My birthday came and go and left me with 39years on my shoulders!
Friday, early in the morning, I leave Milano with my colleague Nicholas. In less than 4 hours we drive to Cannes. He drops me then in front of the train station. I decided to avoid the Croisette because during the Film Festival is pure crazyness being in Cannes and I ask Wouter to come and pick me up in St Raphael. As usual I am overcharged , my luggage weights a ton, I have my computer with me and some other stuff, I want to pee badly but if I'll do it I'll miss the train...so with almost tears in my eyes I jump on the 12h12 train that in less than 30 minutes stops in St Raphael! A little hour later I'm at the barco beach club! It's so nice to have Meggie running towards me and seeing all my friends! We start we a great lunch and then I drop almost dead on the sunbed and fall asleep! It's quite exhausting eating, suntanning, getting ready for dinner and going to bed again! Jesus what a blast! Next day we are off to St Tropez...! Little shopping and walk in the famous harbour where the fanciest yatchs has been docking since Brigitte Bardot was a young and beautiful promise of French movie stardom! Then back to barco beach in St Maxime for a late lunch...!! Sun and I dare to put a foot in the sea! Same ritual for Sunday! Ooh what a life....!!
Stop now! I hear you are laughing...! I know ...I look like "Business woman of the year" but believe...far from that!! But I have to admit that I look pretty serious with my brown tailleur and nicely brushed hair! I had a nice time in Milano : worked a lot but also did some shopping (there's always something to buy in Italy!!), went with Ilaria to this great wine tasting soirée and had a nice walk in the Navigli's area. Then it was time to go on vacation...!!
Hey Olga!!! Hope life is treating you all well. Me on the other hand...I'm off for a week and I don't have much planned. This past weekend I went to Niagara Falls for a walk with my friend and it was chilly, very busy but nice. We just walked up and down the cliffton hill. It was pretty busy because of the long weekend plus they had firecrackers going on but we missed them. We were going to go to the drive-in but the line up was tooo crazy so we decided last minute to take a drive.
I have absolutely to write a new post or Sarkozy's smiling grin will remain the opening page of this blog!! So what's new and interesting in my life?? Did I tell you about my next trip to Milano and then week end in Saint Maxime?? Yes like every year we will spend 4 days, invited by my friend Michele, in her beautiful house in South of France. John and Cristina and their kids will be there too. We all long for this break away. It's our yearly get together and my occasion to meet with Michele after she moved to Geneva last year, when I moved back to Paris. Worst timing ever! So this is the week end when we suntan, we eat on the beach and we rest!! Beach here we come...!! P.S. I go to Milano for my work and will join Wouter and the bambina in St Maxime after passing by Cannes where there is the Film Festival....!! And if you see a stunning blonde : it's not Sharon Stone it's me!!!
After an intense political debate France has a new President!
I'm getting too old to party with Norma.....I had to take a minute and explain how CRAZY Friday night was for us. We ended up meeting Patty at a Bar/Resturant called MUSTANGS in Stoney Creek....the food was great. Patty had the Nacho's and I had this incredible Honey Oak Chicken Sandwich....and Norma had the same in a wrap. We were there for a few hours, laughing and catching up on some gossip. After we dropped off Patty I had a knew we weren't going straight home. Yup, I was right, we instead picked up Angelica at 10pm and headed to the Portuguese Club. I didn't want to hang out there all night, and Thank God Norma just had to drop a CD off for a friend. But we didn't leave without having a few drinks.....I had a bottle of water, you know we I'm not much of a beer drinker. So we leave the club and head to John St. thinking to myself..."OK where can we cause some trouble tonight and at the same time pick up guys for Norma???" After circling John St. afew times.....I have to mention WHY we circled John St a few times......we ended up passing a Firestation that had a few GORGEOUS Firefighters standing outside and so Angelica and I thought ....sure why not Norma could date a fireman....lets go check them out. That was fun for about 5 minutes...so off we left and we ended going up the street to TAILGATE CHARLIES. It was probably around 11:30pm and that's when our night began. We go in and see nothing but young kids....19-23yr olds....the music was good but come on , we were on a mission, we needed to find a guy for Norma...after walking around a few times we headed down stairs to the "LIQUID KITTY", it's classified as a Martini Bar in Hamilton, the crowd is much older and live bands play there. So, there we were... Angelica and I didn't have any shame....we are married, we didn't care....we made fools of ourselves, but it was all for Norma. We stopped guys as they walk past us and saw if they are suitable for NORMA. Angelica has a list of questions that she asked them ...#1 How old are you?#2 Are you married?#3 How much $$ do you make ?and the most important question was ......#4 Do you have any kids????? This lasted all night, John showed up around 1:30am just in time to preapprove any choices Angelica and I were making for Norma. Neadless to say we were the last 4 people to leave the bar at 2:30am. Actually Norma was the last to leave the building, she was throw out literally by her BOUNCER friends. Thank god when Norma meets someone, she leaves a lasting impression.....the bouncers all knew her and had a howl throwing her out. I have photos to prove it!!!! Anyways by the time she said her goodbyes and had a last smoke...it was 3am. I was in pretty good shape, John and I decided to pick the kids up from my moms house.....I know it seamed terrible waking them up at 3:15am but it was better for us in the morning. My kids are use to it, they are use to getting disturbed while they sleep, that 's what happens when you need to get to work by 7am. I have to mention John and I woke up the next day around 10am and I don't know about him, but I felt like a bag of Shi---!!! My head was killing me, my voice was rough and it seamed as if I drank all night. I had the worst hang over........to my surprise the only thing I drank all night was a 1/2 bottle of wine cooler.....I'm getting too old to party with Norma. Anyways, our mission wasn't accomplished, Norma didn't meet the man of her dreams that night, but there is always NEXT TIME!!!
It's 2h30pm. Meggie is taking a little nap. She has a little cold. I sit on the couch wondering wheter to go and take a nap too. The phone rings. "Pronto chi parla?" I recognized Sandra's voice. "Thought to call you ...for a change". With Sandra it's always the same. We pick up the conversation where we left it. There is no gap. No incertitude. Or silence. It's like we spoke the previous day. We have been talking lately but always briefly because of too many things to do. I know wounds stupid but it's like this. So this time we decide to catch up with some conversations. in 1h35 minutes we talk about everything and everybody. We laugh. We get sad. We make projects. We gossip. We send greetings and we promise to keep in touch. We have been doing this for 22 years! And I just love it...! We have a big project for next year. 2008. When Sandra and I will be 40! So what better occasion to get together and celebrate? Maybe in a vignard close to Niagara on the Lake? And finally have my parents visit Sandra in Canada?? Yes, I would love to be with all my "big" family for once!
I'm taking it easy today......this morning at 8:30am Gabriel and I walked Madeline to school, It's Gabriels Friday off. It's such a nice day here today......I was up at 6:30am along with the sunshine. At 1030am Gabriel and I walked back to the school because they had a Mary Crowing Ceremony with the whole school and Madeline asked if I would attend. That took an hour then on our way home Gabriel wanted to stop at the park near our house.......OK sooo we stopped there for a while. Now I'm starving for some lunch, but Gabriel wantes to go outside and play Hockey. So I compremized with him, he's allowing me to spend some time on the computer and then I will have to go outside with him and hockey....of course I'm the goalie and I have to put the protectiver pads on. This evening John and Enzo have a stag to go to. Patty's brother is getting married ......Norma and I will be going to meet up with Patty in Stoney Creek for some NACHO'S.........It's a cheat night tonight...I have been doing so good and have lost alittle bit of weight. But you need to fall off the wagon sometimes. I have a feeling the nights not going to stop there.....Patty will want to go home because I'm not sure if I mentioned it....they are expecting TWINS....she's about 32 weeks.....she won't want to stay out late after working all day. But Norma on the other hand ...I think she's going to drag me along and go bar hopping near Hess Village. On Augusta St. closer to James St. and the Bus Terminal are a bunch of new little pubs.....The weather today is sooo nice...I think that's where we are heading later on tonight. John will probably meet up with us after the STAG.....he's bartending for them tonight. It's sooo funny that I can explain our plans with you and you know exactly where we are heading......yet you are sooo far away!!!
I know it! Don't tell me! With all I have to do I should occupy my time with more serious things instead of wasting (!) time with this teen aged Scamarcio's mania! If you like the dark hair and intense look type and you are found of Italian men please take the time to see the interview...so you can understand what I am talking about! I will try to come back with more adults posts soon but for the moment let me linger on the Breil!!!!
Hi Olg, thanks alot for the phone call, sorry, as usual we were out. My first day was great!!! It's like I never left. I totally just started doing my work like normal, of course I got stopped a hundred times everyone welcomed me back and Managers of my department brought me a "welcome back to work" cake. It was really nice and unexpected. I'm a little tired because I didn't sleep very good last night, I guess subconsciously I was worrying about getting up on time and going back to work. I tossed and turned all night, I saw every hour go by....1:30 am, 2:30 am 3:30 am.....finally at 5:00am I got up. Then talking with everyone and explaining to some workers and doctors why I was off was a little hard.....Just having to remember it all over again, you know, it was a little hard. But the day all in all was really good. So, How's Meggie, everything in order in the new place?? Where are you off to next???
Both Nancy and I we have been so busy lately that we did not find a little moment to write in our blog! So we would like to apoligize to our few but loyal readers for this absence! Nancy had to organize Maddeleine's First Communion : quite a big event in the Tarquini's tradition, lot of work, especially lots of food in few words a great day! Talking about me, during Meg's 2 weeks vacation in Italy I went to Frankfurt, fixed the house, did a lot of administartion "bullshit" and then spent this week end with my parents here in Paris. The weather has been so exceptional that we enjoyed long walk in unknown areas of Paris! Family, family for both of us! And a lot of organization before and a lot of cleaning after! And when it's over you are so tired but already looking forward to the next family "reunion"!
Dimanche 15 April Paris
Beautiful weather here in Paris! Meaning that the temperature is above 25 degrees! Amazing, we are just in April! Flowers, plants, everything is blossoming here in Paris! American tourists are walking in shorts & thongs, kids are eating ice-creams and birds are shitting on my head! Yes, correct! Yesterday afternoon, after work, Wouter and I went for a nice walk to the Tuileries. Weather was perfect and it was really lovely to stroll around beautiful Paris! We sat at this lovely cafe and enjoyed the the last rays of sun. Lovely, lovely! Wrong spot, though!!! These Old trees covered up an insidious animal! A constipated bird decided to free himself! And bleeehhh!!! A huge shit is dripping down my hair! Wouter is laughing is head off! Ohhh what the hell! I am laughing too! We ended up at Starbucks on Avenue de l'Opera and I had a huge Chocolate Frappucino! Gnammmi!!
Once I smelled Blaise Mautin's perfume created for the Park Hyatt Vendome I said "this is my perfume, this is me!" A mix built on woody, minty patchouli, somehow modern and classic at the same time. Excited about having found "the one" I called the Hyatt Vendome and asked how and where I could buy this perfume! I was given the number of Mautin's boutique and suggested to call to have some extra information. Which I did. A charming lady told me that each Mautin's creation was different and specially taylor made for his clients. Prices were ranging from 1500€ up! Silence! The dream was broken! I could never have a Blaise Mautin's perfume! I was given some hotel samples (bath gel & body cream) that I "still" use piously, in special occasions. Today is one of those special occasions. If diamonts are forever scents have the power to create memory!
It's official : I will never grow up! I still love teenagers movies and sometimes, just for a sec, I wish I was still one! After watching "3metri sopra il cielo" I sighed thinking how fresh and unspoiled love seemed when I was 18...! Now that I am 38 (yes, still for a couple of months!!) I know that love is much more that a fast heartbeating, but the "fanciulla" who is in me loves that feeling and sometimes (only sometimes!) loans for it! I don't know if you guys on the other side of the ocean can "find" this Italian movie but it was huge hit in 2004 and a sequel "Ho voglia di Te" is now playing in movie theatres! Riccardo Scamarcio, Step, is the teeenagers new idol and has been haunting some of my thoughts!!Told ya that I wasn't lying when I said that I would never grow up! So girls google him up and I can't wait to read your comments! All type of comments!
Bineau is rented. It took many days to empty the small place. I wonder how we could store so much "stuff" in such little space. We spent many evenings, till late, packing, cleaning, throwing away staff. From today a friendly French girl is staying at my place. It was strange to leave Bineau but it had to be done and it's done! When finally I sit on the couch...I can't wait to watch an episode of Spooks. I bought season 1 by chance and now I am totally addicted to it. Spooks is a British television drama series, his title derives from a popular colloquialism for spies, as the series follows the work of a group of MI5 intelligence officers at Thames House. If you are fed up with the "junk shows" on air lately on tv, rent or buy this brilliant series. You won't be disappointed.
Now it's too much! I was in Barcelona, Spain for less than 20 hours! And going to Barcelona was hell and coming back wasn't any better either. It all started Thursday morning when I got at Orly Airport and saw that my flight had been cancelled! It was 10h40! "Shit" I said to myself. No matter what I had to be in Barcelana by 6pm just before my workshop started. So I called the office and ask them to assist me in searching another flight. While Clemance was teeling me about this new flight around two, two other calls arrived. Meggie's teacher was trying to reach me! I called the school back! Meg was sick with 39.4 fever! "Shit, Shit" I called immediately Wouter and told him about Meggie. Sure he was in a meeting and had to organize his day off. Anyway I had to catch the other flight that was leaving in less than 3hrs from Charles de Gaulle Airport. On the otherside of the city. Strikes, traffic jams, some car accidents and a fire were all going on Thursday morning. "Shit, Shit, Shit". Got a taxi (paid over 60€) and got to the wrong terminal. "Damn" By now it was 1pm and I did not eat yet and I started to feel really exhausted and depressed! An hour later the situation was under control again. Wouter had picked Meg up. She was resting on the couch and I had planned for Caroline to take care of Meggie for Friday. Before taking off I was already sleeping. Got to the hotel in Barcelona around 5pm. Took a shower and run to see a tour operator. I had to be back at the hotel by 7pm to go with Laura to the Utell's workshop. Only nice moment was a fast stop in a store where in less than 17 minutes I could buy myself 2 bikinis!! Then back to work till 11pm! On Friday I decided to take it slower and visit my colleagues in their new offices on Paseig de Graçia! Then back to the hotel and back to the airport! And then it all started again!!! First an hour delay. Then two. Then three. So instead of being back around 4pm I got back home after 8pm! By the way Easyjet (this low cost airline) and I are not longer friends!!
Hi Olg,I guess you read how Sunday Afternoon went in Toronto from the Blog.You have to change the times on the clocks on the Blogs. Everytime I go and sign on, the clocks show and hour behind.I bet Meggie is excited about Easter. Will you be in Italy for Pasqua?? April is going to be a very busy month for us. April 8th - EasterApril 11th - My good friend Patty's BirthdayApril 22nd - Madeline's CommunionApril 28th - Open house in the morning at Madeline's School - 40 yrs AnniversaryApril 28th - Jerry's Aunts 90th Birthday Party at Sandra's April 29th - Melissa's (a friend) Bridal Shower : I don't have time to go back to work. I don't know how I'm ever going to get my ass in gear and go back to those 7 in a row shifts. Hope you are all well, Ciao Nancy
Norma was great, Sunday afternoon was the longest day of my life. Sandra, Jerry, Steven, John and I all went along to Toronto to support Norma, we knew she was going to place somewhere in this competition. Her singing is incredible. We arrived at 1:30pm, had a really good meal and then it all started. First it was the Veterans age group to go up (45 and up) Lina our good friend was great she is Italian and sang a Portuguese song, she placed Bronze in her category and won $200. Then it was the kids age group to go up (15 and under). Some were really cute and sang well, while others obviously didn't have any family support to tell them they stunk. Our friend Christopher(15 yrs of age) sang really good, he placed diamond and won $500. 5 hours go by, then an intermission, you'll never guess, they had a Portuguese Elvis impersonator. He was good, but come on already.....when was Norma going to go up?? We were all pretty tired of waiting and Norma was so good, she held off on drinking as long as she could. Finally around 6:30pm it was the adult age group to go up. Norma was #5 out of 12 to sing. She was great, she sang her famous Patsy Cline song "If you've got leaving on your mind". We think the competition was fixed. The organizer of the competition called her and told her she HAD to sing that song, but everyone else had their choice of song to sing. Norma was the only non-portugese person to sing in her category and after the contestants sang their song, they each spoke with the host and judges, but not our Norma, all she got was "obligado" a thank you. Liberto and Jimmy were from Hamilton and were in Norma's category. They sang great,they had the place up, dancing and cheering, but they didn't place. Paul the Hamilton organizer was also in Norma's category, he sang OK, not better than Liberto, Jimmy or Norma, and of course he won diamond along with $500. HOW COINCIDENTAL.
No one was missing, well "me" apart! 
I have to apologize for turning into a sort of gastronomic "expert" but this stay in Rome was surely very stimulating for the "palate". Tonight, again, I dined out with Walkiria and Maria Cristina. Barbara gave "forfait" to spent some time with Louis (we were told that next day that it wasn't worth it!). We went to this lovely place called "Osteria della Frezza" in piazza Augusto Imperatore. Ho assaporato un antipasto di fiori di zucca in pastella ripieni di acciughe e ricotta e un bel piatto di rigatoni all'amatriciana, il tutto accompagnato da un bicchiere di vino rosso della casa. I spent one of the most pleasent evening in a long long time! We laughed, we cried...almost an episode of "Sex and the City"! What a great evening! Rome, taxi driver apart, it's a beautiful city. Did I tell you that we drive pass by Vatican City and I saw the "Cupolone" di San Pietro?
Long day at the fair. Lot of work and little food! Met some nice people coming from all over the world! Norma listen to this: I spoke to a lady from Nashville that met Elvis when she was a little girl! She actually sat besides him at Graceland to watch a movie! Elvis loved to invite kids from the neighbourhood to watch movies in his private cinema! Kids had to be good and silent or he would chase them away! She remembered this moment like it was yesterday! So a lot of work that was, then, compensated by another nice evening out with Ilaria, this time. We went to this lovely place called "Gusto" and I had one of the best pizza ever! Then it was time for bed. At least for me!
After a "roller coaster" start of my day...I have to admitt that things went better in the afternoon! I met with my friend Barbara at the bar of the Hotel d'Inghilterra where I could have a bite (I was actually starving!) and listened to the updates of her love story (do you remember her? She was the one going to NY for just 3 days trying to win the heart of her ex fiancé back!). In the end she "won" him back but her relation with Louis is going through a new storm. Which means that she is still in tormented waters!! Meaning also that she is also slightly depressed! What the heck I am surrended by depressed women! And they are depressed because of men! Ahhhh! Then I, finally, met Walkiria! She is a blast! Funny and inteligent at the same time! She was even better than what I was expecting! Walki, Barbra and I walked up to Piazza di Spagna got Walki's car and around 5pm the 3 of us went to Globe to set our stands and when we were done around 8 we went off for dinner! Weather apart (it was cold and rainy all day) we spent a nice evening at the Duke's in the fancy area of the Parioli! A cosmopolitan to start and then great Italian food! Around midnight I was resting peacefully in my bed under the maternal gaze of the Madonna!
Going to the "Eternal city" took really an eternity. When I got to the airport, Wednesday morning at 5h40, I found out that my plane was delayed. 3 hours delay. "Gosh" I thought " I could have slept 2 more hours!". Still patient I bought myself some fancy magazines and had breakfast! Time seems to slow down when you are at the airport, unless you are late! Any how finally we take off around 9h40. I enjoyed a little hour sleep and two hours later I landed in Rome Ciampino. Luggages took forever to get on the belt and one of mine was missing. Level of patience started to lower! It went to zero when the guy at the "lost and found" told me that he was going home because he was too tired. I thought he was joking. But he actually went away. Some poor soul helped me with the declaration and told me that would get back to me when luggage was found! When I was finally sitting in the bus that connects Ciampino to Rome Termini, my cell phone rang. The guy from the "lost & found" told me that he found my luggage and asked to go back to the terminal. Shit! Get of the bus, get out of the bus the other luggage, run back to the terminal and search for the guy. This fellow, God bless him, help me enormously and I was able to get my belonging back. Then back to bus and head for Roma! When I got to Termini train station I could not find a taxi! And when I did I was robbed 20€ to be left 5 minutes walking from the hotel. "God I love this country!!". I finally made to the Hotel d'Inghilterra by 3pm! It took me 10hrs to get to my final destination in ROMA!! When the concierge told me that my room wouldn't be ready for at least an hour I exploded! "This is your problem" I said. "I want a room and I want to take a shower, NOW!" After some computer checks I was given a bigger room, and it was NOW! When I got upstair (room n.374) a huge painting of the Madonna was hanging on my head! Just to remind me that life is sofference and travelling is becoming now a days a sort of hell on earth! So, please, stop saying "Uhhh how fun is travelling!!"
I am still sick but I have to prepare my next trip, to Roma, tomorrow! I haven't been in Roma for many years now and I look forward to a nice walk through Piazza di Spagna and to my dinner with my friends Barbara and Walkiria. Then 3 days work. I'll be back, very late, on Saturday! Stories from la "Dolce Vita" will follow!
Great week end for Meggie! Two full days to celebrate her 5th birthday! On Saturday she went with omi and opi, Joppe and Roos to Disneyland, cake in the evenening with "gifts" rituals (us singing, she dancing!!) the next day, Sunday, we had 10 kids over for her little party! 2 hours to keep these fellows busy..what a task especially when you have the fever and you counts minutes for the last kid to be gone...nevertheless I made it through and by 9pm I was in bed already sleeping!
My bambina, Sunday, turns 5! Seems yesterday when she was still kicking inside my belly and I had to wake up several time per night to pee! She is my biggest joy and my love! She is funny and smart and touches my heart every time I see her beautiful "faccino"! She is very excited of growing and she can't wait to have her first party in our new apartment on Sunday. Several kids have already confirmed their partecipation and it gonna fun...! Cuore grande della mamma "tanti cari auguri di Buon Compleanno!
Once a year we go bowling with all the colleagues from the office! I tried to convince them that I was too tired to participate and asked for mercy but no reason was heard and I had to be part of the team! I have to admitt that in the end I spent a lovely evening! We devided in 2 teams and like last year I ended up with the loosers being myself one of the bunch! And guess what? We won this year! Well just one match out of two but it's a beginning! After bowling we went for a bite "chez Felix" and finally around 1am I took a taxi home! Paris at night is absolutely gorgeous : the Eiffel tower was glittering and the Senne river was slowly following its stream...no traffic just Paris and its beauty! By 2am I was in bed and by 6am I was up again because our new couch was being delivered before 7am! After struggling for almost an hour to get this huge couch inside, I could take a shower and run to an appointment at 9! Tomorrow I take the day off...I have to get ready, the Dutch's delegation is arriving and I have to prepare for Meggie's birtday!! Hopefully tonight I can have a good night rest!
She made it!!! Norma made it to the final round of the Karaoke Contest in Toronto this past weekend. Her very long day Sunday was all worth it. Norma and her two friends (Lina and Lisa) managed to get to Toronto for noon that day, they sat through a Portuguese luncheon and then it all started, 30 contestants singing there little hearts out and our Norma was #27. The day earlier John, the kids and I, along with our good friends Patty and Enzo drove to the States, we shopped until we dropped and were simply to tired to go to Toronto with Norma the next day, but she knew that we were supporting her from Hamilton. Every few hours I called her on her cell phone to get an update on the contest. Nervous and excited, she waited until it was her turn to sing. She sang "If you've got leaving on your mind" by Patsy Cline. Then around 8:30pm we got the call, John answered the phone and with a smile told me "she made it to the finals". Excited as ever, she hung up and went to celebrate, I knew I would get the whole scoop of how her day went early Monday morning. Yup, I was right, Monday morning Norma called and still very excited explained how nerve racking it was to have to sit and wait all day for her turn to sing. She went on to explain there she was standing on the stage waiting to start and as she adjusted the microphone, "OH NO!!!" it broke apart. She broke the microphone, leave it up to Norma to cause disruption. Everyone laughed, the sound guy had to come up and help her reattach the microphone. Once everything settle down and as the music began again, "HOLD ON, she said "THERE'S NOW WORDS ON THE SCREEN!!! And yet again, Norma stopped the contest. Everyone howled as she made a big deal, and of course drew even more attention to herself. She didn't need the words, come on, I knew that and she knew that. She knows this song off by heart, she sings it every Saturday night at the Portuguese club, but she wanted the words on the screen so off went the sound guy again and helped Norma set up. Way to go Norma, good way to get the attention of the judges. At the end, she said, "IT WAS ALL OVER, " she said she doesn't even remember singing, it was over so fast. Finally it was time for the judges to call the names of the contestants who have made it to the finals. The first name they called was...............
I survived the "Ginettes". We had an extremely busy but nice week end! Weather was amazingly beautiful and the girls loved any moment of their stay in Paris. Saturday we started early : we walked from Opéra to Place de la Concorde, then through the Jardin des Tuilleries we walked down to the Louvre. Went to see the nice garden of Palais Royal and the Gallerie Vivienne. Then took metro to Les Halles. Had a quick bite and then head to Notre Dame de Paris. Walked to St Germain de Près and had a nice minth tea at the St Germain's pub. Took bus to Bastille and walked to my favorite bistro " chez Janou". After a nice dinner and a huge mousse au chocolat we walked to the "Cantine des Ginettes Armées" which I can assure you arent't that armed after all! The ginettes here in Paris are much softer than in Turin and this place looked to me as a normal ba
r with a lot of women in it. Smoke apart! God heaven how much they smoke! I just saw couple of women kissing but in a very discreet way. Too bad this lack of "spicy" details! Next day, Sunday, around 7am, when I just had scarcely 5hrs sleep, Meggie opened one of my eyes and asked me if I was sleeping. I could have cried. But the weather was too beautiful to cry and so I got up early and went to the market with Meg and Wouter. The girls joined us around 12. Then all together we went up to Montmartre to visit the beautiful basilique du Sacre Coeur. After a a stroll through the place du Tertre we went down to Pigalle (the red lights distret of Paris), Wouter and Meggie went back home and we headed to Trocadero to see the Eiffel Tower. But it wasn't enough! And the girls wanted to go a boat tour of Paris! And so we did! Around 7h30pm we went back and had all together some 
chinese food at the my Levallois's place. Then coffee and cake to celebrate Claudia and Meggie. Meggie was totally happy and she danced for us, Claudia too: what a show !
Our little Norma won a karaoke contest in Hamilton and made it through to the semi-final in Toronto. She sang, beautifully, "Don't cry for me Argentina". Nancy told me: " Not because she is my sister but she was absolutely great!" Very serious before the performance Norma "got wild" after the victory. She drank all the alcohol available in this Portuguese pub! Semi-final are in Toronto, this Sunday, and if she will make to the final, and will be the winner our "voice" could get a recording contrat! Even from Paris I will be cheering for you, Norma! Ah our sorellina becoming famous...!!
To all my emancipated girlfriends :
Let's light up a little. Let's forget for a moment romantic love. And Russia. My good old friend Klaudia is coming to Paris this week end to celebrate her 40th birthday. It's her first time in Paris and she is totally thrilled about this week end! It's gonna be a kinky week end because Klaudia comes with other 3 girlfriends and they are all gays! So after dinner at "chez Janou" we are going to this place called "le troisième lieu- the club of the armed ginettes"! I have already been in a gay club before and everytime is quite amusing especially when women stare at you and you don't know how to handle the situation. My friend Micaela, who was also at school with Klà, will be part of this little group! So 2 hetero and 4 gays girlfriends attacking the Parisian night! And I promise to write all details...even the noty ones!!! Sandra, please, don't get scandalized!!! Nancy, please, stop laughing!!! ahhahaahah!!
While I was walking the snowy streets of Moscow some memories of a book I read a while ago came up to my mind. Uncertain of the title (unfortunately books' titles are changed when translated in other languages!) the breathtaking love story of Tatiana and Alexander was still vivid in my mind. I remeber those sleepless nights when I could not stop turning the pages because I needed to know more but also slowing the reading not wanting the book to come to and end. Today I made a little research and found out that the title of this book is "The Bronze Horseman" written by Paullina Simons. If you are a romantic soul, and you love impossible loves set in historical background you don't have to miss this book!
The Russian adventure is finally over and I surivived! Well I have to admitt that the good Lord thought that I wouldn't make it so decided to make my life easier and raise the temperature! So the expected cold was not "that" cold!! So instead of -22 degrees we experienced -15 degrees the first day and then the termometer went up everyday till almost 0 degrees when it started to snow! For Russian fellows it was almost spring! Russian girls, extremely beautiful creatures, defy cold and icy streets walking in the hightest fancy boots you can imagine and they do not fall with their butts on the ground! Still wandering how they do it! Moscow is huge, trafic is allucinating, it's polluted and it smells bad but there is something magical about this place. I felt like Lara, without Doctor Zhivago, and seeing places where the movie was shot was like hearing balalaika's music! Every one I met asked me why I have a Russian name and I made up two stories: one with a Russian lover and the other more plausible that my mom was in love with Russian literature! The real story behind my name is another one but I will tell you another time!
