"Parisian Smoke" by Erica Simone
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Wednesday, April 14, 2010 • Paris, France
How to become a Parisian in one hour?
That's what Oliver Giraud is going to teach us during his one-hour one-man show playing at the Théatre de la Main d'Or -- in English. Olivier says in the publicity on his site that "after the show, you'll act like a real Parisian in a shop, restaurant, taxi, Métro, night club...and in bed!"
I can't wait to hear what he has to say on the subject, and how he's going to teach us in just one hour, how to become a Parisian. Behave like one? Perhaps. Become one? Tough.
Just last week, I received a letter from a Parler Paris reader who actually wrote, and I quote: "I am fed up with your one sided views about everything." And I wondered whose views he would like me to express? His? I suppose he wouldn't like Olivier Giraud's either.
Nonetheless, I think (and make note, this is one of my one-sided views) it's almost impossible to actually BECOME a Parisian without years of the French educational system under your belt, but he's likely to have some sort of short cut, and as I said, another point of view on the subject. Yeah! We will certainly learn something.
This month, International Living Magazine is running an article of mine titled "How to Grab French Property at a Fraction of Its Value," but don't be fooled, it's not about Fractional Ownership. It's about buying a property "en viager" -- a life annuity property or "reverse mortgage." The article is a synopsis of the ongoing five-year saga of the apartment with a terrace that stole my heart..."Le Saint-Tropez" and its 'sidekick' "La Brigitte." (It's another one of my one-sided views and you can read the entire nine chapters by visiting: http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/viager/ or to get a copy to the International Living article, visit http://www.internationalliving.com/Publications and learn how to subscribe.)
The renovation of the two apartments is almost complete, although the story may never really be over. As I write, the plumber is installing the fixtures, the "mosaiiste" is finishing the tile work, a new carpenter is coming tomorrow to take over where the last one has left off and our first guests arrive on the 17th of May! We're under pressure to get it done, but that's okay -- I look forward to when the project actually comes to fruition and we can 'christen' it. (For information about booking your stay there, visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments/rentals/saint-tropez.html)
Will this long-lived project have turned me into a true Parisian? I doubt it. In fact, I doubt any Parisian in their right mind would have taken on such an endeavor. Only we optimistic Americans who think we can do anything, or become anything, like the President of the United States or even become a Parisian, would undertake such a challenge.
Of course you understand, this is just my one-sided point of view.
A la prochaine...
Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris
(with a one-sided point of view)
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P.S.Yesterday at Parler Paris Après Midi, a substantial group of regulars and newcomers joined us to meet up with old friends and to get to know new ones. Read all about it and see the photos by visiting http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apresmidi.html
