.
We spent the rest of the day in Malá Strana (The Little Quarter), one of the oldest parts in Prague.

The guys are really impressed with the girls around. It’s true that the czecks are very good looking, most of them. Of course, Stan says that in Ukrain is even better, but so far they are pleased. Victor heart is alos doing fine so far. “El aguila de navarra” and “le renard polonais” really like it here, or so it seems. Today they’ve gone to visit Prague’s Castle on their own, I only hope they wont “bite” anyone… :)

Prague's trotters

The tour

The cat

My name is Aramis, I was born on the 17 February ’05 in Bourgogne. I was raised by my mother Tresor and with my sister Atlanta. I’m a Rex Devon. At first glance you might think I’m a rather odd looking curly-haired kitten. This is normal because of my unusual features. I have huge ears, a pixie-like face with large inquisitive eyes and a short slightly upturned nose.

I’m amazingly warm to the touch due to a lighter, less insulating coat, that’s why you often found me lounging on the television or over de laptop. On chilly nights, I’m a superb bed warmer, and I love to sneak under the covers to stay warm and share body heat with my masters.

It is said that we are like a cross between a cat, a monkey, and "Dennis the Menace." The truth is that I’m very active and playful. I love jumping around and exploring new places. But what I prefer the most is being next to my people, perched on a shoulder or lying over David while he watches the TV.

Aramis, ce petit con...

I’m exhausted from the weekend. For once, it feels good it’s over now. As I don’t work at the moment, for me it’s easy to say this. I won’t feel this way once I’m back to work, for sure.

Dick Lorentz in action.
The electronic barbecue was great. Everything worked out fine. It didn’t rain; we had enough watts to stay awake all night. I did try to sleep between 4 and 6, but I didn’t get much rest. The sun came out and we were still in the same place, dancing, drinking, and laying next to the fire… Accidentally the coffee machine was broken, so no coffee. At noon we were back to T&S place. All the machines had been packed and the place cleaned. Some overslept on the couch, on the floor, but with Rob and Tof we had a DVD session of old French films. 3 in a go!

But the worst part was to come. I had a terrible phone call… Aramis had disappeared during the night. While we where having fun somewhere in Dijon’s countryside, our cat had done the same, up the roofs of Paris. We guessed he had escaped out the window (of a fifth floor building), and the possibilities were:
+ He’s somewhere in the roof, lost and can’t come back
+ He’s in a neighbour’s house
+ He’s fallen (this was the most terrifying scheme)
+ He’s playing seek and hide (I hope for him this isn’t the case)

Is he hurt? Is he ok? Is he hungry? Will we see him again? It felt awful. I didn’t know how much I cared for that dumb cat. I cried; I was desperate. The little bastard gave me such a fright…

At the end, a neighbour found him in his apartment. :) She had been out for the weekend. Fortunately it was only for the weekend and not on holidays, we wouldn’t have never found him!

So it seems we have a happing ending to this trip to Paris. France didn’t win the world cup but Aramis is coming back home with us. That’s all that matters to me now.

Merci les bleus en tout cas!!

Signed for freedom

Yesterday, 7th of July, started the San Fermines. This spanish "fiesta" is well known all around the globe, thanks to adepts such as Hemingway. Young and not so young prepare all year long fo this. They have to run, as fast as they can, while followed by bulls. This might sound crazy, but people wait anxiously for this fiesta to come. Of course, once the bulls are safely taken to the arena, the party goes on until the day wakes up again for the next corrida.

Somehow, i feel as if i too, had run before a bull. And i can tell you i won the race. Of couse this is a methaphore i'm using here. Yesterday i set my feet in Axe France for the very last time. And it feels great. I signed the papers, and i'm officially free. I'm not a puppet on the hands of incompetent managers anymore. I'm really looking foward fo this new job. I'm starting the 7th August.

I's funny, my Acc experience started the 03/03 and ended he 07/07.

Now the page has been turned, and an empty one is now waiting to be written.

We're in Dijon for the weekend, visiting our crazy friends from Louhans. We're all meeting this afternoon, tony, sylvia, le lion, rob, tof. Tonight they have organised a "barbacue electronique". The concept is easy, you have to bring yout own food & drinks and Konectic takes care of the music. Konectic was borned a month ago, but the idea is 4 yeas old now. This asociation will lift the "dijonnaise music scene", the aim is open barriers to all those who experience with new audio and visual techniques. Tonight's festival is not a premier, but it will be their springboard to fame. We'll hear a lot more about Konectic.

The sound will start at 7p.m and won't be turned off before 9a.m.

Are you ready for bouncing over pounding techno music all night long?

What next? France – Italy on the finals

Yesterday I had a day in the most Mrs Solis way. I woke up late and took a long and relaxing shower. Then I had some breakfast, fat free of course!

On the metro I decided to go to the movies. It is morning I know, but it’s the best time. Not too much people and the price it’s quite inviting. “Paris je t’aime”. Why not, a film about Paris while I’m in Paris, and about love, now that I found true love…?

Au fil des quartiers, des histoires d'amour passager, voilé, mimé, vampirisé, malmené ou révélé...Un Paris moderne émouvant et drôle, un film plein de vies sur le thème de l'amour.

I recognised almost every place the five minutes stories where filmed. The metro, the north station, Montparnass, Père-Lachaise, le Marais… My favourite story? Let me think, the story in “Quais de Seine”. It takes place just here, where we are staying in, next to the “Jardin de plantes”. Also I loved the way the story in Faubourg Saint-Denis is filmed. I could tell my own stories about these places...maybe someday i will.

+ Montmartre by Bruno Podalydès
+ Quais de Seine by Gurinder Chadha
+ Le Marais by Gus Van Sant
+ Tuileries by Joel and Ethan Coen
+ Loin du 16e by Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas
+ Porte de Choisy by Christopher Doyle
+ Bastille by Isabel Coixet
+ Place des Victoires by Nobuhiro Suwa
+ Tour Eiffel by Sylvain Chomet
+ Parc Monceau by Alfonso Cuaron
+ Quartier des Enfants Rouges by Olivier Assayas
+ Place des fêtes by Oliver Schmitz
+ Pigalle by Richard LaGravenese
+ Quartier de la Madeleine by Vincenzo Natali
+ Père-Lachaise by Wes Craven
+ Faubourg Saint-Denis by Tom Tykwer
+ Quartier Latin by Gérard Depardieu and Frédéric Auburtin
+ 14e arrondissement by Alexander Payne

After the cinema, a young man came to me, and started flirting with me. I found that funny, he seemed a nice guy and we both laugh when I showed him my ring (my precious). It’s the first time I use it this way, and I liked the effect.

It was time for some shopping and I still haven’t found my shoes for the wedding. But I did find something else instead, and of course I bought it. My husband is going to kill me, but what was he thinking when he proposed to come to Paris while on sales!! So I spend the rest of the day wandering around the crowded shops. I was so absorbed in my search that I forgot to eat. In a way I saved 7€ …

For the semi-fianls match we went to a terrace near la “rue Mouffetard”. The place was, nice, and ambient was hot, but the prices where too high! 8€ for a pint!!! What a robbery!! :(

France took the lead over a penalty Zizu didn’t missed. It was an exiting match, both teams seeked for a goal desperately, but the goals never came. So at the end France 1 : Portugal 0.

We’ll se on the finals!!! France – Italy, it’s going to be hot hot HOT!

I like it hot! :)

En rebajas se adelgaza ?

No creo, pero de lo que si estoy segura es que se pierden energias. Esta mañana me puse en marcha temprano. Primera parada el consulado, sigue igual que siempre, con el mismo portero, el mismo tipo de siempre que da publicidad para “demenagements”... Siguiente parada el banco. Estos si que no cambian, igual de ineficaces que siempre. Para que sirven los bancos? Unos para sentarse y otro para darnos dolor de cabeza.

Siguiente parada...shopping. Se que las tiendas estan petadas, pero no puedo irme de Paris sin hacer un poco el peti. Y con este calor, mejor estar de compritas con el aire acondicionado que en el piso sudando como un pollo. Que calor hace, es insoportable. Mi amiga Maite vive en el 5 y ultimo piso, terrible. Aramis pierde pelo y yo, como si estuviera en la sauna!

Primero le compro unas camisas el nene, porque ese si que no quiere saber nada de las rebajas. Luego me doy un garbeo por las galeries y claro peco. No he podido evitarlo, o si? Pues si he pecado, pero estoy la mar de contenta con mis compritas. Pero aun no me faltan los zapatos para la boda de Gemma. Los unicos que me han gustado, claro no estaban rebajados... Asi que habra que seguir buscando :)

Pasadas las 14h ya estaba en el metro de vuelta a casa, y casi me quedo sopa. Estaba agotada, en “low batterie”. Si he adelgazado algunos gramos sera por la “canicule”, pero lo que si he perdido es energia. Esto de madrugar... tendre que empezar a acostubrarme. El 7 de agosto empiezo a currar de nuevo. Despues de casi 5 meses de vacaciones, la vuelta al cole sera dificil.

Brasil 0 : France 1, and what next?

PRE-MATCH:

We’re back in Paris. The city is facing a hot summer but that doesn’t stop citizens from going out. We can read “soldes” on every corner, and this turns people crazy. Shops are like battle fields!! For once, I really don’t feel like shopping, but yesterday I could help it. It was stronger than me, so I bought a present for Elisa, and high heel shoes for me.

Last night we had some people over for a drink. The dream team got together once more, Marilyn, Chafik, Sophie and Maite. We have taken different roads, except for Chafik and Sophie that are working together in a new project. They all seemed ok. I only hope that after her fabulous trip to Cambodge, Marilyn will find an interesting project too. She deserves it, in fact we all do!

Tonight France is facing Brazil. It’s going to be an attractive match. The guys will be glued to the screen once more. I hope ‘les bleus’ win, as I’d like to go out tonight!! And I want some happy faces!!

Pues que gane el mejor!!!


POST-MATCH:

« On est on demieee, on est on demieee, on est on est on est en demieeeeee! »
http://www.lemonde.fr/web/portfolio/0,12-0@2-669420,31-790950@51-734920,0.html

French have gone completely crazy. The ambiance was great, lots of people on the streets, screaming, singing, shouting, dancing… hilarious! I don’t know how it’s going to be like if they win next match. The party went on all night!

Unfortunately for us, when we left from Ramon’s house (congratulations Ramon for your new adventure, wish you de best!), we couldn’t find a free cab anywhere. This would never happen in Prague. It’s was 1a.m so no metro and the night bus, they simply were “no where to be seen”. I think drivers were celebrating too. So we walked, and we walked, and we walked… St. Placide –> Bastille = 1hour & 30 minutes.

We even tried the absynt to make our way easier, but that stuff is really something, woao!! And of course we had to make a stop as Victor had to change... At least we had some time to rest.

We were KO afterwards. We came too late to Stan’s party. Most of the people were gone and the ambient was quite calmed. So after a couple of drinks we decided to come back home. This time we were lucky and managed to grab a taxi. Hurray!!!

“ On est en taxiii, on est on taxiii, on est on est on est en taxiiiiiiiii” :)