What Paris taught me: Part Cinq

There isn’t a part I-IV documented but after visiting Paris for the fifth time, it’s high time I put some je sais in that je ne sais quoi.

1. Paris isn’t just for lovers. And maybe I say this because this was my first time being there tout-seul. It’s for friends in wine bars, groups of youths having an espresso after school, students who conglomerate in ex-pat cafes typing away at their laptops, families, and in my most recent experience, runners. Yes, they’ve got them all.
2. Lovers, you’re welcome, too, just so we’re clear. I mean Paris is kind of your thing. European lovers are different – perhaps they’re not more in love but they express their love more openly. We may call it public displays of affection but it seems almost an American thing to even give open love a title. My dad once told me that I love in a European kind of way and having seen it, I know how deep of a compliment it is and I want to keep that forever.
3. Contrary to popular belief, French people are not mean, snobs or dismissive. The Golden Rule applies here – treat them how you want to be treated. In their own language and with a subtle smile on your face, though. Not too big. There that’s it. Now purse your lips. Nailed it.
   Case in point: Montmartre Mikael – a guy in his mid-30s with plugs in his ears and the most smiley eyes who works at one of those gift shops you can find something for everyone. A store full of clever-designed products with a witty twist to their practical use. If I were reincarnated as a product, I’d absolutely want to come back as the strap-on massager you can attach to any chair. Mikael proceeded to let me have the massage chair while exclaiming BONJOUR! at every customer that came in. He’s the best, and Paris is less grey with him in it.
   For the skeptical: Bitchy British Airways Beatrice at CDG who is a part of the baggage-frame-fitting police force and has it out for me. She’s not fun. I pretty much felt like this. Watch the whole video for the full experience.
4. French people are helpful. They will tie your shoe when your hands are too cold 8 km into a 21 km race. And they’ll do a double-knot upon request. Tied Tried and true.
5. The French can rock stripes like no body’s bidniss. It’s a thing. And they do it so well.
6. Applying lipstick every day seems totally natural. In fact, when I didn’t wear it one day, I felt severely under-dressed. No, it wasn’t the trainers and sweater or even the top-knot. It was the bare lips.
7. Dinner service begins at sept heure et demi. No Open Table rezzies for 5:00 pm here. Non, Monsieur.
8. Spend longer looking at art in museums. Think you’ve stared at a paiting long enough? Stare longer. Culture, baby. Culture.
9. The French may not hit on you directly, but that’s what the Italian’s are for. You can take the man out of Italy but you can’t take the Italy out of the man. And all I wanted were some marinated Romano artichokes, not a phone number and 20 questions about mon (non-existent) copain.
10. The bread really is that much better. I doubted it too, naive moi. Mais, non! C’est super! Seriously though, it’s pillowy, crusty crack.
11. La Fleuriste was one of the most gratifying visits. So nice, I went twice. It went something like this, but with freesia.
12. Paris is the only city that is exactly how I imagine it. It’s the stuff dreams are made of. It’s magical in its invigorating ivory and elegant iron glory. It’s kind of a big deal.

I’m turning 30 this week! (Yes, I backspaced a period and replaced it with an exclamation mark. It was the right thing to do.)

This week I’ve already messed-up freshly manicured nails on a micro-plane mincing ginger to make a turmeric latte. If that’s not a predecessor to a fancy, frivolous, fabulous decade, I don’t know what is.

I know a little more about Paris but what I really know a lot more about is myself. The 20s were a time to learn about who I am and creating that through some of the best and hardest years yet. The 30s are for settling in. Settling in to me. Spending a considerable time with myself on my recent trip to London and Paris, I’m really good at being me and there’s a lot more of me to be.

Dirty, flirty whatever-you-are thirty. I’m ready for you.