An American in Paris

Today was Pollution Day, and I'm not quite sure how to celebrate. Or maybe it's not a celebration at all. Let me explain. There was a lot of pollution, so the metro decided to make entry free the entire weekend. Free. That means the air quality is terrible, but you get to ride the Metro for free. Now does one celebrate the situation or does one mourn it? I can see Hallmark getting involved in the near future, but it hasn't happen yet. So, is it "Happy Pollution Day," or is it "I feel terrible, it's Pollution Day..." I wonder how often this happens. And who decides this? Is it the President? Other governing bodies? Does the Metro system use this to hurt or embarrass another department? How often does this happen? I have so many questions. In any case, Happy Pollution Day.

Coming home to Paris after my visit to NYC, I have some observations that are new. I went to Zabar's and of course nothing is new there. An old staple that ages gracefully. But, across the street, they tore down a building. And as usual, I can't remember what was there. I am sure I loved it, but it is gone now. A grand high-rise will, I am sure, replace it, but whatever was there is gone. How I will miss it. Whatever it was. I remember (or at least I think I do) when the Empire State Building began lighting the top. It was very exciting. Then, a number of years later, they began to add colors. Then they changed the colors for the specific event of the day. I remember being very excited when they changed the color to purple for Gay Pride day. This time, I am driving in from the airport and it is pulsing red. Pulsing. I asked the cab driver when this happened. "Oh, a while ago now." We aren't happy with a large, colored phallus in the city? Now it has to pul...

People have asked me to write something about food shopping and grocery stores in Paris. Since France is such a "food" country, people probably have the impression that food shopping is somehow elevated. For the longest time, I wasn't sure what to write, since for the most part, food shopping here feels like food shopping everywhere else. Corporate food companies create a nice space, shelves, produce, milk, eggs... you know, normal. But, of course, ultimately, you start to notice differences. So, I show you my favorite Monoprix in my neighborhood. Nice, right? Yes, clean, beautiful to look at, lots of products. There are 2 Monoprix's in the area and the other one is sort of a normal, ordinary store but this one is really very nice. There is even a microwave and a seating area, so you can get lunch and sit down and eat it. It is sort of a combo of a grocery store and a Prêt À Manger lunch place (which, by the way, is a British company). The store is really divi...