Summer 2009 in Paris was like that cool friend that you maybe met at summer camp or at the beach when you were a kid. You didn’t expect to become friends with this different and fun person, but you enjoyed him or her immensely for that time when you were together and they made you feel special. August and July were months of gorgeous weather where the warmth and sunshine enveloped you like the warmth and sunshine of the kind of friend I described above. Sunbathing, soaking up even more sun while sitting at a café over an espresso and a book, outdoor concerts, walking around with an ice cream cone in your hands while you cross a bridge over the Seine, having deep conversations with friends at the many beautiful parks in Paris…these are things that come to mind when I think of this past summer. Pleasure abounded! But also did fruitful, quality time with friends - both Christian and non-Christian, many of which are the same ones I referred to a previous blog entry (see "Carissa, Professional Friend"). I became closer with two friends I made this past Spring and can see how God used these friendships so we'd both be encouraged in our faith! But once September 1st came around a few weeks ago…well, the temperature immediately dropped from the 80s to the low 60s and, like that gorgeous friend that you quickly became close to but then suddenly left (perhaps they had to move or change schools?), summer, too, also suddenly left. “But I didn’t even get to say goodbye to you, Summer!” is how I felt towards my dear friend, this favorite season of mine. Didn’t get one more chance to sunbathe in a small park I discovered (Square Saint-Lambert), my tan is fading, scarves are once again wrapping the necks of men and women, and the days are getting shorter. Women are exchanging strappy nu-pieds (sandals) for knee-high boots. Cardigan sweaters, pullover dresses with belts, black tights and trench coats are coming back again after a season of white linen skirts, tank tops and capris.
With the cooler weather and scarves, however, September in Paris also marks the arrival of a very special time of the year here in France called La Rentrée. “The Return” would be a good way of translating this phrase which marks not only a time when students from pre-K to university go back to school, but also a time when several businesses and cafes re-open after a sleepy and long summer holiday. The sidewalks are alive again and crowded with moms rushing to take their kids to school, businessmen in suits rushing to catch the next Metro train for work, lycéens (high-schoolers) grabbing a sandwich with their friends for lunch or a pain au chocolat in the morning for a quick breakfast. Shop owners displaying folding chalkboard signs for promotions on items like such as notebooks, agendas or gourmet food like foie gras. Associations (“ah-so-see-ah-see-ohn”) - this is not only one of the hardest words in the French language for me to correctly pronounce - but these are social clubs where people who share a common hobby or interest meet to do that activity. Associations, too, make their re-entry into Parisian life and are now resuming after the summer break, too. Last Saturday I went to a forum for my district (the 15th arrondissement), where all the associations in my neighborhood set up tents and put up tables of pamphlets and sign-up information. Like what I would find back home in Jersey in the flyers I’d get in the mail from local community colleges advertising personal enrichment courses, associations are a good way to take up an activity for personal learning and/or enjoyment. There is a huge variety of activities available in associations for residents, ranging from collecting antique postcards (“CERCLE FRANÇAIS DES COLLECTIONNEURS DE CARTES POSTALES”) to yoga and modern dance (“Club DANSE FUSION”) to volunteer assistance for the elderly (“ACTION MEDICALE ET SOCIALE A DOMICILE”) to indoor soccer leagues for kids and adults (“Futsal Paris XVème”) !
They’re also a great way to meet people, which is important in my work here! Tomorrow I will be meeting up with a friend after dinner to play indoor soccer (Futsal – football in a salle, or room). Indoor soccer for the year will cost me about 165Euros, so before I commit I will go again tomorrow evening to get another feel for it. I will need to eventually get indoor soccer shoes if I do m’inscire (sign myself up). Memories of those classic black and white Adidas Samba shoes that many of my classmates in grade school used to wear come back to mind. Last week when we went for the first time, there were only 2 other women there (both who look like they’re in their 20s). Team sports for women are not very popular here in Paris! But it was a casual atmosphere and the two who were there were happy to see us join in. I’m looking forward to just trying something new and meeting more people, and I’m hoping more women will come. There does not seem to be a whole lot of “solidarité” among young women here in Paris. Team sports are a great way to experience this! And if I can learn how to better play in a team context – how to pass the ball, how to dribble correctly…so much the better! These values will come in handy in my line of work anyhow. :)
At the Mairie (or City Hall) of the 15th arrondissement of Paris, where I live. This is a banner for the Forum of Associations I went to last week.
A local choral group (an association) singing in front of the Mairie, showing passerby what they do in case they're interested!
At the Mairie (or City Hall) of the 15th arrondissement of Paris, where I live. This is a banner for the Forum of Associations I went to last week.
