I know this may sound grossly exaggerated considering I’ve only been away for a few days,
but I’m enjoying being away from home. The more I think about it, the more I’m beginning to see that I here I have what I have always dreamt of…my own place, my own laptop, privacy, independence…

Every day I wake up at 7 am, and then make my way to the office along with other 9-5ers. Here everybody takes the Metro – the subway – to work. And here, when you say “corporate” attire, they don’t look like cheesy banktellers. Its mean I know, but here, people wear coats and suits. Or maybe its just because its still winter and coats are needed to survive. My point isn’t to criticize those at home, its just that here, people are noticeably more well-dressed.

The trip to the office takes 30 minutes at the most and when you get to work, people are really working. Give them a few minutes to check their mail and get organized, after that..its work. (Either that or they’re very good pretenders, either way, its pretty impressive.)

Common lunch fare means a sandwich or salad or baguette with cheese and something for dessert, perhaps a fruit tart (strawberry is common) or flan. There’s also the glass of beer or wine, the most interesting of which is what is called a “Rose”…a mix between white and red wine. Interesting how people who are biologically bigger than Filipinos eat so little in the middle of the day.

At the end of the day, people head home (well at least I do since I seem to be even more of a sleep addict now more than ever) and rest. I suspect most still go out at night…something that I am yet to discover.

To someone like me who’s only here on a temporary basis, it’s a very ideal way to live. Of course this is because I don’t have to think of my living expenses…but still…I’m enjoying my borrowed time in Paris. For a few months at least, I can play pretend.

(Hmm…borrowed time and pretending? Sounds all too familiar…but then again…that calls for another blog entry.)