Parisian experience

22 February 2008- Yesterday I got closer to having the full Paris experience. Back in November during the train strike, Chad borrowed a friend's bike. Actually he borrowed his friend's wife's bike. A lovely pink womens bike with a basket in front. No there are no pictures of Chad on the bike. I returned the bike by riding through Paris. Not scary at all especially when you consider the bike routes along major streets are bike, taxi and bus routes. That is right all three share the same lane. Buses are good about looking out for you and they stop so much you can actually pass them by. The taxis are the crazy ones. But really not too bad. I felt like I was back in college, riding with a purpose, no helmet (just beanie for ear warmth) and cruising right along cars. I even saw the gardienne's husband so I even got a small french conversation in. I think after a few months of riding a bike around Paris, I might be ready for a car. Might.
Speaking of being back in college, this whole expat in Paris is quite similar to college freshmen year or at least my freshmen experience.
1) You cannot leave your apartment without your keys. The door will lock behind you. Then you have to hope the gardienne or whoever has your spare is around or you wait for your roommate. You have a building key, apartment key and mail key. Garbage and recycling is downstairs. If you get a package, you are left a note about where to go pick it up.
2) You cannot just go walk right up to someone's apartment. You have to know the building key code to open the main door and then buzz the apartment to get into the building. Two codes are needed at some buildings.
3) Almost everyone relies on public transportation, walking or biking. Your friend with a car is the best friend you have. Buy them lunch or dinner as payback.
4) You eat a lot of sandwiches. Okay this is just a cheap and convienent lunch that I rely on quite a bit. Nothing tastier than Jambon de Paris, butter and fresh baguette. Simple and complete.
5) There is something you can learn everyday. You just have to show up. Getting out of bed by 8 am is the hardest part. Okay 9, maybe 10.
6) You live for the weekend. Okay not me but Chad. I get to play and learn French still while he is busy making the donuts.
7) You learn where the closest stores (grocery, hardware or the store you think closely resembles Target) in relation to your house. You find all the good stores just by stumbling upon them. You go in often to see what is new.
8) When meeting other expats, "How long have you been in Paris?" is first question asked. Similar to the "what is your major?". Second question "when are you going back? or When do you go home for a visit?" Third question "What store do you think is most like Target?"
9) You miss home but in a bittersweet way. You find you can do without TV for extended periods of time but will sit and watch a bad movie when you can. You miss your favorite foods but find new and tasty replacements. You miss your friends but know that your life will be totally and completely changed with this experience.
10) You are short on money. This only because we have lots of travelling to do, taxes to pay in two countries and have developed a taste for dessert with a meal.
11) You still hate housework but with a much smaller place, it is done quicker. You know where the closest coin-op laundromat is. (drying sheets and jeans is quite a task in the French dryer)
12) "they" say it takes about 6 months of living and experience to get you settled. This includes learning the language. After that 6 months, you get to enroll in more!
Haa haa haa. Time to start the wifely duty of dinner.