Another First

So there have been A LOT of firsts since I arrived in Paris...

• the first taxi ride form the airport with no idea about where I was going or if we were headed in the right direction
• the first time I went to the market for food when I arrived and ended up with noodles and butter because I was too nervous to buy anything else
• the first time the metro went on strike and I thought an angry mob would actually be taking over 
• the first picnic and stroll through the Jardin du Luxembourg 
• the first night out at a Parisian bar, trying to order a drink and wondering why on earth so many people still smoke here
• the first time I actually ordered in FRENCH at the bakery down the street and didn't wait until the little place was empty so no one would hear me to do it
• the first night out at a Paris Night Club and dancing until the sun came up and not realising it
• the first time a waiter was rude to me because of my awful franglais
• the first time I actually waited in line to go UP the Eifel Tower ... totally worth it at least once...
• the first ride on the back of a scooter, weaving in and out of traffic for dear life while laughing so hard it hurt
• the first year anniversary of me living in such a magnificent city

Well I can think of about a bazillion more firsts than just those but if I keep listing this post will be about a mile long and you will wonder why exactly I decided to write about my firsts in the first place (haha, get it ... in the first place!)... So here it is the latest first in a long line of them. Friday evening after celebrating the Partner In Crime's birthday with some friends at her apartment, three of us left to take the stroll to the metro and make our way back to our own homes for bed. Well after an evening of wine, food, and debating over which musicals had the best songs to sing too (this of course took place AFTER all the wine) I hadn't exactly been paying much attention to the time - which normally wouldn't be a problem BUT when it comes to the Metro... it is sort of an important piece of info to have when planning your transfers. Anyhoooooo ... we marched to the metro got on and began our journey home, my escorts departed after a few stops and I kept moseying down the line until I reached my station transfer... walking to the quai of the line 2 at a lovely stop we call Charles deGaulle Etoile, I noticed this normally bustling stop was dead as a door nail, and that's when the announcement came up - to make a long story short, the line 2 was closed and there was no hope of me getting a metro for the rest of my journey home. To top this off as I started the walk up to the exit, I noticed that all of the gates were closed and for a brief moment I was sure I was sleeping underground. That was until a nice, friendly (insert sarcasm here) RATP officer found me, and a few other stragglers, and so graciously walked us out to the only unlocked exit. Unfortunately I still wasn't home and the 35 minute walk ahead of me at almost 3AM was not sounding appealing, so instead I parked myself at a taxi stand and waited until my ride home approached. Yes - I made it home safe and sound and I actually laughed at myself for quite some time after realising how silly it was of me to think the metro was a good idea that late at night. BUT there was one other first, I discovered- thanks to my loud and rowdy, balding with a comb over taxi driver - a country radio station in Paris. Now to most this is not a big deal but growing up as a serious county girl this truly was the icing on my Friday night cake... especially because listening to a French broadcaster announce the Zac Brown Band and Gretchen Wilson is simply hysterical...

Things I have learned (so far) this week:

1. Don’t ever get too comfortable in ANY situation. It always seems that as soon as you (ok in this case, I) get settled and ready to just move forward with some control, a major curveball is pitched and we have a game changer… This isn’t necessarily a good or bad thing but it is something that I need to always keep in the back of my mind. It is the changes and challenges I have faced so far that I have gotten me to the place that I am at. So may as well make the best of the opportunity and spin it to be as positive as possible.


2. Always remember that when exiting the metro in the spring/summer months that your skirt is most likely going to become a victim of the wind tunnel on the escalator – ALWAYS wear adorable underwear when showing some leg during these two seasons, you never know who could be behind you when you experience this Marilyn Monroe type moment…


3. No matter what anyone says chocolate is an instant picker upper. I have leaned on those cocoa scented, steady shoulders a few times this week. Just when my faith in the good world was diminishing a delightful Kinder Schokobon or a square of Lindt can brighten any situation and mood.


4. A person does not always need 7 or 8 hours of sleep in a row. When managed properly, sometimes a little catnap, interrupted with a visit from someone who can always provide a smile then going back to sleep works just fine. This does have some exceptions and probably does not work for everyone BUT in my experience the mood picker upper and smile provided are always worth the interruption of my REM cycle.


5. Springtime in Paris is beautiful BUT my nose is not a fan. Between the leaves budding, the flowers blooming and the pollen making its rounds about the city, I have been experiencing the occasional moment of sounding like a dying carborator when I inhale. This is not cute…

A sea of black...

Ok so for the last, oh I don't know 6 months or so, it has been close to impossible to leave my apartment without a jacket on. Not a huge problem for me I suppose because anyone who knows me knows that I have quite the jacket collection. But the thing here is that people LIVE in black jackets. It's unreal. I have had this thought before but with all the flowers blooming and the trees sprouting pretty green leaves it is seriously depressing. Now I have to admit I did cave slightly to the black jacket thing rotating two (ok maybe three) different black jackets with a gray one thrown in here and there. But enough is enough. It is time to swim away from the dead black jacket sea and onto brighter spring colors. So tonight I ventured out in a beautiful (if I do say so myself) coral/ pink colored rain coat and let me tell you what... I am currently sticking out like a soar thumb as I sit on the metro. No matter though because I know that everyone is looking just wishing they could trade in their blahness for a nice change of pace. So to all you black jacket lovers out there - switch it up - I bet you'll like it ;)

Ikea

So. I am exhausted ( one too many late nights- sometimes I feel like I am back to my 20 year old self staying up all night here)and stuck on the Metro. I'm not sure what is going on even though the man keeps making announcements over the tin can they call an intercom. But some dude just tossed half a baguette and started swearing ( these are French words I picked up early on in my stay here). Of course I finished my book this morning so why not pass the time with a little update on life in Paris. Had my first Ikea trip this weekend and let me tell you: BRILLIANT. Simply brilliant. I left and haven't stopped thinking about that place since the automatic doors almost closed me and my giant blue bag filled with goodies in between them. It is like a giant playgroun with fake kitchens and bedrooms and bathrooms taking over the top floor. I can only imagine the bad ass game of hide and seek you could play there. The lower level is a treasure hunt of just about everything you could possibly want from candles, clocks, bedding, toliet brushes, kitchen appliances to candy!! unreal. I am still dreaming about everything I left there. The thought of lugging new dishes back to Paris by train, bus and foot was lessthan appealing. Why do we not have Ilea everywhere in the states?? I woulblike to think it would be beyond a lucrative business!!

Oh joy. Bread throwing and swear screaming man left and the train is back on the move. Bed here I come!!

Invalide...

I received a friendly little email today with these photos attached . Please refrain from comments about how graceful I am, and how the Air Cast compliments my meticulously planned outfit. The photos were a nice reminder of my first fall down the metro stairs and my first (and hopefully last) trip to a French hospital. A day I will  never forget, or as today proved, be allowed to forget.



Hiding my face because the bright blond hair doesn't give away who is riding in that lovely wheelchair...




This is actually an advertisement for Air Cast ; )



Raaaaaaaaaaaaain

Ever tried eating a sandwich with gloves on and carrying an umbrella all at the same time while walking on cobblestone streets?? Well if you are looking for an adventure I dare you!!

From the moment I arrived here I have loved being able to walk anywhere and everywhere I want to. It's funny how much my walking speed has increased over the last three days of straight rain and wind. Yesterday I actually broke down and pulled out the hats and mittens. I know it maybe a bit early but when your only source of warmth is once you get into the Metro - and yes for once since I have been here am I happy to get on to a warm metro car - you need to be seriously bundled up out there. Maybe that sounds whiny for a New England girl but I swear your blood adjusts easily!!!!

It's the Real Feel Temp that will get you every time.....