The palace of Versailles: Inspiring the ridiculous houses you've seen on Cribs

Loved this place, it was ridiculously oppulent! It was also the last known address of Marie Antionette, beheaded Queen of France.

White Whine #4: A night at the opera

I kept this white whine simmering on the DL for awhile due to its familial nature. Me bringing it up on the internets may bring me strife as it was a nice gesture gone awry but I am no stranger controversy. My lack of shame or tact much like my dancing, is legendary. However, this is such a first world, middle class bastard white whine, I couldn't resist posting it here for prosperities sake.

This is a bit of a long story so this is the short version. When I was first in Paris about a month ago, I was forced to go to the opera with my brothers wifes parents (without my brother or his wife because he wanted to watch the soccer grrrr) and sit thru a FIVE HOUR german opera by Wagner about an incestuous brother and sister couple who are in love and run away then are killed by Viking gods. I kid you not. My inner Jew was screaming. I couldn't write material this ridiculous. My sister faked illness in the first hour and got to leave and I was STUCK there, no food, no sudoku, didnt understand a word, NOTHING.

By the end I couldn't even pretend I liked it. Maybe the best bit was about 20 guys who got fully nude for a scene but even then I was like, nope, not even some random French penis makes up for it.

Now far away from it, it was a great experience and it gives us all a hearty laugh! - "Hey, remember the time we had to watch a German opera for five hours??!! Ho ho ho!!"

The singing was amazing and the sets fantastic leaving Opera Australia for dead but still, I want five hours of my life back, please.

Paris - a hipstamatic view #4

The best way to see Paris - at night on the Seine:






Unknown pointy stick:



Alexander III bridge:






Musee D'orsay, which I finally got to see (after 5minslatedoorshutinfacegate) is HUGE!






"idiot...."



"....more idiots"












It's not easy being green...and pink:



Photos by everyone...!

White whine #3: Being mistaken as Russian

Salesman in Printempts (after my crap attempts at French): Where are you from?
Me: Australia
Salesman: Oh I thought you were Russian
Me: Really? Why?
Salesman: Because you have fake blonde hair
Me: *mock horror* Thats an insult! You know in Australia, Russian women only come there to snag a husband so they can stay there?
Him: *total deadpan* I know this.

Marche aux Puces de St Ouen (aka Paris flea markets)

St Ouen is apparently the biggest flea/antique market in Paris and boy do I love me some fleas.

Located in the north of Paris, it is a particularly el dodgeo area and should be visited with a little caution. Before you get to the true antique/flea goodies, you have to manouver your way through the cheap knock offs and junk first. I was careful taking photos in this part as the iPhone in my hand may have been replaced with a bong.


Be warned that you may be exposed to some extremely loud reggae and/or the fashion stylings of the Honorable Nelson and former Mrs Winnie Mandela:


From what i could navigate without a map (Lord of the Idiots strikes again), the real flea markets are somewhat of a maze and located in a few unusual sections. One being a large 2 level hall, the other much like a large, long term storage park of higgledy piggledy garages that was much like a very large maze of treasure. I fucking loved it:


I went here on a Monday when only about 40% of the stalls are open, so it wasn't really the true experience but it was probably better for my poor wallet and there were less people in my way when I had to run to the treasure (which was always).


This store was mostly old bakelite jewellery. Total junk but pretty to look at:





Poor Jesus, someone needed the wood:





I love these old hand carved wooden alphabet stamps, way overpriced though :(


This crummy old bar/cafe hidden in the back of the market is sposedly famous but I've never heard of it so it can't be that good. Maybe Piaf sang here on her off days:


These gorgeous old religious icons were a fantastic contender for my wall of tackiness until I saw the price. I don't spose they paid the church they stole them from €250 per piece.


I did end up buying a 1940s handpainted mold of a dolls face which I didn't photograph. When I proudly showed B and her sister, who I shall name The One Obsessed With Her Phone, they didn't seem very impressed, in fact they looked at me with slight disgust. Oh well.

Location:Rue Laurin,Rueil-Malmaison,France

Paris Visual mediocrity #3?

My favourite park in Paris, Park Monceau:













La Defense grande arch, so big I couldn't fit it in my shitty photo:





Look hard enough and see a tiny arc de triumph in the centre:


Close up:


Street art in Abess:


Look closely at the ladies shawl, it's a collage of old fashion illustrations!!


Pigalle..... home of Moulin Rouge, but a pretty tacky area...


This vintage sewing supply store, Ultramod, made me nostalgic about a company I used to work for:

Location:Rue Laurin,Rueil-Malmaison,France