I realise that writing a blog entry about an entire year in
Paris could turn into a novel, this is why I shall succinctly describe the
highlights of my vie en Rose.
There are so many things that I have acquired, including the
baguette booty and pastry belly. I have
made new friends and gotten closer with old friends. Met people from all over
the world, probably more so foreign than actual Parisians. I must admit I do
regret not socializing more with the Frenchies as I believe that my ability to
speak French would have improved more so than the ability to order steak and
une verre de vin rouge. A year in Paris is clearly not enough to perfect a
language, especially when living in such a multicultural city. I guess it also
does not help that having China Town, a latin quarter, and endless tourists
surrounding you at all times. I guess the ability to perfect a language stems
from completely surrounding yourself with the language. Isolation from the international
world, if you will….
Language barriers aside,
The year started off with roasting metros with entertaining
buskers. Yes, I arrived towards the end of the Parisian summer where the plage
swept along the Seine River. This was my first visit to Paris so my impression
of the city was very glamorous. I had the permanent image of cafe de trattoirs,
chic women, and men that are capable of dressing better than your average
Nordic female. After having moved around a lot as a kid, where my education has
crossed continents, I like to think of myself as an adaptable person. I‘ve
taken dodgy planes to African islands and ridden elephants in India; however, I
still managed to experience the Culture Shock when arriving in Paris. Arriving
in Charles de Gaulle airport, an extremely modern and glamorous airport, and
taking the train into the city proved to be more of an issue for someone so
incompetent in the French language. The naive girl that I am, managed to be
scammed for money when buying an RER ticket. I must have looked so lost that I
was clearly an easy target. “Pick
me! The distraught Scandinavian!”. As I
was attempting to buy my train ticket, a young man came up to me and said he
could help me with the purchase. He put in his little card that looked like a
library card and voila, a train ticket appeared. He did not ask me for money
but I just assumed he was buying the ticket for me and expecting me to
reimburse him, so I gave him a tenner and let him keep the change. As I
struggled with my suitcases on the train I felt relieved that I was making it
to the Parisian centre at last. On arrival at the train station I realised we
had to put our tickets through the machine again and then BEEEP went the
machine and the gate lit an intimidating red colour. No one was to be seen and
there I was, shaking with nerves, as the machine would not let me cross this
barrier which was between me and the city. I tried again and again and nothing
happened. Finally a staff member appeared so I chased after her with tearful
eyes telling her that my ticket was not working. Turns out, I was scammed. The
man had only bought me a metro ticket as opposed to the train ticket and thus I
was at a loss. I have heard that you can be fined for this but luckily the
woman let me through the barrier. Sometimes looking like a pathetic lost puppy
does work out?
Not the best start I must admit. After having arrived at the
place I was staying for a few days I met up with a childhood friend and enjoyed
a glass of wine near the historical Bastille area. Keep in mind, at this point
in time I had not yet found a place to live in Paris, something which should
have made me a lot more stressed than I was. Alors, the first few weeks in
Paris was a continuous flat hunt. I did not realize how much paperwork was required
in this country! It did not help that I had to flick through my pocket
dictionary to comprehend the papers I was signing, who knows, I could have been
selling an arm and a leg without actually realising! Actionary also helped me
out where I tried to act out various words…I kid you not, acting is not my
forte. If I am being completely realistic, the excessive administration did not
end until maybe week 6 of my Parisian adventures. By that point I had found a
place, sorted out phone, metro, banks, etc. Etc. Etc.....So for anyone planning
on moving to Paris, please be more patient than I was. People say all good
things happen to those who wait, so I considered a functioning phone contract
to be my „good thing“...what can I say, I’m easily pleased.
When I had settled into my life in Paris I was actually able
to enjoy it here. Some of the highlights of this year have been experiences I
never thought I would experience. The first one was the Rock en Seine music
festival. This is a 3 day music festival where I was able to see my favourite
bands over the course of one weekend. It pains me to say that I won‘t be able
to go again this year but I like to hold the memory of the 2011 festival as a
somewhat “once in a lifetime experience”. Another experience that made me
realise how glamorous Parisian lives are was with my dear friend Gin. She took
me with her to the Vivienne Westwood after party at L‘arc nightclub, during
Paris fashion week, where I was casually dancing and drinking champagne with
Lindsay Lohan and Clive Owen at the next table....casual... as one does…That
evening was too unreal for words so I shall leave it at that. I never thought I
would be living in a city where I have real life celebrities in the same
vicinity, let alone casually walking past Karl Lagerfeld on my way to
university or being within metres from Ricky Martin at a Florence and the
Machine concert. My stars truck, island-girl eyes have had a great treat this
past year, clearly.
Some of the less dazzling highlights of the year all include
food. One thing I will definitely miss about Paris is being able to buy a
baguette, some cheese, and a bottle of wine and consume these along the Seine,
on the balcony, or dare I say, even in bed. Or even grabbing a few croissants
aux amandes and eating them in the Champs de Mars. To my trainer, I promise to
be back on my usual diet soon… I have been given the opportunity to live in one
of the best cuisine cultures in the world and OH how I have made the most of
that opportunity. The results of my year in Paris are clearly evident in the
form of a baguette booty and pastry belly…definitely not the best way to start
of the summer but hush hush, I’m trying to enjoy my Éclair. I also love trying
out new restaurants, whether they are high-end priced or a cute Brasserie on
the corner of the street. I never knew salads could be so eloquent and filling!
Whether you order a Chevre salad with a genuine block of cheese plopped on the
vegetables or a Nicoise salad with some tuna, you are bound to be pleased with
your order, Bonne appetite!
One thing I will definitely take away from this experience
is the fashion. I must say that this has its toll on the bank balance but I
truly believe that living in a city so fashionable like Paris will change you.
It is not true that Parisians wear monotone dark colours all the time and it is
not true that you cannot find clothes that are bigger sizes than for stick
insects. I came here with a wardrobe and left with an amended, hopefully more
stylish one, at that. I realised that you don’t need many items of clothing to
be fashionable but it is more important to have a few items that match with
everything, whether it be a maxi skirt or harem trousers. As they say, less is
more. I have been inspired by Paris. This does not mean that I buy Prada and
Gucci, no, it simply means that I have tried to take in what others are wearing
and moulded it into…me?
Donc…dearest readers. I hope you have enjoyed my wee ramble
about some of the aspects about my life in Paris. I could, vraiment-truthfully,
go on for pages and pages about various tid-bits and happenings in Paris but I
shall leave you at that and hope that all of you have/will experience the
glamour and beauty that is the Parisian lifestyle.
H x (bisous)
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