November 11th was the remembrance day of the end of WW1 (the anniversary of the peace signing), which also happens to be a National Holiday in France. The greatest part of this is that I got the day off from work!
Even though I'm living in Paris, I’ve been a little jaded lately. I’ve spent months exploring the different arrondissements and becoming more comfortable finding my way. I don’t have to constantly plan my route before I leave the house. I recognize places and now realize just how small Paris is. Don’t get me wrong: I am in love with Paris. But I think it’s only natural to begin to feel like a local. Okay…maybe local minus the language.
Anyway for my Wednesday John planned everything. I didn’t want to stay in the apartment. I didn’t want to run errands. I wanted to have a day of fun. And that is exactly what John had in store for me!
Instead of waking up at 7, I got to sleep in. And when Oscar began screaming to wake us up John took him outside so I could sleep a little more. (That was enough to have a great day!) The day really started with a walk to brunch (in the Marais) at an American Diner. I was really impressed! They had real pancakes, bagels and cream cheese, milkshakes, root beer… all the things you think of when you think about the states. I don’t know which was better: enjoying a little slice of America here or watching Parisians attempt to eat American food. First, I must admit I’m impressed with the French because they eat so much and stay so fit. The couple on our left had: a milkshake, 3 eggs, 3 pancakes, bacon and half a bagel with cream cheese…each. Each of the girls on our right had a huge omelet with breakfast potatoes with a side of three pancakes. I couldn’t believe it! But what was worse was watching them eat. Not because it was an ugly sight. But the woman on our left tried both cream cheese and syrup for the first time. She used so little cream cheese I’m not surprised that she didn’t think it had much taste. But to watch her face when she tried the syrup was priceless. I think syrup goes just over just as well as peeps in France. Not too well, though it’s surprising because Parisians seem to love their sweets and honey. I think most surprising was that all the people around us ate their pancakes with their hands! What’s worse was the melting butter on top was used as a dipping sauce! One woman even cut her pancakes into smaller pieces to more easily eat them with her hands. I can’t help but wonder: what rudimentary things do I do that make Parisians stop and question me?!
After people watching over brunch John and I headed to Montmartre, perhaps most well known for the Sacré-Couer and the Moulin Rouge. This is one area of Paris I don’t know well and was so happy to have the afternoon to explore. We began our visit at the Musée de Montmartre, which is the oldest hotel in the area (though it’s no longer a hotel). It was great to not only see a slice of French history but to also learn about an area of Paris I never thought would have such rich history. Like many museums in France, the Musée Montmarte gets funding from the government. During our visit we found out that they’re going to lose their funding. This was particularly hard for me to understand because I think museums just like this one help make Paris, Paris.
After wandering around Montmartre for a while we stopped for a drink at a café that was covered from floor to ceiling in memorabilia. At first I was a little taken aback by it all but once we started reading the different notes stapled to the wall we found lots interesting things including one note that said, “ Because the speed of light is faster then the speed of sound: you looked brilliant before you sounded stupid.”
The cold started getting to us as we made our way home. It’s amazing how quickly I have forgotten the dreadful winters of Minnesota. I’m finding myself chilled in 55* weather when I’ve survived in -55*! The perfect way to end our day was in the warmth of our home, making dinner together and then watching a movie.
I had the perfect Wednesday off from work. John did an amazing job planning a day for me! It’s days like this that make me want to extend my time here.
first of all, i love that you used 'memorablilia' to describe the cafe rather than trash...which was your first attempt.
ReplyDeletesecond, your face while looking at this 'memorabilia' is priceless because i can tell you think its trash.
third, no matter how great your day was (and kudos to john because it sounds like it was wonderful) i still expect you to come home. soon.