Advice: Buying Groceries Online

Alright, so we are not all novice-internet users, so I imagine you've already heard of the fabulous services proposed everywhere around Paris.  "Retirer vos courses!, Achetez en avance!"

I never saw so many proposed services in Lyon and so I immediately decided to try a nifty service offered by Monoprix, a large grocery chain in France, which enables you to purchase online and then pick-up in the store.

I decided to avoid the surcharge and costs associated with delivery and opt for the retrait courses service offered for FREE from 30€ worth of groceries.

So basically it all starts from their website: http://courses.monoprix.fr/ where you create a user login and pick the magasin de retrait close to your area.  Since I'm near Cambronne in the 15th, I was lucky to get one 1/2 mile from my home.

Most all the products I use are on the site, conveniently located down the e-aisles, much like any online service.  I created a list and just starting saving away, quickly adding up all the groceries and compiling 35€ worth of food to pick up on a Tuesday night after work.

Next, you pay, just like any service a little area to pop in a debit card, and *poof* there is even an option to replace any item unavailable with the next best thing, which I chose not too.

Two days later you show up in the store, head to the "retrait courses" telephone box and press the button.  Name, order number, and while you watch the painstakingly long line in the evening hours, the groceries show up within 10 minutes ready to be taken away.  Sign on the dotted line, head home within 10 minutes.

The benefits are obvious, but to list a few:

• Weekends not being spent hauling groceries and waltzing around the store
• Extra "chocolate" doesn't suddenly get bought
• More points are available on online products, so I've been able to get 5€ off on groceries after a few purchases
• Easy to keep track of consumption times (to know when to order things)

I believe many of the other grocery stores offer the same type of service, but it depends on the area you are located. 

I still recommend Boucheries for meat products, simply for the quality.

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Advice: Family Care Packages

After moving overseas, there will most likely be a time when your family will want to send you a care package.  It's not a complicated process, but there are some very important things to pay attention to.

First off:

U.S. Postal service offers one size only boxes where you can send as much as you can stuff into a box for only about $50. It has a maximum of about 50 lbs, and the best part is that it can be tracked.  Here's where it gets particular:

1. The package contents must be worth less than $1,000
2. The contents must be of personal use, if not your family will want to note on the customs form *CADEAUX*

When the family wants to send a package:

-Stuff the box as much as possible
-Note on the OUTSIDE of the box, "CADEAUX" and also note clearly the "RENDRE CHEZ BUREAU DE POSTE *INSERT ADDRESS OF CLOSEST POSTE TO YOU*"

The return to Bureau is the MOST important piece to remember.  Many times I have heard friends that have waited for their loving packages only to find it was sent back to the States because the post office wasn't able to deliver.

Ensure also to remember the simple address pieces, such as, is the *batiment sur cour* or *4ème étage*.  We don't need to do this in the states, but due to the old buildings and structures in France, it's never completely clear WHERE the apartment is located.

Now the fun part, what to send?
-American Trash Mags
-McCormick Seasoning packs (beef stew, chili, taco, spice mixes)
-Peanut Butter (incredibly expensive here)
-Skittles
-Reeses Pieces
-Root Beer Mix
-Cream of Tartar
-Cornbread Mix (Jiffy)
-Dried Black Beans
-Jello Mix
-Kraft Macaroni and Cheese
-English Cook Books or Reading books not available in France
-Twinkies
-Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
-Steel Cut Oats
-Snickers
-Chocolate Chips (White/Milk Chocolate)
-Smuckers Grape Jelly (I know, evil of me)
-Canned Pumpkin
-Microwave Popcorn
-Wild Rice
-College Ruled Notebooks

Then you can be as happy as Bri and I...

As you can see, my mom is the pro at package sending.








Happy sending, if any doubts or if hunting/ packaging isn't your thing:

http://sendcare.com/

Apparently they will send packages for you. Neat idea!

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What-What: Musée des Miniatures

Since I was young I have had an obsession with minature things; I used to go to the library in Forks (the little town I grew up) and check out multitudes of magazines on Miniatures and leaf through them.  I once even begged for Filo dough so I could make intricate little foods for my dollhouse- it was so fascinating to me.

This is why the day I ran across the Musée of Miniatures I was ecstatic to visit.  The location is right in the center of Vieux Lyon, near the St. Jean church.  The building is one of those classic Vieux Lyon types, from the 16th century, old stone staircases, dilapidated ceilings, odd smell to the foyer and the serene feeling that thousands of people have passed through the corridor.  The dank smell mixed with the new renovations provides a sense of a hold in time; that weird in-between the past in the future.

Bro is in town for 2 mores days, so we took advantage of yesterday to get our booties into the musée; for only 5.50€ each we started on our adventure.

The first story provides a movie set, meaning, all these special pieces that were used during the filming of a movie.  The one they have on show at the moment is from the movie "Perfume" in which I could write a whole separate blog post about.  Needless to say, a wander through this exhibit made me both curious to watch and curious as to what the movie is even about.  Here's some photos from the premiere etage:

Bro & Bri posing in front of "M. Grenouille" and his Perfume Laboratory

Dead Body.  So, Perfume is a murder story..

The Perfumerie; it actually smelled like roses...

Very authentic-looking 18th century Parisian office

As we continued through the exhibits we felt as if we were looking into the past.  Some of these pieces for the movies are so intricate it was hard to believe it was mostly made of plastic and fake wood.  Incredible.  The next story was specialized in movie props; aliens, Ah-nold, etc.  It was fun to see all the pieces used in the movies, but kind of disheartening because we realized that movies, in reality, are magic.

Rrrrr

Planet of the APES!

 

Ignore the Flash... it's Ah-Nold

Got this for my dad... Star Wars creature!

Moving onto the third story, we ended up in the land of Miniature paradise.  Everything was miniscule and could easily fit in the palm of your hand.  By leaning into the exhibits you felt lost in a tiny world and sometimes it felt as if you were looking at a vivid 3D imagine.

Mini Marché

Reconstruction from Picture, the artist took a photo and created a miniature real version.

Miniature Hallway... it really feels like you're there..

Tiny Nobles Salon.. or.. is it REALLLY tinny..??

Mini Barbershop

Buddhist temple... it was mini.. but so in depth.

We spent about 2 hours in the museum, jumping from exhibit to exhibit.  One of the best exhibits is the specialties of Lyon, mini version of beautiful places around our city.  The artist who created most of these minatures actually works in Lyon; and we got lucky enough to see him in his office behind glass.. it felt surreal.. but we realized it's a man who spends his life in a tiny world.

Needless to say, tourist trap or not, the Musée des Miniatures is a nice thing to do when it's too chilly for a walk.  It's not excessively priced and it's full of interesting information.  They rotate exhibits annually and the movie props alone are worth the excursion.

Practical Information
Musée des Miniatures is located on 60 rue St. Jean in the Maison des Avocats.  They are open daily from 8am to 6:30pm.. and on weekends until 7:00pm.  5.50€ for students!  FYI:  There is a really good boulangerie just catty corner from the Musée, one of the best baguettes in Lyon.

Enjoy!

What-What: Beaujolais Nouveau

On my street, the Rue des Marronniers, small posters and streamers line the restaurants annoncing, 'le Beaujolais est arrivé!', this part of the season is amazing.  Thanksgiving back home- and the Nouveau in France.  While we're stuffing ourselves sick in the States, here they are drinkin' themselves to a stupor.

Beaujolais is a region just outside of my city here in Lyon- the wine is special because it comes from this region and it is often hand picked at the vineyard.  It's also an event that everyone is excited for, and often, patrons or owners of bars/restaurants will wear a wicker hat.. a symbolic gesture.

Interestingly enough, the wine itself is often very young- fermented only a few months- before placed on the market to drink.  The wine only lasts about a year, and it's better to drink it while it's young and fresh.



Everywhere around Lyon from now (November 18) to the weekend will be celebrating this famous wine.  The packaging is special- comes in a bottle with a very colorful label... very recognizable.







Here's a paragraph from CityVox:

C'est en fait depuis 1985, que le 3e jeudi de novembre est la date officielle du lancement du Beaujolais nouveau. C'est la ville de Beaujeu, entre Lyon et Mâcon, qui a donné ce nom au vin. Quant à l’appellation elle-même, elle remonte au 13 novembre 1951. Pendant la IIème guerre mondiale, l’occupant tentait d'empêcher les producteurs de commercialiser leurs vins en leur imposant de nombreuses réglementations. Mais avec la libération, un arrêté autorisa la sortie des vins détenteurs d’une appellation d’origine contrôlée le 15 décembre, avec une dérogation en novembre pour les vins précoces."

Basically it says:

Since 1985 the 3rd Thursday of November is the official launch date for the Beaujolais Nouveau.  It's the city of Beajeu, between Lyon and Mâcon, that gave the name to the wine.  The production of this wine dates back to the 13th November, 1951.  During the second World War, the Axis tried to impose many restrictions to inhibit production of their wine.  Following Liberation, an order was put forth stopping these inhibitions and allowing the wines to be released.

It's a cultural part of Lyon and Rhone-Alpes... and integral into our heritage and daily life.

Speaking of which, there are a lot of festivals and parties to celebrate this release:

Once again from the CityVox page:

Lyon - 1e - Terreaux - Hôtel de Ville

Soirée Beaujolais primeurs à l'Harmonie des Vins  - Soirée
Le 18/11/10

L'Harmonie des Vins - 69001 - Lyon

Lyon - 2e - Presqu'Ile - Perrache

Soirée Beaujolais Nouveau à la Zone Verte  - Conférence rencontre atelier
Du 18/11/10 au 19/11/10

Zone Verte - 69002 - Lyon

Lyon - 5e - Vieux Lyon - Fourvière

Soirée Beaujolais Nouveau au Phosphore Bar  - Soirée
Le 19/11/10

Le Phosphore Bar - 69005 - Lyon

La Tour-De-Salvagny - Aux alentours de Lyon

Beaujolais nouveau au Casino Le Lyon Vert   - Soirée
Le 18/11/10

Casino Le Lyon Vert - 69890 - La Tour-De-Salvagny

Belleville - Ailleurs dans le Rhône

Nect'art Nouveau  - Musique Jazz
Le 18/11/10
Caribop, La Clique sur Mer
Théâtre Municipal de Belleville - 69220 - Belleville

Fleurie - Ailleurs dans le Rhône

Marathon du Beaujolais Nouveau  - Évènement sportif
Le 20/11/10

En ville à Fleurie - 69820 - Fleurie

There may even be more events... but you'll have to check out blogs, newspapers.. or even just walk into a bar and ask!

a+ and happy drinking!  (bon dégustation!)

Advice: A Day Trip to Perouges

Perouges... if you don't know of it you should.  It's a little town just North East of Lyon... and one of the oldest little surviving towns.  It dates back to the middle ages, think like 1226 AD... that's about 780 years old for those not good in math.

It's just like in Beauty and the Beast, a very small middle age town, and a must see if you live in Lyon.

Bri informed me recently that it's so close to Lyon one could hop a train, spend a day, hop a train back.  Thus I got the clever idea to inform YOU of...






A Day Trip to Perouges

Step 1:  Purchase tickets..

One can buy the tickets the day of, or before.  The prices for this little town don't change.  Go to the SNCF Website to book the tickets ( DESTINATION is actually 'Meximieux' which is next door), or buy directly from the train station.  My recommendation is to leave around 11am, after breakfast.  Trains are about 30 minutes in length.

Step 2:  Read on the History..

This town is about 780 years old, so, one can imagine that it's full of history.  Their website offers the information in French.. but here's a brief list of things to see...

• Porte d'en Haut: Old gateway made of stone.  It's the entrance to the city, where often merchants would come through with supplies.

• Porte d'en Bas:  Another entrance way with a saying scribbled into the stone.. very interesting to see.

•  Place du Tilleul:  Best preserved part of the city, the website informs that one can see a tree from the 14th century and a house from the 13th century.

• Rue des Rondes:  A street that used to be the place for the rich and nobles.

• State of St Georges:  Super old wooden statue depicting the town's father saint, saint georges.

• Church in Perouges:  Church dating to the 15th century.. can see destruction from vandalism from the revolution.

• Rue des Princes:  During the middle-ages, this was the street with the boucheries, boulangeries... etc.  Remember in Beauty and the Beast?  Well, it's kind of like when she's prancing around through the city singing 'bonjour'.

•  L'Ostellerie:  A hotel originating from the 13th Century.. super old and coooool!

Step 3:  A Plan to Visit

My recommendation for the visit is as follows...

1. Start by touring the city, visit the main sights.  Read the history, visit the churches.  This will only take about 2 hours, as the town is very small.
2. Eat lunch at a local restaurant, I recommend 'les terrasses de perouges' because they offer a 'midi menu' at only 14 Euro... pas cher!
3. Stop by and send some postcards to home, remember small towns like this often charge a lot for a postcard, so be selective who you are sending them to.
4. At the end, before heading home, stop by a boulangerie or patisserie and buy a specialty of the town called 'la galette au sucre' or sugar cake.  It's delicious, and something to bring home to remember the trip to perouges.

 Other Information on Perouges..

• They have a yearly medieval festival, around the beginning of June.  It costs 25 Euro, offers a banquet as well as drinks... but only has limited spaces, so as soon as they start accepting reservations you gotta jump on it.
• Perouges Christmas Market is only 11th and 12th of December.  Saturday December 11th, of this year, at 6pm will be the lighting of the city.

Happy visit..!

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