最近本当に忙しくて更新が怠っていました・・・（＾＾；実は月曜日より二足の草鞋を履くようになり、毎日がばたんきゅーの繰り返し。更には木曜日はとある理由で一日だけフランクフルトへ行ってきました。私は子供の時に（２５年前ほど）ドイツへ家族旅行したようですが、全く記憶がありません。なので、今回は初めてのような感覚でした。
ドイツは同じヨーロッパ国なのにフランスとは１８０度違うのでカルチャーショックを受けました。ほとんどの人が英語が話せることができ、またパリではわりと冷たくあしらわれるのに、とても優しく対応して頂きました。東京みたいに街をキレイにしており、だけどパリ・東京より緑が更に多い。勤勉なドイツ人、日本人と似ていてなんだか親近感を抱きました（＾＾）
I have been so busy lately that I haven't been able to write in this blog... :( Actually I started "to wear two shoes" from Monday and everyday have just passed out when coming back home. On top of that, for a certain reason I went to Frankfurt on Thursday just for one day. Apparently I went to Germany when I was a child (about 25 years ago) with my family but I have no recollection so it felt like the first time.
Germany is a fellow European country but there was a cultural shock for me as it's a 180 degree difference from France. Most of the people spoke English and they were really kind whereas in Paris I get the cold shoulder. The city is kept clean but there is much more green than in Paris or Tokyo. Hard working Germans, they are similar to Japanese and that made me feel close to them :)
2011-09-24
2011-09-18
Centquatre 104
金曜日はラオス人姉妹と最近話題のCentquatre104に行ってきました。Centquatre104とはコンテポラリーアートセンターであり、少し治安が悪いイメージのある１９区にあります。１９区はパリの北にあるのですが、多くの日本人は避けますが、ここのアートセンター近隣はとても閑静でした。そして中に入ると、こじゃれた感じで、コンサートを開くための準備でスタッフが忙しそうに働いていました。レストランがそこに２軒あり、私たちはLes Grandes Tables of 104に入りました。残念ながらこの日はカメラを忘れてしまったのですが、店内は広々としていて、アートスタジオの雰囲気が漂っていました。私はステーキ（サラダ・フライドポテト添え）を注文しましたが、これがびっくりするほど美味しい！お肉は適度に柔らかく、またサラダが新鮮でポテトもあつあつのサックサック！あまり行かない地域なので全く期待していなかったのですが、新しいエリアも挑戦すべきだな、としみじみ思いました。
その後はバスに揺られ、モンマルトルの丘まで行き、辿り着いたのが２０１１年のベストバゲットで選ばれたブランジュリー（パン屋さん）。正直バゲットはいつも行っているエリック・カイザーの方が好きですが、Ｅがレモンタルトを好きなので買ったら、大ヒットだったらしく、絶賛していました（＾＾）
On Friday I went to Cenquatre104 which is currently the recent talk of the town with 2 Laotian sisters. Centquatre104 is a contemporary art center and located in the 19th district which has a bit of a shady image. The 19th district is in the north of Paris and many Japanese tend to avoid this area but the neighborhood of the art center was very calm and quiet. Once we went inside, it seemed chic and the staff were busy preparing for a concert. There are 2 restaurants and we went to Les Grandes Tables of 104. Unfortunately I forgot my camera this day but the inside of the restaurant felt like an art studio. I ordered a steak (with salad and fries) and it was shockingly good! The meat was tender enough, the salad was fresh, and the fries were hot and crispy! I had no expectations at all as it's not an area I go to often but afterward I felt that I should try new areas.
Riding the bus later, we went to the hill of Montmartre and arrived to the boulangerie (bakery) awarded the best baguette of 2011. Honestly, I prefer Eric Kayser which I always buy from but the lemon tart I bought for E because he adores them, was a big hit and he raved about it :)
Centquatre 104
5 rue curial 75019
01 53 35 50 00
その後はバスに揺られ、モンマルトルの丘まで行き、辿り着いたのが２０１１年のベストバゲットで選ばれたブランジュリー（パン屋さん）。正直バゲットはいつも行っているエリック・カイザーの方が好きですが、Ｅがレモンタルトを好きなので買ったら、大ヒットだったらしく、絶賛していました（＾＾）
On Friday I went to Cenquatre104 which is currently the recent talk of the town with 2 Laotian sisters. Centquatre104 is a contemporary art center and located in the 19th district which has a bit of a shady image. The 19th district is in the north of Paris and many Japanese tend to avoid this area but the neighborhood of the art center was very calm and quiet. Once we went inside, it seemed chic and the staff were busy preparing for a concert. There are 2 restaurants and we went to Les Grandes Tables of 104. Unfortunately I forgot my camera this day but the inside of the restaurant felt like an art studio. I ordered a steak (with salad and fries) and it was shockingly good! The meat was tender enough, the salad was fresh, and the fries were hot and crispy! I had no expectations at all as it's not an area I go to often but afterward I felt that I should try new areas.
Riding the bus later, we went to the hill of Montmartre and arrived to the boulangerie (bakery) awarded the best baguette of 2011. Honestly, I prefer Eric Kayser which I always buy from but the lemon tart I bought for E because he adores them, was a big hit and he raved about it :)
Centquatre 104
5 rue curial 75019
01 53 35 50 00
2011-09-15
Final Fantasy 6
ファイナルファンタジー６をＰＳ３にダウンロードして、毎日熱中しています！Ｅも私も６はファイナルファンタジーシリーズの中で一番好きで、私が遊んでいると良くＥが横でぼそっとこれはこうした方がいいんじゃない？とアドバイスしてくれます（笑）なぜ６が一番好きかと言うと、やはり魂のこもったストーリ！また、合計１４人キャラクターがいるのですが、これだけいても各キャラクターの性格や背景がしっかりしており、愛着がわきます。通常はバトルでは４人しか操作できないので、選ぶのが大変！そして他のＲＰＧとちょっと違うところが、自分の好きなように進められるところが多いこと。キャラクターも仲間にしたいかしたくないか決めることができ、またどこに次行くかを自分で選ぶことができます。ファイナルファンタジー１３は画像がとても綺麗で、魅了されるのですが、唯一直して欲しい部分と言えばこの進行具合でしょう。
最初に６を遊んだのが１２才の時。あれから１５年以上経ちますが、今でも私とＥを虜にするファイナルファンタジーはすごいと思います！
I downloaded Final Fantasy 6 on our PS3 and have been engaged in it everyday! E and I both love Final Fantasy 6 the most and when I play, E will often come next to me and advise quietly what to do :) The reason why I love 6 is because of the soulful story! There are also 14 characters which is a lot, but each character has a strong character and background that you have in love with all of them. Normally in battle you can only control 4 so it's hard to choose! What's different about this game from other RPG is that in many areas of the game, you can play how you like. You can decide which characters you want as part of your group and also choose where you want to go. Final Fantasy 13's graphics are very beautiful and allures me but one area I wished they would have fixed was the way the game proceeds.
I first played Final Fantasy 6 when I was 12. 15 years have gone by since then but I think it's amazing how Final Fantasy can still keep E and I captive!
最初に６を遊んだのが１２才の時。あれから１５年以上経ちますが、今でも私とＥを虜にするファイナルファンタジーはすごいと思います！
I downloaded Final Fantasy 6 on our PS3 and have been engaged in it everyday! E and I both love Final Fantasy 6 the most and when I play, E will often come next to me and advise quietly what to do :) The reason why I love 6 is because of the soulful story! There are also 14 characters which is a lot, but each character has a strong character and background that you have in love with all of them. Normally in battle you can only control 4 so it's hard to choose! What's different about this game from other RPG is that in many areas of the game, you can play how you like. You can decide which characters you want as part of your group and also choose where you want to go. Final Fantasy 13's graphics are very beautiful and allures me but one area I wished they would have fixed was the way the game proceeds.
I first played Final Fantasy 6 when I was 12. 15 years have gone by since then but I think it's amazing how Final Fantasy can still keep E and I captive!
2011-09-14
活気を取り戻しました Back to being lively
パリは９月上旬になって皆がバカンスより戻り、街は活気を取り戻した感じがします。８月と比べ物にならないほど人が多く、車もビュンビュン通ります。学校にまた通う生徒、仕事にまだ戻る社員、様々な人がリフレッシュされたような顔つきで歩き、なんだかこっちまで頑張ろうと意気込みます。
フランスは有給休暇が多く、ほとんどの人が夏に２週間ほど休みをとるのが当たり前です。日本では年に２０日間の有給休暇が通常の考えからすると本当に驚きます。最初はそんなので良く国がやっていけるな・・・と思いましたが、今となってはその休みがあるからこそ、それを糧にして戻った時に良い気分で働くことができるのではないかと思っています。日本では働くお父さん・お母さんはちょっとしか取れない休みで子供に楽しい休みのを想い出を作るのを必死で、気が付いたらもう休暇が終わりというパターンが多いのではないでしょうか？そういう点ではフランスを見習っても良いと考えます。
It's beginning of September and people are back from their vacations, Paris seems as though it's regained its liveliness. It's incomparable the amount of people and cars passing by. Students going back to school, employees going back to work, many people walk looking refreshed and it even motivates me to want to work harder!
France has many paid vacation and most of the people take about 2 weeks for summer. Coming from Japan where paid vacation is about 20 days in a year, it's real astounding. At first I though, how can the country run itself with a system like that... but now that I think about it, I feel as though they use that time off as their energy and work in a great mood. I think in Japan, the pattern is working fathers and mothers desperately try to create a great vacation memory for their children and after notice it's time to go back to work. In that regard, I think that we can learn from the French.
フランスは有給休暇が多く、ほとんどの人が夏に２週間ほど休みをとるのが当たり前です。日本では年に２０日間の有給休暇が通常の考えからすると本当に驚きます。最初はそんなので良く国がやっていけるな・・・と思いましたが、今となってはその休みがあるからこそ、それを糧にして戻った時に良い気分で働くことができるのではないかと思っています。日本では働くお父さん・お母さんはちょっとしか取れない休みで子供に楽しい休みのを想い出を作るのを必死で、気が付いたらもう休暇が終わりというパターンが多いのではないでしょうか？そういう点ではフランスを見習っても良いと考えます。
It's beginning of September and people are back from their vacations, Paris seems as though it's regained its liveliness. It's incomparable the amount of people and cars passing by. Students going back to school, employees going back to work, many people walk looking refreshed and it even motivates me to want to work harder!
France has many paid vacation and most of the people take about 2 weeks for summer. Coming from Japan where paid vacation is about 20 days in a year, it's real astounding. At first I though, how can the country run itself with a system like that... but now that I think about it, I feel as though they use that time off as their energy and work in a great mood. I think in Japan, the pattern is working fathers and mothers desperately try to create a great vacation memory for their children and after notice it's time to go back to work. In that regard, I think that we can learn from the French.
2011-09-12
タコス Tacos
タコスを作りました！と言っても、タコスのパッケージを買ったので、調味料パウダーを炒めたひき肉に交ぜて、野菜を切るだけの簡単料理です（＾＾）タコスは大抵の人は美味しいと思う料理なのに何でアメリカ・メキシコ以外ではあまりメキシカンレストランを見かけないんでしょう？Ｅもタコス・ファヒタス等のメキシカン料理が大好きなのでフランスでアメリカのタコスチェーン店、タコベルが出店したら大人気になると思うのですが、アジア・ヨーロッパ進出計画はないのかな・・・？
Made some tacos! Well, actually just purchased a taco kit so it's an easy recipe, just add the flavor powder to cooked minced meat and cut vegetables :) Most people think tacos are delicious but I wonder why we don't see many Mexican restaurants outside of the U.S. and Mexico? E loves Mexican food such as tacos and fajitas so I think that if American tacos franchise Taco Bell opens up in France it will be a huge success but I guess they don't have any plans to come into Asia or Europe...?
Made some tacos! Well, actually just purchased a taco kit so it's an easy recipe, just add the flavor powder to cooked minced meat and cut vegetables :) Most people think tacos are delicious but I wonder why we don't see many Mexican restaurants outside of the U.S. and Mexico? E loves Mexican food such as tacos and fajitas so I think that if American tacos franchise Taco Bell opens up in France it will be a huge success but I guess they don't have any plans to come into Asia or Europe...?
2011-09-11
9/11
あの身も凍るような事件から１０年が経ちました。学校から戻ると、母が顔面蒼白でテレビにくぎ付け。最初はその映像は映画のワンシーンとしか思わず、気に留めなかった。だが母がこれが現実に起きた、姉と連絡がとれないと緊張した声で言う。当時、姉はワシントンの大学院に通っており、ペンタゴン（国防総省）がそう遠くなかった。幸い、数時間後に姉と連絡をとることができ、無事を確認しました。
多くの犠牲がでた想像を絶する事件。理由は何であれ、大抵被害にあうのは無実な人々。 何が正しいかは誰もが決められない。だけど、命は尊い、唯一それだけは正しいと思う。
10 years has gone by since that incident which sent shivers down my spine. I came back from school and saw my mother's pale face glued to the TV. I didn't think much of the footage thinking it was a scene from a movie. But my mother told me in a nervous voice that it's happening for real and that we can't get in touch with my sister. At the time, my sister was going to graduate school in Washington and it wasn't very far from the Pentagon. Luckily, after a few hours we got in touch with her and confirmed her safety.
An incident which no one could have imagined and with many losses. Whatever the reason, it is usually the innocent who suffer. Nobody can decide what is right and wrong. But I think the only thing that is right is that life is precious.
多くの犠牲がでた想像を絶する事件。理由は何であれ、大抵被害にあうのは無実な人々。 何が正しいかは誰もが決められない。だけど、命は尊い、唯一それだけは正しいと思う。
10 years has gone by since that incident which sent shivers down my spine. I came back from school and saw my mother's pale face glued to the TV. I didn't think much of the footage thinking it was a scene from a movie. But my mother told me in a nervous voice that it's happening for real and that we can't get in touch with my sister. At the time, my sister was going to graduate school in Washington and it wasn't very far from the Pentagon. Luckily, after a few hours we got in touch with her and confirmed her safety.
An incident which no one could have imagined and with many losses. Whatever the reason, it is usually the innocent who suffer. Nobody can decide what is right and wrong. But I think the only thing that is right is that life is precious.
2011-09-09
震災から半年・・・ Half a year from the earthquake
私の両親は二人とも宮城県出身。父の実家は津波に流され、母の実家は津波に耐えたのも、ヘドロが流れ込み、家の中がめちゃくちゃに。半年経って、母は今、田舎に戻っています。母は今は何を思っているのだろうか？伯父に送ってもらった写真では、凄まじい破壊の爪痕が見れる・・・海外で生まれ育った私は、２～３年ごとの夏休みに両親の田舎に戻るのが楽しみだった。従兄弟が多く、毎回、姉が率先してゲームを作ったり、花火をしたり、伯父や従兄弟が育てた野菜や果物を食べた。帰国してからは東京に住むようになったけど、今でも日本の想い出と言うと宮城で過ごした夏休み。
約半年経ちますけど、私は忘れない。皆さんも忘れないで下さい。
My parents are both from Miyagi Prefecture. My father's family house was washed away from the tsunami and my mother's family house endured it but the house is in shambles due to the sludge that washed inside. Half a year has gone by and my mom is currently back in Miyagi. I wonder what my mother is thinking right now. In the pictures my uncle sent me, I can see the aftermath of massive destruction... As I grew up overseas, I always looked forward to going to my parent's hometown every 2-3 years for summer vacation. I have many cousins and every time my sister would be the one to create games, we would have fireworks, and ate the vegetables and fruits my uncle and cousins made. After we returned to Japan we lived in Tokyo, but even now my memories of Japan are the summers I spent in Miyagi.
It's been almost half a year, but I will not forget. Everybody, please do not forget.
約半年経ちますけど、私は忘れない。皆さんも忘れないで下さい。
My parents are both from Miyagi Prefecture. My father's family house was washed away from the tsunami and my mother's family house endured it but the house is in shambles due to the sludge that washed inside. Half a year has gone by and my mom is currently back in Miyagi. I wonder what my mother is thinking right now. In the pictures my uncle sent me, I can see the aftermath of massive destruction... As I grew up overseas, I always looked forward to going to my parent's hometown every 2-3 years for summer vacation. I have many cousins and every time my sister would be the one to create games, we would have fireworks, and ate the vegetables and fruits my uncle and cousins made. After we returned to Japan we lived in Tokyo, but even now my memories of Japan are the summers I spent in Miyagi.
It's been almost half a year, but I will not forget. Everybody, please do not forget.
2011-09-08
夏のデザート Summer Dessert
パリではもう秋になりましたが、日本ではまだ夏日が続いているようなので、夏のデザートを紹介したいと思います！
実は私はあまりデザート類が好きではなく、滅多に自ら買うことがありません。たまーに急激に食べたくなる時はありますが、ほとんどの場合は甘いお菓子やケーキよりフルーツを好んで食べます。日本ではフルーツは美味しいし、場合によっては高級品なので、お客様にデザートとして出すことはできますが、フランスではフルーツは安いし、デザートの国なのでフルーツだけ出すと味気ない感じがします。そこで、私はイチゴを白ワインと砂糖に半日から一日つけたものをデザートを作ることに。なお、この中にミントかバジルを入れるのもお勧めです。フルーツとお酒好きの私にはぴったりで、お酒を飲まないけど、甘いものが大好きな夫も好きなメニューです。
残暑に甘酸っぱいイチゴデザートはいかがでしょうか？（＾＾）
It's already autumn in Paris but it seems summer days still continue in Japan so I would like to introduce a summer dessert!
Actually, I am not a big fan of desserts and I rarely buy them myself. At times I suddenly want to have one but most of the time I prefer eating fruits over sweet cookies and cakes. In Japan, fruits are very tasty and some are considered deluxe goods so you can serve them to your guests but in France, fruits are not that expensive and it would seem dull as this is the country of desserts. So I decided to make a strawberry dessert, marinated in white wine and sugar for half a day to a day. I also recommend putting in mint or basil in this. This is great for myself who loves wine and fruits and my husband who doesn't drink but loves sweet things.
How about some sweet and sour strawberry dessert for late summer? :)
実は私はあまりデザート類が好きではなく、滅多に自ら買うことがありません。たまーに急激に食べたくなる時はありますが、ほとんどの場合は甘いお菓子やケーキよりフルーツを好んで食べます。日本ではフルーツは美味しいし、場合によっては高級品なので、お客様にデザートとして出すことはできますが、フランスではフルーツは安いし、デザートの国なのでフルーツだけ出すと味気ない感じがします。そこで、私はイチゴを白ワインと砂糖に半日から一日つけたものをデザートを作ることに。なお、この中にミントかバジルを入れるのもお勧めです。フルーツとお酒好きの私にはぴったりで、お酒を飲まないけど、甘いものが大好きな夫も好きなメニューです。
残暑に甘酸っぱいイチゴデザートはいかがでしょうか？（＾＾）
It's already autumn in Paris but it seems summer days still continue in Japan so I would like to introduce a summer dessert!
Actually, I am not a big fan of desserts and I rarely buy them myself. At times I suddenly want to have one but most of the time I prefer eating fruits over sweet cookies and cakes. In Japan, fruits are very tasty and some are considered deluxe goods so you can serve them to your guests but in France, fruits are not that expensive and it would seem dull as this is the country of desserts. So I decided to make a strawberry dessert, marinated in white wine and sugar for half a day to a day. I also recommend putting in mint or basil in this. This is great for myself who loves wine and fruits and my husband who doesn't drink but loves sweet things.
How about some sweet and sour strawberry dessert for late summer? :)
2011-09-05
Song Heng
最近ベトナム料理にはまっており、今日もイスラエル友達３人とマレ地区にあるベトナムレストランに行ってきました。目当ては店の人気メニュー、ボブン。細い米麺の下にあっさりとした甘いソース、レタスの千切り、もやしが入っており、上には牛肉と細切れと揚げ春巻きが乗っています。今回初めて食べましたが、さっぱりとしてとっても美味しかったです！同じくボブンをオーダーした友達もしばし会話がなくなるほど夢中に食べました（笑）女性からすると野菜もたっぷりとることができ、更に小さいサイズがあるのでサラダ感覚で食べることができ、男性の意見としては、揚げ春巻きとお肉ががっつり入っているので、食べ応えがあると。
フランスは移民の国であるため、各国のレストランを味わうことができます。色んな世界を楽しむことができるのはフランスの魅力の一つと言えるでしょう。
Recently I have been hooked on Vietnamese food and so again I went to a Vietnamese restaurant in Marais today with my 3 Israelis friends. We went in search of the restaurant's most popular menu, Bobun. Underneath the thin rice noodles are lettuce, brussels sprouts, a light and sweet sauce, and on top are shredded meat and fried spring rolls. This was the first time to eat Bobun and it was light and very delicious! My friends who ordered Bobun as well were absorbed in eating that we stopped talking for awhile :) From a woman's point of view, there are a lot of vegetables and a small portion can be chosen so you can eat it as if it were a salad and from a man's point of view, it's filling because there are fried spring rolls and a pile of meat.
France is a country of immigrants and you can enjoy restaurants from all sorts of countries. I think the fact that you can enjoy many worlds is part of France's charm.
Song Heng
3 rue Volta 75003
01 40 78 31 70
フランスは移民の国であるため、各国のレストランを味わうことができます。色んな世界を楽しむことができるのはフランスの魅力の一つと言えるでしょう。
Recently I have been hooked on Vietnamese food and so again I went to a Vietnamese restaurant in Marais today with my 3 Israelis friends. We went in search of the restaurant's most popular menu, Bobun. Underneath the thin rice noodles are lettuce, brussels sprouts, a light and sweet sauce, and on top are shredded meat and fried spring rolls. This was the first time to eat Bobun and it was light and very delicious! My friends who ordered Bobun as well were absorbed in eating that we stopped talking for awhile :) From a woman's point of view, there are a lot of vegetables and a small portion can be chosen so you can eat it as if it were a salad and from a man's point of view, it's filling because there are fried spring rolls and a pile of meat.
France is a country of immigrants and you can enjoy restaurants from all sorts of countries. I think the fact that you can enjoy many worlds is part of France's charm.
Song Heng
3 rue Volta 75003
01 40 78 31 70
2011-09-04
ユニクロ Uniqlo
ユニクロのパリ第一号店が２００９年にオープンしてから今も衰えずフランス人に大人気です。街の中心にあるオペラ駅と大手デバートのギャラリー・ラファエットに近いという最高の立地もあり、訪れる人数が半端ないです。日本人からしたら想像しにくいですが、ユニクロはフランスではお洒落ブランドとしてのステータスを築いており、街中、ファッショニスタがユニクロの白い紙袋を持ちながら颯爽と歩いているのを頻繁に見かけます。前にも話したように、多くのフランス人は「シンプル・イズ・ベスト」という考えがあるため、ユニクロの高品質で安い、そしてシンプルなデザインがフランス人の心をつかんだようです。
私は日本ではユニクロがあまり身体にフィットしないため（私はどちらか言うと外国人体型で肩幅が広く、腕が長め、腰幅もあります）、あまり買ったことな かったのですが、パリでは品質が良くて安い洋服があまりないため最近ユニクロに入ってみました。駄目もとで試したチノパンツがぴったりフィットして思わず衝動買い！そして後ほど調べたらやはり海外用にサイズを調整しているようです。体型に合う服を見つけたのは嬉しいのですが、やはり自分は小柄な日本人とは違うと少し微妙な気持ちになりました・・・（＾＾；
Since its opening in 2009, Uniqlo's first store in Paris is still very popular among the French. There are tremendous number of people coming in as it's in the best location, near centrally located Opera station and major department store, Gallerie Lafayette. It's hard to imagine from a Japanese point of view but Uniqlo has established status as a trendy brand and you can often see fashionistas strutting around the city carrying the white Uniqlo paper bag. As I mentioned before, many French have the mentality of "simple is best" so the great quality but cheap and simple design of Uniqlo has really captured the French hearts.
I didn't buy Uniqlo clothes much in Japan as they didn't fit me well (I have a body which is more of a foreigner's, my shoulders are wider, arms are longer, and I have hips), however as there aren't many clothes that are cheap but good quality so I went to Uniqlo the other day. I tried on chino pants thinking I have nothing to lose and ended up buying them immediately as they were a perfect fit! Later on I did some research and found out that they have altered the size for foreigners. I was happy to find clothes which fit my body but it left me a bit confused thinking that I really am different from the smaller built Japanese... :|
私は日本ではユニクロがあまり身体にフィットしないため（私はどちらか言うと外国人体型で肩幅が広く、腕が長め、腰幅もあります）、あまり買ったことな かったのですが、パリでは品質が良くて安い洋服があまりないため最近ユニクロに入ってみました。駄目もとで試したチノパンツがぴったりフィットして思わず衝動買い！そして後ほど調べたらやはり海外用にサイズを調整しているようです。体型に合う服を見つけたのは嬉しいのですが、やはり自分は小柄な日本人とは違うと少し微妙な気持ちになりました・・・（＾＾；
Since its opening in 2009, Uniqlo's first store in Paris is still very popular among the French. There are tremendous number of people coming in as it's in the best location, near centrally located Opera station and major department store, Gallerie Lafayette. It's hard to imagine from a Japanese point of view but Uniqlo has established status as a trendy brand and you can often see fashionistas strutting around the city carrying the white Uniqlo paper bag. As I mentioned before, many French have the mentality of "simple is best" so the great quality but cheap and simple design of Uniqlo has really captured the French hearts.
I didn't buy Uniqlo clothes much in Japan as they didn't fit me well (I have a body which is more of a foreigner's, my shoulders are wider, arms are longer, and I have hips), however as there aren't many clothes that are cheap but good quality so I went to Uniqlo the other day. I tried on chino pants thinking I have nothing to lose and ended up buying them immediately as they were a perfect fit! Later on I did some research and found out that they have altered the size for foreigners. I was happy to find clothes which fit my body but it left me a bit confused thinking that I really am different from the smaller built Japanese... :|
2011-09-03
ロリータ Lolita
一昨日から読み始めたのがウラジーミル・ナボコフの「ロリータ」。主人公はハンバート・ハンバート、一見ハンサムで知的な紳士だが、実は彼は少女にしか興味を抱けないというダークな裏がある。少女なら誰でも良いという訳ではなく、妖艶な色気がある女の子「ニンフェット」でなければいけない。そしてある日、彼は１２才のドロレス（ロリータ）と出会い、激しく恋に落ちる。概要だけを聞くと気味悪い話にしか思えませんが、読むと面白おかしく書いてあるので、不思議と主人公がそんなに悪い人に見えなくなります。
「ロリータ」はその性的内容から最初は様々な出版社から出版拒否されましたが、一旦世に出回ると、大ヒットとなりました。恐らく過激な内容が話題となったのでしょうが、実はとても良くできた小説であり、ナボコフは独自のメロディでハンバート・ハンバートの暗い世界を美しい音楽のように奏でます。
The day before yesterday I started to read Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita". The main character, Humbert Humbert at first seems like a handsome and intelligent gentleman but he has a darker side to him that can only be interested in young girls. However it can't just be any young girl, she has to be a sensual and alluring "nymphet". One day he meets 12 year old Dolores (Lolita) and falls madly in love. When you hear only the summary it sounds like a creepy story but when you actually do read it, it's written in a humorous way that strangely the main character doesn't seem like such a bad guy anymore.
"Lolita" was turned down by several publishers because of its sexual content but once it was published, it became a huge hit. I presume the radical content was what attracted interest but it is actually a very well written novel. Humbert Humbert's dark world is conducted by Nabokov's unique melody and played like beautiful music.
「ロリータ」はその性的内容から最初は様々な出版社から出版拒否されましたが、一旦世に出回ると、大ヒットとなりました。恐らく過激な内容が話題となったのでしょうが、実はとても良くできた小説であり、ナボコフは独自のメロディでハンバート・ハンバートの暗い世界を美しい音楽のように奏でます。
The day before yesterday I started to read Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita". The main character, Humbert Humbert at first seems like a handsome and intelligent gentleman but he has a darker side to him that can only be interested in young girls. However it can't just be any young girl, she has to be a sensual and alluring "nymphet". One day he meets 12 year old Dolores (Lolita) and falls madly in love. When you hear only the summary it sounds like a creepy story but when you actually do read it, it's written in a humorous way that strangely the main character doesn't seem like such a bad guy anymore.
"Lolita" was turned down by several publishers because of its sexual content but once it was published, it became a huge hit. I presume the radical content was what attracted interest but it is actually a very well written novel. Humbert Humbert's dark world is conducted by Nabokov's unique melody and played like beautiful music.
2011-09-02
Song Huong
先日、ベトナムレストランPho 14を紹介しましたが、今日はＮちゃんとＮＨちゃんとすぐ隣のSong Huongでランチしました。感じの良いお兄さんがすぐ案内して、店も清潔な印象。
最初にオーダーしたのは揚げ春巻き。レタスとミントの葉を巻いて、ぱくっと食べたら熱くて少しびっくりしました。日本で熱々の食べ物を出すのは当たり前ですが、フランスでは大抵生温かいのでこのサービスに嬉しかったです。中はホクホクで外はカリッカリッ！美味しい～と３人ともお酒が進みます（＾＾）次にＮちゃんとＮＨちゃんはサイゴンヌードルをオーダーし、私はＮＨちゃんのお勧めのお肉のブロシェット（串焼き）をオーダー。ジューシーな柔らかいお肉とサッパリだけど濃厚な味付けに感動！ワイン、前菜、メインで合計１３ユーロ。お手頃な値段とこの味、１３区のレストランにはまりそうです！！
The other day I introduced on this blog a Vietnamese restaurant, Pho 14, and today I went to the restaurant right next door to it, Song Huong with N and NH. A nice waiter showed us to our seats and the restaurant seemed quite clean.
We first ordered fried spring rolls. I wrapped a lettuce and mint over it and was taken by surprise because it was hot when I bit into it. It's normal to serve steaming hot food in Japan but usually the food served in France is room temperature or slightly warmer so I was delighted by this service. The inside was soft and moist while the outside was crispy and light. It was just delicious and made the drinks more enjoyable :) Then N and NH ordered Saigon noodles, and I ordered beef brochette which NH recommended. I was impressed by the tender and succulent meat, and the light but rich sauce! Glass of wine, appetizer, and main dish came to a total of 13 euros. With prices like these and amazing flavors, I think I will be hooked on the 13th district!
Song Huong
129 Avenue de Choisy 75013
01 45 85 01 76
最初にオーダーしたのは揚げ春巻き。レタスとミントの葉を巻いて、ぱくっと食べたら熱くて少しびっくりしました。日本で熱々の食べ物を出すのは当たり前ですが、フランスでは大抵生温かいのでこのサービスに嬉しかったです。中はホクホクで外はカリッカリッ！美味しい～と３人ともお酒が進みます（＾＾）次にＮちゃんとＮＨちゃんはサイゴンヌードルをオーダーし、私はＮＨちゃんのお勧めのお肉のブロシェット（串焼き）をオーダー。ジューシーな柔らかいお肉とサッパリだけど濃厚な味付けに感動！ワイン、前菜、メインで合計１３ユーロ。お手頃な値段とこの味、１３区のレストランにはまりそうです！！
The other day I introduced on this blog a Vietnamese restaurant, Pho 14, and today I went to the restaurant right next door to it, Song Huong with N and NH. A nice waiter showed us to our seats and the restaurant seemed quite clean.
We first ordered fried spring rolls. I wrapped a lettuce and mint over it and was taken by surprise because it was hot when I bit into it. It's normal to serve steaming hot food in Japan but usually the food served in France is room temperature or slightly warmer so I was delighted by this service. The inside was soft and moist while the outside was crispy and light. It was just delicious and made the drinks more enjoyable :) Then N and NH ordered Saigon noodles, and I ordered beef brochette which NH recommended. I was impressed by the tender and succulent meat, and the light but rich sauce! Glass of wine, appetizer, and main dish came to a total of 13 euros. With prices like these and amazing flavors, I think I will be hooked on the 13th district!
Song Huong
129 Avenue de Choisy 75013
01 45 85 01 76
2011-09-01
ペトロシアン Petrossian
昨夜はＥの弟の誕生日をお義父さん宅で祝いました。お義父さんとお義母さんは（Ｅの義理のお母さん）二人とも大変なグルメで、お邪魔する時には必ず豪華なご馳走を用意しています。そして昨日のディナーは車海老のバーベキュー、グアカモレとチップス、ブリヌイと付け合わせ、最後にはLenotreのチョコレートケーキ。
このブリヌイと付け合わせですが、実はフランスに来て初めて食べました。ブリヌイはロシア料理であり、要は甘くないパンケーキなのですが、スーパーに行けば必ず見かけるほどフランス人も大好きです。ウィキペディアで調べると、バターやレーズンを乗せて食べたり、ロシアの伝統スタイルはキャビアを乗せるようです。今回は私の誕生日にお義父さんに連れて行ってもらったペトロシアンの付け合わせを乗せて食べました。サーモンのタラマ（マッシュポテトに魚を交ぜ、レモン、酢、オリーブオイルで味付け）、ワサビとタラのタラマ、そしていくら！いくらを最後食べたのは３月の一時帰国ぶりだったのでこれは本当に嬉しかったです！
なお、ペトロシアンはパリの高級地区にレストランとお店を構えているロシアのレストランです。最高級のサーモン、いくら、キャビアで有名です。若干値は張りますが、特別な日を祝うには良いと思います。
Yesterday we went to E's father's house to celebrate E's little brother's birthday. Both E's father and step mother are very gourmet and whenever we go to see them they greet us with a banquet of delicacies. Yesterday's dinner was barbecued prawns, guacamole and chips, blini and assortments, and a chocolate cake from Lenotre for dessert.
The first time I ate blini and assortments was actually after I moved to France. Blini is a Russian cuisine and it is basically a pancake that's not sweet. The French love blini so much that I see it ever time I go to the super market. I looked into Wikipedia and it seems it's eaten with butter and raisin, or with caviar which is the Russian traditional style. This time we ate it with assortments from Petrossian, a restaurant which E's father took us to on my birthday. Salmon tarama (fish mixed with mashed potato and seasoned with lemon, vinegar, and olive oil), wasabi and cod fish tarama, and salmon eggs! The last time I had salmon eggs were when I went back to Japan in March so I was really happy!
Petrossian is a Russian restaurant which both restaurant and store is located in the expensive neighborhood of Paris. They are famous for their premium salmon, salmon eggs, and caviar. It does cost a small fortune but it's a great way to celebrate a special day :)
Petrossian
144 rue de l'Université 75007
01 44 11 32 32
このブリヌイと付け合わせですが、実はフランスに来て初めて食べました。ブリヌイはロシア料理であり、要は甘くないパンケーキなのですが、スーパーに行けば必ず見かけるほどフランス人も大好きです。ウィキペディアで調べると、バターやレーズンを乗せて食べたり、ロシアの伝統スタイルはキャビアを乗せるようです。今回は私の誕生日にお義父さんに連れて行ってもらったペトロシアンの付け合わせを乗せて食べました。サーモンのタラマ（マッシュポテトに魚を交ぜ、レモン、酢、オリーブオイルで味付け）、ワサビとタラのタラマ、そしていくら！いくらを最後食べたのは３月の一時帰国ぶりだったのでこれは本当に嬉しかったです！
なお、ペトロシアンはパリの高級地区にレストランとお店を構えているロシアのレストランです。最高級のサーモン、いくら、キャビアで有名です。若干値は張りますが、特別な日を祝うには良いと思います。
Yesterday we went to E's father's house to celebrate E's little brother's birthday. Both E's father and step mother are very gourmet and whenever we go to see them they greet us with a banquet of delicacies. Yesterday's dinner was barbecued prawns, guacamole and chips, blini and assortments, and a chocolate cake from Lenotre for dessert.
The first time I ate blini and assortments was actually after I moved to France. Blini is a Russian cuisine and it is basically a pancake that's not sweet. The French love blini so much that I see it ever time I go to the super market. I looked into Wikipedia and it seems it's eaten with butter and raisin, or with caviar which is the Russian traditional style. This time we ate it with assortments from Petrossian, a restaurant which E's father took us to on my birthday. Salmon tarama (fish mixed with mashed potato and seasoned with lemon, vinegar, and olive oil), wasabi and cod fish tarama, and salmon eggs! The last time I had salmon eggs were when I went back to Japan in March so I was really happy!
Petrossian is a Russian restaurant which both restaurant and store is located in the expensive neighborhood of Paris. They are famous for their premium salmon, salmon eggs, and caviar. It does cost a small fortune but it's a great way to celebrate a special day :)
Petrossian
144 rue de l'Université 75007
01 44 11 32 32
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