Eat, Sleep, Breathe, Travel

Tennis time in Paris

EF College Break travelers in Paris right now are feeling the buzz of the French Open. It’s going on as we speak in the French capital.

The French Open, as you may know, is one of the four big grand slam tennis tournaments. The official French name for the event is Les internationaux de France de Roland-Garros. We'll just call it the French Open.

It always takes place at the end of May through the beginning of June. It’s one of the world’s largest tennis events, and it’s the most watched French event in the world. This year is the 111th French Open. 

The French Open is a little special in the world of tennis championships, because it’s the only one of the grand slam tournaments to be played on clay courts. That makes it a physically demanding place to play. The clay slows the ball down and makes it bounce higher, which makes it hard for powerful players with big serves to dominate as they can at other venues. A lot of famous players with many title wins at other tournaments have never won at the French Open. And a lot of players who don’t have so many titles, but whose game is suited to the slower clay surface, have won French Open championships. So it's special.

Anyway, if you’re in Paris right now, or will be in the next couple of weeks, you might feel the tennis in the air.

Photo: Destination Europe via Flickr

Memories from the French Riviera

With three days left of the Cannes Film Festival, this feels like a good time to talk about the French Riviera. (Incidentally, I’m really looking forward to this movie, which screened at the festival.)

I’ve had some good times on the Riviera. The great thing about it is all the cities and towns you can visit, all lined up one-by-one along the sea, each one just a short train ride from the next. 

Like most people visiting the French Riviera (and like EF College Break trips), I was based in Nice when I visited. Nice is a cool little city. We hung out on the beach, ate some good food, went out at night, kicked a soccer ball around with some local kids.

One night we went to Monaco. I’m not a huge gambler, and I was admittedly a bit intimidated at first by the world-famous Monte Carlo Casino. I barely gambled—maybe just a little roulette. But one of my friends was an experienced card player, so he went all out. He lost quite a bit of money playing blackjack, and he wasn’t pleased about it. The rest of us maybe won or lost a bit, I can’t remember. In a sense we all won, because we got to experience one of the world’s most famous casinos. Except for that one friend. He lost.

As for Cannes, I did make it there too for an afternoon. This wasn’t during the festival, so we just enjoyed the scenery, the boats, the beach, the sea. It probably goes without saying that it was an afternoon well spent. I still remember it all these years later.

Photo: TOMOYOSHI via Flickr

 

The McBaguette hits France

I have mixed feelings about this one, but mostly amusement. McDonald’s restaurants across France have just unveiled a new sandwich: the McBaguette.

If you ask me, the sandwich itself looks a little on the terrible side. (This coming from a person who believes a simple baguette with cheese is the greatest snack in the world.) The McBaguette is a baguette with two burgers on it side by side, plus lettuce and some French mustard. Sort of like a horizontal double cheeseburger with a baguette instead of a bun.

The McBaguette just went on sale on April 18 and will be around for six weeks. If it’s popular, it will probably return. Not surprisingly, it’s getting mixed reactions from the French. Some like the idea of injecting French culinary culture into the local McDonald’s menu. Others think the baguette itself is too soft. Others probably think the McBaguette is a sign of the apocalypse.

Anyone traveling to France in the next six weeks? Though I'd hate to suggest using up a Paris meal at McDonald’s (there are too many other delicious traditional options available), I must admit that I am curious about the McBaguette. I’d like to hear how it is.

Photo: msnbcmedia.msn.com

Plenty of surprises in Paris

I’m a big fan of Paris, having lived there for a few months many years ago. So I found this article pretty interesting. The main point is that Paris is evolving. It’s no longer just the city of world-class art museums, cheese, wine and the Eiffel Tower, though those things are thankfully still all there (I love cheese). Paris today has some surprises.

One of these unexpected bright spots are the “shared gardens” that have sprung up all over the city, making Paris greener and greener. There are now more than 70 of these communal green spaces. They’re a nice place to walk, hang out, relax, or buy some locally grown produce.

There’s also some off-the-beaten-path art to check out. I will say, if you’re only going to see a limited amount of art while in Paris, I do recommend the must-see museums like the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay (they don’t disappoint). But if you have some extra time and are really into art, it may be worth checking out the galleries and studios in the Ménilmontant area, as the article describes.

Other unexpected highlights include absinthe drinks, eating a meal in someone’s home, and hearing live jazz music under a bridge. All sound good to me. At the end of the day, once you’ve checked the must-see sights off your list, Paris has plenty of hidden gems to find.

Photo: gelinh via Flickr

Big concerts in Europe this summer

A certain music-loving EF College Break staff member (Betsy) has compiled a list of big shows happening in Europe this summer. If anyone going on a trip is looking for something extra memorable to do, you might want to check into getting tickets.

The big highlight looks to be the Wireless Festival in London's Hyde Park the weekend of July 6-8. Some single-day passes are still available. Check out the lineup on the festival website.

Anyway, without further ado, here’s Betsy's full list of summer shows:

London
May 20            Jay Z and Kanye West at O2 Arena
June 1              Coldplay at Emirates Stadium
June 2              Coldplay at Emirates Stadium
June 23            Tinie Tempah at Hackney Marshes
June 24            Nicki Minaj at HMV Hammersmith Apollo
July 6-8           Wireless Festival 2012 at Hyde Park (Wiz Khalifa, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Rihanna...)
July 21             Lady Gaga at O2 Arena

Paris
May 4-5                             Foster the People at Le Bataclan
May 1                                 LMFAO at Le Zenith
June 1-2                            Jay Z and Kayne West at Bercy
June 29                             Red Hot Chili Peppers at Stade de France
July 4                                 Bruce Springsteen at Bercy
July 14                               Madonna at Stade de France

Barcelona
June 20                              Madonna at Palau Sant Jordi

Madrid
July 6                                  Rock in Rio 2012 (David Guetta, Pitbull, Pete Tong, Wally Lopez, Martin Solveigh)

Rome
June 30                              Radiohead at Ippodromo delle Capannelle

Berlin
June 28                              Madonna at O2 World
June 29                              Snow Patrol at Zitadelle Spandau
July 6                                 Radiohead at Waldbuhne

Enjoy the music.

Photo: wonker via Flickr

April Fools around the world

April is three days away, which means people are starting to plan their April Fools’ Day pranks. I thought I’d take this opportunity to do a little research on other countries' April Fools’ traditions. I learned some interesting facts.

I learned that in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the UK (among other countries), April Fools’ Day only lasts until noon. Anyone who pulls a prank after noon is called an April Fool, and is serenaded with cries of "April Fool's Day's past and gone, You're the fool for making one." (Somehow I doubt they actually say this.)

I also learned that France and Italy have their own April Fools' tradition. People tack paper fishes on other people’s backs and shout “April fish!” (actually "poisson d'avril!" or "pesce d'aprile!").

Finally, I learned that in Scotland they used to have a different name for April Fool’s Day. They called it Hunt-the-Gowk Day ("gowk" is a word for a cuckoo or a fool). They had some elaborate tradition that I don't really understand, involving a written message that says "Dinna laugh, dinna smile. Hunt the gowk another mile."

I’m actually not a big prankster, so April Fools' Day usually comes and goes without me noticing. But I know that some people get a lot of pleasure out of pulling pranks on April Fools’ Day. To those people, I say enjoy your special day.

Photo: Vintage Lulu via Flickr

How to eat around the world

A lot of people, myself included, like to try to fit in with the local culture while traveling. You know, pick up the local customs, speak a little of the language, behave according to the rules of local etiquette.

That’s why I found this article useful and entertaining. It describes 15 eating etiquette guidelines from around the world. Of course, not obeying these unspoken rules is always an option, and people always understand that a visitor may not be familiar with the customs of their culture. That said, behaving in the right way can really endear you to the locals. And there’s nothing like feeling endeared by a local. It’s very rewarding.

My two favorites from the list:

1. In Japan, don’t stick your chopsticks upright in your rice. This is good to know. I eat a lot of rice, and I’m sure there are times in my life when I’ve planted my chopsticks in the bowl like a flag, just for fun. Not a good idea. In Japan they do this at funerals, not at the dinner table.

2. In Italy, don’t ask for parmesan cheese. Interesting. I love parmesan cheese on pasta, and whenever I’m in an Italian restaurant at home I always pile it on. Good to know I shouldn’t do that in Italy.

There are 13 more in the post, some more surprising than others. Do you know of any more that aren't on the list?

Photo: shaggyshoo via Flickr (CC)

It’s official: no more “mademoiselle” in France

Anyone going to France this summer? If so, you might find this news interesting. It turns out you should maybe think twice before calling a woman “mademoiselle” while you’re over there.

The French Prime Minister has ordered the removal of the word “mademoiselle” from all official government documents. The term is traditionally used for unmarried women and, as it turns out, it connotes a kind of youthful immaturity.

Interesting. I never knew this. I studied French in high school and college, and lived in Paris for a semester, but I didn’t know that "mademoiselle" had any negative connotations. I always just thought it meant a young woman. Good to know. That’s an interesting thing about speaking foreign languages—even when you think you know the meaning of a word, you can’t know the connotation unless you immerse yourself in the culture for a little while.

The official banning of “mademoiselle” from government documents came after a lot of lobbying from women's rights groups in France. They argued that the word was sexist and that on government forms it unnecessarily pried into a woman’s private life (asking if she’s married or not). Good points all.

Lesson of the day: when in doubt, say "madame."

Photo: Paul Beattie via Flickr (CC)

Europe will be buzzing with Euro 2012

Going to Europe this June? If so, get ready to be caught up in Euro 2012 fever. The UEFA European Championship (Euro, for short) happens every four years, and it’s the biggest soccer event in Europe after the World Cup. Obviously soccer is huge in Europe, and the Euro championship pits 16 national teams against each other to compete for the ultimate honor. It’s a huge deal. People go nuts for it.

Euro 2012 kicks off on June 8 and lasts three weeks, with the Final played on July 1. The host countries are Poland and the Ukraine, but the whole continent will be buzzing. Lots of EF College Break trip destinations are competing (Greece, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, Ireland, France, England), so get ready. It’s a blast watching games, seeing the locals going crazy, feeling the national pride, soaking in the festive atmosphere. And if you’re lucky enough to be in the country that wins the whole thing, well that’ll take the life-long memories to a whole new level.

I’ve experienced big international sporting events while abroad, and there’s nothing quite like it. I was living in Prague during the World Cup, watching tons of games at the beer gardens and pubs around the city. I will never forget being at a beer garden for the semi-final between Italy and Germany, when a table full of Italians sitting next to us went completely bonkers after Italy’s go-ahead goal late in the game. Weirdly, I also remember there was a big spider at the bottom of my beer. (It’s funny the things that stick with you.)

Photo: Radio Nederland Wereldomroep via Flickr (CC)

Turning the Eiffel Tower into a giant tree

Well here’s an interesting idea. An urban planning consulting company has proposed permanently covering the Eiffel Tower with plantlife. They want to drape the entire 1000-foot tower with 600,000 plants, turning it into a living breathing thing.

Like any radical new idea for transforming an iconic landmark, this one takes some pondering. My first thought is that it’s crazy. You can’t cover the Eiffel Tower in plants.

But the more I think about it, the more I kind of like the idea. There’s something futuristic about it. The philosophy behind it, according to the company, is to symbolize a reconciliation of nature and humankind as our urban areas continue to grow around the world. That’s a nice concept.

Of course at the moment there is nothing official about this at all. The proposal was just reported in the French newspaper Le Figaro. Paris City Hall and the company that runs the Eiffel Tower haven’t endorsed the plan in any way. They say it's not happening.

But it's still fun to think about. If it does somehow get the green light, work on the project would start next year. Plants would be added gradually throughout 2012. That means anyone on any Paris trips next summer would see the transformation in progress. It would add an exciting wrinkle to the experience of seeing such an iconic landmark in person.

That’s it, I like it. Bring on the plants.

Photo: danorbit via Flickr (CC)