Crazy Carnival

So apparently it is the time of year for Carnival – well at least in Brazil. I’ll be honest, up until about 10 minutes ago, I really had no idea what the Carnival tradition was or why it is so important in Brazil and how important it is to their culture. Please… read on and get educated about the history of Carnival in Brazil. Apparently this tradition has been occurring since the time of the ancient Greeks. It originated as a Spring festival to honor the God of Wine (as soon as I read this I knew it could only get better, I mean a God of WINE – HELL YEAH!!) It went through a couple of tweeks and changes as time went on, the Romans adopted it and used it as a time to honor their Wine God and then the Roman Catholic Church got a hold of it and it turned into a last festival before Ash Wednesday. I am pretty sure this is still more or less the present meaning/purpose of Carnival now. Anyway, it has essentially turned into a massive celebration of indulgences (and everyone loves indulgences!)- sort of like a last fling of sex, alcohol and food before Lent begins. I am not sure that a week filled with pretty much every “sin” possible is exactly what the Catholics had in mind before starting the 40 days of sin purging. The carnival that takes place in Rio de Janeiro is one of the world’s most lavish and most famous carnivals. There are drumming groups, parties, drinking, eating and parades with singers and Samba dancers! These parades are filled with elaborate costumes, crazy colourful floats and sometimes even a few naked people (as Carnival comes from a latin term meaning Farewell to the Flesh – I think prancing around naked helps put this into perspective)…  So of course as with everything Paris had to have its own version of this crazy little festival.  Sunday afternoon I bundled up and hopped on the back of my friend and escorts scooter and we cruised the streets of Paris looking for people dancing in sequined costumes, drumming and singing. It took a little bit but after a few wrong turns we found it. An entire section of the Parisian streets blocked off and just crowded with crazy drunken Parisians celebrating their very own version of Carnival. I will be honest, there were a few points when these dancing fools marched by that I wanted to just join in and march down the streets with them… Although I am positive that this little gathering pales in comparison to the elaborate celebrations in Brazil and especially in Rio, it was quite the sight to see and I am happy I was able to take this in. Plus I got to ride around the city on the back of a scooter again and as I have mentioned many times before, this for me is one of the most amazing and best ways to take in the city. Nothing at all beats holding on while you weave in and out of cars and taking in the scenery from an entirely new point of view.

Pictures to come!!!

Get it on ...

FYI - This video is a bit "racy" if you will, so if you are against balloon animal intimacy then you may not want to click the play button... but seriously it's pretty funny so think long and hard before deciding to skip it!!

I mentioned a few weeks ago some crazy European news stories that I have stumbled across, I also made mention of the (almost always) more sexual film titles that the movies here in France have BUT this morning a friend shared this commercial for Durex condoms that seriously made my Monday morning.

** For those of you who are unaware - I broke up with Monday today and I am considering protesting it for the rest of my life. Monday is never any good to me unless it's a paid day off, a vacation Monday or basically unless I am getting some benefit- talk about a healthy relationship, all take and no give :)

So this little clip really made my morning. I am almost 100% positive that this would never make the airwaves in the US, maybe it can be found on YouTube, but a little bit of kidding around like this may help promote the use of condoms and safe sex, or at least inspire some giggles from the audience!! Happy Monday all!!

A Haircut and then some... seriously...

I am almost 100% positive that I have mentioned having my hair cut here in Paris before by the one and only Crazy Japanese Hair Lady - Fukiko... and let me tell you what, I don't think I'll ever be able to stop sharing my hair adventures because they just keep getting better.  

I was introduced to Chez Fukiko a little more than a year ago by the one and only PIC and I am not sure that I have ever been happier about anything (ok, maybe that is a slight exaggeration but seriously every time I go in there it is such an adventure I laugh for days every time I brush my hair after seeing her...) This last visit (yesterday) did not disappoint.  It was time for a trim and a bit of a refreshed look and so going to see Fukiko was the only rational solution. It may not look like the most exquisite salon and I am sure there are plenty of designer places where I could have my hair cut with golden scissors and be served champagne and macaroons, but nothing beats the fresh tea and coconut cookie you get while waiting to be beautified ( I think I may have just invented that word)!! Yesterday as the PIC, the two nuggets and myself entered the salon we were greeted with hugs, kisses and laughs - as she kindly reminded me it had been much too long since I had been in to visit.  After being washed and conditioned I made my way over to the cutting chair, where next to me a sweet family was also being beautified ( I am really liking this word). The family started talking to us as if they had known us for years, they became especially active in the conversation when Fukiko decided she needed to play match maker for me. **Sidenote, every time you have your hair done at the salon, Fukiko insists on taking a photo to hang up on the walls to help decorate. She insisted that PIC and I search through her boxes of photos, looking for pictures of ourselves and some young American gentleman that she thinks is my future husband. Now searching through photos for a person you have never met before if nothing but interesting and well impossible!!** With my Franglish in full force we traded stories about what had been going on since I had last been in there and she tried to sell her other young American client to me. Luckily for my hair this conversation took place while I was getting my hand massage (another fine service that you don't find everywhere) because I was laughing so hard, I am sure that if she was cutting while this was happening my blond locks would be a tad bit crooked!! Once we finally got back on topic (my hair), I really ventured out on a limb and described what my expectations were for my new cut (in French) hoping that all of hours of lessons I have had paid off ... Luckily for me (and my French teacher) I think things turned out ok and it may have been two of the most hysterical hours I have had in awhile. You see not only does Fukiko cut hair and entertain with singing, matchmaking, and photo browsing she also gives up one hell of a massage once you are finished ... she starts this massage off by aiming two hairdryers at your back to relax you with the warm current of air and proceeds to take over. This massage comes complete with a head massage, temple rubbing, spine straightening and breathing exercises (these look slightly inappropriate - see exhibit below)! She then completes the experience with a photo and carefully selected fruit bon bons as you exit. I don't care who you are or where you come from, this is one of the most eccentric hair experiences you will ever have and if I do say so myself - the haircut came out quite nice as well :)

Check out her fantastic hair rollers, I wish I had a photo of her hair Au Natural - It is UNREAL!!

The breathing exercises I mentioned earlier, I swear I could not stop laughing!!

Showing off the new do with my <3 Nova:

A few inches shorter, some bangs to play with and I think we are good to go...
Just the update/change I was craving!!

Snip. Snip.

Yesterday I experienced my first French haircut. If I wasn't typing this on the metro I would look up the French word for hairdresser but I'm working with limited resources. I have been complaining about how long my bangs are for a week so finally my girlfriend told me we are solving the problem. We took the line 1 train all the way to the end and went to her hairdresser in a cute little town called Vincennes. Before we entered the salon she looked right at me and said, "Don't worry this will seem a little crazy but just trust me!" Thinking it couldn't really that bad I didn't think much of the comment until we walked in and I saw the salon. It was cute and simple and honestly could have used some updating but hey who am I to judge?? We were greeted by a receptionist who was sweet and went right back to get the owner. When she walked out I knew exactly why I was warned. Here comes this little old Japaneese woman who is probably in her late fifties, wearing rollers in her purple streaked hair, a gray sweater with holes all throughout the back of it, flowered pants and slippers. I tried to hold back my WTF face and just stood in shock as my friend translated for me. After a quick wash in the bright yellow sink I was lead to the cutting chair and handed a cup of homemade Ginger tea - which was delicious. Before my friend even finished explaining what I wanted done the scissors were flying!! I just sort of sat and tried to keep a straight face at this point. As she cut she started asking questions half in English and half in French -but only after she complimented me on my looks, which was incredibly kind until she asked if I had had any work done. Ha ha. I responded to her not yet ; ) the conversation continued on and at this point I was so enthralled with the conversation I was able to not pay attention to he razor she was taking to my bangs. By the time I looked up again she was working on drying my hair which was still combed over my eyes. Once she finished drying and I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I have to be honest it was the best hair cut I have ever had. Sculpted perfectly around my face with some fringe like bangs over my eyes!! But wait we weren't done yet. She took two hair dryers in one hand and started blowing them directly on my back - thought she was blowing the hair off but it turns out after she chops your hair she gives you a fantastic massage to finish out the experience. No complaint there!! I'll take a massage any day of the week. I walked over to put my jacket on and pay but she stoped me and posed me to take a picture. So now, as all of her other clients are , I am posted up on the wall of the salon for all to see!! As interesting as this was I will most definitely be returning!!