Visa

Last Thursday I went to the American embassy in Paris to apply for a Tourist Visa. I didn't get it and I'm not allowed to go back to the States. I couldn't prove that I wouldn't think of leaving France for good : not sufficient socio-economics and family ties in my own country. I'm not giving up. I'm going to seek advice from an immigration lawyer.

Back in France

Yes we have a front fence now in Brooklyn. Well, it's not finished... Our neighbor paid for it as he wants to have our front matching his.
I came back to France last Sunday. As last time it felt very strange for a few days to be back in a French environment. Needless to say I'm very happy to see my family and soon enough - this Friday - I'll be in Montpellier.

C's Street Fence

Last Spanish French Exchange

L & I last Wednesday we had our last Spanish-French exchange. Very kindly L. invited me in his apartment to have lunch with him afterwards. L. is a very good cook. French cuisine with an Italian touch. He lives with his wife and 2 cats on 40th St & 2d Av. And in their building they have a roof terrace with a pool and a pique nic area. Hence the photos !

From a roof terrace on 40th St & 2d Ave (2)

From a roof terrace on 40th St & 2d Ave (1)

I met a guitarist...

Last Tuesday I helped out in a Jasa Center for the flu shots. And as it wasn't too busy so between "clients" I was chating with my neighbour, a volunteer too. A. is a guitarist and a singer. He is willing like me to give his time to entertain the Seniors. So we're going to keep in touch and hopefully do gigs and interactive activities together next year.

Week end in DC

Last week end I went to DC. I met B. , a man I had seen last winter when my friend C.A. from L. came over for a week. I didn't do much but it was nice to go back there.

Washington DC (2)

Washington DC (1)

Queens : PS1 Exhibition

Queens : graffitis

Queens Tour End

Flushing Meadow Stadium is next to the famous Stadium where the Metts Baseball team plays and they are both within the Corona Park. We finished our tour by PS1 which is the Moma in Queens. Very last contemporary artists exhibitions.

Flushing Meadows Entrance (2)

Flushing Meadows Entrance (1)

Flushing Meadows Stadium

Being a tourist in NY (2) : Queens (1)

Last Friday L & I we went to the Queens. It is the borough which has the more ethnics in NY. We first went to Astoria and to the Greek neighbourhood where we had a Greek lunch, obviously !

Queens : Astoria, Athens Plaza

Queens : Looking towards Harlem from Astoria Park

Being a tourist in NY (1)

Last Thursday I spent the afternoon with a guy I met on Craiglist. C. just arrived from Boston and was looking to walk around the City with someone who could guide him... We went on the "High Line" (see : www.thehighline.org/ ) and then walked around Chelsea. I pointed out to C. the historic buildings I had discovered last winter thanks to the "New York Enclaves" book.

The High Line

Manhatan, 20th St off the High Line

Gender confusion again !

Yesterday I went to Penn Station to retrieve my train tickets for Washington DC. Yes, I'm going to spend next week end over there. I gave the confirmation # along with my passport to the lady at the desk. From then the dialogue went like so :
(the lady, after having checked on her computer) "It says Mrs, it says Mrs, it says Mrs..."
(Me) "But is it the same 1st & last name ?"
(The lady) " It says Mrs, it says Mrs, it says Mrs"
(Me) "Well, when I booked it online I probably forgot to change the title, but it's me !"
(The lady) "It says Mrs, it says Mrs, it says Mrs"
(Me) "Sorry about that, before getting on the train I'll make sure I'll have a hat or something to look like a lady"
At this point I actually at least made her smile :) She printed the ticket and I won't have to change sex to go to DC as this kind lady changed the title to "Mr" on the ticket.

Coney Island : Fresque on W 12th St & Surf Ave (1)

Coney Island : Fresque on W 12th St & Surf Ave (2)

How to order a tea or a coffee in a coffee shop

First you stand in line where applicable following the sign "enter here". Then when you hear "next on line" jump to the next waiter/tress available. In franchised shops they usually say "how are you today ? What can I do for you ?" In corner delis they just expect you to get on with it. So the dialogue goes more ore less like that :
- "how are you today ? What can I do for you ?"
- "I'm good and you ?"
- "...." No you don't expect an answer, this is NOT Buckingham Palace !
- "Hot tea, No milk, No sugar" Don't use the word "without", it's like speaking Chinese ! "Please" is not necessary, they do serve with you but they do expect a tip as well.
- "Which size ?" Ah ! Sizes ! Small = average cup under French / European standard ; Regular = already quite big ; Large = only looking at the empty cup you know you'll have to go to the restroom at least twice in the next hour i.e. going back to an other coffee shop to drink an other cup of whatever...
- "Small one"
He/ she hands you whatever you ordered and eventually you pay as quickly as you can and jump out of the line for the :
- "Next !"

"At least we have the beach for ourselves again !"

Last gigs for the summer

Last Tuesday I had a a gig in the Jasa Luna Senior Center (Coney Island) where I performed at the beginning of my stay. There was only a small audience - about 10 people - and I had to sing a Capella as they didn't have a CD player. A lady wanted me to sing "Frères Jacques" so at the end I made them sing it. Friday it was in Bronx and I had 2 musicians to accompany me : a pianist and a bassist. It went well although strangely enough I forgot part of the lyrics in the French songs only ! They paid me $ 40 ! With the assistant director of this place we planned a talent show for next year : I'm going to lead rehearsals for a Valentine day concert !