Frenchy

Bonsoir! It's Monday evening here, 5pm. I have the afternoon off work, so I just ran into La Defense for an hour or so, I'm blogging now, and within the hour or so I'll be off for my jog. It's been a good last 2 days. Yesterday was Sunday, and I SORT OF slept in (til 10a.m., but I was up til 2 a.m. babysitting the night before). I got ready for the day and went into the city with my guide book. I headed to Les Halles, another 'district'. First I saw St. Eustache, a pretty old church, and took a couple photos. Then I walked down Rue Rambuteau. I seem to get REAL lucky when I pick a street to exit the metro. Like Rue de Rivoli, Rue Rambuteau is a great street to see a few sites AND have people around, cafes and restaurants and some inexpensive shops. I didn't realize how great it would be! And luckily it was a really pretty day...some clouds, but sunshine and in the upper 60s. I also made note of the fact that it was Sunday, and all the cafes, restaurants, and many shops were OPEN. It's nice to find these places and remember them...because many stores, cafes are closed on Sundays. So I'm glad to know this. My destination was Musee de la Poupee, just off Rue Rambuteau. It was a museum of dolls! It was fun to discover, because it's a real simple museum, inexpensive admission, and very small. There was not a line, and probably only about 10 women with children inside. It was perfect because I didn't have the energy for a big museum. I saw an original doll made in 1805, and next to it was Barbie, 2005. The museum had displays in every room, showcasing the oldest and newest dolls, with history of how dolls represented babies, women, and children. It was fun just to see how the making of dolls evolved, and how they represented what was "acceptable" during a specific time period. There was also a room showing the different kinds of materials used throughout the years to make the doll's body. The last room was full of Barbie and her many characters and careers she takes on. Anyways....the museum was so small that I was out of there in less than an hour. I then walked back down Rue Rambuteau, to Centre George Pompidou....it's an incredible building, basically built "inside out". All the pipes are on the outside of the building, in different colors, and there's a large tube escalator on the outside that goes all the way to the top. I went inside just to see the bookstore...which I LOVED and made note of...I want to return there to purchase some cards, post cards and notebooks. It had really unique and fun art, etc. I may go there again soon to see the museum inside. Next time I will go all the way to the top roof where there is supposedly a great view of the city and Eiffel tower (I forgot to do this yesterday). There are also artists and musicians that play outside the Centre, where there's a big courtyard to sit in. There are lots of fun shops and people here too. So I'm glad I discovered this district and will definitely return on Sundays when I just want to be outside or have lunch.
I was pretty tired by 3pm, so I headed back to Bougival...where I took a 2 hour nap! When I woke up I did my Pilates, made some dinner, and went to bed early. It was a good Sunday.

Today (Monday) was my first "stretching" class in St. Germain. I dropped the kids off at school, parked the car, and walked to the class. I can tell I'm REALLY going to like walking around St. Germain. The "gym club" is in a great location, on a cute, very French street, with cobblestones and all. St. Germain has SO MANY shops, mostly expensive. And there are places to get a coffee or croissant. So I know I will enjoy spending my mornings here, even in between my class and getting the kids for lunch, I will like walking around. "Stretching" was an enjoyable class. Not what I expected in the sense that I am THE YOUNGEST, BY FAR, in the class. Haha. I didn't realize there would be women in their 60s taking the class too. But there are a few younger women there too....maybe late 30s. But yeah, there are not any young women in the class. Oh well. The class is similar to yoga, and I felt really good afterwards. The stretching was both easy and difficult, and I think if I take it for the whole year I will be more flexible afterwards. It's one hour a week, so I can definitely handle it. The instructor is closer to my age, and she seems cool.

Tomorrow morning I have my Aerobics class, which I'm excited for as well. I'm pretty sure there will be some younger people in this class. I have French on Thursday and Friday morning...teaching English to Tiph's class Friday. I have a hair appointment Wednesday afternoon, and I'm having dinner with the neighbor's family on Wednesday evening. Beatrice invited me to have dinner at their house to meet their new au pair, Ashley. She is from the U.S. and so we'll meet Wed night and hopefully if all goes well, she'll stay with the family all year and I'll have one more friend! So this week should go well, and I'll see how the new routine will work with my classes, etc. I am still in the process of getting my bank account, and then I can get my health insurance and be reimbursed for my doctor visit and pharmacy...ahh can't wait to get some Euro back! haha.

Ok, off for my jog before it might rain!

p.s. yesterday at George Pompidou, I was slowly walking outside, gazing at the art and shops, when I heard a man say to me, "Ca va?" I looked over and this 40 some year old man, with a smile on his face but creepy eyes was talking to me...and said "Ca va? Tu veux un cafe?" I smiled kind of oddly and said "non, merci". I heard from Kirsti that this has happened to her before too....random guys literally hang out in crowded places asking girls they don't know if they want cafe or a drink...they are probably harmless, and sure if the guy was young and attractive, MAYBE one would say "yes". But I don't know....I was weirded out. Then he saw me again outside when I left the bookstore and creepily said hello again...he was just standing there looking around for girls! Strange....or is it not? Maybe it's just me....haha.