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Published: October 12th 2010
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God I think I am exausted already! Today was a shopping day. My favorite. we came across a street that a client recommended and got a couple of buys. All the shops in Paris seem to follow their own laws of when they decide to open. A lot of stores we passed clearly had an opening time,but no one running the stores. It seemed like a "we will open when we feel like it" I also came across my first snappy, rude sales person. When I merely asked her if there were other options in a certain size, she snapped the garment out of Sonja's hand and with a typical french accent, turned her nose in the air and said sharply"NON" and walked away. Other than that lady, I have found that most sales people are extremly helpful and nice. Maybe the fact that I can speak french to them helps, I don't know. But the amount of people who have bad experiences with the french, it slightly mystifies me.
We made our way to Galleries layfayette, by way of boulevard bonne-nouvelle, quite the happening street. It was very much like an average street in New york. Trendy stores, cute
cafes, the ever present energy of young people and hurried shoppers clamming the sidewalks. This is also where all the starbucks are hidden. I know it to be a shame that I came all the way to Paris, and to not have a cafe au lait, standing at a local bistro is worthy of a few gasps. But I don't drink coffee, and I love starbucks tea lattes, and for those who go on and on about the big corporations taking over the world and monopolizing coffee as we know it, all i can say is- they make it the way I want it, in every country.
So on to Galleries Layfayette, where if you have it to spend, it all can be yours. This is very similar to a Neiman marcus, if Neiman marcus set up shop in an amazing old century building with ornate gilded gold balconies. The store is a sight to see, albeit not much shopping to be done, unless I wanted to give up food and shelter for the next 6 months. I walked by this tiny asian girl who was planted on the floor, obviously waiting for someone to pick her up, and
on second glance I saw that what she was needing was help with her 10 shopping bags full of what I can only imagine was Chanel shoes, louis Vuitton purses and designer digs. She actually look borded sitting there, maybe over shopped, but I could only imagine if it were me , I would be like that person who comes across loads of cash and rolls around in it laughing hysterically.Hmmm I was a tinge jealous.
On to the night and it was the big Goldwell event, the color zoom fashion show. About 2000 people from all over the globe participating in the color competitions. Sometimes these shows can be a bit cheesy, and mind you there were some hair school fantasy do's, but the meal was excellent and I have to say, it nice to see all there people from all over the earth, from south africa to finnland and asia and south america all under one roof and sharing a similar interest in the creativity of hair. Sometime you can get so jaded in an indusrty like ours its nice to bring it back to what drove you from the begining, which is creating. Too bad there
are so many hair dressers out there who can't practice what they preach, I mean get over the panels already! How can you evolve if your still doing things from 8 years ago? Well its a full day of goldwell tomorrow.
Well the goldwell event was great this morning. despite being chilly in the venue, we all survived the look and learn. I've discovered new colors that of course, are not available in Canada, and may be contemplating a smuggling operation. Whats the worse that could happen?( yes I know already what a couple of you are going to comment on that,but really mom, relax) I am not a patient person as we all know and I am really not in the mood to wait till next year to get what I want, is anyone surprised?
The rest of the day was declared a relax/napping day since both of us were exusted. I haven't really been sleeping that much and with all the events we have been going to its been a lot to take. So when we were heading back to the hotel, and Sonja mentioned she just wanted to nap, the proverbial lightbulb clinked in
above my head. I was not wasting time in the hotel room so I told Sonja to grab a sweater because plans have shifted. We are in Paris lets act like parisiens and find a park to nap at. So of course with such great weather we headed to Champ de mars, a nice stretch of greenery that sits under the effiel tower. I brought a book and kicked back with all the other paris natives who were picnic-ing, catching up on ZZZ's and spending time with their family.Sonja was all of a sudden too tired to sleep and we sat and lived like we meant it. At one point Sonja pointed out a rather intersting scene, and as I peered above my book I witnessed a youg boy, pants down penis out, peeing on the grass while his mother looked on and dare I say encouraging this behaviour? for anyone who has been to Paris you know that there is an underlying aroma of urine that you come across from time to time. Now I see that this is tought since birth. Idon't know if modern science has informed our french friends about hygiene and generally how disgusting waste
from your body is, but they seem to have this attitude that , its all natural so its all good. I have also witnessed a lot of dog owners letting their cute sweet pets deficate and then walk away. I don't know where it went all wrong and this became normal. I also wonder if the cases of hep A are greater here comparabley
We ended today with the Goldwell north american dinner in montmartre. The last time I was here I breifly touched upon this area, and tonite I discovered an amazing charachteristic square that lies in the shadowa of Sacre Coeur. I vow to come back at night with my dslr and my tripod to give photo justice to this area.
Tomorrow=> wine tour
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Trevor
non-member comment
Why travel
I'm fascinated by US travellers who complain and compare to their experiences at home. Why travel if you will never be satisfied! Paris has an ancient history and its customs have evolved and developed throughout that time. The French have done their best to resist the push from the multi-nationals like McDonalds and Starbucks but unfortunately, their insidious presence is appearing. Lets hope that further downward spiral into 'Americanism' is stopped.