Green trees? Check.
White trees? Well, not for nothing, but I do come from central New York. I know what snow is.
Red trees? Either it's the apocalypse and fire and brimstone is raining down on us, or we're reliving Pompeii. Neither sounds particularly seasonable. There were blue trees too, although I don't think I managed to get any in this picture. Some woman stared at me when I snapped this shot, clearly puzzled by my amusement. She needs to reassess her norms, if she thinks I'M the weird one.
I grinned at her walked away quickly (although it probably seemed more like a leer to her). Damn tourists :)
Which brings me to my next discussion of things foreign -- THANKSGIVING! In an almost absurd show of overcompensation, I celebrated Thanksgiving 2.5 times -- Thanksgiving dessert Thursday night with Betsey, Thanksgiving dinner/dessert with my former study abroad program director (Céline!) and Thanksgiving dinner/dessert with some assistants!
Well, at least I kept in line with the theme of gluttony. I mean, giving thanks...
This picture is from dinner at Céline's house. Everything wasn't out yet, and I didn't take a picture of the dessert table, but it was a force to be reckoned with. Last night was out of control, it was just like being at Thanksgiving for real in the US, and we had a blast (it was a mix of assistants and French friends). Really happy to have the friends I have here, it makes everything so much better!
When I was picking up the ingredients for a salad to take to dinner last night, the man that weighs all the produce in the Monoprix near my house looked at me and asked if I was American. I was instantly disappointed, because I do my best to disguise myself as nondescriptly as possible. Fail. Talked to him for a minute and asked how he could tell, to which he replied that I was friendly and talkative with him and that I smiled. Well, if THAT'S what gives me away, then I'm happy to be recognized as an American. What's the alternative?!
Which leads me to my recurring problem in Aubervilliers -- I mean, partly I think it's the fact that I'm a girl and the guys have no sense of SHAME, but I'm always peeved when I feel people staring at me or trying to get my attention. Couldn't figure out why until now, but I'm sure it's because I smile to myself all the time! I can't help it, I'm always thinking of things that I need to remember to share with all of you, or things I see remind me of funny memories ... everything cracks me up! Since I don't think I'm capable of keeping a straight face (particularly when I'm actively thinking about it), I need to expand my "Bugger off [to be less vulgar]" vocabulary, and I need to rehearse it until I erase all signs of foreign pronunciation. Must find a good teacher.
Finally, since I seem to be making a tradition of this, I thought I'd share some of my new walking theme music. This time I rediscovered the Pippi Longstocking theme song. Yup, I went there. One of these days I'm going to end up dancing down the street, I just know it.
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Not that I think these grow in Europe, but we do have Blue and White Spruces in America, and they're really not green at all.I think the trees at Chernobyl are red. Dreaming of a radioactive Christmas?
ReplyDeleteThere are probably Americans with trees of such ridiculous colors. I wonder if these things sell as well as you get closer to the Rhine and the Teutonic origins of the Christmas tree.
And as to the being friendly thing, did I ever tell you what the pastor at the church in Binghamton told me? He's Czech and lived in Tennessee for a while. His Dad, a psychiatrist came to visit him there. He was totally freaked out.
"Son, these people are all smiling, all the time, at strangers. They must be insane."
"No, Dad. It's just the culture here."
"No. Son. These people are insane."
Glad you're being spotted as an American for the right reasons.
this song will be stuck in my head forever. oh god.
ReplyDeleteyou'll be needing some striped tights before you do that dance....
ReplyDelete