Things Paris taught me

So of course, whatever happens to all my diaries also happened to my blog – it got lost in the (metaphorical) drawer of semi-important, but not often used things, until in a couple of years somebody digs it out and in a fit of nostalgia decides to keep it. Nearly. Because I purposefully did not set it up as a diary – to write about the restaurant outings I enjoyed, the picknicks I attended and the long runs I achieved in marathon training was not the purpose of this blog and still feels a little self-centred and navel-gazing-ish. However, I did set it up to tell you about major experiences, funny stories happening and impressions of all my travels (by the way, a Morocco recap is still due and will be worked on in the future) and so it merits a couple of posts to reflect on the end of my séjour in Paris and the road to follow. So this is where I will pick up – and just imagine the time between my last post and this one to be filled by blissful, sun-filled days full of attempts to catch and bottle the feeling of Paris in springtime, of outings to Chantilly and Chateau Fontainebleau, of picknicks in any major picknick-worthy spot in the Paris region and attempts to forget about exposés and paper due dates. Friends visiting (hello John!) brought the opportunity to re-visit long-time favorites and to reconsider the common opinion on some gems of Parisian architecture like the Tour Montparnasse (favorite building? really?), while last days of metro-abandonment brought about new perspectives on well-known routes because I just walked them. So there – that is all the diary-ish content you’ll get. Because now I am sitting in Geneva. And that abrupt ending, those unexpected fast goodbyes and see you soon (..?)’s beg the question – what do I take away from living a year in Paris?

Firstly, as very few people will probably argue with, that it is an absolutely gorgeous city. In sunshine as in snow or even in rainy and foggy weather, even after living there for months, it still hit me from time to time – what incredible, unmerited fortune to live a year in this town! Hemingway was absolutely right when he said “In Paris in springtime, the only problem you have is where to be happiest.” I would definitely definitely consider moving back here at some point, maybe not for life – it can be a little full and stressful – but sunsets at the Seine and early morning jogs at Buttes Chaumont are so. worth. any overfilled metro.

Then, the Parisians in their appreciation of good, wholesome, fresh food definitely influenced me in my decision to go into food politics later on. Reading Michael Pollan, about buying local and organic, and having the option of just stumbling out of the door and into a farmer’s market, or to go down to Monoprix and get everything from pasta to toilet paper bio or sustainable made me realize that it is possible to live more in tune with our earth, our community and our food – and that the battle is worth it for me personally.

Paris also taught me about work-life-balance. Yes, you do not want to step on the foot of some overworked lady in the metro in the mornings or you are solely responsible for the snappy response you will get, and Parisians do tend to walk, talk, act and complain fast, but on the other hand, come late afternoon or evening and the cafes, pubs, the banks of the canal and the parks fill up with people sharing a bottle of wine or two, chatting, socializing, taking walks and just enjoying. life. I think that is what lies behind the 35-hour-week and the constant battles of unions (as well as the unspeakable metro strikes) – the French will fight tooth and nail for their right to work and play, not only in university but all their life, and to have the time to appreciate life in its every moment, and not just the couple of weeks of expensive holidays you saved up for. That is a skill I endeavour to emulate, because it seems so important for your health, your sanity, and your happiness. Carpe diem.

Then, there are also some less deep, but not less important (well, maybe less important, haha) experiences. Amongst which -

• you don’t have to pick up dog poo as long as nobody is watching. But if they are watching, you will instantly become a persona non grata if you don’t.
• the Russian non-smiling, serious, “don’t f…. with me” face works wonders not only at busy intersections, but also with extremely pushy beggars, rose-sellers in restaurants, and nice old ladies who will cut you in line just because they can. Oh no they can’t.
• If you don’t break off the tip of your baguette on the way home, you gave yourself away as a tourist. Just go hang out in St.-Michel now.
• and last, but not least – don’t set your hopes of your ever-lasting love and return to Paris on one of those love-lucks at the Pont des Arts. The Ville de Paris totally cuts them off when they become too crowded. And would you really leave your romantic future in the hand of Parisian bureaucrats? Just buy a plane ticket and come back. Seriously. Because it is so worth it.