Week 14

With birthday celebrations over there was no excuse for acting mad,
I was back to the old routine, but I refused to become sad.
So many reasons to be happy, so many things that make me smile,
Presents and cards from friends will keep me beaming for a while.
I won’t dish out a list of names of people who went the extra mile,
They did it because they care so a mention here isn’t quite their style.
My birthday has been and gone it’s about time I let it go,
It could not have gone better-that’s the last thing I’ll let you know.
Every single day I feel more settled here in town,
Giving out directions is proof I know my way around.
This last week I’ve been asked at least four times maybe five,
For a road, place or metro station and only once I’ve told a lie.
I knew most the places no problem- the fifth I had no clue,
But since she asked me rudely, I reflected on what to do,
It was clear she didn’t like me when she heard my foreign voice,
So either stay lost or follow my directions-she had to make a choice!
So faced with a rude, obnoxious Frenchie I knew exactly what to do.
Instead of pointing her in the right direction I nudged her towards the Pompidou!
Where there’s nothing but foreigners, I thought that would ruin her day,
But I took time to smile politely and waved her on her way!
In far more exciting news I found somewhere new to get my lunch,
Where the chicken is covered in mayo and the bread crisp to the crunch.
Helen hunt serves behind the counter, well it looks like her at least,
She titillates my tastebuds and serves up a scrumptious feast.
I’m not only mentioning this because it makes fascinating news,
But it’s discovery led to an encounter that left me so bemused.
To get to this special shop I have to take a different track,
Along which I was waved at by two men in a Fiat.
I thought they wanted directions, which I’m always happy to give,
Turns out they’d mistaken me for a right dumb, gullible div.
These Italians were flogging suits on the pavement from their car,
When I saw the label read ‘Armando Gunchi’ I had to stifle a laugh.
Apparently they’d been selling these at Galeries Lafayette,
They showed me the store on a map in case I hadn’t believed them yet.
I passed up this glorious chance despite their very best attempts,
My mum told me not to speak to strange looking elderly gents!
Friday night was spent with Yoann a mate from the gallery.
I spoke to his boyfriend Matthias as they cooked a French speciality,
Conversation faltered as I dug an awkward hole,
But thankfully we were saved by his Wii console.
By the end of the night, French chat was nicely flowing,
Yet when the couple got amorous it was time that I got going.
Saturday was beautiful and a hint of what’s to come,
Paris, more than anywhere looks so much better in the sun.
I met up with Michael Allen, a friend I know from Uni,
And with all his friends we checked out some cool photography,
Outside of the Sorbonne was an exhibition of 1968,
How the French rioted and how the police were to retaliate.
Outside my favourite gardens were hung a myriad photos,
All of which had once appeared within “le Figaro”.
Sunday I went to see some mates & was in for some surprise,
It was my first visit to “La Defense” with its imposing skyrise,
A frightening concrete jungle peppered here and there with glass,
But it’s well out of the city, which is an altogether different class.
“La Defense” is impressive though and made an impact on me,
But I felt like I was in the Truman show with all its CCTV.
Laura and Lilli cooked as I put up my feet,
Spending time with these two girls-the perfect way to end my week.