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.)

WELCOME TO PARIS!!!

What do you think is the first indicator, the first honest-to-goodness sign that says "You are in Europe"? The presence of blondes, brunettes, leather jacket-clad people? Maybe....

But for my group, it was one particular blonde French female walking ahead of us towards the taxi line. She was met at the gate by her boyfriend....and then there it was....

the kiss. in public.

I kept walking past them before I turned to my companions and saw them stiffling their giggles. One of them came to me and said....
"Ma c culture shock nga talaga ko dito."
hehehe..Welcome to Paris!

The plane landed at around noon on Sunday, Manila time
which in Paris was 5 am-ish also Sunday. My concern at that time was really getting past Immigration and then finding a cab to the hotel. I have never really had problems with Immigration before and there really wasnt anything to worry about but I have long been hearing about tales of other people spending hours just being questioned. And after a 13-hour flight from Singapore in a very crowded plane, the last thing I need is further delay in the airport.

So anyway, we made our way out of the plane and out into the Paris airport. It was a relatively old airport and for the life of me, I cant figure out which one it is...the Roissy or the something-or-other. We had to go thru this really long tunnel out of the gates and into Immigration. The whole time, I was thinking...no more delays please, no more delays..

And thank god there were none in Immigration. The officer took our passports, did whatever they had to do with them...and then let us through...Whatever was I worried about????