I'm such a ginger/I look French

I don't feel like making 2 separate posts, so I will just make one long post of the 2 stories I want to tell.

First, and these are not in chronological order, today I was in Place des Vosges all day. It's my favorite place in Paris. It's the oldest square in Paris, and where Victor Hugo used to live. I love it. The day I found it in January was really the day I fell in love with Le Marais, because I did a walking tour of part of the neighborhood and saw some of the great shops, etc. that were there. But that's not the point.

So I was in Place des Vosges all day, just writing and reading and relaxing in the sun. Keyword: sun. Well, you see, in Paris the sun isn't very strong and doesn't usually stay out often, we have a lot of clouds. I guess just the fact that I was out all day contributed. So yes, I got sunburned. Not bad, at all. Really it probably wouldn't even register on a regular summer day in Texas, but it's just that I'm so pale over here (think Casper/vampires). Also I was wearing a skirt with (gasp) no tights, sandals (!), and I had taken off my cardigan and scarf so I just had a tank top on (for shame). Sorry, over here we really don't show skin, like at all. You're pegged as an American if you wear flip-flops, which I thankfully don't have, or bare your legs or shoulders. That's changing a little for the few warm days we get now, but still, I get looks. I'm used to them at this point though. Anyways, so yes, I should have some real cute tan lines tomorrow or the next day when this turns in- backs of my calves and shoulders (think leotard/Spartie tan). Awesome. Looks like I've got my work cut out for me when I get back to Texas.

Oh, so the point of the title of that story should be obvious- only would happen to me, the redhead. I also now have about 200 new freckles, just from today. Great.


And for story numéro deux (minding that I can't tell a short story):

Last night I was walking home and decided to stop into Monop' to get a bottle of wine. Monop' is like Monoprix, but just food. Best comparison would be a gourmet quickie-mart (kindof). Anyways, so I go to check out and we say "bonsoir" and then she rings me up. All the card machines here are fitted for the chip and pin cards, which I don't have, so I have to swipe and sign, which always takes longer and frustrates everyone (tangent). Right, so I swipe my card, and I'm still holding it, waiting because the machine still says Patientez. She looks at me and goes "It's good." Then, immediately, she corrected herself, and said "C'est bon." And she turned to the guy next to her, and said (in French), something like, I don't know why I just spoke English, haha.

I just laughed and put my card away. Then, she handed me the receipt and a pen and goes "sign here," and then again says "desole, svp signez" and makes another comment to her coworker about how why she keeps doing that. I just smile and laugh with her, sign the receipt, and then say "au revoir, bonne soiree," and walk out of the store, never letting on that I totally speak English. I know it's stupid, and I can see your faces now (Jonah, Josh), that I think I'm so cool and I am so French. But I don't care, it's the little things that count and I got excited. It topped of an excellent day yesterday.


And even a sunburn today couldn't ruin how perfect today was: slept in, went to the park, walked around Le Marais, got falafel and ran into friends while getting it, gelato and Jewish bakery with said friends, wine and movie at home :) Like I said, perfection. Let's do it again tomorrow!

Ummm....

So it's disgusting outside- cold and cloudy. It's been cold for the past few days, but at least sunny. I really do not feel like venturing out much today since all the places I would go on a day like this (museums) are closed. I am going out this afternoon/tonight, but might be a bum during the day.

Or try to get things accomplished, like cleaning my apartment and packing my stuff up. The only problem is, I have started to do that, and it's going to be interesting to see if I can fit everything in the suitcases. And by interesting, I mean almost impossible. Some of my clothes I don't want to wear anymore might be making Paris a permanent home.

This should be fun...

It's absolutely gorgeous outside, and I love life!!

Yep, it's probably the prettiest day we've had yet. We're going to the park in about 10 minutes to play, read, drink wine, etc. Probably with the rest of Paris, because it's Labour Day here, so no work. I can't believe it's actually May 1. Like stunned. But it's so beautiful outside, and Syd and I had a wonderful lunch at our favorite little cafe in our neighborhood (which is an old man hang out), so I can't complain about anything. I really don't think it can get better than this.

That is all.