“Almost French” by Sarah Turnbull
Sarah Turnbull, Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris, p. 163“Although I understand the French better now, the reality is in France I’m still an outsider. There seem to be so many contradictions, so many social codes for different situations that make life interesting but also leave you feeling a bit vulnerable. Living in Paris requires constant effort: effort to make myself understood, effort to understand and to be alert for those cultural intricacies that can turn even going to the post office into a social adventure.”
I’m reading Turnbull’s tale of life in Paris with her French boyfriend (later her husband) as background for my trip to Paris next spring. I’ve been surprised by the many parallels of her experience to mine in Tokyo.
The second sentence of her quote applied to my life in Japan. Perhaps it’s universal for people living in a foreign culture.
I don’t get to spend much time in Paris, but for some reason when I am there, I feel like I’m home.
For me, (next to Seattle, it’s heaven.
Comment by ptcakes — October 24, 2006 @ 4:20 pm
I didn’t realize you’d spent time in Paris.
Comment by Administrator — October 24, 2006 @ 4:29 pm
Not as much as our dear dear Dowager, but I’ve been there a few times. My motto — If one must travel outside of the US for vacation. One must go to Paris.
Comment by ptcakes — October 24, 2006 @ 9:22 pm
Great blog. Sarah Turnbull was an inspiration to me too. If you’d like more info, check www.theparisblog.com — or mine!
Comment by Polly — April 15, 2007 @ 12:15 pm