Chapter 80: Paabor in Paris

nerd blog post #95

I arrived by train in Paris on Wednesday. My birthday. Getting off the train, I was stopped by two large and angry men in normal clothing who flashed something quickly and then demanded to see my passport and ticket. Remembering that there are con artists in the world, I asked to see their badges and saw that they were French customs officers. They asked me a hundred questions in an angry way. Why was I in Amsterdam? With whom? Did I have more than 10,000 Euros on me? Why was I in France? Am I quebecoise? They then dumped my bag, undies and all, onto the ground of the platform and rummaged through. Feeling pretty sad to be treated so poorly on my special day, I asked them to be nicer to me because it was my birthday. They were. But it was a strange thing and the first time to feel like a criminal while going through "customs."

The next welcome home was much more welcoming as Raffi met me at his metro stop with a lemon tart complete with candle. We then headed back to his place where he had invited some clowns over for a surprise party! We had cake and champagne and played some games. It was a really nice evening!

The next morning, I left early to pick Simon Paabor up from the airport. Paabor is a good friend from Queen's drama and is on a Eurotrip. Unfortunately for both of us, Paabor had missed his flight from England and I had to knit in the airport for close to three hours. Still, it was great to see him and we headed into Paris together to check into his hotel.

That evening, Raffi took me out for a bday dindins. I think I have nerd blogged about the fact that sushi is cher here and that I didn't think I would be able to have my fave food while in France. Hearing me vent about this on numerous occasions, Raffi took me out for a most delicious sushi dinner. It was amazing! Salmon maki is my fave. I ate until I was about to explode.

On Friday night, a number of worlds collided as Paabor, Viktor, Raffi, Benito, Cynthia, Merrill and I went out for a couscous dinner. It was fun. We then headed out to a dancey bar to party with more clowns. We missed the last metro and I experienced the night bus for the first time since taking it to catch my flight to Italy in the Fall. Not fun. It takes six times as long and is really annoying. But it was a fun night.

I met Paabor at Notre Dame the next day and we spent a really great afternoon together. We walked around the Latin Quarter and then along the Seine to the Louvre and then through the Jardin des Tuileries and then all the way up the Champs d'Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. It's a long walk, but there are many a-sight to see. And Paabor and I were able to chat about all that has happened in the past months.

In the evening, Raffi, Viktor and clown Sean met Paabor at the Eiffel Tour where we enjoyed a beer on a park bench and watched the tower sparkle. It was nice.

On Sunday, Merrill and her American friend and I went to Rose Bakery, where Raffi and Viktor work for brunch. It's too expensive for me, though, so I had a coffee. Afterwards, we wandered around the neighbourhood (the Marais) which is Paris' gay and Jewish district. It's quite a cool place. There are vintage stores and expensive stores, mosques and gay friendly cafes. Also the Picasso museum, which I have yet to visit. We went to a cool museum that's free to enter and is in a huge mansion. It's the history of Paris, told through miniature models and lot's of paintings. It was really neat and I had no idea it even existed.

Monday was goodbye time, and I took an early train back to Rennes.

The vacay was great. I was happy to be able to do new things and see old friends. I am now in Rennes, with Paabor sitting across from me, doing business on his baby lappy! More on Rennes latron.

Hope you're all having a good week.

Much love,
Hincks.