I spent my last Sunday morning in Paris at the Guimet Museum. The Guimet is devoted to Asian art and includes works from Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and India to name a few. They currently have an exhibit called “On The Road to Tokaido”. The exhibit features art from from the 1600s that illustrate the various stops along the Tokaido Road - an important coastal road linking Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto. Also included below are photos I took in the other sections at the museum.
Our time in Paris is drawing to an end. We have spent a two wonderful years here. In preparation for our departure the embassy recently moved us to a temporary apartment in the heart of Paris. The change of scenery is nice and we are now within walking distance to more restaurants than we will be able to visit before leaving. Here are couple pictures from our fourth floor balcony.
Gorgeous Sunset
Aidan enjoying a little quiet time.
I had training scheduled for the first week of April in Rabat, Morocco so we used that an excuse to take a vacation. We spent a week in Rabat, the capitol. Angela and the boys explored by day while I was in class. We spent the evening exploring the souk (bazaar) in the old medina section. We stayed in a riad which is a traditional Moroccan house. They are generally square with an open courtyard in the middle. On the last day we explored the Chellah. It’s a medieval Muslim necropolis built on the site of Roman ruins. It’s also home to white cranes and an eel pond, which legend says brings fertility to women who visit it.
On Saturday we took the train to Marrakech, about a three hour ride. We stayed in a great riad there as well in the heart of the old medina. The first day we took camel rides in the desert. The boys were a little freaked at first but quickly got use to it. We spent time exploring and shopping in the souk as well as eating great food. The highlight of the medina is Djemaa El Fna, the main square. You can find everything there from fruit smoothies to snake charmers and king cobras.
Here are a few pictures from the trip…
And some video of the camel ride…
And a walk through the center of the Djemaa El Fna…
And what its like to to take a stroll through the souk in the Marrakech medina…
We recently went on a tour of a Paris bakery with friends. We learned how breads and pasteries are made. The boys even got to bake their own baguettes, pain au chocolate and finaciers (little cup cake-like pateries). It was a very interesting tour and we now appreciate how much work goes into those delicious treats that take only a minutes to eat.
I recently took a work trip to Marseille with my colleague Steve. After work we had dinner at a great restaurant, Le Rhul. We arrived a little early so we had to suffer through drinking beer on their rooftop terrace and watching the sun set over the Mediteranean Sea before our table was ready. For dinner we had Marseille's speacialty - bouillabaisse. Bouillabassie is fish stew that has a bit of a process to eating it. The cooked fish are brought to the table and displayed. They are then prepared by removing all of the parts that are not eaten - head, tail, etc... A shallow bowl of broth is brought out along with a soft crouton-like bread. The bread is dropped in the broth and the prepared fish is then served to the table. The diner then selects the fish they want and places it in the broth to keep it warm. A nice bottle (or two) of local wine rounded out a fantastic meal.
View from Le Rhul rooftop terrace
Le Rhul restaurant in Marseille
Leo getting ready for the feast. Apparently they have seen me eat before so they gave me a bib.
Steve ready for the feast
Fish being displayed at the table before prepping
Angela & I took a walk to the Sunday market nearby. We also stopped by a local patisserie (french bakery) for treat. Here are a few pictures...
Butcher Counter
Fruits & Veggie Stands
It's mushroom season. The chanterelles are in!
Desert cakes at patisserie
More deserts from patisserie
Spending the afternoon at the rink. Zach's second game of the new season. That is Zach in goal with the white pads and helmet.
Hello All,
Happy 4th of July! We decided to celebrate the most American of holidays by spending it at a very French place - Parc Asterix. The amusement park is just north or Paris and based on a French series of comic books - The Adventures of Asterix. We had a great day and the park is fantastic. Here are a few pictures...
I was in Marseille last week for work. I found out after arriving that Marseille was playing Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Europa Cup Final. Unfortunately, Marseille didn't win but it was pretty cool to see Marseille descend on the port to watch the game at the local pubs and restaurants. Here are a few pictures...
Spent a nice day barbecuing with the Marines. And a little Nerf gun action as well.
