Winter Wonderland

Yesterday was just that here in Paris. Although it has been rather cold here for the last few weeks and we have had snow showers almost every (gray) day,  December 8, marked the true start of winter here. Around 11am I looked out the window at the office to see GIGANTIC white fluffy flakes falling in all sorts of directions. The snow doesn't come down the same way it does at home, at least it doesn't seem to. The flakes were big and almost looked like mini snowballs falling from the sky. For the first time this winter, and after many snow flurries, the fluffy little buggers actually stuck aroudn and started to accumulate, which in turn began to throw the city (especially the airport) into a slight state of chaos. It was a risky walk home yesterday as there were people waiting with piles of snowballs to attack their friends as they turned corners and walked down stairs, the grocers on Rue de Levi (my little market street) scurried around to keep the fruits and vegetables from being covered and almost everyone had their faces covered with the scarves and umbrellas up to keep the flakes from their faces. I thought walking in the cold was a bit intense, but walking around in inches of snow (in what I thought were waterproff boots) is even more intese. One might even say it's a bit of a resistence workout!!! It was a beautiful site to see though for the day - even though this morning the sidewalks were deathtraps of ice and slush and the awnings covering the shops were dripping down icy cold drops of melting snow into my hood. I managed to find a few photos ... next time I will have to pull myself away from watchign the snow fall and my fuzzy blanket and go take some photos of my own...

People walk through the snow in Ville d'Avray, west of Paris, Wednesday Dec. 8, 2010, as a snow storm disturbs the traffic in the French capital. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

A woman and a girl are seen near the Eiffel Tower after snow fell on the French capital, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010. (AP Photo / Jacques Brinon)

A jogger runs past Notre Dame cathedral, under the snow in Paris, Wednesday Dec. 8, 2010, as a snow storm disrupted traffic in the French capital. The padlocks on the railings of the bridge are left by lovers who lock their padlocks onto the fence and throw the key into the Seine river as a symbol of enduring love. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)

Notre Dame cathedral is seen under the snow in Paris, Wednesday Dec. 8, 2010, as a snow storm disrupted traffic in the French capital.(AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)

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 ; )



Snip. Snip.

Yesterday I experienced my first French haircut. If I wasn't typing this on the metro I would look up the French word for hairdresser but I'm working with limited resources. I have been complaining about how long my bangs are for a week so finally my girlfriend told me we are solving the problem. We took the line 1 train all the way to the end and went to her hairdresser in a cute little town called Vincennes. Before we entered the salon she looked right at me and said, "Don't worry this will seem a little crazy but just trust me!" Thinking it couldn't really that bad I didn't think much of the comment until we walked in and I saw the salon. It was cute and simple and honestly could have used some updating but hey who am I to judge?? We were greeted by a receptionist who was sweet and went right back to get the owner. When she walked out I knew exactly why I was warned. Here comes this little old Japaneese woman who is probably in her late fifties, wearing rollers in her purple streaked hair, a gray sweater with holes all throughout the back of it, flowered pants and slippers. I tried to hold back my WTF face and just stood in shock as my friend translated for me. After a quick wash in the bright yellow sink I was lead to the cutting chair and handed a cup of homemade Ginger tea - which was delicious. Before my friend even finished explaining what I wanted done the scissors were flying!! I just sort of sat and tried to keep a straight face at this point. As she cut she started asking questions half in English and half in French -but only after she complimented me on my looks, which was incredibly kind until she asked if I had had any work done. Ha ha. I responded to her not yet ; ) the conversation continued on and at this point I was so enthralled with the conversation I was able to not pay attention to he razor she was taking to my bangs. By the time I looked up again she was working on drying my hair which was still combed over my eyes. Once she finished drying and I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I have to be honest it was the best hair cut I have ever had. Sculpted perfectly around my face with some fringe like bangs over my eyes!! But wait we weren't done yet. She took two hair dryers in one hand and started blowing them directly on my back - thought she was blowing the hair off but it turns out after she chops your hair she gives you a fantastic massage to finish out the experience. No complaint there!! I'll take a massage any day of the week. I walked over to put my jacket on and pay but she stoped me and posed me to take a picture. So now, as all of her other clients are , I am posted up on the wall of the salon for all to see!! As interesting as this was I will most definitely be returning!!