Some metro sightings....

Have been enjoying watching people on the metro (in a very non-creepy way mind you). Sometimes I try to imagine what their lives are like. For example, I saw a very Italian looking man with a gruffy beard and some rather worn clothes and I imagined he was heading to his family restaurant which, of course, was actually a front for the mob he runs. Needless to say, I had the Godfather theme music running through my head.

Overall, it's very hard to watch people though because everyone is watching everyone else, making sure that no one is actually watching them. It's quite the comical and viscious cycle and something I'll probably never forget about Paris. However, this morning on my way to classes, there was an amazingly sweet older lady sitting across from me. She pulled out a notebook from her purse (because real Parisiens don't actually wear backpacks like me) and reviewed some of her notes she had written. After about 5 minutes, she pushed that back in her purse and pulled a book to read. The expression on her face was near smiling and I couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to her in her seemingly happy aura. The "I'm Parisian and I hate life" expression that most people have plastered on their faces on the metro didn't seem to persuade this woman to change her expression and I was in awe. I smiled to myself and then got off at the next stop.

Tonight I will be going to choir practice at the American Church in Paris. They'll speak English, and most likely sing in English, so I'm hoping to make some friends or at least build a different connection to people other than through my group of peers in classes. The choir director seemed pretty welcoming and even went out of his way to e-mail me to see if I was still coming. It's the same sort of persistence that got me wanting to come to Ripon - perhaps there will be a similar feel in the people here as there is on campus as well.

Am still fighting what is either allergies or a cold. I'm starting to think it's more of a cold now because the course of time has really changed how I've been feeling. I've been having a balloon in my head for a couple of days (since Sunday or Saturday) but even today, I think I'm getting better. I think the 10 hours of sleep for the past couple of nights has really helped.

Speaking of sleep, I've been having a bit of a war with my pillow combinations but haven't quite worked up the courage to ask Madame for a different one. I have one flat pillow, one perfect sized pillow that's as hard as a rock, and then a pillow no man should ever use to sleep with out of fear of breaking their necks. It's rather comical, but only to the point before I realize it's starting to affect how I sleep. I'm not sure if all Parisians are walking around with stiff necks/backs (perhaps this could also explain the sour faces on the metro as well) but my body seems to be taking a toll.

In any case, I have to go to class soon, but I hope all is well with whoever has taken the time to read this blog. :)

A bientot!