Croissants, shoes and email
Springtime in Paris . . .
There is a reason classic musicals and other cliches recall this fabulous city during the spring, it truly is so beautiful. Something about the light that time of year. This is my 4th trip to Paris but the first time during spring. I always love it, but I really love it in spring. This is my third time staying in my friend's apartment near Place Maubert, so I am not only enjoying the springtime but a comfortable familiarity as well.
Still adjusting to the time change, my nephew and I wake up really early. That is ok, we walk to pick-up the buttery, melt in your mouth croissants at the place nearby. Much to my shock, it is not open. I realize 6am is too early, and within the hour there will be the fresh croissants.
I immediately start looking around for an internet cafe, I know there are a few around but I do not remember exactly where they are. What my nephew notices is that porn is openly sold at the newsstand. Generally, I am pretty compulsive about checking and responding to email, so I really want know where my spot is going to be for the next ten days, as if I would be getting instant job offers from the resumes I sent out. And the offer will depend on my immediate response.
I also decide to check to see if my unemployment check arrived and it was deposited. For some reason I am surprised it is not there. It had not come in the mail before I left, and I had not been gone that long, but with the jet lag, it seemed like ages. It took me a slow minute to figure this out that it was the middle of the night in Berkeley, CA and there probably had not been another mail delivery since I left.
Before I left I scraped together the last of my student loan, some miscellaneous income for random tasks, and covered the rent. I was given some euros for graduation but otherwise I had very little spending money. I would have to restrain myself. I have yet to leave Paris without at least one pair of shoes, but I would have to stay out of the shoes stores this time.
I want to be very clear; I am not complaining at all. But it is weird to be living a very privileged life in the moment to moment, but in the longer term (but near future)have your whole life on the edge, making a house of cards seem like it has a solid foundation.
At this point I am still optimistic. I can calm myself, relax and enjoy Paris and a croissant.
There is a reason classic musicals and other cliches recall this fabulous city during the spring, it truly is so beautiful. Something about the light that time of year. This is my 4th trip to Paris but the first time during spring. I always love it, but I really love it in spring. This is my third time staying in my friend's apartment near Place Maubert, so I am not only enjoying the springtime but a comfortable familiarity as well.
Still adjusting to the time change, my nephew and I wake up really early. That is ok, we walk to pick-up the buttery, melt in your mouth croissants at the place nearby. Much to my shock, it is not open. I realize 6am is too early, and within the hour there will be the fresh croissants.
I immediately start looking around for an internet cafe, I know there are a few around but I do not remember exactly where they are. What my nephew notices is that porn is openly sold at the newsstand. Generally, I am pretty compulsive about checking and responding to email, so I really want know where my spot is going to be for the next ten days, as if I would be getting instant job offers from the resumes I sent out. And the offer will depend on my immediate response.
I also decide to check to see if my unemployment check arrived and it was deposited. For some reason I am surprised it is not there. It had not come in the mail before I left, and I had not been gone that long, but with the jet lag, it seemed like ages. It took me a slow minute to figure this out that it was the middle of the night in Berkeley, CA and there probably had not been another mail delivery since I left.
Before I left I scraped together the last of my student loan, some miscellaneous income for random tasks, and covered the rent. I was given some euros for graduation but otherwise I had very little spending money. I would have to restrain myself. I have yet to leave Paris without at least one pair of shoes, but I would have to stay out of the shoes stores this time.
I want to be very clear; I am not complaining at all. But it is weird to be living a very privileged life in the moment to moment, but in the longer term (but near future)have your whole life on the edge, making a house of cards seem like it has a solid foundation.
At this point I am still optimistic. I can calm myself, relax and enjoy Paris and a croissant.
posted by NoelleMac at
3:40 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home