Heavy Groceries

Grocery shopping differs quite a bit between France and the U.S.

In Paris, we would walk ten minutes to the metro and ride it for two stops, before exiting and walking a block to reach our favorite Monoprix. We usually exited with both our reusable shopping bags bursting at the seams, and sometimes left with an extra bag. Usually, we rode the metro back home. But, on more than one occasion, we simply walked to the store, or, gasp, walked home carrying the groceries.

Today, since the boyfriend is sick, I got in the car and drove to Safeway to get supplies. I grabbed one of those black baskets at the door and filled it with eight yogurts, four powerades, and two raisin breads. I then swung by the water aisle and picked up two and a half gallons of water. Next, I walked straight to a cashier, put my items on the counter, and waited for the person in front of me to finish checking out.
 
This conversation with the male, fifty year old cashier followed:

Checker: "Is the water yours?"
Me: "Yes it is."
Checker: "Because I didn't see a cart...did you carry that over here?!"
Me: "Yes, I did."
Checker: "Isn't that too heavy?"
Me: "I just returned from Paris where you carry your groceries home, so I guess I just got used to that."
Checker: "So, you've been training..."
Me: "I suppose so..."
Checker: "Well are you sure you wouldn't like a cart or at least help outside?"
Me: "I'll be okay."
Checker: "Alright...well, you are certainly stronger than I am!"

Exiting the store, I carried my two bags of groceries and water to my car parked less than a block away. It only took me five to ten minutes to drive home, park in the garage, and walk through the front door.

I was so befuddled by the encounter, I made my sick boyfriend get out of bed and assess the groceries before recounting the story. He responded with a shrug, "Americans..." After a moment, "I guess you've turned Parisian."

H1N1 Influenza

The boyfriend caught the swine flu on a non-stop flight from Paris to San Francisco. Originally, I was bummed that we took separate flights, especially because I had a stop-over in Montreal, but it turns out that I was the lucky one.

This really is a nasty strain of flu, but he should be fine by next Tuesday. Until then, he must drink tons of water, take Tylenol to control his fever, and take codeine laced cough medicine to help him sleep.

It is very cute, he has got kind of obsessive about taking precautions to keep me from getting sick. Everything is separate right now: sleeping arrangements, food, towels, etc. Also, we've both been washing our hands, cleaning surfaces with antibacterial wipes, and using Purell constantly.

Besides jet-lag, I feel fine, but I still have four more days until he will no longer be contagious. Until then, I am stuck sleeping on the couch, which is pretty lame, but surprisingly comfortable. What a welcome home party this is! 

California Dreamin'

On the twentieth, I will be taking off out of Charles de Gaulle airport bound for San Francisco. I cannot wait! Here are some things that I am looking forward to in no particular order:

1. Half and half, without which I haven't had a decent cup of tea in two months.
2. My pets who I miss dearly. Every time I see a dog on the streets of Paris it takes all of my willpower not to rush it, and there are a LOT of dogs here. 
3. Being able to converse with shopkeepers and cashiers. I look forward to the days when I can answer simple questions without being looked at like I am "special."
4. Coffee shops and the ability to get a latte to go. 
5. Being able to eavesdrop without racking my brain for the necessary vocabulary. 
6. Being able to hang out with my friends and family, let alone call them without taking international time zones into consideration.
7. Not living out of a suitcase, albeit a very large suitcase. 
8. Peanut butter, which is obscenely expensive here.
   
9. My car, because in terms of convenience a car cannot be beat, especially for transporting heavy objects.
10. My usb cable for my camera, which I accidentally left behind.

S&M and Our "Contact"

This week the boyfriend becomes the proud recipient of a doctorate, and a scant ten days later he is slated to begin work doing research in the states. To help with this difficult time line, the hiring company has lent us the services of a moving company called S&M and a "contact" to meet with the morning after we arrive.

The moving company has already assessed our belongings and now we have little more to do than point at what we would like to come with us. So, next week, our S&M movers will come and pack all our stuff for us, take it away, and ship it to us in the states. Coupled with my distaste for packing, I am finding their company's name delightfully apt, thus, I am very proud of my self-restraint as I refrained from giggling when the mover referred to "S&M" in my presence.

(Yes, I have the sense of humor of a ten year old boy.)

As for the "contact", he/she's job is to smooth the transition for foreigners by helping to combat culture shock. While I don't expect to encounter anything out the ordinary, being a native and all, I am curious to see how the U.S. is described. With this in mind, we checked all the options including information about clothing, culture, nightlife, etc. Besides, having the ability to consult our contact makes me feel like one half of an international spy duo, and I intend to revel in that.

Sunrise East

These statues make up Ugo Rondinone's "Sunrise East" installation at the Jardin des Tuileries. Each statue represents a month, and are placed like the numbers of a clock around a pool. I assume that 1 o'clock is January, 2 o'clock is February, etcetera. I read that they are supposed to emphasize the cyclical nature of life. Putting that aside, they are wonderfully funny and delightful in their context at Tuileries. Seeing them juxtaposed against the background of the grand, regal Concorde with the Arc de Triomphe in the distance put a smile on my face. Paris can be intimidating in regard to its history and scale, but these statues are so silly and fresh that they counteract any stuffiness.

"Home" Remedy

How To Treat An Ear Infection Abroad

1. Recognize one's lack of insurance
2. Wonder how to navigate foreign health care system
3. Panic
4. Scurry over to laptop
5. Search for homeopathic remedies
6. Troll many a home remedy forum
7. Decide on a course of action based on products in the pantry
8. Have companion pour white vinegar in one's ear
9. Wait a bit
10. Drain
11. Warm up a spoon over the stove
12. Pour vegetable oil in spoon
13. Let oil warm
14. Have companion pour warm oil in ear
15. Wait a bit
16. Drain
17. Hijack companions sock
18. Fill sock with white rice
19. Tie end of sock into a knot
20. Microwave sock for forty seconds
21. Apply warm compress to ear
    
22. Repeat treatment for three days
23. Feel much better