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Different or more of the same?

It is kind of strange to me how similar life is in Paris compared to New York. Both are cities that are very urban. Both have inhabitants who are mostly pedestrians, use public transit, especially the Metro/Subway, socialize in public (as opposed to private homes). Each city is the most important in the respective country and is a cultural center. I think the most important similarity of the two is the pride of place for the citizens. Each is VERY proud of their city and could not imagine living anywhere else. Having made it in that city, there is very little idea of moving back to wherever they came from. We made it here! Also, strangely, there is also the fact that people who live in other parts of the country hate the people in these cities. And the citizens don't care, in fact are proud of the fact.

Now, instead of going to the Met (opera), I go to l'Opèra. Instead of going to the Met Museum, I go to the Louvre. I still go to the stores in the neighborhood for groceries, the local butcher, baker, hardware store. Go to dinner tonight with friends? Sure! Your neighborhood or mine? Same dilemma of not knowing where to go tonight for dinner. Want to get out of the cramped apartment? Go for a walk! See a gallery or go shopping (why does everyone love shopping so much?).

There are differences. You have to maneuver around Sunday (everything is closed) and Monday (many restaurants are closed). In New York, the restaurants are mostly centered around a foreign cuisine (French, Italian, Mexican); in Paris? French food (for the most part). It was quite an experience being here when Paris shuts down. Oh, yes... shuts down. In The latter part of August, everyone goes on vacation at the same time. That means that meals and food shopping are a dicey business. Most of your favorite restaurants are closed. Need an extension cord? Maybe in two weeks. The tourist areas are open, but who wants to go there? Please! Also amenities in NYC are much better. We get laundry and shirts done as easily as a phone call. You can get anything delivered right to your door. Paris? Not so much and it is more expensive when you do. It seems right now that everyone does their own laundry (really?) and pressing shirts is a personal art form. I feel like I am taking a step back sometimes.

Breakfast? Non-existent in Paris. A cup of coffee and, if you are hungry, a croissant at the local patisserie.  Oatmeal? Cereal? Pancakes? Forget it! Tea? Ugh... if you absolutely must! Lunch and dinner, though, are both a social event in Paris. Eating alone has so far been an oddity. Lunch, even for office workers, appears to be a restaurant event. I love that.

So, in some ways, it feels as if I have moved to a new neighborhood, not a new country. People have been amazingly friendly (I don't care what anyone says). Less of a change than a development in slightly new surroundings. Let's see what I think in 6 months.

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