The Parisian life of May

When I stay in a city for a bit longer, I find it delightful to dig into daily life. All nice and well, such a museum, but then you immediately tattoo ‘tourist’ on your forehead. I prefer to rent a bike, build a rapport with the baker, and go to the local gym.

A long time ago, I lived in Rome for half a year (these are my favorite spots in Rome) and I think I got to know the typical Italian, modern woman best during my daily (one must do something to burn off those pastas) lessons at the gym behind the Spanish Steps.

So when I walked out of our apartment yesterday, I immediately dove into the Slowe Studio to buy a punch card. This morning it was time and I was a bit nervous. I saw that I only had a short sports shorts with me, maybe that totally clashed with the French woman. And indeed placemats and a scented candle to take to Paris, but forgot your gripsocks. Anyway, I just went. The mats from Lululemon were ready with the same weights you tie around your ankles that I have at home. So far it looked like a manageable class. I assumed the teacher would speak English because in Haarlem and Amsterdam all classes are also taught in English. And a world city like Paris with so many expats... But no. Everything, absolutely everything was in French. Luckily we were nice and close together (the ground is expensive here, so cramming is the motto) and I could copy from my two neighbors, otherwise I wouldn't have made it.

By the way, there was damn little ‘slows’ about this workout, but that aside.

I think I dream tonight of ‘on pousse’, ‘la planche’ and especially the liberating ‘quatre, trois, deux, et... bravo, c’était tout’. Because I understood that very well. Tomorrow at 7:45 I get to go again. If I can still walk, that is.

What I also like about living somewhere a bit is that you don't feel rushed. Igoné wants to sleep a bit longer and that's fine. No maid scratching at your door, no hotel room with walls slowly moving towards you. Just a house, local life. Open your laptop, hang out the window, read a little book.

My beloved was already out early for the morning meeting (he is making the TV program here with Humberto Tan) and will also work here later. After that, we really have time for lunch together and then Iggy and I will bike around the city. Looking for a good water bottle. I also forgot that and I can't do without it, the lesson was spicy.

Have a nice day,

May

PS: I still have a ridiculously long to-do list like these wine bars to check out that industry friends from Frankrijk.nl recommend, and they should know