Starting a new chapter in Paris ! Never imagined that I’ll land up here. I grew up in South Africa and spoke no French. Ended up meeting my French spouse while working in Shanghai. My hubby speaks perfect English. Well, it has been deteriorating since we returned to France. So here I am, pondering upon my life while waiting for the internet man to show up. *He still has not shown up. It has been 3 weeks. #$@%!@$#!
Here are my 10 impressions / 1st month highlights.
1 Un: No notes for the bakery
My day 1 mistake: The baker cursed at the sight of my 10 euro note.
There is no time for nonsense. I now stress to have the exact change ready, nothing bigger than 2euro and of course, NO cards.
2 Deux: Bread is not fully wrapped
I am flabbergasted that the bakery does not have full coverage bag for their bread. No one else seems to mind though. Please tell me that I’m not crazy? Can’t anyone tell that there’s a potential hygiene issue here?
3 Trois: Spot the metro
Paris is all about being chic and discreet. Unfortunately that includes their metro (subway / tube line) entrance. I managed to walk right pass the metro entrance 4 times before I spotted it. Was it just me or what? I really missed that crazily loud Underground sign in London .
4 Quatre: Manual doors in Metro (subway)
I don’t get it. For the capital of France AND a leading country in train technology, they cannot have automatic doors for the train? Lesson learnt: grab that knob a.s.a.p. the train stops, else will miss the stop or miss the train.
5 Cinq: Double decker train
There are no double decker bus, but there are double decker trains.
6 Six: Smallest elevator ever
Seriously, most of the flats here have TINY elevators. We’re talking about maximum 2 person sort of space here?!?!?!? So, how do people move furniture? They move them via the windows *LOL*.
7 Sept: Make up in general are more expensive here than UK!
From high end to drug stores: Dior, YSL, Givenchy, L’oreal, Bourjois etc. They’re more expensive here. Unbelievable! On top of that, their drug store make up don’t have frequent 3 for 2 specials or buy 1 get 1 half price like UK. Boots & Superdrug, you have no idea how much I miss you. Sephora, you need to learn!
8 Huit: Alcohol was easier to find than water
It must have been serious bad luck or something. My friend and I walked into 4 different convenient stores and did not manage to find 300-500ml water or coke light. It was moments of desperateness. We did find a lot of beer, mini wine and other spirits.
9 Neuf: Surname (family name) must be shown next to the apartment number
Doesn’t that make it easier for stalkers? Why?
10 Dix: Walls are thin
I start to understand why people speak so softly here. I could hear almost all of my neighbours/ conversations. Especially when he has no signal *LOL* I hope this is only my flat and not all over Paris. I’ll have to hold my laugh in. I laugh way too loudly. Hahahaha Being an obnoxiously loud person, this will be quite a switch for me.
So here they are. My 10 highlights of my 1st month here in Paris.
**I have visited Paris before, but not to live. So technically, this is still a first impression, right?
Please be a sweetheart & support one of my social media xox
Bloglovin’ / Google+ / Twitter / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest
