Snow!

It snowed! Okay, for a literally a minute, but it was snow! Didn't even get a photo of it, it was so short. As you can guess, the weather's turned chilly.

Last night, Erik and his housemates came by Paris again. We went to see the Eiffel Tower real quick before going out for fondue since it was so cold out. After dinner, we went to the Caveau des Oubliettes to listen to some jazz and then to a piano bar next door. Both seen in photos.

Me Write Pretty One Day

Today I went to the Alliance Francaise to look into taking writing classes since I make a lot of mistakes when writing in French. I took a placement test and after the lady reviewed it she realized that I am a special case student - meaning that I can speak and read just fine and even write well structure-wise, but I make conjugation mistakes and spelling mistakes. Looks like I'll be tutored in writing since no class applies to me. I am looking forward to finally getting it all straight in my head! I just need to learn "the rules" and ingrain them into my brain. And at last, I'll write purty.

Here a couple photos of the view from the apartment. It's like a changing canvas all day long.

Have a Little Faith

This morning I went to the organic farmer's market, as usual, and bought all my little goodies including yogurt and seigle bread. The rain was threatening to fall so I hurried back into the metro. As you all know, umbrella's in a market are never a good idea. I heard the train approaching so I ran to reach it in time.
Holding my canvas bag and a wine bottle full of apple juice, I hopped into the metro car and sat down next to a tiny little old lady dressed in purple from head to toe. In her hand was a rosary made of blue stones. I sat there thinking about how she might have thought the bottle I was carrying was alcohol and thought she might feel uncomfortable. Now there's an assumption for you! I assumed that since she seemed like a good Catholic, rosary in hand (....wait....now that I think of it, Catholics are pretty accepting of alcohol). She was so still and seemed gripped with fear being in the metro. Was she coming from church or on her way to the second sermon? It was already almost 11 a.m..
Ironically, for the first time since I have been here, the metro stopped in mid track and then also completely lost power at one of the stops - lights flickering on and off, motor dead. I could see out of the corner of my eye, her little hands rolling the beads between her fingers. The lights came back on and the motor roared on again. Everything back to normal, I made it to my stop leaving the little lady in purple quietly and faithfully going towards her own destination.
As I unpacked my market goodies, I heard the church bells ring 11:00 and I couldn't help but smile.

Strikes, Strikes, Strikes

Every single day there is a strike. New strikes arise and old ones go on. From transportation workers, to ski station workers, to TV stations, to teachers, to hairdressers. Everyone is upset.
Some of the things people are upset about, I can understand and others I find quite demanding and even things that prevent progress. Change is a concept that people are afraid of here, it seems.
Also, they have finally acknowledged the concept of compensating for overtime work, but company's are complaining about how they don't know how to work it out and how it costs too much.
The whole system is off here. I obviously do not know enough about all of it to really understand, I suppose. All I know is that there is a lot of complaining going on, all the time.
Ah, learning about all these cultural differences. Constantly, constantly learning.

Rainy Day

Wonderful, wonderful weather we have been having lately. Sunday was your typical Spring day - warm sunshine and soft air. It's been an odd winter here. Today, it is raining, but it's not all that cold and Paris is so lovely in the rain.

My friend Erik (seen in photo) came through Paris on his way down to the Alpes. He did some of his studies here years ago and has DJ'd in many clubs. We visited a few of his old haunts in the 5eme. Each of them had awsome underground cellars, created eons ago. This morning we walked through the Luxembourg gardens in the rain. The crisp air felt quite nice and the garden, though barren, was still beautiful.

Above, is the Porte St.Denis, one of the old entryways into Paris.

Le Perche

I went to le Perche for a couple days this week to spend some time with Anne and Chris. I got to see Anne perform in a Dixieland Jazz Band in a little village called Reveillon. I had no idea she could play the banjo so well! It was quite an almost odd experience , listening to Dixieland in the middle of the Perche!
That adorable pooch is Tom-Tom, Anne's friend Virginia's new pup. He's the happiest dog I've ever seen. You can't help falling in love with him...and he's so soft.

I Enjoy

I enjoy the crisp, winter air on my face as I exit the the metro Rennes on Sunday mornings.
I enjoy wandering through the organic farmer's market on boulevard Raspail, surrounded by veggies, fruits, cheeses, fresh fish, honey, and bread.
I enjoy seeing others loving this whole event as much as my mother and I and the vendeurs smiling back at you.
I enjoy seeing the Eiffel Tower as I exit the metro on my way home, standing tall and proud.
I enjoy these little Paris moments.