"Those things which you obtain quickly and early are not necessarily the best things that can happen to you"
I read that statement in a discarded programme of a Comedie Française play. It was in the bio of an actress. It hit me because, at 29, I am probably one of the oldest participants in my program. But I was sort of living life, improving my French, working theatre jobs where I could get them. Dating men. Breaking up with the same men. But I've sort of always known that I was too scatter brained and too daydreamy for 9 to 5 work. I crave that sort of rush I have always gotten working with younger children (and not like that creepy old guy from Family Guy. Although now I'm reading EVERYTHING I write in his voice. And now it's creepy)
And though that capacity for wondrous excitement (and...okay, honestly, slight attention deficitness) usually got me scolded in school, college, and most every job I've had except for the ones where I was directly interacting with youth, I now find it most helpful. I hope when I EVENTUALLY settle down, I'd like to teach theatre and French. Don't get me wrong, I WILL SCREW UP EVERY SINGLE DOCUMENT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ASKS FOR. But I think I've always been a teacher, in some way or another.
There's an awesome word in French for a person who drifts around aimlessly, but enjoys themselves tremendously. Le flâneur. I can't think of a word in English without a negative connotation. But I'm excited to wander around and see what happens in this new gig.
And that's EXACTLY what I did today. Wandered aimlessly around the city.
That's what writers call a "Segue." Should I mention that until a week ago I always spelled that word incorrectly? I spelled it Segway...like the scooter. And I'm supposed to be teaching English. Joke's on you, French government.
I started my morning early, because otherwise the cleaning lady was up and stirring and that scary Russian girl from last night was still sleeping. And I JUST STARTED WALKING. I didn't have a particular place to be, save for a lunch date with Robert. And I walked up the hill to Sacre Cour. That's right. My thighs will be tremendous if I keep this up. And inside there was a bunch of tourists and a WHOLE GROUP OF NUNS. HUNDREDS. (It was like a horror movie) And then I climbed down. I was hassled by men selling necklaces (I always forget, touching strangers isn't the cultural faux pas it is back home) and girls trying to sign contracts. (Just a note. If someone in Paris approaches you asking you to sign something, they are usually pick pockets or asking for donations to a fake charity). So I continued my way down to the first metro station and I just let me self pick a line, picked a stop I was familiar with near the Louvre. I had promised someone that I would get a picture of Napoloen's tomb....so I walked along the Seine River for longer than I would have liked to get to Invalides. Yes. There is a metro stop, but then I couldn't have seen Paris and Paris is meant to be seen. Don't get me wrong, public transit is an amazing thing and everyone should have access to it!! (I'm looking at you United States.) But it's Paris.
And the leaves are falling.
And people are kissing and laughing
I almost stopped and asked a couple who were exchanging saliva for directions even though I knew where I was going. But I decided that would be just a little too mean.
I took a picture of Napoleon's tomb.
Big Tomb for a Little Guy. (Okay history buffs. I know he wasn't that short)
And I had lunch in a park with my friend Robert.
And then I wandered some more until I was so sweaty and my pretty white sparkly Sperrys were suddenly dingy and more grey than normal.
But that's okay. I can buy another pair of Sperrys. Honestly, I will probably buy hundreds more pairs of shoes, but I can't buy another today. It was pretty nice to wander.
I'd probably post that quote about "All who wander are not lost", but I'm told that quote is actually taken out of context? I could be wrong! Anyways, you get it.
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