The Pacha Hammam, an authentic Middle Eastern steam baths in the suburb of St Denis, was always a bit too far from central Paris and in a not-so-pretty neighborhood, too. But now they've finally opened another beautiful location in the chic 6th arrondissement, with prices that are only €5 higher. So you can get the regular forfait of hammam entry with robe and towel, gommage exfoliating scrub, the savon noir soap, and an exfoliating mitt for €60. Add a 30-minute essential oil massage for €50, or a facial  for €30. The perfect way to get over your jetlag in style.

Who doesn't love a bit of frolicking in the bathtub, or maybe even in a Jacuzzi? If you need some inspiration on how to find the best aquatic positions, check out the first waterproof bath books for adults, the French Livre de Bain pour Adultes has two titles so far, Jeux et énigmes pour se mettre dans le bain (bathtub games and enigmas for adults) and Kamasulo (bathtub Kama Sutra). Rub à dub dub!

Ever try shopping for "sexual health" products in another country? In France, most visitors find out the local word for condom when they're trying to find jam. They soon discover that préservatifs (condoms, en français) are not sold in that section of the supermarché. This week expat writer Gwen Moore discovers the wonderful world of French adult toys in her article "Good Vibrations: Sex in Zee City" on the Hobo in Paris website. An excerpt:

There are also condoms for those on either end of the egomaniacal spectrum.  The Comfort XL and the Confort XS.  I've no clue as to why one is spelled with an M and the other with an N.  Maybe it's a subconscious reminder that one letter is longer than the other.  I have to wonder, having never bought according to size, do most men reach for the Comfort XL?  To do otherwise would be humiliating at the checkout, right?  Girlfriend may not know they exist, but shelf-stocker sure does.  And when Girlfriend sees XL box, Girlfriend is impressed.  But if you look closely, you'll see that even though the XL is over 20 cm long, the measuring tape on the box proudly displays the 9-centimeter mark.  Those reared in the metric system should say to themselves, only 9 centimeters?  J'suis plus grand que ça!  And most American tourists coming in would be all hell yeah, baby, 9 inches and you know it!  The eye of the beholder.

And for your enjoyment, a hilarious French condom advertisement here. 

Join a ladies-only urban adventure group this Friday, June 27 for a nocturnal shopping excursion in Pigalle's famous redlight district. Here's the description from Michelle Rogers from Gadabout Paris:

Ever wanted to check out the sex shops at Pigalle? Curious about types of items sold in a French sex shop vs your home country? Ever wanted to take a gander at naughty Paris, but were too shy to do it alone? Then this is your chance to do it...and to give your opinion to other ladies about where it's worth going...and where it's not!

To attend, just sign up on the Urban Adventures website (under events), then meet us at the Pigalle metro exit at 8pm sharp. See you there!

This week I attended the "Fantastic and Ridiculous Monday of the Unusual Cucumber and Rose Society" at the Experimental Cocktail Club, a hip NY-style Parisian bar run by three charming gentlemen, Olivier, Romée, and Pierre-Charles. This party's theme was "Alice in Wonderland" and costumes are obligatoire, so of course I dressed up as the Cheshire Cat.

 

Creativity is a must. ECC habitué Joseph SImas (who had his hair specially coiffed to make it look like he's falling down the rabbit hole) poses here with a very sexy Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum, and moi in my furry catsuit.

 

As usual, experimental cocktails served in elegant teacups.

After midnight some of the costumes started to migrate. Here the rockin' rabbit places an Alice wig on Romée.

Want to get invited to the parties? Join their FaceBook group here.

A clip from the January party (Sherlock Holmes was the theme).