EU Urbanites

I could, of course, bla bla bla for days about my trip to Paris. But really I think the weekend post and podcast give you some idea of what it was like. A wonderful mix of old friends, new friends, and adventure.

Paris itself, as you may have heard, is damn expensive. It’s no New York City, but it seems to take after la grande pomme; a super rich rot-your-teeth cup of hot cocoa will taste fantastically delicious, but it will also cost you a good 6 euros. (whats that.. 8 USdollars these days?) But hey, that’s what some hip and beloved cities are for.

Interesting as well are the young people, the 20 something internationals that are a intrical part of the parisien social fabric. Many of which are my friends, it’s quite exciting to be around these young and open-minded professionals who are making their lives in this city, whether it be for a few years or for life. I suppose every city, throughout history, has had these types of go-getters who migrate somewhere for a reason… a mission. Hell, I suspect you reading this might be or will be one of them. (or us) It’s just double fun to see it in Europe, where we have the traditionally well defined language and cultural differences.

Shakespeare and his girlfriend (sorry I have no nickname for her, yet.) have been residents for a few years now, almost like old pros, I bet they would say. And then BlueBerry Girl (pictured) has been in paris for the past 4 months, since leaving lil ol’ me and all her fans, in Amsterdam. She really seems to love or be falling in love with the city already, which makes it all the more cool to learn cool spots and facts from her. She helps handle the world’s bank money, which seems to be such a important and difference-making gig, compared to say — me a fishtank guardian. Someday I should probably work at fixing the world too, I could even podcast while I do it!

So as per request, in email and in person, tomorrow I shall include in my post, a step-by-step of how I podcast. Shit, I feel like I’m giving away grandma’s family recipe for oatmeal cookies. Ah well.. you guys deserve good cookies.

Today’s Sounds: The Brilliant RadioClash Podcast

AudioCommuniqu? 15: From Paris with Love

Dam its hard to find WIFI in Paris! Especially when you’re busy meeting with such wonderful people, eating fine food, and drinking the most heavenly hot choco in the world. Le weekend in Paris will require more then a podcast to explain, but this one is a start; it’s basically a chronological collection of audio I made during my journey. Photos must wait til Tuesday.. then my flickr will be renewed for the month.
Thanks to Madame L and Oldest daughter, who’s voices appear for a brief instance. Oh and I guess thanks to the people in the van who I recorded without permission…. haha.

AudioCommuniqu? #15 (mp3)

20min 23sec, 64kbps, 9.5Mb

Featuring:

  • Sounds from the Van ride
  • Some random French radio sounds and music
  • TV on the Radio
  • Me lost, me found again, me keeping quiet while my hosts are sleeping.

I hitchhiked here

I took a train… to a train… I started in PAris… and then I was in the middle of fields and dirt and ice.. and I thought to myself “keep walkin man…”

I kept thinking I would just find someone on the street.. and then I did. French lady was just standing there waiting for ther butcher shop to open. But he wasn’t… and so I told her “Je suis completement perdu.” And she thought it was funny.. and my feet/hands/nose/soul were freezing. And then she knocked on a window, and a guy handed her keys, and she drove me to this tiny town. She explained the history of this beautiful area, and she said she used to hitchhike, and so she wanted to help me, and one day I will drive someone as well. I told her I would, only on bike!

And here I sit. with the coolest family ever. LaVacheQuiLit aka MAdame L.. rocks. Oldest Daughter Rocks as well. And well.. everyone in this house… even the walls rock. Not much for choosing adjectives today, am I?

OK, now back to Paris and Ill work on the soundseeing. A plus.

Today’s Sounds: The sounds of the French countryside

Cruisin through the BENELUX

As you read this.. picture me in a van with a bunch of strangers, rambling in Dutch, en route to Paris. Then look at the lovely photo of the thing my admissions girls made for me. Now go back to what you were doing… sorry for the interruption.

Or you can listen to Madge, woman of Luna, interview some Trannies in little Havana – now that’s journalism!

Today’s Sounds: Callas — not sure what album

I see drugs

If I lean over all the fake trees and treasure chests, and look out some of the fishtank windows, I can see NoComunicado giving a presentation about Plan Colombia and the fake-ass war on drugs. They’re watching a documentary as well, I caught a bit of it, lot’s of Colombian farmers/families expressing their outrage at the shitty 900 dollars per year the government offers them to stop farming coca.

Whenever I get the chance I sit with NoComunicado and we shoot the shit. He’s doing the same Journalism for Elvis Impersonators Masters program that I did when I got to Amsterdam. He is a wise man, and lately has been telling me about the new bonus package US congress just approved for more guns and helicopters for the colombian government. Or as he reminds me… more money for American weapons manufacturers.

I got no love for the war or drugs. Anybody who does is ironically on crack. D-Rock is a professional in fighting to end this charade, but man, all these billions and all those guns, this shit will never end and every white house ruler for the past decades seems to have added to the mess.

Paris, demain! Anybody need anything from the city of lights? Dog poop in a bag perhaps? Half eaten baguette? I’m on it.

Shout out to Viva Podcast, the goods arrived in my postbox today! From New Mexico with love.

Today’s Sounds: Cambridge Independent Music Podcast