March so far

It’s been awhile since the last update, but not a whole lot has happened. The usual weekly archive grind continues, complete with the ham and cheese sandwich lunch, which is getting a bit old, but is cheap and easy. It’s hard to believe that it is almost the end of March, but there is still a lot of time between now and when I go back home. I’m looking forward to that more and more.

The weekends have been filled with rugby matches, which have been fantastic to watch. I never thought I’d be all that interested in rugby, as I have not been that exposed to the game and knew literally nothing about it. However, it has been relatively easy to get into, especially when watching it out in Irish pubs with Irish fans. Ireland has had the best year and it was a lot of fun watching them win against all their opponents. By far the most exciting was the final match of Wales versus Ireland for several reasons – firstly, both teams are very good, Wales being the defending champions, secondly, because Ireland has not won a grand slam since 1948 and thus had a lot riding on the last game. I was worried that the game would not live up to the hype that the announcers were making all through the earlier games. It lived up to the hype and then some. It was the single most thrilling sporting event that I have ever witnessed. Both teams fought hard the whole game and the score was kept close. In the final minutes, the leading kicker for Ireland scored to bring the Irish ahead by 2. However, a penalty kick in the final seconds was the game decider. The Welsh player who had scored all of the points for the team was the kicker and if he made it, Wales would have won…the ball missed by inches and the Irish bar that I was in erupted in applause. It was very exciting for the Irish who received medals from none other than Prince William. I am sad that the series is over, but happy that the Irish won.

Other happenings were a beer pong match amongst nations: France vs. USA – I am happy to report that the USA team of Joe and Jaime defended national pride and bested the French. There was another general strike on Thursday, which meant another day off from the Archives, since they almost always participate. I did not mind as I was once again struck down with a head cold. Also, my birthday was on Friday and we went out to the Hard Rock Café and the Highlander, both of which were a good time. It was odd being in Paris for my birthday and although I received a lot of birthday wishes from back home, I was a bit sad to be away from home. Today, I finally made it to Jim Morrison’s grave in Père Lachaise cemetery – flowers and pictures surrounded him. Walking through the cemetery was a bit morbid AND a black cat ran across my path. Hopefully nothing bad comes of it.

Another two weeks of working in the archives and then FINALLY I get to see Dan!!! I am beyond excited to have him in Paris and many days it has been the thought of seeing him that has gotten me through my work. I am looking forward to showing him and city and also seeing parts of it myself that I haven’t gotten around to yet. I hope that April 4th comes very quickly!!!!

The highlights and lowlights of the last two weeks

Sorry that it has taken me so long to post about Florence, but I haven't had the motivation to get it all down, and with this weekend's craziness, I had even more to talk about, so it will all be put here, as briefly as I can say it.

Florence: I can't believe I was getting ready to leave for Florence two weeks ago! The start of the trip was less than excellent. I made it out to the airport in Paris no problem, found my gate, and waited...waited for the plane to arrive, waited to get on the plane, and then waited on the plane for 45 minutes. This would not have been a problem had I not had a mere 40 minute gap between when I was supposed to land in Zurich, Switzerland and when I was supposed to catch my next plane there to Florence. Needless to say, I missed my connection, which again, would have been fine, since they set me up on the next flight out, but there were several problems: 1. The next flight was not until 5:45 (my original flight was at 12:50), 2. Mike was waiting at the airport in Florence for me to arrive at 2pm, 3. Both he and I had no way to contact each other, 4. Neither of us had each other's information on where we were staying in Florence. I asked the person who gave me my new ticket if there was a way to contact the airport, and they said that if Mike asked a Swiss Air employee, they would tell him of my situation. That turned out to be a LIE, but I would not know that until later. So I had about 5 hours to kill in Zurich - which sucked, except I met a nice Moroccan Dutchman who I had lunch with because he had also missed his connection. My sense is that the Moroccans are nice people, as the two that I've met have been very pleasant and sociable. Anyway, I bought some Swiss chocolate and waited the 5 hours, boarded my flight and prayed that my bag would make it and that Mike would be there. After arriving in Florence and getting through a rather gruff passport check, I got my bag and walked out to find that I was alone. I totally did not blame Mike for thinking that I had flaked, why else would I not be where I said I would? I grabbed a cab to my hotel, which was really nice and had a minibar and I was able to use my mom and Jaime to make contact with Mike and we ended up meeting up the next day and spending a fantastic day in Florence. The city was fairly quiet and I got to see a lot of things that I wanted to see the last time I was there. I even went back to the same shop that I bought my wallet in 2007 and the shop owner was so nice, at least to me - He kept saying "For you, (meaning me) I take off 5 euro, but not for you (meaning Mike)." The Italians love women. We had an amazing meal with pasta and wine for dinner and then had some equally amazing gelatto, which you cannot leave Italy without having. We also went to a bar run by one of Joe Stanley's friends who was very nice to us and made me some awesome mixed drinks. All in all, the day I actually spent in Florence was worth the hassle of getting there and I am so glad that I went! I love the city and hope to go back again in the not so distant future.

After getting back, I went back to the archives the following day and then went out on Saturday with Jaime to meet up with Abby, the Aussie, and her friend Katie. We went to a Jazz bar and it was very cool - very different from the pubs we usually go to. They sang some classic French standards and threw in some American music - including "Proud Mary". They asked for requests, but didn't take my call for some "Frère Jacques" - I thought it would really get the crowd involved. What can I say, I'm obnoxious. We then left the jazz bar to meet up with some other folk at another bar which was a mistake because it was not as fun, except for this really odd guy who kept saying that we were all from Tazmania. We put him on and said yes, but he was weird. The next day, Jaime and I had brunch at this awesome place called "Breakfast in America" where you can get eggs, pancakes, homefries, coffee, oj, toast, bacon, etc in a diner atmosphere. We had to wait almost 3o-45 minutes to get in cause the place is tiny, but it was worth it. I've been crazing a proper brunch since we got here and this was the first place that delivered. It was so great that we went to its second location yesterday. I think that when you live in Paris for an extended time as opposed to visit for a short stint, you seek out things that are comforting and normal to you instead of looking to soak in all you can of the Parisian culture, since you LIVE that culture day in and day out.

If I thought that I had experienced craziness in Paris up to this weekend, I was proved wrong after Friday night. We met up with Jess, the au pair, who is sadly leaving Paris for Australia on Tuesday and will be missed. We tried to get dinner at another soul food place, but again struck out, so we went back up to the pub we ate at in Montmartre a few weeks ago. It was then decided to go back to the Highlander, our favorite pub, for drinks. What a decision that turned out to be. We got there in time to watch the latter half of the France vs. Wales rugby game. As in the previous weeks with the Scots, there were many Welsh fans there, mostly older men (40s, 50s). No kilts, as the Welsh wear red and daisies to show their pride. France was victorious and the Welsh fans were sad, but still in the mood to party. We ended up striking up a conversation with a few of the gentlemen, including one half-Welsh, half-English man who was only allowed to wear pink because he was not fully Welsh. He was the most normal person we would talk to that night. We three girls spent the next hour to hour and a half surrounded by middle aged Welsh men and one VERY drunk 72 year old Welshman who said the most inappropriate things to all of us that I won't repeat, mostly because I could not understand 75 percent of what he said. It was a good time, except Jaime was once again the target of handsiness, courtesy of the 72 year old. One of the men was a bit younger and we had fun talking to him about music, the US, and sang a rousing chorus of "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Fight for your right to party." If the night had ended there, it would have made a good story...but it did not.

So we were still spending time with the old Welshman when in walked some younger ones in red rugby shirts. One of them immediately, and I mean immediately, walked up and put his arms around Jess and Jaime and proceeded to be very friendly despite their lack of interest. He was quite large, quite drunk, and I don't think any of us understood a word he said all night. He licked my hand at one point and hit me in the eye with his glass and I told him I was married, Jess told him she was dating a bartender, and poor Jaime was stuck with him. The cool older Welsh guy tried to intercede to get this guy off of her, but it took Barry, our favorite bartender, threatening him with a cold shower to get him to stop, and even then, it wasn't until he was literally thrown out of the bar that we were free of his drunken antics. A few of the other boys bought us drinks and seemed far less drunk/unintelligible, so we talked to them. Jess chatted with Mark, who I was told was a big time kayaker and plumber, don't ask me how either goes together. Jaime and I talked to Rhys and Davies, who told us of their estates in Wales and yacht in Majorca and how we were invited there anytime. I don't believe a word of this, but who knows. It was at this point that I decided to ask their ages, since they didn't appear old enough to have all this wealth. They were all 20! Could not believe it, mostly because you would not see a 20 year old in a bar in the US (at least not openly) and because we were all 6 years older than them. They didn't seem to care and when we needed to leave to catch the metro, they walked us to the stop, and then continued to follow us. We weren't sure what to do with them, they didn't know where they were or where they needed to go, so we came back to the apartment briefly and then headed back out again to another bar. Many bars here are open to 5, so we were lucky. Davies was over the whole night way before the other two were and was constantly trying to catch a cab, to no avail. It was insane, but finally Jaime and I were able to leave them, despite pleas by Rhys for us to stay and hang out more. It was a crazy night and I must say that I find the Welsh to be the most insane of the British isle folk - and they also HATE the English.

Speaking of the English, I was able to watch Ireland beat the English the next day in rugby. Rugby is a fun sport to watch, much more entertaining than soccer, in my opinion, and much more violent. Plus, watching Ireland play in an Irish bar, as I did on Saturday, was even more fun. Saturday night was spent at the Highlander again, but was much more low key. Just a few drinks, some entertainment provided by Barry and another bartender as they practiced some bottle tricks, and some good music. It is by far my favorite bar in Paris and probably anywhere that I have been - it is so chill and the people that work there are really nice - and they always have a drink special for 5 euro that I actually like. I would and usually do go there every week. It is also a nice break from the archives and from Paris. It doesn't feel like you are in Paris in the bar, but then walking outside across the Pont Neuf, it feels like REAL Paris as you see the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. I will miss the Highlander and that walk when I leave Paris as it is by far the highlight of my weekends here.

There's more stuff that I left out, but I think I hit all the worthwhile stories for the time being. Coming up on the agenda is Fall Out Boy in concert on the 10th in my neighborhood, my birthday on the 20th (feel free to send presents!) and basically waiting for April to get here so that I can finally see Dan. 3 months left here, I can only imagine what else can happen.