France Tales

King Fat Asian Grocery Store in Toulouse

Owen — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:26:57 +0000

I like Asian food of all kinds. I might like Japanese food best of all. Toulouse does not have a Chinatown, or even a neighborhood that is predominantly Asian, but it does have a few great Asian grocery stores. While it seems like all major cities have their share of Asian restaurants, some good and some not so good, it is not always easy to find a good Asian grocery store. Either they are dirty and smelly and not to appealing, or they really cater to just Asians so it is hard to find what you need, or it is a trendy yuppie place and outrageously expensive.

King Fat in Toulouse is perfect. It is located on Rue Denfert Rochereau near Place Jean d’Arc, and Metro Jean d’Arc. That also means that it is just up the street from the famous Marché Cristal. Since it carries a lot of produce, you know the produce must be good, if it can compete with being 1/2 block away from the market. This location’s address is 3 Rue Denfert Rochereau, the web site is under construction, but is located here http://www.kingfat.fr/

I say this location because there is another location just outside of Toulouse city limits. It is on the way to St Orens at 157 Route de Labège. This looks more like a big supermarket and it has a large parking lot and restaurant. In actuality, it is not much bigger than the one located in the center of Toulouse, it just looks bigger from the outside because of the restaurant and parking lot. It may be easier to get to this one and certainly park, but since I live in the center of Toulouse, I just walk or take the Metro to get to the one in the center. Either way they should meet your needs.

Of course they stock all your Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian, etc but they also carry south Asian foods as well so Indian, Pakistani, and Burmese treats can be found there as well. The prices are very reasonable and the selection is extensive. The employees, ahem are not “French” so they know what good service is, are friendly and helpful. Another big useful find, toothpicks for ,69€ as opposed to 3,50€ at Casino.

If you like Asian food, you must go to King Fat in Toulouse or the suburbs. Here is a map to get you there.

View Larger Map

Less similar but interesting anyway . . .

I received my new carte de sejour! (58)
Funny Ikea Ads (35)
Alliance Française or Rosetta Stone (24)
Le Parkour- strange French sport (22)
VISA received, day of pain over! (21)
Tecktonik – The new dance craze in France (21)
Funny consumer letter (20)
Funny French mistakes (19)
Carte de Sejour (15)
Bicycle Salon last Saturday in Toulouse (13)

Les Soldes 2010, Sales in France for 2010

Owen — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 09:09:00 +0000

Tweet This

As you may or may not know, France has sales 2 times per year. The sales in France are regulated by old merchant laws that are still in effect. In French les soldes means sales. If you pass a store and you see “Les Soldes” in the window, you might want to check it out. The dates of the sales in France are regulated by the government so all stores have to do it at the same time, starting and ending time. Merchants can have a promotion and offer a discounted price but they cannot call it a sale unless it is during the official sales in France dates.

Usually there is an initial markdown for the first round of sales in France. After 2 weeks or so there is a second markdown or deuxième démarque, and the last week there is usually a 3rd or troisième démarque. The sales are 5 weeks long. There are 2 major competing theories on shopping during the sales in France.

Go shopping at the beginning. You have the best selection. The prices won’t be their lowest but the selection will not be picked over
Go shopping at the end. The selection will not be as good as at the beginning, but the prices will be marked down a lot and things will be very inexpensive

Whatever your philosophy about attacking the sales in France is, you must know the dates, so without further adieux, the dates for sales in France are as follows:

2010 Winter Sales in France, Les Soldes d’hiver en France

Date of sales in France: January 6th at 8AM to February 9th at midnight
Dates des soldes d’hiver en France 2010: du mercredi 06 janvier 2010 au mardi 09 février à minuit

2010 Summer Sales in France, Les Soldes d’été en France

Date of summer sales in France: June 30th at 8AM to August 3rd at midnight
Dates des soldes d’été en France 2010: du mercredi 30 juin 2010 au mardi 3 août

Read these similar posts

The Sales in France begin (3)

Happy New Year 2010

Owen — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:47:02 +0000

Tweet This

It has been a while since I have regularly posted on my blog. Recently I have gotten a few contacts asking very specific questions about getting to France. It reminded me of how difficult it was when I was searching for information about moving to and living in France. No matter how little I feel I contribute to this end, there is always one or two people who benefit greatly from an answer to their questions. For this reason I am making the effort to get back on a regular posting schedule.

I know New Year’s Resolutions don’t work unless they are things you truly want or need to do. I won’t promise daily posts, but each month there will be a certain number. I get a lot of requests for information about cartes de séjours and nuts and bolts info about getting to France. I will start there. I also want to get contributors from other parts of France, I am in Toulouse, to write about what they like to do in their region. Places to shop, eat, drink, walk, people watch, etc.

Moving to France has not been the romantic dream the movie version of my life would try to portray, but I am here, I am not ready to go back, and I have gained a lot of valuable information about life, myself, and moving to and living in France. Time for me to share and stop complaining.

Read these similar posts

Renting bicycles in France, city program problems in Paris

Owen — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:34:26 +0000

Tweet This

Here is an interesting article from the New York Times about the bicycle rental program in Paris.

New York Times article about bicycle rentals in France

I have been noticing more and more Vélô Toulouse bicycles around town that have been abandoned and/or damaged. It is a great program, the country wide bicycle rental programs in France, but the article states that 80% of Paris’ bicycles have had to be repaired or replaced. That’s a huge number. It sounds as if they didn’t think any bicycles would be stolen or damaged. I mean, I would have predicted at the beginning a fair number of bicycles would be damaged and stolen and that would taper off when people got used to the idea AND police cracked down on abusers. We’ll see what happens.

I wonder if there are statistics about Toulouse’s bicycle rental program, Vélô Toulouse. More importantly, I wonder what steps are being taken to make sure fewer bicycles are damaged and/or stolen. It seems like an integral part of the program, but one that was “overlooked”.

5 things that should be done to people who damage or steal Vélô Toulouse bicycles

sensors in the seat of the bike will turn on and zap you
the lock built into the bicycle will automatically unfoil, lock the bike and the abuser to the nearest bakery until the police can come and grind you into flour to be used by the bakery
the nearest crowd should be “moved by the spirit” of retribution and act “by any means necessary” to protect the bike
the parking place of your car should be published in the local newspaper so others “moved by the spirit” of by any means necessary can do whatever is necessary to your car for revenge
insert your devious ideas here!

Less similar but interesting anyway . . .

I received my new carte de sejour! (58)
Funny Ikea Ads (35)
Alliance Française or Rosetta Stone (24)
Le Parkour- strange French sport (22)
VISA received, day of pain over! (21)
Tecktonik – The new dance craze in France (21)
Funny consumer letter (20)
Funny French mistakes (19)
Carte de Sejour (15)
Bicycle Salon last Saturday in Toulouse (13)

Normandy Recovered from WWII to Become a Major Tourist Draw

Owen — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:43:19 +0000

Tweet This

This article is the first in a series about popular tourist destinations in France focusing on cruises.

On June 6, 1944, one of the bloodiest and most memorable battles of World War II occurred on the beaches of Normandy, France. The allied operation on this day, historically known as “D-Day,” featured the largest amphibious invasion that the world had ever seen. Over 175,000 troops landed on “D-Day,” and the beaches of Normandy were stained with the blood of many courageous men. With a possible casualty tally of 9,000 allied soldiers, “D-Day” was a battle that would never be forgotten, and it remains one of the most famous events of World War II. ??Normandy, France would be forever etched in the hearts and minds of the world as the home of the beaches of the unforgettable “D-Day” invasion.

In popular culture, the “D-Day” invasion of Normandy, France has been depicted in various successful war movies. From 1962’s “The Longest Day,” all the way up through 1998’s “Saving Private Ryan,” the public has continuously associated Normandy, France with the “D-Day” invasion of World War II. ??Well after the war, when Normandy, France was finally able to recover from being occupied by the Nazis, “D-Day” and World War II were embraced by the locals, and the artifacts of this historical milestone were preserved. Because it was such a famous and influential event in history, and the events have been reflected upon and depicted in various forms of art and literature, visitors of France usually always make the Normandy region a priority on their itineraries.

For travelers looking for greater insight into the famous event, the region of Normandy has been a huge draw. Tourists flock from all over the world, and have many ways to visit the area, including D-Day battle tours, Normandy Beach Tours, and river cruises (Viking River Cruises) with famous Normandy attractions as major destinations. Battle tours can be a few hours to two days in duration, and take visitors to specific sites, such as site of the first allied military hospital in Normandy and the first town to be seized by the 82nd airborne. A popular WWII landmark to visit is the Pointe du Hoc monument, which was erected by the French to honor American elements who defended against German counterattacks at Omaha Beach by scaling vertical cliffs to capture German weapons.

Other sites many tourists visit in the area include the Arromanches Debarquement Museum and the American Military Cemetery, where people pay respect to 9,000 U.S. servicemen and women. Café Gondree, the first house in France to be liberated, is a site that many visitors of the landing beaches see also. Some people also choose hiking and bicycle tours. On hiking tours, tourists enjoy the towns and villages of the region, and dine at the many restaurants and stay at the various hotels, along with visiting all the historical sites of D-Day. Although thousands of allied forces lost their lives on D-Day in Normandy, there noble and courageous sacrifices are forever remembered and celebrated, as the popularity of these tourist attractions demonstrates.

Less similar but interesting anyway . . .

I received my new carte de sejour! (58)
Funny Ikea Ads (35)
Alliance Française or Rosetta Stone (24)
Le Parkour- strange French sport (22)
VISA received, day of pain over! (21)
Tecktonik – The new dance craze in France (21)
Funny consumer letter (20)
Funny French mistakes (19)
Carte de Sejour (15)
Bicycle Salon last Saturday in Toulouse (13)

Health Care in the US vs in France

Owen — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:29:09 +0000

Tweet This

Health Care in the US vs health care in France, from someone who knows because he has experienced first hand both systems

I understand those in the US are listening to heated debates about healthcare, reform, and “socialized” medicine. I won’t add another boring polemic on the subject, I’ll just tell a little story of getting sick while on vacation, going to a doctor and a pharmacy, and not waiting in line or paying special fees for not seeing my “primary” doctor.

I live in France. I am covered by the French sécurité sociale. When I visit the doctor I call my doctor and make an appointment. Usually I can get an appointment within 2-3 days. It is at his private office, not some imaginary government run clinic with lines 300 weeks long.

I pay 22€ for a doctor visit, 17€ is reimborsed by Secu, directly sent to my account within 2-3 days of my visit. No forms to fill out, no hoping my insurance company is going to fully cover something, at the doctors office I give him my carte vitale, he swipes it, and all the necessary info is there. If I kept my mutuelle, private insurance supplement, it would reimborse another 4€ bringing the cost of going to the doctor to 1€.

For my prescriptions I go to any pharmacy I want, not some imaginary “government run” pharmacy with lines 300 weeks long. In fact, the pharmacies in France are really nice, clean, efficient, friendly, helpful, PROFESSIONAL, not like Walgreen, Walmart, Rite Aid style US pharmacies.

I show my carte vitale and then I only pay the amount not covered by Secu. My doctor already knows which medications are reimboursed or not so I generally know in advance how much it will cost. Most medications seem to be covered, unless you have serious illnesses, I have rarely paid for a prescription. On top of this, since the system is not rigged by pharmaceutical companies, everything that is not covered costs less than it does in the states, example with real numbers later.

SO, I went to the Atlantic Coast last week for the week. I had a terrible stomach, gastro, flu, sickness thing. No idea what it was, but I was sick all week. Last Tuesday I decided to go to the doctor, I didn’t know how this was going to work because I was so used to having to see my primary doctor and if not then paying more for seeing someone else. Here’s what happened.

I went to the local pharmacy to explain my symptoms and ask for advice, yes they actually give it in French pharmacies. I took some over the counter medicine they recommended but the next day I still felt bad. I went back to ask for a doctor recommendation.

They gave me the name of a doctor, located just above the pharmacy. It was during his office hours where no appointments are needed. I went into his private office, not some “government run” clinic with lines 300 weeks long. He saw me in less than 5 mintues of waiting. He asked a bunch of questions and prescribed some medicine. He swiped my carte vitale, I paid 22€, and went to the pharmacy to pick up the medicine.

1 day later the 17€ was back in my account. I didn’t have to explain why I didn’t go to my primary doctor, pay more, or fill out some form that I had to submit to my insurance company and pray they cover a routine doctor visit, all of which I have had to do when i lived in the US and had “private” insurance. Really a routine doctor visit, it just happened while I was on vacation, why shouldn’t it be treated the same as a regular visit? Why would it cost more? Why should it be more complicated?

So back to the pharmacy. He prescribed 4 medications for me. I went back to the pharmacy, just under his office, waited like 3 minutes in line. When the pharmacist brought all the medications to me, really another 3 minutes, not that excruciating 45 minute minimum wait in US pharmacies, she was a little worried. She said to me, 3 are covered and 1 is not, would you still like the one that is not covered? It made me worry, thinking about how expensive medicine can be, but I was really sick and said yes. I paid a grand total of 8€, 4 prescriptions, and 1 that is not reimbursed at all by Secu. It was any old pharmacy, I could have gone anywhere. I gave my carte vitale and that was it. I didn’t have to submit any forms to be reimbursed, I just paid the difference, 8€.

Really, going to the doctor, while sick, while on vacation, in a different city, region, and not referred by my primary doctor, and getting prescriptions, took all less than 30 minutes, involved NO special paperwork, in fact none at all, and no special permissions, no complications, AND it cost exactly the same as it would have cost had I been in Toulouse visiting my own doctor and regular pharmacy. For the French this is only normal, for people used to the US style of things, not so normal.

This is the basic coverage all people in France have, employed or not. Please stop trying to conjure up images of Soviet Style waiting lines and “government run” facilities. In countries where healthcare works well, that is not what happens.

I am self employed and do not earn a lot of money. I pay a percentage of my income in taxes to pay for my healthcare. Honestly, I don’t think it is that much more than I paid in the US, if you count the taxes I paid, and the cost of the health insurance plan, and the little expenses of having such an inefficient healthcare system. It may be even less.

I can see where earning a lot of money would significantly increase the taxes you pay here in France. That I think is the difference. In the US everyone thinks they will be rich some day, and when they are they wouldn’t want to pay so much in taxes, so to protect their possibly rich futures, they don’t want to do anything to increase taxes now. I guess it doesn’t matter that most of them will never be rich like they imagined so they should have opted for something sensible like healthcare. People constantly act against their interests, why should this still surprise me?

I don’t know if this is still a part of the debate, but when this debate last happened, I remember hearing “I don’t want a suit to decide for me”, well I’d prefer a person in a doctor’s suit making decisions for me than a person in a business suit making decisions for me.

Before demonizing a system, it might be a good idea to know how it really works.

Less similar but interesting anyway . . .

I received my new carte de sejour! (58)
Funny Ikea Ads (35)
Alliance Française or Rosetta Stone (24)
Le Parkour- strange French sport (22)
VISA received, day of pain over! (21)
Tecktonik – The new dance craze in France (21)
Funny consumer letter (20)
Funny French mistakes (19)
Carte de Sejour (15)
Bicycle Salon last Saturday in Toulouse (13)

New American Food Products online store in France

Owen — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:58:38 +0000

Tweet This

I am an American expat. There are not many food items that I miss from the US. I was vegetarian for most of my adult life so I never ate hot dogs and hamburgers. I was always around foreigners so I ate cuisine from around the world. Living in the Bay Area we also had an incredible variety of foods available, in the neighborhoods, in the markets, and even in the stores. Every once in a while I get a craving for something that is hard to find here in France, like bagels. A fellow Toulousain has created this online market for American foods. She is running a contest to win a gift basket, so here is my entry.
Win a 40–euro gift basket of your favorite American treats!
Are you struggling to satisfy your cravings because you are:

Embarrassed to ask your family and friends for one more favor?
Fed up with products that melted or broke during the transatlantic trip?
Worn out from having to rush around Paris, search for parking spaces and drive in traffic?
Frustrated from having to wait until your next trip or someone’s visit?
Tired of bringing back heavy suitcases from your trip to the US?

Then, My American Market has been designed for you: it is a hassle-free online store for your American food and beverage staples.

My American Market’s best features:
Selection
One of the largest assortments of American food and treats
in stock and ready to be shipped.

Convenience
Open 24/7, My American Market is there whenever the cravings get you!

Easy to order
My American Market online store is very user-friendly.
Find and order your favorite products in just a few clicks.

Fast Delivery
Your order will be processed within the next business day.
Your shipment will be securely packaged and sent via La Poste Colissimo.
In France, it will be delivered to your door within 2 business days.

Secure
My American Market uses a 128bit SSL encrypted checkout system.
You can choose to process your payment online, on the phone or by check.

Community-oriented
Get connected with Europe’s American community and friends.

Great customer service
The American way, period!

It is time you do something about your cravings!
Visit us today: My American Market and enter coupon code “BLOG21” to get a 10% discount on your order (shipping costs not included).

Less similar but interesting anyway . . .

I received my new carte de sejour! (58)
Funny Ikea Ads (35)
Alliance Française or Rosetta Stone (24)
Le Parkour- strange French sport (22)
VISA received, day of pain over! (21)
Tecktonik – The new dance craze in France (21)
Funny consumer letter (20)
Funny French mistakes (19)
Carte de Sejour (15)
Bicycle Salon last Saturday in Toulouse (13)

Toulouse Plage, a beach in Toulouse, sort of.

Owen — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:58:51 +0000

Tweet This

Toulouse Plage is a “beach” created on the banks of the Garonne River. This year it has moved back to the park Prairie des Filtres. Toulouse is not to be outdone by Paris, well yes it is, and since there is Paris Plage, now there is Toulouse Plage. Toulouse Plage has existed for a few years now. Toulouse Plage is now open.

We made a quick tour through Toulouse Plage last weekend. It is free to enter, yay, they no longer put sand on the ground, booooo. Well they no longer put sand everywhere, just in certain designated spots, spots that at night I’m sure all the wild animals use as a toilet.

At Toulouse Plage there are lots of free activities. We saw volleyball, beach volleyball (with sand, yay), boule, water skiing (you must pay to do this), a rock climbing wall, exercise classes, lots of stuff for kids, we saw a free salsa dance class, and of course there are umbrellas and lounge chairs. Many people say this year is the worst but I was happily surprised by the organization of Toulouse Plage.

Toulouse Plage hours:
Open until August 17th from 11:00AM to 9:00PM, some special nights there are dance classes and dance events and Toulouse Plage is open until midnight.

For more information about Toulouse Plage
www.toulouse.fr
06 60 14 44 53

To read more about Toulouse Plage, en français
No Sand but now there are games

Toulouse Plage is now open.

Have you been? What did you think of Toulouse Plage?

Less similar but interesting anyway . . .

I received my new carte de sejour! (58)
Funny Ikea Ads (35)
Alliance Française or Rosetta Stone (24)
Le Parkour- strange French sport (22)
VISA received, day of pain over! (21)
Tecktonik – The new dance craze in France (21)
Funny consumer letter (20)
Funny French mistakes (19)
Carte de Sejour (15)
Bicycle Salon last Saturday in Toulouse (13)

Free concerts in Toulouse, Toulouse d’été festival

Owen — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:18:13 +0000

Tweet This

The following concerts are part of Toulouse d’été and are also free.

Jeu. 23 juillet, Quai de la Daurade, 18h30, Musique du monde, Bakh Yaye
Mar. 28 juillet, Quai de la Daurade, 18h30, Musique du monde, Vu à la maison
Jeu. 30 juillet, Quai de la Daurade, 18h30, Musique du monde, Partido Bom
Mar. 4 août, Quai de la Daurade, 18h30, Jazz, Raffit-Lacourt
Jeu. 6 août, Quai de la Daurade, 18h30, Musique du monde, La Tormenta
Ven. 7 août, Quai de la Daurade, 19h, Musique du monde et chanson, Les Vieilles Pies – La Fanfare P4

See you at Toulouse d’été, mostly at the free concerts.

Visit the official site of Toulouse d’été to learn more.

Less similar but interesting anyway . . .

I received my new carte de sejour! (58)
Funny Ikea Ads (35)
Alliance Française or Rosetta Stone (24)
Le Parkour- strange French sport (22)
VISA received, day of pain over! (21)
Tecktonik – The new dance craze in France (21)
Funny consumer letter (20)
Funny French mistakes (19)
Carte de Sejour (15)
Bicycle Salon last Saturday in Toulouse (13)

Toulouse d’été, music festival in Toulouse

Owen — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:00:52 +0000

Tweet This

Toulouse d’été is an annual music festival here in Toulouse. There are concerts scattered around at various venues. There are even free concerts. Toulouse d’été ranges from classical to flamenco to rock to jazz to blues to bossa nova, in short Toulouse d’été features music from all over the world. Toulouse d’été is largely organized by Alain LaCroix, the director of Espace Croix Baragnon. If you live in Toulouse and like music you will find a concert to see. Below is a listing of the concerts.

Les concerts de Toulouse d’été

Adam Laloum, Bon anniversaire Monsieur Mendelssohn, mercredi 15 juillet
Artichaut Orkestra, mercredi 15 juillet
Le Quartier en dansant et en chantant poliment, jeudi 16 juillet
Orchestre de chambre de Toulouse, Hommage à Haydn, jeudi 16 juillet
Alfie Ryner Memorial, jeudi 16 juillet
Quatuor Modigliani, Vive Haydn et Mendelssohn, vendredi 17 juillet
Régis Maynard, Pier Planas, Guillaume Barraband, Wab, Rita Macedo et others, Gare aux mots, mardi 21 juillet
Ensemble Doulce Mémoire, Requiem des rois de France, mardi 21 juillet
Coen Engelhard et Gisèle Ramonda, mardi 21 juillet
Le Grand Toz et Kat ça-i, Prise de Terre, mercredi 22 juillet
Palokortao, jeudi 23 juillet
Bakh Yaye, jeudi 23 juillet
Yol Hikayesi, d’Istanbul à Toulouse, vendredi 24 juillet
Stabat Akish, mardi 28 juillet
Vu à la maison, mardi 28 juillet
Toulouse en Bossa, mercredi 29 juillet
Toulouse en chanson… du monde, jeudi 30 juillet
Partido Bom, jeudi 30 juillet
Tangoleón Sextet, Tangoleón, vendredi 31 juillet
Quatuor Ardeo, Vive Haydn et Mendelssohn, mardi 4 août
Raffit-Lacourt, mardi 4 août
Diana Baroni Trio, Flor de verano, mercredi 5 août
Souleyman’ & the Yala Crew, Mix up, mix up, roots reggae soul music, jeudi 6 août
La Tormenta, jeudi 6 août
La Fanfare P4 et Les Vieilles Pies, Quais en fête, vendredi 7 août

Visit the official site of Toulouse d’été to learn more.

Less similar but interesting anyway . . .

I received my new carte de sejour! (58)
Funny Ikea Ads (35)
Alliance Française or Rosetta Stone (24)
Le Parkour- strange French sport (22)
VISA received, day of pain over! (21)
Tecktonik – The new dance craze in France (21)
Funny consumer letter (20)
Funny French mistakes (19)
Carte de Sejour (15)
Bicycle Salon last Saturday in Toulouse (13)