Discovering Herb Ritts

A few weeks ago we passed the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Marais and I told myself that I will have to go check it out soon. In Paris we have too many museums with huge collections of historical paintings in them, but I’m more into contemporary style and I especially like photography exhibitions and museums. Last Saturday we finally decided to go check MEP out. We were a bit surprised to find a queue outside on a normal Saturday afternoon, but the reason quite obviously was the Herb Ritts exhibition going on in the top floor.

I didn’t know Herb Ritts before, but I was definitely happy to discover him. Celebrities’ favorite photographer, you can find many interesting celeb pics from this expo. But not only that, I also liked a lot his pictures from Africa, he had quite some talent. Pictures are easy to watch, no surprises there, but they are captivating. Male visitors seemed to be very much fascinated by the famous naked supermodel picture that includes Naomi, Cindy and some other gals, actually this one might explain the queue outside..

Anyway, go check out the exhibition before the end of October! In MEP there were also a few other interesting exhibitions to see. 8 euros well spent I say. The Maison actually feels homy and atmosphere is tranquille unlike in some other museums invaded by crowds of tourists (yes, we Parisians dislike tourists, sorry about that). Nice bonus is the neighborhood, you can’t go wrong with Marais on a beautiful September day.

Ps. If you do go to Marais, eat falafel in Mi-Va-Mi in Rue des Rosiers, it is just the best!

Qi Gong and stuff

This weekend started zen with a Qi Gong practice in 104 center in north of Paris, Riquet neighborhood. It was now the second time that I went there, it just makes me feel good. 104 is an inspiring place, it is a cultural center hosting theater, dance and visual arts, spectacles and exhibitions. The place has a really good wibe, you just feel comfortable and welcome there. Qi Gong classes take place once in a month and the crowd is a nice mix of grannies and random people. A friend took me there once last Spring and ever since I’ve wanted to go again. Best thing is that the classes are for free!

If you want to hang out in the center after the class, you find the Grand Central bistro that is not bad at all for a late brunch. If you are lucky there might be some exhibition going on or you can just watch people dancing. This time there was a bio market selling vegetables, bread and cheese in the courtyard. 104 center is in 19th arrondissement, close to Canal de l’Ourcq or bassin de la villette. So after the Qi Gong class we headed with a friend to a café by the canal to enjoy some fresh orange juice (I was tempted to have prosecco but was wise this time) and felt really zen.

It appeared that we were not the only ones enjoying the sunny day by the Canal. There were many people picnicking and playing petanque and mölkky. Yes, Parisians love mölkky, probably because it resembles petanque but it is way more hipster. They don’t know that in Finland it is only played in cottages wearing jogging pants that have seen their better days, haha.

The day continued in the Marais district, more about that later. I ended up hanging out the whole day in my yoga, sorry Qi Gong, leggings. They were so comfy to wear that I might repeat that. I just need to buy longer tops, my husband said I look like a teenager on my way to the technoparade that was going on the city at the same time. Oh well..

That’s it for now. I’m off to watch War and Peace, BBC miniseries recommended to me by my mother. I’m not sure what to think of my mom giving me recommendations for TV series, seems that she is more IN than I am. But the series is good, strong recommendation to this one.

Have a good night! x

Paris lately

You know you have lived in Paris too long when:

• You get desperate when you just miss the metro and next one is coming in 4 minutes
• You get very upset when you get out of the metro and you realize that your exit is on the other side of the platform
• You avoid by all means making an eye contact in a metro, at least during rush hours (Actually eye contact would be difficult anyway when somebody’s hair/shoulder/arm is between you and your book.)

Calm weekend (tranquilo)

When you start using expressions like hijo de puta and plata in your daily life, you know you’ve been watching too much Narcos.  Still one episode left of the second season. Good thing about this TV marathon is that my Spanish is coming back, all those two beginners courses that I took back in the Uni. I’m not sure when I can use my revived skills though (*dreaming of a holiday in Mexico…) and if people will appreciate the gangster Spanish I’ve learned.

Day trip to Chantilly

We’ve been lucky to have still great weather in Paris, so last Saturday we decided to get out of the city. My favorite weekend getaway places from Paris are definitely in Normandy area (Sea! Do I need to say more?), but this time we wanted to do just a day trip within a short distance. The town of Chantilly is only 30 minutes train ride away from Gare du Nord and it is definitely worth visiting to see the famous Château de Chantilly as well as the vast area of gardens and forest surrounding it.

A week of a Parisian

Monday: I’m not a morning person, as many of you know. This means that my weekdays rarely start well – please don’t talk to me before 10am! On the way to work in metro everyone is either sleepy or just cranky, metro is too full and people are pushing around. When I arrive to the office my blood pressure is already high. Then the weekly Monday meetings start… By lunch time I’m ready to move back to Espoo.