A Life Far Removed from Durian Trees

The Singapore move is becoming a reality. Flight tickets have been issued. Various pieces of paperwork filed. Packing date is set. Temporary accommodation booked. Employment Pass is ready. My company knows I will show up at work on July 4. Eeek! After 5+ years of working in my pyjamas being a remote worker!

Got a nice surprise in the post today! Future house guests - you have been warned. Chocolates are great... but nothing beats soto and mee bandung FROM MUAR, Johore, Malaysia! Thank you, rellies! You can visit any time...

FRESH ROTICANAI Muniyandi Vilas restaurant 207 Rue Fauborg St Denis (near La Chapelle metro)

When I was in Angola, I was surprised when our French friends didn't know what okra was... I thought to myself, Wha?? How can they say French cuisine is "the best in the world" when they don't know what to do with okra?? Well, there's a first time for everyone. At the supermarket last week, we saw some tomates coeur de boeuf (beef heart tomatoes) and bought one to try. (At the risk of sounding nerdy, the lemon is for scale!)

I'm not much of a shopper but I love to shop in Paris (and taking people shopping in Paris). From my personal experiences, the salespeople are pleasant and patient and not aggressive. And I love that they explain the product to you and will serve you (to the exclusion of others) until you are done. In some other places, you're ignored. Or followed around by a salesperson who is checking that you don't steal anything. Or blatantly lied to ("yes, it will fit you, no problem"). Or verbally assaulted ("you'd better use this, you have big pores"). Or pressured/manipulated into buying other stuff ("if you spend another 150 dollars, you get this free cheapo bag worth 5 dollars "). I get all of the above whenever I shop at home, in Malaysia. In Paris, if you buy lotions and creams, they will tell you how and when to use it. If you buy handbags or watches for example, they will tell you what the brand is famous for, which line, which season (pe...

Five months into Paris, and what have I done? Completed a 40-hour French course. One-on-one classes, brushed up on my grammar and learned new phrases for daily use. Been to most of the tourist sites in Paris (including Versailles and Chateau Vincennes) Only one countryside excursion: Blois Tried a few nice restaurants from friends' recommendations. Met up with old friends living in Paris Had the "best macaroons in the whole world" at Ladurée (shoot me, but I prefer the ones from McDonald's McCafé!) Had lunch at Café de la Paix at Place de l'Opéra Garnier Last weekend, went to Rue Faubourg St Denis...loved it! Loved the vibrant atmosphere and the fact that there are plenty of Pakistani, North Indian, Turkish, Armenian etc places to try out. Stopped by the famous Brûlerie Lanni, which sells excellent whole/ground coffee and herbal teas at reasonable prices. Bought decaf Colombian (throw out the instant stuff after having this!) and two teas ("mystery mix"...

...since arriving in Paris and I can count my posts! Wondering why I haven't been inspired lately...maybe because life is less "quirky" here? Having said that there are plenty things weird in France... Like I'm sure most people don't know that the French state gives women medals for having 3 or 4 kids or more. And steak tartare is not steak with some kind of sauce but is actually raw minced beef. Sometimes topped with a raw egg. It's not a rare delicacy either (excuse the pun). Knowing the names of French dishes and cooking styles is not a trivial thing, there are entire books on it! And I now recognise that the French think VERY differently from the "Anglo-Saxon" way, it's pretty scary how extreme the differences are. (S and I attended a seminar on French culture - it explained a lot! Must admit, now I get less worked up about behaviour that seems strange/rude to me.) I started French classes in January. Had hoped to make new friends but I coul...