Being here in Paris is not all roses - or even bread, wine and cheese. The sheer amount of people and the constant litter is enough to get anyone down. But there are so many pluses that, for the most part, they outweigh the bad. So what are they? Here are a few:
1. Yesterday I went with a friend to the Champs de Mars and had a picnic below the Eiffel Tower. The sun was out and it was a warm day. We laid a blanket down and spread our goodies -wine, bread and cheese, as well as a scrumptious lemon tart, and watched the fluffy white clouds pass over the tower. The green trees and the blue sky with the tower rising majestically was like a living postcard.
2. First Sundays - the first Sunday of every month allows for free admittance to the National museums. I'm making my way through a list of museums.
3. Although the Métro can be a real drag during commuting hours, the ability to get anywhere easily is unsurpassed.
4. Women here DON'T wear stockings in the summer! Even if their legs are not tanned and if they are wearing a suit. I love it!
5. Speaking of what women wear . . . On AOL, I often see lists of things women of certain ages shouldn't wear. Well, someone forgot to tell French women because they wear what they want, whatever their age, and look great doing so. Too sexy for the office? Nope - doesn't exist.
6. The sun doesn't set until after 10:00 p.m. in the summer. And when it does set, the buildings are bathed in a glorious pink light. Sunset at Notre Dame is not to be missed.
7. Music - It's everywhere. Last weekend I went to a jazz club; this weekend I listened to good old rock 'n roll. On June 21, to celebrate the summer solstice, Paris is alive with music festivals from classical to jazz to rock to R&B. Parks, street venues, everywhere - Paris will be an outdoor concert.
8. Pastries - truly phenomenal!
9. The Seine - just watching the river is soothing to the soul.
10. History. When I walk across a bridge or see the old buildings, I think of the hundreds of years that these structures have been here and the people who have lived here over the centuries. Quite humbling.
So, although there are frustrations with living in a foreign country, I still love Paris.
1. Yesterday I went with a friend to the Champs de Mars and had a picnic below the Eiffel Tower. The sun was out and it was a warm day. We laid a blanket down and spread our goodies -wine, bread and cheese, as well as a scrumptious lemon tart, and watched the fluffy white clouds pass over the tower. The green trees and the blue sky with the tower rising majestically was like a living postcard.
2. First Sundays - the first Sunday of every month allows for free admittance to the National museums. I'm making my way through a list of museums.
3. Although the Métro can be a real drag during commuting hours, the ability to get anywhere easily is unsurpassed.
4. Women here DON'T wear stockings in the summer! Even if their legs are not tanned and if they are wearing a suit. I love it!
5. Speaking of what women wear . . . On AOL, I often see lists of things women of certain ages shouldn't wear. Well, someone forgot to tell French women because they wear what they want, whatever their age, and look great doing so. Too sexy for the office? Nope - doesn't exist.
6. The sun doesn't set until after 10:00 p.m. in the summer. And when it does set, the buildings are bathed in a glorious pink light. Sunset at Notre Dame is not to be missed.
7. Music - It's everywhere. Last weekend I went to a jazz club; this weekend I listened to good old rock 'n roll. On June 21, to celebrate the summer solstice, Paris is alive with music festivals from classical to jazz to rock to R&B. Parks, street venues, everywhere - Paris will be an outdoor concert.
8. Pastries - truly phenomenal!
9. The Seine - just watching the river is soothing to the soul.
10. History. When I walk across a bridge or see the old buildings, I think of the hundreds of years that these structures have been here and the people who have lived here over the centuries. Quite humbling.
So, although there are frustrations with living in a foreign country, I still love Paris.
1 comment:
hi Nancy.... thanks for listing these it really gave me an idea of how you are living now. Kinda like Hawaii, beautiful sunsets - not so late though. I would love to see a picture of that. To have no dress code at work too??? That is too funny. Makes me laugh because I used to get talked to because of my short skirts.... well, enjoy everything that is positive..... it is unfortunate to hear about all that garbage those... how are the gas prices there? We are already at $4.21.... boo hooo
luv u,
Jen & Charlie
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