Random Observations

  Here are a few random observations I have come up with from "living" in the 15th arrondissement in Paris the past 5 days.

1) Watch your step!  Seriously, every other step there is a dog turd waiting to ruin your day.  Evidently Parisiennes detest cleaning up after their dogs, especially in this particular neighborhood.  It really shouldn't be so hard considering there are trash cans every 20 feet or so.  (Meters anyone?).  To add to the irony there is a billboard just outside our hotel that basically tells people to pick up the turds.  I saw a guy yesterday use a doggie bag to do his part and I felt like I should give him a high five....I wonder if they do that here.

2) Bread.  I don't think I have had a meal yet that hasn't involved some sort of bread item.  Guess what, I don't feel bad about it at all!  I already have a carb problem and then you tempt me with fresh baked bread smells wafting from every street corner and it is officially game over.  J and I have walked a ton though, so hopefully all will even out. 

3) Cheese and wine.  As if the bread wasn't dangerous enough!  J and I bought a giant hunk of Brie (200g - conversion? anyone?) and it was only $1.50 U.S.!!  Gah!  To make matters worse (or better, not sure yet) we haven't come across a bottle of wine over $10 US.  Zoinks!  If you come and visit you may have to scrape dried up cheese off my hungover face!  If you do that for me, I will at least reciprocate.

4) The French aren't rude.  Look people, I barely speak French....I couldn't hold a conversation with a 5 year old.  Yet, I have been able to order meals, buy a phone, buy more minutes for that phone, and other daily processes because everyone has been patient and helpful with my subpar communication skills.  It hasn't even just been helpful, but also pleasant and I am grateful to all the people here for making my first few days enjoyable.

That's it for now, I'm sure there are more to come.
Au revoir!

Departure/Arrival

  Well, we are safely planted in Paris, so the flight was successful.  Actually, the flight was fairly enjoyable for being a pseudo-red-eye.  We left at 5:50p in Cincinnati and landed at 8:00a in Paris though the flight was only 8 hours.  Paris is 6 hours ahead of Eastern time which adds up to the additional time.  J and I flew Delta.  Unfortunately, neither of us noticed that my boarding ticket had my maiden name on it.  Even though I changed my name this summer, I am still not all that used to it being mine!  Well, security at the airport noticed right away, yikes!  Luckily, I still had a non-expired military ID with my maiden name on it, thank goodness because I'm not sure what would have happened if I didn't!  I probably would have got the full terrorist treatment. 
  The flight itself was enjoyable.  We had dinner and breakfast served to us, both of which were good as far as airplane food is concerned.  The highlight for sure was the free wine and the flight attendant had a generous pour, thank you Delta!  They also had a nice selection of movies to watch on a screen on the back of the seat in front of us.  J and I watched Argo for free, which I figures makes up for missing the Oscars.  The rest of the flight was fine, but economy isn't exactly the best seat to catch some sleep in.  So, when we arrived to the hotel we were pleasantly surprised to find that they had a clean room for us when we arrived, even though it was a few hours before official check-in.  Naturally, we took a nice long nap.  Still, as a write this a few days later, neither of us is quite on Paris time yet.  A few more naps and we might be there!