…or as I like to call it, Monday.
Happy! (On Rue Montorgueil)
A friend asked me take some snapshots today as I went about my day. To link them thematically, if I wished, but just to notice what was around me.
So, I take you with me, too.
(Warning: some unglamorous Paris shots ahead. Theme is simply: hey, it’s the start of the week and I have errands to do).
We have this in New York, too
Out the door the first thing I notice is a crane across the street.
It’s in the same area as ye local punk rock bar. (Despite, the name, not always so welcoming).
Most common form of transport? Oui, oui, we’re headed to le metro.
Shiny black heels (as opposed to me: brown furry boots)
I’ll skip over my fascinating visit to the bank. Though the woman at the welcome desk in her cool Marc Jacob glasses was quite kind to me, even offering me a free 6 month trial of a credit card especially interessant for foreigners. (That’s not at all why I was at the bank and I hadn’t inquired but I guess it sounded obvious to her: this woman is American! Get her a special credit card!)
Ok, so now quick…we’re changing scene.
No, I did *not* go to Quick
On Rue Montorgueil.
And I do love shoes, but um…where are the shoes?
Also, I really want to remove the unnecessary "s"
Never before living in France did “wax legs” appear on my to-do list, but now it does.
Ye local spa and hair removal service
What excitement awaits now?
Oh yes, my life-saver, Picard.
Wow, only 14 delicious reasons to stay home on Valentine's Day? Surely we can name more!
I wouldn’t say I’m having a romance with Picard. I’m not going to marry Picard. But Picard is so reliable. So easy. Feeds me without complaint. I am quite the regular at the gourmet frozen food chain.
Hot chocolate at Cafe Martini
Ok, I’m cheating because I didn’t do this today. But I should have. I mean, shouldn’t I always be drinking super thick chocolat chaud in a cafe, scribbling in my stylish black notebook? Isn’t this what American writers in Paris do all day?
Well, whenever I took that photo I was!
And now I am home. Smooth legs, checkbook in hand, full freezer. This is surely how one plans for V-day, yes?
This also happens to be my 200th post.
200!
And to mark the occasion, all I’ve done is drag you along on my errands? Oh dear. Oh my.
Well, it’s Monday here in Paris, too. Just like anywhere else. Glamorous or not, it’s life and I like it.
Have a great start to your week!
paris (im)perfect 
It all sounds glamorous to me because, well, it’s in Paris and not in North Mankato, Minnesota! (Leg waxing, really? eeek! you’re brave)
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I don’t know, North Mankato sounds pretty exotic to me!
As for leg waxing. Eek is right. My first visit was pretty much one big faux pas: https://parisimperfect.wordpress.com/2010/11/12/hammam/ . I have gotten more used to it now ; )
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Oh, hahahahahahaaaaaaa! You brave soul – for doing it all and then sharing. Maybe I’ll start growing out my leg hair in case I get to Paris anytime soon…
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That would be the funniest prep list for a Paris trip ever – “grow leg hair so I can get a waxing.” 😉
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Just to let you know i always feel happy when i see your post in my email. They are always good!
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Aw, thanks, Mel! Your comment makes me so happy!
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It is one the most interesting post on earth. “Errands”: what a strange word to a French ear for “les courses”. I never celebrated the V-day, so to me, it will be a… Tuesday. Don’t worry! Even slightly depressed, your foot steps are still sweat to us. And now the unhealthy question: do we hear the screams and cries from outside “la Sultane de Saba”?
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Are my footsteps “sweat” or “sweet”? I hope for the latter, though they’re probably sweaty, too!
Also, I’ve never heard women screaming. Then again, wrongly or rightly we’re taught to grin and bear it. Luckily I don’t subject myself to the ritual often. It lasts for awhile – the whole reason to do it!
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Sales and hot chocolate – a real treat.
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I’m not complaining! A real treat, indeed.
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“…or as I like to call it, Monday”! Love it! Yeah, Valentine’s Day was always very understated in my youth [NEVER knew my parents to do anything for each other on the day] and after the first couple of years of my own late marriage. I mean, how many heart-shaped necklaces can a girl use? And my birthday & my son’s come later in the month, so there’s also only so much sugar a household needs, esp. so soon after the Christmas cookies binge. Chez nous, Valentine’s Day was mainly the day to make sure the kids had enough corny, penny Valentines for all their classmates and to stand over them as they wrote out the names on the envelopes & signed the cards. After they outgrew that, it was a time to make sure I had enough pink and red paper & heart stencils for my students and handouts of French Vocabulaire de la Saint-Valentin et de l’Amour, for them to make cards [along with debating why cabbage is a term of endearment in France;-]
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Teehee. Oh, sweet little cabbage 😉
Happy almost birthday to you and your son. I think birthdays take much higher priority than V-day for sure!
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Merci, beaucoup, Sion. My son escaped being a March baby by only 46 minutes, thanks to a Boston blizzard upping the barometric pressure [the labor floor was swamped!] But we do have Leap Year cousin, born the year before… who gets a rare birthday this year:-)
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Happy Monday and happy day-after-Monday too!!!
I really have to make it to Paris and we’ll go for a hot chocolate or something. Enjoy your day Sion!
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Oh, please *do* come back to Paris! Would love to grab a hot chocolate with you!
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Congratulations on your 200th post, each one with a quality and grace that makes the internet a lovely place to visit. Thanks, Sion!
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Aw, Paul. Thanks so much!
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