A lesson for the Pac NW

One more time, I’m going to talk about the weather. You know I’m not usually one for letting clouds or rain have any bearing on my mood. I still feel that way, subconsciously, but I learned the hard way that you may find yourself affected by low levels of sunlight or long hours of darkness more than you’re aware.

Though I’ve felt pretty emotionally positive most of this winter, the past few weeks have been miserable, giving me a glimpse into the experience of having mono: I’m perpetually exhausted, could fall asleep at the drop of a pillow, I’m completely unmotivated and disinterested in many things I usually love, and often feel anxious and worried about things. A quick consultation at the health center told me I did not have mono, but got me concerned that I may have clinical depression and/or anxiety.

After a blood test, I was told I simply had a severe Vitamin D deficiency, which apparently is supposed to explain all of my symptoms. They gave me a prescription for the highest dose of Vitamin D possible, which I can only take once a week, and told me not to supplement with any other multivitamins because they would actually give me an overdose of Vitamin D.

I’m awaiting a newfound feeling of vigor and restfulness.

Vous Partez à Paris?

Someone recently emailed me and asked for tips on visiting Paris: What to see, do, eat… etc.

Oh, what’s that you say? you want my expertise on traveling in France? Gee, I mean, I suppose I could…

HELL YES I WILL IMPART MY KNOWLEDGE.

What you see/do/eat in Paris depends largely on how long you will be there, and have you both been there before, and if so, what have you already seen?

Museums: The Louvre is alright, if you’re into that sort of thing… Personally I prefer the Orangerie (for Monet’s work) and the d’Orsay (but it depends on the exhibit). The Centre Pompidou is pretty cool, and they’ll be showing Edvard Munch soon, which I love…

You must go to Sacré Coeur and wander around the neighborhood (it’s known for being really artsy and fun– this is also where Edith Piaf grew up). I maintain that the best gelato in Paris is up there, too. And of course the basilica and the view are breathtaking. Definitely walk up there and back down; don’t take the funicular.

Go to the 5th and 6th arrondissements (the Latin Quarter and Saint Germaine. I lived in Saint Germaine for three weeks and when mom and I went we stayed in the Latin Quarter). Right in between these two districts is the Greek Quarter, which is never on a map and which I have only ever learned to find by accident. But it is totally spectacular, especially for the nightlife. It’s totally worth it, if you do find it: the food is amazing and there are some hookah bars, which can be fun.

Personally I think the view from Sacré Coeur totally trumps the view from the Eiffel Tower, so you could probably skip the tower. But you should endeavor to see it at night, when it’s all lit up and sparkling (I think it sparkles hourly for a few minutes?). Same goes for Notre Dame. It doesn’t sparkle, but it’s amazing at night. And when you’re at the Notre Dame at night, wander along the Seine right by is and see if there is live music down along the bank. Sometimes really good groups play down there and it’s quite the show.

Other music… when you’re wandering by churches (which will happen approximately every 3.2 minutes, if you’re walking at a consistent pace) look for fliers that advertise concerts there the day of. I found some amazing (cheap) classical music concerts on the spur of the moment. Tourists rarely pay attention to them, so they’re attended mostly by locals and the crowd will be small. Just bring a sweater because it gets damn cold in those churches at night when you’re just sitting listening to music.

A lot of people say that going to cemeteries is a good experience, but I never much enjoyed it. I went to Pére Lachaise (if you do go to a cemetery, go to this one) and saw Jim Morrison’s, Edith Piaf’s, and Oscar Wilde’s graves, but the most impactful part was the Holocaust section, because they adorn the graves with incredible, heart-wrenching sculptures.

I’ve always wanted to do the underground tour of the catacombs. If you have time, I’ve heard it’s very cool… if you don’t have time, go to the Panthéon. You can go underground to the crypts there, or go to the top for the view, and the Luxembourg gardens are nearby. Sometimes there are Shakespeare plays in the park.

Don’t miss the footbridge, or Pont des Arts. It’s also called lover’s bridge, because there’s a tradition of putting locks on the chain link that symbolize eternal love and luck in relationships. The view to the tip of the island is sweet, too.

Eat: Have you seen Amélie? If not, watch it and then go to the café where much of the movie takes place. It’s in Montmartre by the Moulin Rouge (12 Rue Coustou), and it’s absolutely delightful. They have a drink called a Black Shadow, I think, which I drank when I was there (because, duh).

Go out on Sundays and look for any street market. They’re fantastic. The locals go out with little carts on wheels and pick up veggies, sometimes there’s live music, and the sights and smells are amazing.

Bakery: I wouldn’t say it’s the best bakery in Paris, but it’s the one I visited almost daily. It’s on rue Dauphine, in the Saint Germaine quarter, about 2 blocks away from the Seine. I don’t know the name, but it’s a little hole-in-the-wall place with very friendly women working there and totally divine pastries. You will also be about 40 paces from the apartment we had while I was there :)

Delicious tostadas

How to make the best tostadas ever (for 1):

-gluten/wheat free, possibly vegetarian, possibly vegan, possibly low fat

1 corn tortilla (you may choose to use flour; I don’t eat wheat, so I don’t know how they work)

1 head of lettuce

1 diced red bell pepper (or another color, if you prefer. Note: you may only end up using half)

1 thinly sliced piece of organic turkey breast (can be omitted for veg*ans), cut into strips

2 Tbsp. salsa of your choice

1 Tbsp. organic plain yogurt (or sour cream, or vegan equivalent)

1 pad of butter (or vegan equivalent)

Dash of garlic powder or table salt

Heat a nonstick skillet, dropping a small pad of butter to melt when it’s hot. Spread the butter, then drop the tortilla in the pan. It will probably make a lot of noise but be harmless. When the bottom side is browned, flip it and sprinkle a little garlic powder on the top. (Important note: don’t flip the tortilla again once you’ve sprinkled garlic on it. This will cause the garlic to burn, and it will throw off most of the flavor of the whole dish. Not good.) Once the other side is browned, toss that tortilla on a plate to cool and get crisp.

Next, throw the bell pepper in the skillet to brown just a bit. About a minute later, put the turkey strips in. (I first saw this done at Pita Pit, believe it or not. I think it brings out the salt in the turkey or something, but it’s sooo good.)