I've mostly reported the emotional and philosophical side of this trip. It's kind of like drinking canned milk after a while- so I apologize readers, now I will fill you in on some of (and there's a lot) of the funny stuff (like the falling in the bathroom incident- which by the way has left my black and blue! eek!).
Dior in Paris- When Kate arrived in Paris I told her that I NEEDED to go into at least one designer store and try something on and take pictures of the fabulous garments JUST to say I did it and to try on elegant clothing I'll NEVER be able to afford. We were in the Gallery Laffayette and we went up to the designer floor. I made a B b-line for Dior and an incredible pink satin and beaded lace gown. It was decisively the most expensive thing in the store. I asked to try it on. The woman looked at me and said she didn't think it would be my size (snort). She was a tall, thin Russian looking woman with blonde hair and bright red lipstick. I put on the dress (which was actually three layers!) and it fit- IN FACT it was too big! HA!
I put on each layer- silk. Pure silk. It looked and felt like and expensive slip. Honestly, without the lace part it could be something to wear in the bedroom (though I doubt there are many women who would pay 38,000 euro for a nelige!!). After putting on the whole dress I walked out to model it. I explained in my best lying voice possible that I was looking for a gown for a Gala. (she didn't buy it for a second). After admiring it in the mirror for a few minutes I explained that I wanted something to I would be able to dance in. She smirked. Oh well, I still got my pictures.
Metro madness- In Lille on Wednesday we stayed with a friend of Kate's (another American! Yay!) named Lina who is teaching english in France. We got day passes on the metro. However,Upon arriving at the metro station we were greeted by the "metro gustapo" (the guys who check to make sure you've payed for your pass). We presented our tickets, not expecting any issues. He looked at our tickets and scowled. Apparently you have to "compost" (stick it in a machine and verify it) your ticket and we hadn't done that- an honest mistake. Howeverm he thought we were trying to cheat the system.
I have never gotten into an argument with French "officials" before. This was the exception. The guy tried to rake us for 28 euros each. I explained that we had gotten into Lille that afternoon and even tried to show him our train tickets (Hard PROOF that we hadn't had our day passes for longer than that day!!!!) and he just ignored them. He even (he even) asked for our passports. He asked me why I wasn't carrying a french "carte bancaire" (bank card) because I told him I had been living in Paris- I explained that I was not a citizen of France and didn't live here fill time. He then asked "well, why aren't you carrying more money? How do you pay for things?". I showed him my visa- hello, it's a credit card. He asked why I didn't have cash (I was yelling at this point in sync with Lina while poor Kate stood there not understanding the French frenzy- she even tried to calm me down and Lina said "no, you NEED to get mad").
The event ended with him taking a bribe. I didn't even offer him the money. I just showed him that all I had was 15 euro. He snatched up the five and said "we'll just pretend this never happened, have a nice day". All I could think in my head was "You f******g a*********e **************************************************************************" There was a lot of french swearing when I left the station. I have never been that mad at the French. The thing is that they follow a system- often like blind dogs. This is the frustrating aspect of their traditionalism. For the most part it is beautiful and, even though silly, enjoyable. This was the nasty beaurocratic nonsense side.
I suppose it had to happen once. I laugh now at how rediculous the situation was, but at the time I was literally fuming.
There are (and probably will be) more to come of these absurd incidents and mischievous happenings. I'll post as they come.... but for the moment, those are the highlights.
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