And now we return to my see-saw relationship with Paris, which is on the upswing this week! Maybe I just needed a little break from Paris (and got it in London), maybe it's the fact that the sun came out to play this week or the fact that I got to go out salsa dancing, but I am genuinely happy that I spent this past week(end) in Paris and will be spending the upcoming week here as well!
This week was a very touristy one for me! I went to Musee de l’Orangerie and Musee D’Orsay (grinning like an idiot when I walked into the impressionist room where I could marvel at all the Renoir, Monet, Soutine, Pissarro and Utrillo paintings my little heart could handle). I also walked around Paris (both alone and with a lovely Parisian tour guide), ate a lot of cheese (13 different kinds to be exact), went to an old Chanson restaurant where I (attempted) to sing French songs and ate some yummy French food! But something this week, made me love this city more and turned my previous annoyances around.
For instance, at the Chanson restaurant last night, we were the only Americans and the chanteuse was ridiculously nice, constantly explaining the meaning of the songs to us and making sure we were having a fabulous time! We also showed up sans reservation (albeit 30 minutes before the restaurant even opens) and the owner was kind enough to actually create space for us (i.e. bringing out extra chairs and a table for us!). We spent the evening singing, drinking and talking to the French family sitting next to us. In fact, there was a grandpa sitting at the table next to us who was there with his nephew, his daughter, her husband, their son and some random man. The grandpa plied us with wine all night, chastising me when I refused to drink, and continuously filling up MC and Teena’s glasses. The daughter was not so nice, and her husband kept looking at us apologetically as she shoved her cousin and tried to get him to stop talking to us, while grandpa warned us that his nephew was dangerous! But the daughter can be excused in light of the fact that everyone else was ridiculously nice!
Before the Chanson restaurant we took a tour of the center of the city with a guide from Paris Greeters who took us around and told us some of the history of the city and pointed out some places that were meaningful to him (such as where his son took his first steps, where his dentist is and where he lives – so now we can officially stalk him!) We actually had a great time making fun (all in jest we swear) of how French people can be arrogant and grumpy and talking about the cultural differences between our two countries and we also learned that at least one Parisian did not hate all Americans (we also clarified that many Americans really do love the French!)
Lest someone be concerned with my love of all things Paris this week, the urine stench is still present in the metro, I would still like to put in my complaint that it is not a good place for making out, though every single couple still feels the need to do so (or if not there, then at the table next to ours at breakfast, lunch or dinner), but all this aside, Paris, je t’aime.
No comments:
Post a Comment