19 June, 2009 | Leave a Comment

-They like pink toilet paper here for some reason.  I always buy white – dye is bad for your butt.

-People here are very polite.

-People here stop me for directions all the time, but they are always embarassed when they discover I’m not French.

-The apartment doors don’t have numbers on them.  When I arrived, I was trying to find my apartment on the first floor of my building, faced with seven identical maroon doors with no numbers or labeling whatsoever.  I stuck my key into every lock until I found a door that opened.  There’s a slight chance I’m actually living in the wrong apartment!  I really wonder why there are no numbers – this is the fourth Parisian apartment I’ve lived in and it’s been the same situation each time.

-I get harassed more by men.  I think these men are from Morocco or Algeria or maybe Turkey.  I don’t know.  But at least once a day, a guy follows me around and tries to talk to me and won’t give up easily.  I really don’t like it.

-The noises from outside are different. In London, the sounds were mostly scary urban noises: sirens, helicopters, drunk people causing mayhem.  I did live near King’s Cross though. Here, there are far fewer sirens, but non-stop vespas and motorcycles buzzing around.  There are a lot of dogs barking, a lot of babies crying, lots of people talking and laughing as they walk down the sidewalk.  One morning I was woken up by a live band playing, but I don’t know where it was coming from.

-And finally, I forgot how lovely it is to have REAL cafes!!!  Oh, what a joy.  I miss that the most when I’m in the UK or US.  In Europe, they have such lovely cafes.  I did pay 4.30€ for an Orangina the other day (must check prices first!) but cafes are great places to write and read.  Starbucks just can’t compare.

1. Comments RSS

1. Strawberry Says:

   June 20th, 2009 at 3:33 am

   Deeply deeply jealous!!!!!

2. Daniela Says:

   June 20th, 2009 at 11:46 am

   Jealous too I am just back from Lisbon where life is so vibrant. London feels plastic in comparison. Make the most of these days!

3. Jan Says:

   June 20th, 2009 at 1:12 pm

   OK. Continental houses are like books – you read them from left to right. Start at the left entrance to the house (it’s easier when the house has only one entrance), ground floor. The doors will go from left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4, etc, then 1st floor again left to right: 5, 6, 7, 8. Easy! Much easier than what – as I am told – you do in NYC. Dropping the last number of a house in an avenue, dividing the rest into two, and then adding or subtracting some other numbers to get the closest street (??).

   And continental cafes? Yes, divine: Vienna, Paris, Rome, Prague, all different, all special

4. Caroline Says:

   June 20th, 2009 at 1:24 pm

   What, you don’t find the attentions of random Maghrebian male strangers flattering? T’es raciste, quoi?