The Statue of Liberty on the Seine
as Seen through the Lesn of New York Daily News/New York Times Photographer,
Harry Hamburg

The Expatriate Vote is Not an Ex-Patriot Vote

Parler Paris...
Your taste of life in Paris and France
http://www.parlerparis.com/
Monday, January 14, 2008
Paris, France





Community Calendar Updated Every Wednesday

Don't Miss Parler Paris! AOL blocks many major European ISPs, so we cannot guarantee that our mail to AOL addresses will arrive. Please use another email provider or "White List" our email address or add "Adrian@AdrianLeeds.com" to your contact list.

Writing from the Heart (In the Heart of Champagne)

Writing from the heart is a bold act. In writing truthfully we both confront and expose the most vulnerable part of ourselves, by discovering who we really are and sharing with others what we really believe.

Held in the inspiring village of Essoyes, in the heart of Champagne country, two and a half hours southeast of Paris, the workshop is led by Janet Hulstrand, a freelance writer, editor, and teacher. Janet's essays and articles have been published in the Christian Science Monitor, International Educator, Guide to Retirement Living, and many other publications. She has taught writing and literature at Hunter and Queens Colleges of the City University of New York.

Dates: March 23-29, 2008

Cost: 1050 Euros + a nonrefundable $35 application fee includes tuition, six nights in the hotel, breakfast, and one other meal per day.

Register now! Cancellations received on or before February 14, 2008 will receive a full refund, less a $50 processing fee. Enrollment is limited to 10 people.

For more information or to register email janet.hulstrand@gmail.com or call 1-202-744-7338.

Dear Parler Paris Reader,

The buzz among Expats is, of course, the U.S. primary elections, along with "Sarko's" budding romance with top model Carla Bruni. The two political topics seem to be juxtaposed, recalling when Hilary's husband, Bill, was "messing around" in the Oval office with a cigar and a young White House intern in a blue dress.

Let's face it, the Sarkozy affair, soon to be a marriage (according to the Journal du Dimanche, it's set for February 8th-9th), less than four months after his divorce from Cecilia, is causing quite a stir among his constituents. The press and gossip on the streets may be lively about the romantic hanky-panky of the country's new leader, but it's not with disdain.

My guess is that like him or not for his political leadership of France, the French men are a bit both jealous and proud. This is a Frenchman's finest show of Machismo -- not the Anglo Saxon definition ("a strong or exaggerated sense of manliness; an assumptive attitude that virility, courage, strength, and entitlement to dominate are attributes or concomitants of masculinity"), but the French definition, which is more in line with Machismo being a romantic "Latin Lover."

Okay, so the polls prove me wrong. His approval ratings have dropped by seven points in January compared to December according to an opinion poll (published Sunday, January 6th in Le Parisien), dropping below 50%. "According to CSA director Stephane Rozes, the drop reflects worries over the state of the economy as well as Sarkozy's overexposure of his private life."

Meanwhile, the pendulum swings on the American election front between the two top Democratic candidates, Ms. Clinton and Mr. Obama. The strong showing by Obama tells me that Americans want a change so badly they are willing to take certain risks, although I'm sure many of you will tell me he's not an unknown. Let's face it, we all know exactly what we're getting with Clinton, like her or not. She's vying for the woman's vote and they are both vying for the Black vote. It's a fascinating campaign and the outcome is hard to tell.

The general sentiment among Expats I've spoken to seems to be that the perfect 2008 ticket is Clinton (president)-Obama (vice president) -- could they be beaten? We don't think so! This prediction goes back as far as October 2005 in an article by Tony Allen-Mills of the London Times posted in FreeRepublic.com "Not since President George W. Bush crushed the Democratic party’s hopes in last November’s election have two senators with perhaps the strongest chances of beating Republican rivals to the White House formed such an intriguing alliance."

Americans living in France are still Americans and have as much political interest as if they were living in the homeland. Don't be fooled by the term "Expatriate," which doesn't mean "Ex-Patriot." There are more Democrats than Republicans living here without a doubt, and the organization, Democrats Abroad, is alive and well. Led by an active executive committee, it's easy to get involved and do your part.

This past weekend, Democrats Abroad announced their new database and e-mail system including provision for Internet voting for the Global Presidential Primary from February 5 to 12, 2008. The new system allows you to log in with your own password and update your contact details. If you want to vote in the Global Primary, click now on this link: http://lists.democratsabroad.org/mygroups (You are reminded to also tick the box which indicates your intention to participate in the Global Primary.) You may also vote by mail and fax as well as in person at Voting Centers around the world.

So, no excuses, all of you Democrats outside the U.S. of A....now is your chance to use your rights to express yourselves. Let's see a change that will bring the International opinion of America back to the level we Expats can be proud of.

A la prochaine...

Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris

 

 

P.S. To read the report on yesterday's coffee gathering at Parler Paris Après Midi, visit http://www.parlerparis.com/apresmidi.html and mark your calendar for next month's on February 12th.

P.P.S. This week I am moving from my apartment to Le Provençal while the living room and bathroom undergo major renovation, badly needed after so many years of neglect. Over the course of the next month, I'll be reporting on the ups and downs, highs and lows of the metamorphosis of the apartment as well as what it's like to live and work out of 16.5 square meters. When I leave February 14th for the Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference in Miami, Florida, the apartment will again become available for rent to Paris visitors. And while you're looking at Parler Paris Apartments, don't miss the newest additions to the line-up of luxury apartments, both duplex apartments in great locations: Les Portes de Notre Dame, a stone's throw from Notre Dame, and Mon Petit Château, a charming garden apartment in the same building as Le Provençal! For more information, visit http://www.parlerparisapartments.com or email John Rule at apartments@adrianleeds.com

Your Complete Solution to a New Home in France...

Adrian Leeds and her team of property professionals can help make your dream to live or invest in France come true. These experienced property experts provide comprehensive services including property search, purchase, mortgage and other after-the-sale services, such as renovation and rental management.


Let the Adrian Leeds Group guide you through the process with ease and peace of mind... to have your very own pied-à-terre in Paris or home in the French countryside.

Visit http://www.frenchpropertyconsultation.com or email info@adrianleeds.com

This Week in French Property Insider...

Butte aux CaillesThe Lucky or Unlucky 13th?
By Adrian Leeds

It happens to me quite often that I will find myself in the same area of the city repeatedly or the subject of that particular district becomes spotlighted within a short amount of time for totally unrelated reasons...Subscribers Read On...

Learn how to buy property in France!

French Property Insider is a weekly e-zine, sharing insights, recommendations, tips, and discoveries about Paris real estate and French property. Each information-packed issue is devoted to educating its readers on how to effectively, efficiently and profitably purchase property in France.

For more information visit http://www.frenchpropertyinsider.com or email info@adrianleeds.com

Resolve to make 2008 the year your French property dream comes true!

Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference!
February 16-17, 2008
Alliance Française, Miami, Florida

If you've always dreamed of owning your own "pied-à-terre" in Paris or home in the Provinces of France, perhaps as a future retirement home or for now as investment property rented part of the year...this power-packed two-day conference is a MUST.

Hosted by Adrian Leeds, long time resident of Paris, Editor of the Parler Paris Newsletter and French Property Insider weekly E-zine and John Howell, lead attorney for the International Law Partnership, London, these two days in Miami will point you in the right direction to make it really happen! Includes three course lunch and cocktail reception.

For more information and to register, visit: http://www.frenchpropertyconference.com/

Or email Schuyler Hoffman at RSVP@adrianleeds.com

How to Travel the World Like a VIP - for Next to Nothing

* Tour the Globe
* Stay in Luxury Hotels
* Dine in Five-Star Restaurants
* Enjoy Posh Cruise Vacations
* And much, much more!

That might sound too good to be true. But it's not. In the next few pages I'll give you the secret to getting trips like this time after time. I'll show you how to land deeply discounted (and even complimentary) vacation packages, entertainment tickets, tours, meals, and more...

I'll also explain why airlines, rail companies, hoteliers, tour operators, travel bureaus, and more are eager to hand out perks like those to qualified takers.

Read all the details here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/kp/09

We wanted better guides. So we wrote them.

Insider Paris Guides are written for people who love the City of Light. You'll get a Paris insider perspective on Good Value Restaurants... Making a Life... Black Culture... Expat Writers...plus the newest guide, Practical Paris!

Visit http://www.insiderparisguides.com

PARLER PARIS APARTMENTS
http://www.parlerparisapartments.com
Email: Apartments@AdrianLeeds.com

Welcome to your home in Paris. Home is how you will feel in a private apartment in Paris that has the "seal of approval" from Parler Paris Apartments and me, Adrian Leeds.

NEW LISTING!

Mon Petit Château
3rd Arrondissement, Le Marais
One-Bedroom Duplex, Sleeps up to 4

A magnificent illuminated glass staircase, as unique as a work of art, is the centerpiece of this charming little country house in the middle of Paris....

Reserve now! Visit http://www.parlerparisapartments.com/rentals/chateau.html
or email: Apartments@AdrianLeeds.com 

Parler Paris Après Midi
http://www.parlerparis.com/apresmidi.html

Come for a drink and to meet and chat with other readers in Paris...

The next gathering is February 12, 2008 and every second Tuesday of the month.

Parler Parlor French-English Conversation Group
http://www.parlerparlor.com/

 Practice speaking French and English. Make friends, discuss interesting topics, learn about other cultures, progress in understanding and speaking, naturally and easily. Meets three times a week -- come as often as you like!

For further details, visit http://www.parlerparlor.com

NEW LOCATIONS AND TIMES

NEW
Tuesdays 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
AT LUTÈCE LANGUE
23, boulevard de Sébastopol (at the corner of rue de la Reynie), 1st arrondissement
3rd Floor on the Left (read notice on door to obtain entry code)
Métro Châtelet, Les Halles

NEW
Wednesdays 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
AT BISTROT DE LA GRILLE SAINT GERMAIN
14 rue Mabillon, 6th arrondissement
(at rue Guisarde and Le Marché Saint-Germain) 1st Floor
Métro Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Mabillon, Odéon

Subscribe to the PARISMARAIS monthly newsletter FREE...

The Art of Living Guide to Le Marais.

http://www.parismarais.com/parismarais-newsletter.htm

 

 

France Today The Magazine of French Culture and Travel, delivers all the information you need to indulge your passion for France: travel advice you won’t find anywhere else, off-the-beaten-path trips, the inside track on trends in dining, hotels, shopping and style, and the culture scene.

To subscribe, visit http://www.francetoday.com or call 1-800-901-6560

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Copyright 2008, Adrian Leeds®
Adrian Leeds Group, LLC, http://www.adrianleeds.com