Monday 13 August 2012

Small World

Another European appearance by Australian Royalty. Eddie loves Le Tour Almost as much as AFL... I never knew...

Welcome, New Friend

After my disappointment in Galaries Lafayette, you'd be forgiven for thinking I might never return to another shop in Paris. Surprisingly, this was not the case.

I did, in fact, venture out again. Back into the tourist-packed shopping wilderness. This time would be different, I told myself. I was armed with knowledge and an urgent requirement for a new handbag. I would not fail.

My first tip came from V, in my French class. She'd hated Galaries Lafayette too and recommended BHV instead. Turns out it's owned by Galaries Lafayette but seems to have fewer tourists. And fewer tourists is a major improvement. One of my favourite high end chains, Maje, has followed from Galaries but sadly no Sessun. I guess no store is perfect. And even sadder, no new bag found either...

Next, my new favourite city guide, unlike.net, recommended Merci. Merci is a non-profit grand-magasin concept store. What a department store should be but never will. Glamourous. Spacious. Filled with products that make you feel like you just saved the world with one purchase. The only disappointment is the lack of world-saving handbags.

No, my new handbag came from a gorgeous little shop in the Marais. The chic storekeeper allowed me to persist with my terrible French. The store was stocked with predominantly French and European high end ready-to wear brands like See by Chloe and Sonia by Sonia Rykiel. Perfection.

My handbag and I are very happy together, thanks for asking.

The French Don't Have A Word for Schnitzel

The best schnitzel of your life, where was it?

I've been lucky enough to have eaten a lot of great schnitzel in my life. Vienna, Berlin and I'd still recommend another in Munich at Paulaner Im Tal. Perfection.

And the great Bavarian taste didn't stop there. Great pork knuckle with spicy sauerkraut.

Thank me later, it was another hot tip from unlike.net.

Do the French even know what they're missing?

The Biscuits Are Better in Turkey

Mainly because they fill them with nutella. Genius.

Possessed Cherubs

Who knows what you'll see next in the streets of Freiburg...