Books: CHICAGO by Alaa Al Aswany

Title: Chicago

Author: Alaa Al Aswany

Published: 2008

Genre: Fiction

In the aftermath of the recent uprisings in the Arab world, this was an informative read. One of the members of my Book Club made a comment recently about Egypt that I found to be accurate- especially regarding the World's perception of the Arab states that have just experienced the 'Arab Spring'. 

"I feel like we have been lied to." She was referring to Egypt and I could not have agreed more. No, I do not  live under a rock and yes,  I was aware of the fragility of Egypt's democracy before the uprisings, but in relation to seemingly more despotic states, Egypt was at the periphery of wider political discussion. Or so I thought until the uprisings and subsequent resignation of Hosni Mubarak in February.

Gastronomy in Ghana: Roots Flavours

Roots Flavours is in the W.E.B Du Bois Centre in Cantonments. Varied menu from garlic bread and barbecue chicken wings, salads and a pizza menu. Then there's the Ghanaian cuisine, which is what we ended up having.

Wandering eye: Surrealism & Street Art

Taken in Montmarte on my way to Espace Dalí. A fitting quirky image on my way to see the art of a quirky surrealist painter.

Mexican on Parisian streets

Candelaria was one other place that was on my list of places to visit while in Paris. I constantly trawl Hip Paris Blog to get the latest on what's new and exciting in the city. Makes for a change from the usual - did not feel like having brasserie food another night.
I trudged the streets of the 3rd with a friend determined to find this place. We literally walked past it - it is one of those places that does not have a sign at the door - and you have to know where you're going. Getting to it feels very clandestine.

The big cheese at Espace Dalí

Again all in the name of venturing to the less well known...Espace Dalí in Montmartre was by far a different experience. I love Montmartre - it's lively, bustling and very artsy - bohemian all the way. Very different from the shiny Rue de Rivoli. Interesting exhibit - with the very hilarious commentaries and some of the quotations that have been attributed to this eccentric, Surrealist  artist.

The sweetness of Miss Cupcake

Along the way to Espace Dalí...literally happened upon Miss Cupcake - and could not resist. Hey! It was a long walk getting there, we needed to get fueled, and we had taken a rather circuitous way. Read: We got lost.
It gave me the chance to test out my new wide angle lens - great, but it distorted the picture somewhat,  still managed to capture the goodies on display though.

Miss Cupcake
22 rue la Vieuville
75018
Paris

Places in Paris: Musée des Arts Décoratifs

I decided to forego the usual tourist haunts...No to the Louvre and the crowds there to see the Mona Lisa; but Yes to the Museum of Decorative Arts.
This tends to have more contemporary exhibitions if you’re not quite up to the historical cultural experience. On currently is L’Art de L’Auto; with the entire first floor space dedicated to the vintage car collection of Ralph Lauren. Some people collect stamps, others…

Death by chocolate!

A popular breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea place, filled with both locals and tourists alike. It is more popular with tourists I think given its proximity to all the things that draw tourists to this city…The Tuilieres gardens are just across the road, the Louvre is on the same road, and of course Rue de Rivoli and its luxury shops.

I went for one thing, and one thing only – Angelina’s chocolat chaud. The hot chocolate is a meal in itself, truly. I’d missed breakfast so decided to at least eat something before I drank my chocolate.

Bound in Paris

I have written about Bound before and because it's familiar, the service does not disappoint and it has the best cheesecake in the world...okay moderation required...it has really great cheesecake, we went again- plus we had not made reservations anywhere else.
Good food as always, good crowd, friendly waiters. It was the whole having dinner at 11pm thing that threw me...at the cusp of those long European summers, it's strange when stepping out at 9:30 pm and the sun's just gone down. Long dinner, and to our surprise the metro had stopped running ahead of the scheduled time, so we walked a good part of the way back to our hotel...probably needed this after the meal though. 
Bound also serves sushi.

The ol' stomping ground

Back at the old stomping ground and taking back my words...Paris in the Spring can be quite dismal. Arrived to cold, overcast weather - although was assured by the very optimistic taxi driver that it would get better. Now that was a surprise, French optimism is not to be found everywhere. To his credit, it did eventually get warmer though.
Spent a good part of the morning re-acquainting myself with old and familiar haunts.

To a Genius with a Golf Club.

Source: www.golf.com

Last night I watched a Supersport tribute to Seve Ballesteros  who died on May 7th. Described as a Maverick! Daring! and Passionate!...not words associated with golfers by any means. Yes, the likes of Gary Player and of course Tiger Woods have had their fair share of hyperbolic compliments heaped upon them, and deservedly so, but Seve was...Bold! This was a player credited with words such as "It doesn't matter where you hit the drive if you make the putt" and other gems such as "The more you go into trees, the more you have practice".

Each time I step up onto a tee box, or contemplate a shot that requires safe play...I ultimately always reach into my bag for the most unlikely club with a whimsical, "Let's go for it...after all, fortune favours the brave!"  I only learnt last night that this was a phrase often used to describe his style of play.

Cinco de Mayo in the diaspora

Children in traditional dress celebrate Cinco de Mayo;
© Lawrence Migdale

Yesterday it was Adventurers in the diaspora and Cinco de Mayo  - did not realise that Cinco de Mayo is a big deal until I saw that here in Accra we're also celebrating it at Citizen Kofi with a fiesta tonight. Fellow South African blogger KoKofifi is also celebrating - liked her Viva la Mexico! post.
Always something in Accra. The Adventurers is the diaspora series has been going on for over a year now, diarise and once a month, venture out to Branche Restaurant at the Golden Tulip, for lively discussions and an interesting evening all round.

And for the shameless plug...GIWC (Ghana International Women's Club) Bazaar is tomorrow at El Wak Stadium in Burma Camp from 10am to 5pm. All Funds raised are going towards the renovation of the Maternity Theatre at Ridge Hospital. There will be food stalls, a wide variety of vendors' stalls, tombola, a bake stall, a kids' zone with a jumping castle and games. Admission: GHc3 for Adults and GHc1 for children.

Dreaming of Mzansi

Source: www.jhblive.com

The rainy season is upon us and at the moment I am not loving the weather. Normally I am one to relish the overcast, cooler days but I am not feeling it right now. Because of the weather a part of me is wishing I was home...hae...mzansi...down south. SA's weather is at the start of those long winter nights and chilly, crisp days...warm, more-ish soups and slow-cooked stews. (Again, the food theme...eish! Just can't help myself).

Golf and Lobster

This post was not meant to be about food...I have been meaning to post more about my other passion; golf and the places where I indulge it, but, somehow it turned into a post about some of the best food in the most unlikely place.