Happy Friday, everyone! I am nearly settled into my new apartment and can’t wait to explore my neighborhood this weekend. But first, scenes from the opera house.
Last night, I was lying on my yoga mat in the 1e arrondissement, miraculously not falling asleep during savasana despite nearly finishing the first week of classes. An opera singer was practicing a few floors below in the same old building, located on a side street between the Opéra Garnier and the Louvre. Sounds of motorcycles and chatter from the street lifted up to our window; the opera rehearsal snuck through the cracks in the floor.
Our yoga teacher told us to think about the sun – leading me to imagine beyond the exposed beams out to the city that I have been seeing mostly underground for the past two weeks. Among les français, this is the Parisian way of life – métro (commute), boulot (work), dodo (sleep). Repeat. However, thankfully, my work for now involves intensive reading while eating baguettes, though I wish the ratio of number of reading pages to baguettes could be reversed.
It’s easy to get used to daily routines comme ça, even when you’re living somewhere as magical as Paris. But last night after class I took to the streets, walked around the opera house that years ago was a part of my commute (particularly on the days when I got lost), and took in views of the city that get lost in la vie quotidienne. It was a good reminder, from the southern France way of life, to faire un pause and profiter. ♦
Is there anything specific you’d like me to post about Paris or French culture? Let me know in the comments!
Peut-être pourriez-vous poster des photos des jardins dans l’automne !? Et aussi des hommes du métro ou des rues de Paris. Je crève pour des hommes avec leur style!!
Yes! I will definitely do some garden tours bien sûr 🙂 I’ll try to get some style pictures as well. Très bonnes idées!
C’est magnifique!
Ride bicycle on sunday along the river Seine is mervellous ! The cars are forbidden from Notre Dame to les tuileries et ” les voies sur berges” ( the street along the Seine ) are free for bicycles or walkers…..when you rent a velib, it’s free the first 30 minutes ! Cycle in Paris is safer than in Aix en Provence ! Anne, try velo, boulot, dodo ….
Vélo, boulot, dodo is a good idea! I am scared of riding though, so I am going to test it out tomorrow 🙂 Do you really think it is safer in Paris than Aix? (Surely easier though with less hills)
Love that photo! I would love to see apartment photos now that it’s decorated! And I’m curious about your classes, your
classmates, etc 🙂
Good ideas! I will post pictures of my apartment soon 🙂
You aren’t a Dodo!
hehe dodo is slang for sleep 🙂