Like a lot of expats, I have a love-hate relationship with Paris. Sometimes I need to pinch myself as I’m walking down a beautiful cobblestoned street because I can’t believe I actually live here. Other times, I’m cursing those damn cobblestones for tripping me up in my heels and/or making stroller-pushing damn unwieldy.
Lately, I’m sad to say that Paris has been on my shit list. I think it’s a combination of hormones, homesickness (and by home, I mean my former one, New York) and simple exhaustion. I’m looking for a little familiarity right now and things just feel foreign. It’s expat malaise.
When I talk to Dman about this, he’s not the most sympathetic. After all, he’s French, born and raised in Paris. This is home and for better or for worse, he loves it. Of course it offends him when I rag on his home, plus there’s not much he can do to fix the situation. We live here for the foreseeable future and that won’t change unless something huge happens (EuroMillions?) I understand where he’s coming from, but as I pointed out, even the French get sick of the French so I don’t think it’s so farfetched that I, too, can get sick of the French. Non?
Dman did have a good point about how I should get out there and really profiter (take advantage) of all the city has to offer. So I’ve decided to act like a starry-eyed Paris visitor and do something cultural or touristy once a week.
Last week, we went to see a one-man show called “How to Become Parisian in One Hour.” It’s written and performed (in English) by a talented Frenchie named Olivier Giraud. He’s funny and charming and the show is fantastic, totally worth seeing if you have a chance. Here’s a little clip of it, but trust me, it’s far more hysterical live.
He has a great bit about H&M and Zara (hence the title of this post).
Now one thing I like about France is that I can shop at Zara from home. I kind of love Zara. I love online shopping even more, so I can get a little crazy when left to my own devices, bored and not wanting to face la France. The almost-free shipping and returns makes it completely justifiable to yes, order those silky checker-print pants in two sizes just to see which one looks good on me. Um, neither.
But I fear that Zara at my fingertips makes it that much easier for me to become a Parisian mole person, only coming out to salute the changing of the seasons, if that. So I’m making a vow to you readers that I will do something to expand my mind—or at least my love for this city—at least once a week. Please hold me to it!! Merci.
Tags: expats, How to Become Parisian in One Hour, online shopping, Zara
Hey! Im so glad to have come across your blog. I too moved here for my husband, and its great to hear another person shares my love/hate for france. Gets a tad annoying when friends back in England say im so lucky to be living here. Yes its a romantic and visually charming city, and some would give anything to be here, but blaahhhhh blahh!
Bienvenue, Serri! Hope your transition’s going well. How long have you been here now? I swear, anytime someone says, “You’re so lucky, Paris is my favorite city!” I want to say, “You’ve never lived there, have you?” lol. Just spent 3 hours at the Prefecture today renewing my carte de sejour!!!