The Spanish and English versions of Isabel Allende's book Ines of my Soul.
Regular readers of Paris Parfait will recall I studied Spanish last fall in Seville, Spain. At the time I bought a copy of Isabel Allende's just-released novel Ines del Alma Mia. I am a big fan of Isabel Allende's magical realism. Since reading Tales of Eva Luna in 1992, I've read every book Allende's written. So I tried to read her latest book in Spanish, but I am impatient and my Spanish isn't up to it. Hence the subsequent purchase of the English version of Ines of my Soul.
If you know a native Spanish speaker in Paris - who gives lessons and speaks English, please email me. But he or she must speak English; I can't face being instructed in Spanish by someone speaking French, then having to translate both languages in my head to English.
Today is market day and walking down the street, I noticed several French women obviously have spent long weekends at the beach (usually they wait until August), as their skin is tan, but their faces and hands are looking disturbingly leathery. One woman who's probably ten years younger than I looked 20 years older, because of the deep lines on her face. A reminder that nothing is more aging than the sun - please use sunscreen, people and wear hats to protect already over-bleached hair from looking like straw!
Speaking of skincare, isn't it annoying when a product you've come to rely on is suddenly discontinued? My skin is sensitive and I've been using the Body Shop's Cucumber Water since 1983. Now they've stopped producing it and are pushing what sales clerks in Paris and London insist is "the same thing," Jojoba Hydrating Toner. But it's not the same thing, as the new product is very oily (it contains "organic jojoba oil" and "peach kernel oil)." Maybe this is fine for someone with very dry skin, but it doesn't work for combination skin like mine.
French logic
The French are remarkably relaxed when it comes to getting things fixed quickly or construction projects completed. They've been renovating the building across the courtyard for months, as many rental apartments are now up for sale. Yet the building maintenance staff hasn't bothered to trim the hedges or maintain the courtyard's appearance.
Two weeks ago I asked the gardien for our building to take a look at the hot water tank in our apartment, as it is seeping water into the carpet in the hallway. He climbed on a ladder and looked at the tank, then said he'd phone a plumber. We've heard nothing since and must now write a letter to the building owner to request a plumber, as well as a letter to our insurance company in anticipation of a claim to replace the carpet.
It took workers six weeks to "modernise" the elevator, during which time the lift was unavailable and everyone - including a heavily pregnant woman - had to walk up and down the stairs carrying groceries, bicycles, etc. I shudder to think if anyone had to move in or out of the building during that time. When the elevator was finally back in service, the only thing that seemed different was the elevator call button.
Meanwhile, for nearly three months I've been boycotting the local Shopi supermarket. After shopping there for six years, one day I walked in with my little cart on wheels. Practically every Parisienne resident has such a cart, to carry around groceries and heavy things. The security guard stopped me and asked to look inside the cart. I showed him that it was empty, but he insisted I leave the cart by the doorway. I argued with him that it was too heavy to lift bottles of water, etc. in the little handbasket they provided - their aisles are too narrow for regular shopping baskets to manuever easily - and that I'd been shopping there for six years using my cart, so why should I stop now? But he ignored my questions - he was only the messenger, after all - and ushered me towards the entranceway.
This incensed me, as yet another example of French bureaucracy with the manager having nothing better to do than make up new rules. So I shook my head and said, "No!" and grabbed my cart and stormed out of the store. And I haven't been back. Now I have to walk further to the next supermarket - which is not as nice as the Shopi I'm boycotting - but it's a matter of principle. After all this time here, I cannot understand French "logic."
Mais oui, the French press is not supposed to talk about politicians' private lives. The new president Nicolas Sarkozy created an uproar when trying to suppress reports that his wife Cecilia did not bother to vote in the second round of the presidential election. When he was interior minister, Sarkozy had the editor of Paris Match fired for writing about his wife living in New York with another man. But Sarkozy and his wife have reconciled. Madame Sarkozy is often photographed at her husband's side; indeed she accompanied him to the G8 Summit in Germany.
On Monday French newspaper headlines were screaming about "le rupture" of Sarkozy's Socialist challenger Segelene Royal and her partner Francois Hollande, after 27 years and four children together. It is alleged that Madame Royal asked Hollande to leave their home, due to his relationship with a young blonde journalist. During the presidential campaign, Hollande often undermined Royal's statements and there were widespread rumours of a rift between the couple. Madame Royal has conveyed her version of events in a book to be released Wednesday. She also has announced her intention to challenge Hollande's leadership of the Socialist party.
On a brighter note, today I received a letter from the dean of my daughter's university, congratulating Jordana for making the Dean's List with a 4.00 gpa. She also earned kudos for a school project for Betsey Johnson. So please indulge a mother's pride, as Jordana really has had to do all this on her own, with us being so far away. She hasn't been able to come home for weekends or every holiday, like most of her classmates. She's had to be independent and I'm so proud of her. Am hoping her senior year will go equally well.
Congratulations to your lovely and accomplished Jordana! and congratulations to you, Tara - the phrase "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," applies to good apples as well! XOXO
Posted by: tinker | 21 June 2007 at 13:16
Congratulations to Jordana! Very well done!
Despite the French bureaucracy you're having to deal with, I enjoyed reading about your (mis?)-adventures in Paris. It's such a romantic city that for someone who has never traveled there, it's so easy to envision the roses when sometimes the thorns are really prominent!
Posted by: Willow Grace | 21 June 2007 at 01:40
Congratulations to Jordanna! 4.0 Bravo!
Posted by: tica | 21 June 2007 at 00:36
Hi Tara,
I love your site and sometimes live vicariously through it, as Paris is my favourite place on earth! I couldn´t be further away though, living in Mexico City. Although just this morning I talked my husband into visiting France this Autumn - yes! If I lived there, I would help you with your Spanish. I´ll keep an eye out for good online sites. The BBC language pages are usually helpful but I think if you are intending to read an entire novel in Spanish then maybe you are a little advanced for that. Take care and keep up the beautiful pictures of Paris for those less fortunate - haha.
Posted by: Kirsty | 20 June 2007 at 20:46
My name is Simon Ateba, I`m a journalist working in Lagos. I appreciate the fact you speak Spanish. I speak French and English and it`s always great to learn new languages. I`m trying to register myself to some translation websites but none of them is Free. they keep asking me that I should have a credit card that I don`t have. Could you pls help me by sending addresses of free websites I can register and people get in touch with me for translation and interpretation services?
Thanks
My email is atebap@gmail.com and my phone number +2348060782856 you can also read some of my articles by typing my name Simon Ateba on www.google.com
Thanks
Regards
Simon
Posted by: Simon Ateba | 20 June 2007 at 16:18
Congratulations to Jordana!!!!! and you and husband.
Posted by: Caty | 20 June 2007 at 15:38
Building managers are just....impossibles!
Too bad we are not close enough Tara! I would teach you spanish...I propose you a homework though....:
You write a page (in spanish of course)with the beginnig of a story that you will continue every week...chapter one and so...you send it to me (with a beautiful stamp please...I collect them) and I do the same (I send you a chapter of my story every week with the comments of yours as well) I don't know if you have time for that but is fun.
The first french book that I read was: Sommerset Maugham, le fil du rasoir. It is interesting that Maugham is was an english born in Paris...I usually try to read the writters on their language but sometimes translations are even better! :) I remember reading Walt Whitman (I love him) in spanish first, falled in love, and when reading him in english years later I was very disapointed...
Posted by: Caty | 20 June 2007 at 15:34
I LOVE Allende's Eva Luna!
BTW, I use one particular French cream for my face every night (I swear by how good it is) called A-derma EXomega. there is nothing like it. I cannot by them here but buy tubes of them when I am in France!
French logic - I am often perplexed by how they view 'efficiency'. Logic has never come into it:-)
Then again, it is what makes them charming and artistic in their ways of producing champagne, bread, chocolates, arts etc etc etc No logic, just a lot of temperament and impulsiveness :-))
WELL done Jordana!! You surely have raised a wonderful being. I truly believe the best way to become self-sufficient is by learning to think for oneself while standing on own two feet. Nothing great has been achieved by spoon-feeding, mentally, emotionally and socially. You are a wonderful mum!
Nina xxxxxx
Posted by: Nina | 20 June 2007 at 11:44
Hi Tara....
Love magic realism....and it's been a while since i read Allende. I must add to my list of summer reading.
Bravo to Jordana...
it's good to catch up with you....... :)
Posted by: awareness | 20 June 2007 at 09:52
I like this post, just reading about your daily stuff.
And YAY for Jordana! That is great! Yay! But with you as a mom, she was sure to be a smart cookie, huh? And a hard worker. Good for her.
:)
Posted by: Amber | 20 June 2007 at 06:54
Congratulations to Jordana! You have every right to be very, very proud!!!!!!
I also had a product discontinued at The Body Shop ---my nightcream....and it was wonderful!!!...so I know your frustration there
I`ll mail you about the packages....
Posted by: Gypsy Purple-Chamara | 20 June 2007 at 04:28
er ..uhh.. I meant to spell SCANDALOUS in my other post!
Posted by: pam aries | 20 June 2007 at 02:28
What a fun read today! A hodgepodge of incredibly interesting topics! I followed the link back to the Betsy Johnson dress! Great story! What did Jordana do?...Fabulous that she made the Dean's list! ..I thought it was quite oooola la about the new Prs! Wow! Scanalous!
Posted by: pam aries | 20 June 2007 at 02:27
Smart mother...smart daughter. My Mom would say 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!'. I am glad you are boycotting that place! Many things I do on principle as well, others may think I am crazy, but in some insane way..even though it usually doesn't affect the right people the way it should(they probably never notice)...in the end it makes ME feel better..like I am doing something!
Posted by: My Melange | 20 June 2007 at 01:20
Hi Tara,
Thought I'd make a visit today. I'm glad to have come. Sounds like life in Paris can be very, very frustrating. The Virgo in me goes wild when things go unfixed for long periods of time.I remember when we lived in a house that had broken kitchen tiles, I spent many a day trying to hide the mess with dish towels yet relief never came because the kids would always grap the towels away....memories
Glad to hear all the wonderful news about your daughter....4.0 that is not easy to do...Congratulations on a super school year, Jordana!
Posted by: Mary Jane | 20 June 2007 at 00:42
4.0 GPA WOWIE! Go Jordana, you rock! Tara, you must be beaming but she is your daughter. :)
Loved the post filled with tid bits of your life. Always a joy to read! HUGS
Posted by: Tammy | 19 June 2007 at 23:30
Congratulations to your daughter you must be so proud.
When we were at Chartlotte's last week a plumber arrived to clean her boiler which he did and cleaned up after himself. He was then shown the faulty taps in the kitchen and bathroom and said he would ask the landlord if he could fix them. He returned the next morning with a helper so as not to take too long as he could see she had visitors then replaced all the taps with brand new ones. I couldn't believe it, in the UK we can't even find a plumber. I gather this is a one off!
Posted by: Di Overton | 19 June 2007 at 18:58
Bravo Jordana!!!!!!!!
- a little American "logic" and rules - you know that mountain we climb daily with Luna? - all dogs must be leashed - and she was on her leash - but on the steep incline I let loose of the leash - she was right next to me - at my ankles - well - we got a "courtesy" ticket because I wasn't holding the leash - now I'm all for maintaining order in a public park and this is a good rule - but gee whiz!
xox - eb.
Posted by: eb | 19 June 2007 at 18:48
So many things to comment on! Good luck with more Spanish lessons. It's a beautiful language.
Yes, sometimes "logic" doesn't make any sense at all - and figuring it out will make you feel nutty.
Congrats to your daughter. You must be so very proud of her.
Posted by: deirdre | 19 June 2007 at 18:01
Congratulations to Jordana! You have every right to show your pride.
And may I say, I also hate it when a favorite product is discontinued. When I've asked why, I've been told that not enough people buy it. So basically, it's about making less money, not making zero money. To me that's pure greed!
As for construction projects....don't get me started!!
xoxo
Posted by: Colette | 19 June 2007 at 16:49
Congratulations to Jordana and you, too! I can only imagine what a challenge it's been to be at SCAD while you and David are in Paris. Pride in one's daughter is something we can never overindulge in!
I know that living in France has its frustrating moments and I do sympathize. Don't you find, though, that the good much outweighs the bad? Since I hope one day to have a split French/American life, I'm always interested in your opinions!
Xoxo,
L
PS Never got the postcard--yikes! If you didn't send one, no problem--but if you did, I don't want you to think I'm rude and an ingrate ;D.
Posted by: Laura | 19 June 2007 at 16:35
As a former French major, I have found it very difficult to grasp the Spanish accent. Everything Spanish comes out sounding just a little French when I say it! Ugh!
Posted by: Grace | 19 June 2007 at 16:00
I too am a big fan of Isabel Allende's! She is one of my favorite authors.
Like the beautiful paper you sent to eb. She sent me. Can't wait to see what she creates with it.
Yes, I share in your sorrow at the loss of your favorite product ! It's the way of our culture to discontinue things. Companies always think our culture want newer is better. I've lamented the disappearance of many a product, and gone to great efforts even to get it back on the market. My product world revolves around the smell of things. I can't just wear any lotion or deodorant, or wash my clothes in any soap. I could go crazy if I hated the smells.
Posted by: rochambeau | 19 June 2007 at 15:49
I love this potpourri post! It's a great insight into all you've got a lot going on in your day to day Parisian life. Congratulations to you and your daughter on her successes! If I lived in Paris I'd step right in and help you with your Spanish. Isabel Allende is one of my very favorite writers, but I've not read her new book yet. I will soon.
Posted by: RD | 19 June 2007 at 14:36