a series of celebratory sixes

This week marks six months since I arrived in Paris, clad in color and full of anticipation about the year to come. It’s been a bit turbulent at times, but full of life and goodness—certainly worth celebrating.

So, I propose a series of celebratory sixes.

First, six things I love about France. Honor with me this glorious Lady.

UN. France is, indeed, a lovely lady. This is a varied country, and nuanced. She’s smaller than Texas but with an astounding array of landscapes and accents, cheeses and wines, social classes and skin colors. The French have a heritage of creating and appreciating beauty that manifests itself all over the place. It’s evident in the artistic endeavors of its past, from Delacroix to Debussy, and in the impeccably dressed women on foot, bikes, scooters, and buses across Paris.

DEUX. In traditional French values, quality is important. This, in fact, lends to her sense of loveliness. French cuisine focuses on quality ingredients prepared simply, while the fashion, similarly, is simple items draped on a shapely but natural form. Women, you might notice, are unlikely to alter the texture of their hair or layer on makeup. On the other hand, they are likely to spend a good sum on a fine piece of clothing, which they will wear multiple times per week.

TROIS. Le français est une langue magnifique, profonde. Elle a toute une histoire et presque une âme. Je veux la parler tous mes jours. (French is a magnificent, deep language. It has a whole history to itself, and nearly a soul. I want to speak it all my days.)

QUATRE. The French are forthright. They don’t mince words and aren’t afraid to say what they think, whether it be about your poor capacity to speak their language, or about the poor capacity of their president to run a country. And they’ll say it up front, to your face. This is an intimidating quality, I’ll admit, but I’ll also admit that I’ve come to appreciate it deeply. It’s humorous sometimes, and also helpful, at times. Who doesn’t need a little humbling?

CINQ. Artisan baguettes, regional cheeses, natural wines, and a fresh, crusty croissant, pain au chocolat, or chausson aux pommes: these are allowed to have their own category.

SIX. It’s the little things: tiny specialty shops full of toys, doodads, stamps, and windows full of chocolate animals, taxidermied critters and rat poison, or century-old sewing machines. Traditional children’s songs with haunting melodies and boisterous accordion tunes floating through the Metro. Polished floral displays in chic neighborhoods and bizarre graffiti along train tracks. The unbelievably enticing scent of baguettes baking in the afternoon, or the hot waft of Metro smell rushing out of the sidewalk’s grates. Much to love, in tiny bites.

More sixes to come.