Start Going Places – Page 11 – thoughts from the French License guy

In Good We Trust

Published by JoeStartAuthor on October 15, 2017

Why didn’t I hear about this shop before? Probably because it opened just last year. I’ve been a customer of American-style general stores in Paris like the Real McCoy, but usually in November, when price is less a consideration than getting THE right stuff(ing) for a Thanksgiving dinner. The rest of the year, I can survive without a $10 box of Fruit Loops.

Yes, they have all the junk food, cereals and sodas we Americans grew up with. But the big surprise is all the stuff from artisan producers that I’ve never heard of. Craft beer brewers. Small batch sauces and toppings. Specialty soda fountain drinks. And reasonably priced wines like zinfandels which are either hard-to-find in Paris, or cost an arm and a leg. This shop has done a fine job of curating unique items. Well worth the trip, you’re sure to discover a new favorite.

Go by and check them out. They just opened for the day. Yes, they’re open on Sunday! What a country!

In Good We Trust

Métro Châtelet – Les Halles

67 Rue Quincampoix, 75003 Paris
Tel : +33 1 40 27 91 87
http://www.ingoodwetrust.com/igwt/contact/

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now at Shakespeare and Co.

Published by JoeStartAuthor on October 14, 2017

Like Troy McClure, you may remember me from such films as Richard Linklater’s Before Sunset, Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia, and Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. Now a comedy joins the ranks: French License can be seen at Shakespeare and Company.

Shakespeare and Co. writes a history with many chapters, several locations, and a cast of thousands over nearly 100 years. The great English-language writers of the past and present have visited, and at least one is actually living upstairs at any given time. You’ll find today’s version of the bookstore welcoming, with nooks strewn about to get intimate with a title. When you can’t put a book back on the shelf, simply throw some crumpled euros down on the counter and continue nose-down, feeling your way by braille to their café bench awaiting you. The litterature dream state here is strong. A warm beverage and an hour later you’ll finally look up, suddenly conscious that the real world is around you once again.

Shakespeare and Company
37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France

Open daily, 10am to 11pm

Métro St. Michel

http://shakespeareandcompany.com/

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now at The European Bookshop

Published by JoeStartAuthor on October 13, 2017

Regardless of Brexit, there are a multitude of people in the UK who wish to improve their communication with the Continent. A great place for them to start is The European Bookshop. They cater to a curious, well-travelled or expat clientèle.

French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Russian and Italian books abound. Whether their objective is language learning, seeking cross-cultural perspectives, travel tales or a hearty laugh, folks find it at The European Bookshop.

Now that they also carry French License , you can read about my intercontinental calamity here! Grab one, and don’t forget to say merci, or gracias, or danke, or obrigado, or grazie, or…

The European Bookshop

123 Gloucester Road
London SW7 4TE

Monday to Friday 9:30 – 18:30
Saturday 10:00 – 18:30
Sunday 12:00 – 17:00

tube South Kensington

http://www.europeanbookshop.com

www.esb.co.uk

https://www.eurobooks.co.uk

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Bleu Columbus Day

Published by JoeStartAuthor on October 9, 2017

No, Bleu is not indigenous. He’s not even people. But he is an explorer. So, who better to honor Columbus Day?

Check out Bleu’s latest explorations here: http://startgoingplaces.com/bleus-pit-stop-pics/

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now at Warwick Books

Published by JoeStartAuthor on October 4, 2017

Global and local. Wide and deep. That’s what you get at Warwick Books. The owners, Pauline and Mog are both well-travelled, and rooted to their community. Their book shop is a reflection of their eclectic tastes, and tight connection to local authors, events, and of course, their regular clientele.

Situated on the main town square in the quaint village of Warwick, the shop beckons you to enter. Non-fiction and history are my go-to genres, and I found much here to satisfy my curiosity. There are many surprises, and books I hadn’t seen elsewhere. And now there’s the familiar, in the travel section, alongside Stephen Clarke and Bill Bryson: French License. Won’t you come down and pick out your next cherished read?

Warwick Books

24 Market Place, Warwick, Warwickshire CV34 4SL

+44 1926 499 939

www.warwickbooks.net

Mon to Sat 9am – 5pm

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now at Kenilworth Books

Published by JoeStartAuthor on October 3, 2017

There are independent book shops in the Midlands with character, run by some real gems. Kenilworth Books is one, in a quaint little village just south of Coventry. Judy greeted me there with a smile and gladly welcomed French License to her shelves.

In addition to travel writing, guides, maps and books on local history, there’s an expansive children’s section. Find what you didn’t know you were looking for at the book store!

Kenilworth Books

12 Talisman Square, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 1JB

http://kenilworthbooks.co.uk/contact/

+44 1926 855 784

Open 9:00am – 5:30pm Monday – Saturday

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The Day the Earth Stood Still

Published by JoeStartAuthor on October 1, 2017

This is the only sign I’ve seen in the run-up to the Parisian carmageddon. As usual, mayor Hidalgo feels no obligation to help drivers to prepare for the ‘day without cars’ in Paris. Is there any information on the Péripherique ring road? Not to my knowledge. Are there public parking lots just outside the city limits, convenient to public transportation heading into Paris? No. Are there extra suburban busses ready to whisk you to a train station? Nope, regular schedule for an ‘off’ day, meaning zero busses for most areas.

Ms. Hidalgo thinks that anything that happens outside of Paris isn’t her problem. She cascades her agenda to the surrounding area, affecting a population 5x that of the city of Paris.

I must drive near Paris on the evening of Oct. 1 and I’ll update this post the following day with my experience on the suburban roads.

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now at Mystery Ink Bookstore

Published by JoeStartAuthor on September 26, 2017

Are you intrigued by intrigue? Did that Californian expat ever finally get his French License after 10 years? Find out at the Mystery Ink Bookstore!

8907 Warner Avenue, #135
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
+17149604000

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Anti-Hidalgo Hotcakes

Published by JoeStartAuthor on September 24, 2017

That book about the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo detailing her actions and virulent reactions: Notre-Drame de Paris, by Airy Routier and Nadia Le Brun, has been selling like hotcakes since its release. It debuted at #2 on L’Express top sellers for its category. I’m not surprised because I’ve been visiting a lot of bookstores in Paris lately, and I’ve seen customers snatch it up.

French License has benefitted a bit from the controversy and uproar. However, most expats I cross are completely oblivious, until they’re snared in a Parisian traffic jam, or receive an exorbitant fine for a minor offense, or they have trouble breathing and wonder why.

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now at WH Smith

Published by JoeStartAuthor on September 23, 2017

“I say!” “Indeed.” “I’m all astonishment.” These very British phrases were overheard when it was discovered that French License is now at WHSmith!

There you can also find a cuppa, or a shortbread if you’re feeling peckish. But don’t ask your saleslady for a bit of crumpet, unless you fancy a red cheek, you cheeky monkey!

WHSmith is an institution of English-language literature, with two floors of books and magazines. It’s a few doors down from the American Embassy, so my compatriots likely pop in to peruse a periodical, then pose their posterior across the street at the Tuileries park. It’s quite lovely.

“My word,” I said. Words, actually. Sixty thousand of my words, to be clear. And they can all be yours for only €13,99 Good show!

WHSmith

Rue de Rivoli

248 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

M° Tuileries or Concorde

Tel +44 1 44 77 88 99

www.whsmith.fr

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