Smart Phones Not Allowed

It seems that French chefs 

(and some New York chefs as well)

are not happy with the amount of cell phone photography 

going on in their restaurants. 

They are debating using photos of

cell phones with a red circle and a slash on the menus

to indicate that taking photos of your dish

is no longer allowed. 

Many chefs are complaining that,

not only does it leave the food cold

and their creations broadcast across social media,

taking away the element of surprise for future patrons

or possible copy-cat problems,

people tend to behave badly

distracting other diners 

from their own unique experience. 

Um...I'm guilty.

Don't get me wrong,

I haven't climbed on chairs

or rearranged tables to get a good shot

(as the chefs are complaining)

but I have rearranged glasses and silverware

and occasionally asked the other diners at my table 

if they wouldn't mind waiting before taking a bite 

so I can get a shot of their plate. 

But I never use a flash

or disturb others in the restaurant. 

I have occasionally been told not to take a photo of a display

such as at Laduree. 

But I did take photos of their creations on my plate. 

 I feel a little funny about being told I can't do something

if I'm not disturbing anyone else. 

It's true that it is the chef's creation

but I am paying for it. 

But then we get into the etiquette

of how to take photos without bothering others. 

What's your feeling? 

 (Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Photos from Restaurant des Sens in Montpellier, France
and Laduree on the Champs Elysee, Paris

Old Town Nafplion, Part 1

(Arvanitia, city beach around the corner from us 

at the end of Old Town and beneath Palamidi Fortress and Akronafplia.) 

Last November, right after Thanksgiving,

we made an emergency roof repair trip to Greece,

knowing that our roof (and interior) could not withstand another winter of rain

without some patching. 

And we arrived in the midst of a major rain storm

which meant water flowing down the steps like a waterfall

and dripping into our bedroom.

But that's not what I want to show you. 

From the ancient rock wall of Akronafplia,

where some of the stone is still Byzantine,

one can look out over the rooftops

of old town Nafplion.

The old town and the bay lie on one side 

with the tiny island of Bourtzi in the background...

...on the other side... 

the Mediterranean.

Just next to us,

the fortress of Palamidi sits atop the hillside

looking over the city and far beyond. 

The ancient entrance to the old town

(refurbished)

is the symbolic gate between the old and new towns.

A few shots of one of my favorite walks in Greece

(which you can see more of Here)

which always has a plethora of lovingly-tended altars...

as well as wild prickly pear

and bougainvillea.

The walk swings around Akronafplia

and back into old town

just in front of Bourtzi.

I took several shots of these palm trees,

their gorgeous seeds in full color.

Sadly, that same week,

I witnessed workers hacking them off.

They all now stand bare along the shore.

The walk along the water brings us to our favorite spot

for a sunset drink

looking out over the bay,

Bourtzi and the sailboats. 

Our roof fix turned out far better than we'd hoped

(a true fix rather than a patch

and new tile to replace the beautiful but water-damaged parquet wood floors.)

We're hoping it won't take us as long to return.

Friends to see, walks to take,

books to write. 

*All photos copyright: Kirsten Steen

May not be reproduced.*

Faulkner on American Writers in Paris Tour

On Rue Vaugirard in the 6th arrondissement

sits the Hotel Luxembourg Parc,

(just across from the Luxembourg gardens)

a 4-star hotel

which was once

Le Grand Hotel des Principautes.

In 1925,

as Le Grand Hotel des Principautes,

it was the home of William Faulkner 

for four months. 

According to one French blog,

he didn't mix much with The Lost Generation,

preferring instead the company of the park's

children and workers.

And though the hotel has been renovated,

the entrance moved from rue Servandoni to Vaugirard,

and the name changed,

it still holds a plaque

stating 

'Faulkner was here'

in autumn of 1925.

Oh to have seen these streets in 

the fall of '25.

(Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)