I haven’t written many articles lately because I’ve been hard at work. But, I am
happy to report that I finished that manuscript and sent it off
to the publisher. I’m filled with joy at the thought of actually
holding a copy of it in my hand come December.
However…
A couple of weeks ago my computer died. It just went and took everything I had in
it, with it. Thank God for key cards and external hard drives. (“Don’t forget to always back up everything!”)
Those were words from my friend Carolyn Moncel of
MotionTechs. What a dear friend indeed.
Last week, I accidentally shrank six shirts in my new washing machine/dryer
combo. I knew it sounded risky when the salesperson explained how wonderfully this one appliance could fit into my
small kitchen space. I was right. Whoever heard of one machine
that does washing and drying? It just sounds weird.
Yesterday, while trying to close the shutters, I broke a window and now I’m
crying over the €250 the Monsieur walked away with while whistling this morning.
I asked myself: What does it all mean?
And that little voice inside my head responded:
Don’t worry, it’s just the stress of la rentrée—a horribly busy time when everyone
is forced to go back to work, school or to whatever it was they
were doing before they took off for a month or two, headed to sunny beaches and the like.
Ahhhhhhh.
Now, I’ve been here for years but this year seems to be particularly hard. With images
of Hurricane Katrina still haunting my sleep, and everything
else that’s going on in the world, it’s no wonder.
I figure I am not alone.
If you are cursing in traffic, biting your lip at the boulangerie because the
dear old lady in front of you with her dog and cart are taking
up too much time in the line, don’t worry, it’s normale.
That new shirt you burnt a hole in last week wasn't really that
cute, or just pretend it wasn’t...and that co-worker who
insists on getting on your nerves? Well, he really isn’t
trying to. Normally, say June or especially July, you’d be
able to deal with such annoying things, and luckily, la rentrée
blues only lasts until about October-around the time when
there’s another school vacation, oddly enough…
Until that blessed vacation period, there are some ways in which you can cure
yourself of la rentrée blues. Why not do it with some good old
fashioned self-indulging? Yes? OK. Now we’re talking. Here are a
few of my personal favourites--the places that have been
contributing to my sanity this month.
First up?
STARBUCKS.
Why oh why did they ever build one close to my place of
habitation? They wanted me to frequent their establishment,
that’s why. It’s interesting to note that when I lived in
Manhattan where there are two and three on every city block, I
rarely got my coffee there. But here, in Paris, Starbucks
has become one of my rentrée saviours. It’s a little piece of home. It’s a great place to sit and write
and think… and complain about your co-workers if complain you
must.
By the way, try the Caramel Macchiato. I’ve been addicted since my friend Gabrielle
showed up at my place with it back in August. One word of
caution, I didn’t use that word addictive for nothing. €4.30 a
day x seven days…You can see where this is going…
Next?
Les Printemps and Galeries Lafayette.
These are great places to shop in Paris. If you can't find shoes there, you don't really want
shoes. You're basically getting everything you could need or
want in one location. Right next door you’ll find H&M. I
don't care if they did drop uber model Kate Moss, they're
still OK with me. Great clothes and great bargains.
Now you’ve had your coffee and you’ve got your new gear. How about having dinner
in an interesting do-it-yourself style IKEA-like restaurant?
My friend and publisher Juliet (the Pariswoman) introduced me to JIPANQUE (96 rue la
Boétie Paris, 8th. Tel. 01.45.63.77.00).
It’s Japanese and Sushi isn’t the only thing on the menu. If you get beef or shrimp, the
fun thing is cooking it yourself in the middle of your table. I
did say that: You cook it yourself. As I’m the type of girl who
has to eat her food well done, it was perfect. I enjoyed just
leaving it on the grill for as long as I wanted to, and not
having to worry about sending it back to be re-cooked.
The Louvre Museum. I know, you’ve been a hundred times and
you’ve even taken the Da Vinci Code Tour, but have you been to
see the exposition on the painter Girodet? It’s
definitely worth your while…trust me, and it’ll only be in Paris
until January 2006 before heading over to the U.S.
OK. So I cannot list all the places I’ve hung out this past month due to space concerns
(am I already over?) but what I’m trying to tell you is this:
Go out. Do something. There are thousands of places in
Paris. Pick up Pariscope or Zurban and find
yourself a new restaurant, a new art exhibition, a Starbucks
near you, and you’ll certainly feel better. Don’t forget to
include a friend, because chances are they’re experiencing the
blues as well, especially if he or she is new to Paris. And
remember, October is just around the corner.
Questions for our readers: How do you feel about la rentrée
or the back to school period in France? How is it different from
where you’re from? What are you doing to survive it?
Email your answers to
priscilla@priscillalalisse.com and maybe they'll
be featured in my next article.
through my eyes...
