arrival in paris

Charles de Gaulle is different than I remember. There are gerbil tunnel-like tubes with moving sidewalks, but the funny thing is, they’re at like 30 degree angles so you have to dramatically lean forward just to keep from falling down. It is funny to be in one and see 5 or 6 others nearby going in different directions.

When I went to pee there (my number one hobby), I scowled at the first picture I would have taken if I’d had a camera: a trash in the stall for personal lady products that had a large warning to NOT throw away syringes in there (along with cigarettes or alcohol). First of 842,001 opposite contrasts of Japan, I imagine. The second was a fabulous ‘Alcool’ sign for my 2 sisters. Sigh. I guess they’ll be more.

The flight was fine. I didn’t bawl for 14 hours straight this time; I think leaving the US is a lot easier than returning, which is strange, considering my friends and family are very important to my happiness and well-being. I was just hard leaving my baby a lot in Japan, I guess. Regardless, I’m thankful I didn’t arrive with puffy pink goopy eyes.

I made my way to my friend Laura’s who has a beautiful apartment in Paris with her boyfriend. I totally admire her life: she came here as an au pair 3 years ago, went to school, got a job at a bar, now works at a law firm that deals primarily with art, sings in jazz clubs every now and then, and acts in some plays. I know, right?! I don’t think my life will follow a similar path, but it’s nice to know that a path such as that is possible. We had a delicious lunch of spinach salad (with homemade dressing - apparently they don’t buy the pre-made here so much), a goat cheese tarte, and bread and cheese. Went to a café, caught up on life, the universe, and everything, and made our way to the train station with 1.5 minutes to spare (oof!) while I spastically dragged my 3 large suitcases by myself. I figured out the best way to do it was to play a sort of ‘leapfrog’; carry 2, set them down, go back to get the other and bring it further, etc. I kinda don’t want to travel ever again. Ha…sike.

The weather was godawful - overcast, drippy and freezing (Laura changed her coat 3 times, trading in for progressively warmer coats until she had a fur/leather dealie on). Thankfully that’s not where I’m living though - here in Aix now it’s sunny and in the 70’s. Funny how a 3-hour trip can be such a dramatic climate change. The climate’s just the beginning of the differences between here and Paris though; more on that later.

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