... Dans la merde ...

Stephen Clarke, and English writer, wrote the hilariously titled, A Year In the Merde .  The fact that it is so ironically on point is one of the best features of Mr. Clarke's story.  Tons of people, myself included have romanticized what living in Paris actually means. Some people think its the bohemian bourgeoisie ( bobo, this is a real French term, not something I have come up with to make fun of the French) paradise, where wine is cheap, cheese is stinky, and health care coverage is free. While, that may be all true, France, and Paris to be specific is about so much more. Its about life, love and pursuit of not STEPPING in the SHIT. 

Its not all tour Efiel and moon light here

To date, and that date would be 3 months and counting, I have yet to step in it. I can't help but wonder though, when's it my turn? Like all things nasty, I'd rather just have it happen, wash my shoes and move on, but I feel like my merde, may be more metaphysical than actual dog crap on the side of the road. For example, it took me 3 months to find an apartment. If that's not stepping in the shit, then I have no idea what is. I have also been working for people that for all accounts I can't stand. Again, the poop is plentiful in Paris.  And finally, with Christmas approaching and all of my friends and Parisian family away, I'll be going across European Union boarders, and praying that no one notices the stamps on my passport. If I don't make it back to Paris, then I'll definitely know that my number is UP! I will have stepped in to a stinking pile of  freshly made merde. I'm not really that worried though. For whatever reasons, (90% resilience, 10% IDGAF) I know that it will just work. It has too. My year in Paris ( *French or otherwise) is not up yet, I still have so much I need to do, but I definitely have to look down while on my way there. 


* "A French year starts in September, and ends in May. If you don't have everything you need by the time April 30th hits you're in the merde!" Stephen Clarke, A Year in the Merde