Today we have a guest post from Richard of EyePreferParis. Richard is a gregarious New Yorker in the Marais, who lives a very different life from mine, so I always enjoy reading his blog. Seeing into the lives of people you might never meet otherwise...it's one of the best things about the internet.
I moved to Paris from New York City a year and 4 months ago to rue St. Antoine, in the heart of the Marais, one of my favorite Paris neighborhoods. I was lucky to find a fabulous, large 18th century apartment with high ceilings that overlooks St. Paul square. I write my blog from the kitchen table that faces a serene green garden courtyard; to my right are 3 nearly floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the lovely trees on the square. I wake up each morning to wonderful light pouring in through the windows, and I look forward to spending another day in Paris.
All is well until I venture outside.
Still half-asleep, I throw on a coat over the sweat pants and tattered T-shirt that I’ve slept in, and slowly make my way to buy my daily starch from the boulangerie, and a Pariscope from the newsstand (if it’s a Wednesday). When I walk out the door, the homeless man who has taken up permanent residence on the doorstep is sprawled horizontally across the sidewalk—and, drunk out of his mind, starts screaming epithets at me. I ignore him and try to figure out how to get to the boulangerie, since the ongoing street construction around St. Paul square closes off a different part of the sidewalk every day and I never know which detour I have to make. I’m not happy about any detour, which adds another 300 ft. to my morning commute and as I trudge through the mud and puddles, the excruciating noise from the jackhammers becomes my morning music. I am accosted by the young, overly aggressive non-profit workers/groupies bordering on Moonies, who physically stop me in my tracks and spew some pre-written script about their cause that they’ve been brainwashed with by their leaders. I hold up my hand to refuse them, like some Hollywood celeb shunning the paparazzi and keep on walking. Buying my croissant or other carbs of choice is painless, unless there’s an old woman in front of me counting out 87 one-centime coins to pay for her brioche. I struggle through the crowds pouring out of the metro, to the newsstand, and buy my Pariscope. I finally return to my apartment, wearied by the St. Paul battlefield, more than ready to down 2 double espressos after my “rude awakening.”
Life in Paris: a beautiful rose with many thorns.
--Richard at EyePreferParis
Deep sigh...what a nice beginning for my morning.. If you should ever care to rent out your beautifully lite appartment for a week or so...when you go off somewhere else, please contact me.. Even the mud and puddles sounds good.
Posted by: ParisBreakfasts | 29 November 2006 at 12:30
thanks for the intro to a new blog! sedulia, i loved getting a peek into your life over at 'eye prefer' as well! i enjoy reading about your observations and experiences , but personal bits are so few and far between and i was curious.
Posted by: sfgirl | 29 November 2006 at 18:17
Wow. Bitchiest. Queen. Ever.
You have the opportunity to live (and from the sounds of it, not work) in Paris. Enjoy it.
Posted by: Jocelyn | 30 November 2006 at 21:12
Jocelyn
I love living in paris and in fact when i moved here i fulfilled a life long dream and would not trade it for the world. However, living in any big city, one encounters certain problems and realities. as much as my fantasy moving here has come true, what I wrote in the article is true and I thought it a humorous way to contrast that fantasy with some reality. I do enjoy it here and I work 8- 10 hours a day.
richard
eye prefer paris.
Posted by: richard | 01 December 2006 at 09:31
The view from your kitchen table sounds like the perfect place for creativity to thrive. I am enjoying your posts. Merci!
Posted by: joy | 01 December 2006 at 19:24
Cant' find another word : this is purely OBSCENE.
Posted by: Azure-Te | 02 December 2006 at 01:59