Last night Joshua & I took a stroll to the local bio supermarche (organic supermarket) where we picked up soy yogurt, fresh tomatoes & cucumbers, olive spread, an assortment of vegan deli slices and vegan cheese alternatives so we were set for today's homemade meals.
Our gracious host made coffee before we even woke up. As we sipped the fresh coffee, creamed with chestnut milk, we enjoyed soy yogurt with a dollup of rhubarb jelly. What a delightful way to start the day!
Then I explored the surrounding neighborhood near our metro station called Porte de Clichy. I found it interesting to see how cordially people interact. Although the pace is still quick like New York City, people acknowledge you when you walk into a store and pardon themselves when they bump into you. On my way back to prepare lunch I stopped into the same boulangerie (bakery), as I had the night before, to grab a fresh baguette. The gentleman recognized me and excitedly hopped out of his seat and reached for the whole grain baguette that I had previously ordered without me asking for it. To top that, he respectfully attempted to teach me how to ask for it in French! I already forgot how to say it but I will return tomorrow for yet another chance to learn!
Upon arriving home we had lunch. A french grain baguette, Vitaquell Creme Olive spread, Vegi-Cheezly & Taifun Papillon. I then chopped up crisp organic produce such as cucumbers & heirloom tomatoes to accompany our sandwiches.
In the evening I attended a debate on Ethical Fashion hosted by the American University of Paris (AUP) where Joshua Katcher spoke. Many points were made regarding fair labor, sustainability, animal rights, buying local, etc. I won't delve into it but if any of these topics interest you I recommend Joshua Katcher's website for Ethical Gentleman called The Discerning Brute. An exciting moment during his presentation was when he mentioned his Anti-Fur initiative PINNACLE: Reinvent the Icon, which encourages artists to use their creative voice to speak up against the cruelty involved with Fur production. During this part of Joshua's presentation he used my performance piece, 'Please, Don't Touch' as an example of an artists contribution. The AUP panel then walked to a charming french restaurant near the college to have dinner. Luckily there was one vegan penne vegetarienne on the menu! I enjoyed it with an organic glass of Rose.
Paris Journal 2011 Part 1 Paris Journal 2011 Part 2 Paris Journal 2011 Part 3 Paris Journal 2011 Part 4 Paris Journal 2011 Part 5 Paris Journal 2011 Part 6 Paris Journal 2011 Part 7 Paris Journal 2011 Part 8 Paris Journal 2011 Part 9 Paris Journal 2011 Part 10 Paris Journal 2011 Part 11 Paris Journal 2011 Part 12 Paris Journal 2011 Part 13