The Immortal Count

It is said that The Comte de St. Germaine was born in 1690 as the son of Francis Racoczi II, Prince of Transylvania. He was last seen in 1979, and it is believed by many that he is still alive today. He always appears to be about 45 years old.

The Count became a brilliant alchemist. I have read that he discovered an elixir that he drank which gave him immortality. I have also read that he is not immortal, but that he ages at a very slow pace. 

He has spent a portion of his life in France, which is why I am writing about him. He was friends with Madame de Pampadour, Voltaire, and King Louis XV.

Not only is he an accomplished alchemist, but also a painter and violinist. Reclusive for reasons of his own safety today, centuries ago he enjoyed social gatherings, but was never seen eating food. He has been linked to such societies as the Illuminati, Rosicrucians, Freemasons, the Cathars, and Order of the Templars. 

The Comte de St. Germaine speaks a plethora of languages and is able to read ancient Greek and Sanskrit. 

He knew many famous people as he lived through the ages. Casanova, Catherine the Great, even Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette (It is said that he warned them of the French Revolution). What is interesting is that he lived for five years in Germany as the guest of Prince Charles of Hesse-Cassel where, it is written in local records, he died on February 27, 1784. 

Despite such recordings, he was seen alive and well in France just after the French Revolution. 

Bon. Gros bisous très mystérieuses et a demain.

Love, Charley

Place des Terreaux

A gorgeous square in situated on the Presqu'ile of Lyon, which is classified as World Heritage Site by Unesco. The Presqu'ile is the island of land between the Soane and the Rhone rivers of Lyon. 

The area that today's square sits upon, first came into use in 1208 when the Lyonnaise erected a wall at the foot of the Croix Rousse hill and a tower along the Saone river as a means of controlling river traffic and for defense. Over the next few centuries, it was built up, but fell into disuse and was demolished in the 16th century.

In 1555, nuns of the convent Saint-Pierre, were allowed to use stones from the wall and tower to build a convent, which is today The Museum of Fine Arts, or Le Musee des Beaux Arts. 

In 1646, the stunning Town Hall, or Hotel de ville de Lyon was built.

A view of the interior.

During the French Revolution, Place des Terreaux was where the guillotine was set for beheadings. In 1994, Place des Terreaux was refurbished. Hundreds of headless corpses were found from the Revolutionary beheadings, and work was stalled for months while the corpses were exhumed and examined. 

In 1891 a massive fountain made by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi was inaugurated. Monsieur Bartholdi was the man who made the Statue of Liberty. He traveled to The United States and personally chose New York Harbor as the statue's home. 

Voila! Gros bisous de l'histoire, corpses, et beaute et a demain!

Love, Charley

Wayne's World dubbed in French!

Need I say more?

Gros bisous de n'importe quoi (utter nonsense) et a demain!

Love, Charley

"How do you not get fat eating all that French food?"

Reader Patty wrote, "How do you manage to stay slim with all that fattening French food around you? I don't mean to disparage the French for their food, it is wonderful creative and absolutely delicious, but, I think if I moved to France for 7 years I'd be fat like a jelly doughnut."


The answer: 80/80


80% percent of the time I eat 80% percent healthy.


And by eating healthy I mean:


No frozen food, no processed food, and I try and stay away from pasteurized products. Your body needs all the good little microbes in the yogurts, milk, and cheese for good digestion. 


The French eat mostly fresh food: lots of dried haricots like lentils, chick peas, and kidney beans (but dried, where you soak and cook it, not stuff you buy in a can! I never eat stuff from a can - ever.); fresh veggies without too much chemicals injected into them or sprayed on them; free range meat, again without too many chemicals given to grow faster and bigger. 


All that crap we put in our food makes us bloat, digest badly, and keep toxins in the body. 


Pleasure: take pleasure in preparing your meal; take pleasure in the visual aspect, arranging the food on the plate in an attractive manner, setting the table nicely; and take pleasure in eating it, have a glass of wine, good conversation, invite some people over, sit down and take time to chew and digest, relax.


The French have a proverb that goes something like this in the translation: "When you eat with happiness in your heart, you don't gain weight."


That kind of means, eat for pleasure not to fill a void.


Also, when you live here full time, you really do not want to eat pastries every day; they become more of a special treat. The same goes for cheese. So make that shake or burger a special treat instead of a 80% item. 


The French DO NOT snack between meals.

The French rarely imbibe in soft drinks (nope, no coke with dinner!). Soft drinks are lethal. Calorie-free soft drinks are full of toxic chemicals that make you bloat, digest badly, and keep toxins in the body. Sure they'll drink a"Coka" for aperitif, but not as a thirst quencher and NEVER with a meal. Drink water, your body needs water every day, your body NEVER needs a coke or an iced tea or a lemonade.

The French don't have hangups about eating rich and delicious things like we do. They don't complex over it and freak out about ruining their diet. They just go, "Pft, oh la la, n'import quoi!" roll their eyes, and dig in to eat heartily.

And that is really where the 80/80 comes in. During the week, eat healthy and balanced meals, and then when the weekend comes along, go for it, enjoy partaking in a really great meal!

The French walk A LOT. A typical Sunday noon meal is ALWAYS followed by a nice little walk. Always. Nothing helps you digest better than a walk after a meal. When you digest well, you evacuate well, your body moves the stuff along in a normal manner, and you are slimmer in lieu of being bloated. Try taking a walk instead of driving your car somewhere, ride your bike.

But really, the bottom line is 80/80. Eat well 80% of the time and enjoy a hamburger when you feel like it, an ice cream cone, some cheese, a cookie. Don't eat these foods 80% of the time, eat them 20% of the time and you'll see a big difference AND you'll appreciate them more. 

So, Patty, the French have great eating habits. I have learned so much about food since I moved here. I've learned to respect it, appreciate it, and enjoy it without guilt. Yeah! Vivre la France! 


And thanks for asking! 

Love, Charley

Fromage Fort

Or Strong Cheese!

I have been overdosing on fromage fort for the last couple of days as I bought a big tub at the market. It is so good, it's insane!

Yum! You tost some bread, then slather it with creamy fromage fort and slip it under the grill in the oven for a few minutes. Serve it with a green salad, soup, or have it as a snack. 

The flavor is strong; it has a bite. It's taste lingers in your mouth. It's fabulous. I love it.

Gros bisous de fromage et a demain!

Love, Charley

La Greve turns violent in Lyon

Greve means strike. For 10 days, there has been a general strike in France. I am lucky to live in a calm neighborhood. My friend lives right downtown, rue Victor Hugo near place Bellecour, in the thick of it all. Here is what she has to say.


It was ominous yesterday with waves and waves of young people chanting down the big pedestrian street I live on in Lyon. But today... horrible. Screaming, breaking smashing, looting, broken glass everywhere, tear gas, shielded police... just a crying shame.


the original protest which has been going on for 10 some days is to stop the government from voting in a measure to raise the retirement age. But the young, poor, from immigrant origin have taken it to be their protest, skipping school and hitting the streets. It basically is a reflection of their anger being poorer minorities. There are armed police on every street corner right now. This minority needs a Martin Luther King to rise among them and lead the people to peaceful means of getting justice and eradicating racism. I'm praying for peace.

I understand that the French believe it is every French persons right to protest. I cannot understand how this needs to lead to violence and destruction.

Euronews video:

http://fr.euronews.net/2010/10/19/france-les-casseurs-entrent-en-scene/

Youtube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdeH8xeNL7U

Bon, gros bisous de paix (peace) et a demain.

Love, Charley

Saturday Market

Fall was certainly in the air this morning when I went to the Saturday Market. Fall products were a plenty.

 Fresh pumpkin.

Pumpkin soup: Sautee a large onion (or 2 shallots) and 2 teaspoons of finely chopped fresh ginger in a tablespoon of butter in the bottom of a big soup pan. Add 4 cups of water. Add a chicken boullon cube. Add chopped pumpkin (as seen above - large chunks), about 3 or 4 cups-ish. Cook for 20 minutes or so and then puree the soup. Serve with garlic toast. Yum!

Wow, look at these beautiful mushrooms!

Freshly roasted chicken and potatoes.

Choucroute: sauerkraut with sausages, german hot dogs, thick sliced bacon, ham. The best place to eat choucroute in Lyon is at the Brasserie George.

All varieties of onions, shallots, garlic, and spices.

Flowers.

Apples.

And all kinds of vegies.

Voila! Gros bisous du marche et a demain.

Love, Charley

Les Visiteurs - a great cult film!

I unabashedly adore the 1993 French cult film Les Visiteurs. I've seen it at least a dozen times, and each time I am thoroughly entertained. I am a great fan of the absurd.


I could not find a clip in English. but if you do rent the film or purchase it, I can assure you that the English translation is excellent. They have somehow managed to keep the humor in the translation and that rarely happens.


I quote the storyline from IMDB written by Stewart M. Clamen: A medieval nobleman and his squire are accidentally transported to contemporary times by a senile sorcerer. He enlists the aid of his descendent to try to find a way to return home, all the while trying to cope with the cultural and technological changes distinguishing his time from ours.


Jean Reno outdoes himself as Godfroy de Papincourt, Comte de Montmirail. Christian Clavier is a well known and excellent comedian in France. He plays two roles in the film: that of Jacquoille la Fripouille and Jacquard. But my favorite character is Valerie Lemercier who plays Frenegonde de Pouille. Her bourgeoise accent is hands down hysterically funny. 


Valerie Lemercier won the best supporting actress Cesar (French equivalent of Oscar) for her role in this film. The film was nominated for Best Actor: Christian Clavier and Jean Reno, Best Director, Best Film, Best Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Music for Film, Best Writing screenplay!! Wow!


Here is the original trailer in vf.





There was a Visiteurs II in 1998 - Les Couloirs du Temps.


And a Visiteurs III in 2001 - Les Visiteurs en Amerique - The Visiters in America. See trailer below.



Voila! Gros bisous des visiteurs et a demain.


Love, Charley

Les Bisous!

Linda loves the French word for kiss, which is bisou. So, Linda, this blog is for you!

When you greet someone in a business setting, it is recommended to shake hands.

When you greet someone in a personal setting or are introduced o a friend of a friend, it is recommended to do bisous. 

Then you have the very confusing issue of how many bisous? You certainly do not want to commit any grave faux pas! Already it's complicated enough just knowing what side to start the whole kissing process on. Nothing is more embarrassing then going in for the two-kiss salute and having them go for the right side and you the left. Heaven forbid your lips should brush any part of their face other than their cheeks! But then you have to worry about how many bisous.

Sometimes its two, sometimes three, and sometimes four. I have to say, already it's rather impressive meeting up with several couples in a restaurant or chez a friend. All conversation stops and the room fills with tiny squelching noises as you greet everyone, and I mean everyone (same goes for when you leave, by the way). 

And imagine a room full of people to greet with a four-kiss salute!

Here is a handy dandy website that tells you exactly how many bisous salute is needed and where. 

http://combiendebises.free.fr/

Oh and, yes, men do bisous too!!

Voila! Gros bisous de bisous et a demain!

Love, Charley

Salade Lyonnaise

Une bonne salade Lyonnaise!

Ingredients: salade (bien sur), a soft boiled egg per person, thick chunks of bacon, and good quality breadcrumbs with herbs. The sauce: In the bottom of a small bowl, put in salt, pepper, dijon mustard and a tich of balsamic vinegar. Whisk together. Then slowly add olive oil, whisking all the while, until the salad dressing tastes as you like ti to. Dribble over salad and Voila!

Bon appétit! 

Gros bisous et a demain!

Love Charley

Les Puces - Flea Market

This morning, I went to the local Marche Puces or Flea Market. I love it. To me, an American, it holds within it's walls all the treasures of the past. 

Sit back and follow in my footsteps ....

All kinds of cool outdoor statues, and baths, wrought iron tables, old pieces of machinery, etc. 

There are big permanent stands like the one above and there are small vagrant stands selling a surrealistic  plethora of ... stuff!

Love the half top of a an old mannequin just laying on the ground!

Ahhh, Italian Vespas! Aren't they gorgeous? 

Ran into a few creeeeeepy clowns! (Why are clowns so creepy?)

A captain sitting in a chair on an antique table, okey dokey.

These guys were hidden in a corner. They gave me quite a start when I discovered them!

Oh, la la! Les lustres, or chandeliers. Antique and everywhere. 

An ancient potty! Just slip your chamber pot underneath and you are ready to go.

Now this was a really nice old bar. The metal was polished, the wood in excellent shape. Love the old refrigerators ... oh, so beautiful!

Hat pins, anyone?

Now this made me sad. There were TWO bottles of Louis Roederer Cristal champagne from 1974 for sale. Unfortunately the person hadn't looked after them and they were useless, no good to drink, all the bubbles gone. The same guy had a ton of wine from 1950, 82' 74', all spoiled--shame on him!

A beautiful silver tea service polished to a perfect shine. 

Interesting dress ....

Silver is for sale all over France. It amazes me. There is a store in Lyon that is so full of antique silver silverware that it lays in mountainous heaps on every surface available. 

I adored this picnic basket! So "Room With A View".  

A stunning Art Deco desk. It was in impeccable shape. 

Ha ha, love this shot! It looks as though the guy is having a full on conversation with the mannequin (and perhaps he was!). Too surrealistic. Too funny. 

This place was my favorite. It had gardens all around it, you can wander freely through them and they are filled with all kinds of amazing things scattered haphazardly around.

Out back ....

These cool lights. 

Oh my gosh! There were all kinds of tombstones in the form of metal crosses and these heart medallions out back! I thought, oh that would be pretty to put on a wall somewhere and then I realized what they were. Yikes! 

An aside. In France, there isn't enough room to keep graves in the graveyards forever. After a hundred years or so, if there is no family left alive, they do away with the tombstones, caskets and bodies (if there is anything left) and make way for new corpses. Hence the selling of the tombstone crosses and medallions. 

Poor girl, she died when she was 14 years old in 1902. 

It is all the rage in France to find old furniture, fridges, cabinets and make them new. You add polished metal, new marble tops, etc. I find it gorgeous. I have a few pieces at home. This cabinet made me drool. 

Another example of recycled furniture. This is an old factory lamp and a medical cabinet. All polished up, it looks just great. Original. 

Last but not least, in the event you would like to go sledding ....

Voila! Gros bisous des puces et a demain!

Love Charley

Afternoon Tea

I love how the French are so relaxed on the weekends. How if a friend is going to "stop by" it means they will stay for a couple of hours. 

I decided to have a little afternoon tea today. It was a gorgeous day, so we set up tea on the terrace. 

Bien sur, I went to my favorite patissiere, Delice des sens, or delight of the senses, on Boulevard Brotteaux in the 6eme. 

I couldn't resist these yummy little tarts: lemon with meringue and blueberry. 

I fell head over heels in love with this amazing cake! A fraisier, or strawberry cream cake. By they way, that is a real orchid on top. The French take great measures to make their food look incredibly inviting. Half the pleasure comes from just looking at it. 

A spot of Earl Grey tea with milk, heaven. My tummy is very happy!

Voila! Gros bisous de fraisier et a demain.

Love, Charley