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 The weather continues to be nice so I went back for a walk to the Luxembourg gardens. I took this photo thinking that even if these two women have a "slight" difference of age, both of them paid attention to what clothes they would wear today! In French we say "Clothes don't make the monk" - l'habit ne fait pas le moine - but I don't really agree... You can deduct a lot of things by the way people dress, at least in France. In England people are judged by the way they speak, in France they are by the way they dress!
 There are 58 public libraries in Paris where any Parisian can borrow books, CD Roms, magazines (3,5 million publications in total!) ... for free (you can even check availabilities on line) . But on top of these "everyday" libraries there are also specialized ones (historical, tourism, arts...) and the ones that belong to the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, where everything what France produced since the beginning of printing (and even before actually!) is kept. This one, called " La bibliothèque de l'Arsenal" is one of them; it shelters a large part of French literature. Of course, now that we entered the digital ages, you can also find and download thousands of French books on line...
 Unlike some countries I visited (no, I won't give names!), people in France don't typically drink just to get drunk. Make no mistake, I'm not saying French people don't drink but when they do, it's an additional pleasure to gathering with their friends or eating out. Or should I say was... Because apparently, the situation is changing. Up to a point that the government is thinking of banning happy hours and increasing the taxes on alcohol. Needless to say that a few months after the ban of cigarettes in cafés and restaurants, this new measure is not exactly welcome... Talking about France, and its evolution, I received an email from the Paris correspondant of CNN international who is interested in the global view of non French people on France and the French. If you'd like to contribute, please have a look at the first entry in the comment box and give your opinion.
 I did not have the opportunity to offer you " un brin de Muguet" (a Lilly of the Valley stem) yesterday because of the theme day, so let me do it today... It's a tradition in France on May 1st (the day we celebrate "labor day" - la fête du travail) to pay a visit to our relatives and bring them this cute little white flower that is supposed to bring luck. Incidentally, it's also the only day in the year where anybody can sell Muguet in the street without paying taxes... BTW: I still haven't decided on the picnic place for sure, I'm still waiting for the weather forecast to be a little more certain. Stay tuned and check the latest in the PDP Forum.
 OK, today let me take you to... the Baccarat house, the famous French crystal maker founded in 1764, where I was today. I know what you're going to say - especially you phx-cdg! -, I get to go to more places than the "average Pierre"... But it's actually not true ; anybody can go there and have dinner in their fabulous crystal room - redecorated by Philip Stark, s'il vous plaît!. Anybody can also visit the boutique, the gallery-museum and the grand ballroom of exceptional craftsmanship (where I took this photo.) Here, I chose to post this one because I thought it was more mysterious! Needless to say that all chandeliers there are made of crystal.
 I wanted to post this photo a little later, but since several of you mentioned Hotel du nord after yesterday's post, here it is. For those of you who are not familiar with French culture, let me just say that this hotel - also located by the Canal Saint Martin, became famous because of a film director called Marcel Carné who precisely made a movie in 1938 called " Hotel du nord" . This film became extremely famous because of scene with French actress Arletty whose line " Atmosphere, atmosphere" is as famous among French people as "we're not in Kansas anymore" is among the American public! BTW, check the Hotel du nord website, it's really cool.
 In Paris, whenever you see a sign like this - or at least looking like this - you can be sure there is a drugstore underneath it. It's called a Caduceus (Caducée in France) and it shows - culture time everyone! - Hygieia 's cup (Hygieia , as you all know(!) was a daughter of Asclepius and the goddess of health, cleanliness and sanitation ) in which a snake spits out its venom that is used in the preparation of remedies. There are about 70 000 23 000 pharmacies in France (1 for every 2 700 inhabitants) and they only sell drugs. No soda, no electronics, nor food... like in US drugstores!!
 Yes, this is Time Magazine, but if you're American you've probably never seen this cover, for it was made only for the European Market. The title speaks for itself - so does the photo! - and, well, how can I say, it did not really trigger a lot of positive reactions to say the least. The article is cruel, but a bit true I'm afraid (what would you answer when the author, Don Morrison, asks "Quick: name a French pop star who isn't Johnny Hallyday"). Of course, French intellectuals do not really agree... I'd like to hear your opinion; but first read the article, it's here.
 How about a little cliché for today? The black and white postcard, the little shop in the background, the cobblestone... With a little imagination, you can even hear the accordion music! I thought this was the perfect picture to introduce a very funny video that was reported to me today by Cindy from San José, California. This video, made by a real Frenchman, will teach you in a pretty funny way, how to speak French in 5 minutes!
 If you feel like doing a little shopping while in Paris, why not stop by one of the most prestigious stores in the world, Hermès. It is also one of the most expensive with handbags going for up to $100,000! The horse on top of the HQ - that I never noticed until very recently! - is the logo for the company which has it's roots in the original product, horse saddles! Founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès, it is still 80% family-owned (and still makes saddles!).
 OK, I know this post will trigger lots of negative reactions, but I still have to post it: I photographed this horse head above the shop of a horse meat butcher. For yes people, in France, people DO eat horse meat! Oh c'mon, why would it be OK to eat beef or veal and not horse meat?! Not to mention, that according to horse meat eaters - it is very tender and good..
 I'm pretty sure that, when you think of a Frenchman, you pretty much have a man like this in mind, right?! (Don't lie!) He has everything to fit the stereotype: he his short, wears a sailor cap, plays La Pétanque, smokes, has a copy of Le Parisien newspaper in his pocket and wears a ridiculous tie... I swear, I really found him in Paris (actually on Paris Plage) and not in a model agency!
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