Frog Blog

that means, "other things."

i've discovered a new bakery closer to my apt. than the bakery i usually frequent. the new bakery was recommended to me by one of my teachers here. i think pastries are the specialty at this bakery; i'm not sure if they make bread regularly or not. i bought a pain au chocolat this afternoon to go with my 4 pm tea and it was really, really good. wicked buttery, not undercooked or overcooked, not too much chocolate, extra crispy and flaky and it had a nice, cooked, nutty flavor that you get when you bake with butter. it may become my new favorite place.

before it opened today (most places close for a couple hours during the afternoon for lunch; hey, what a concept!), i gazed hungrily in the window at all the little sweet pastries. there were little lemon tarts, little pies with grapes or strawberries, little cakes shaped like pigs (how appropriate!), dark chocolate ganache cylander cakes, meringues, candies and cookies. oh, lord. i can't wait to go back.

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here's something for you: everyone here says hi but no one makes eye contact on the streets. i was in the laundromat today and 3 strangers came in, looked at me, said bonjour, then went about with their laundry (one woman was smoking, oy vey!). i didn't know them from adam but there they were, saying hi. yet walking down the street, it's eyes to the ground. granted, you have to watch where you're going so as not to step in dog shit, but even women don't make eye contact with other women.

this is so strange to me; in self-defense class, we were told to always make eye contact with people to show that we are aware, strong and able. i think here it signifies the same things but it's misconstrued as threatening or getting into someone's business.

one of my friends here told me she is now making a point of saying hello to people she passes on the streets. she says it brings her down to not say hi to people. i don't think i feel that strongly about it, but it is an adjustment.

but back to the hello thing. if a teacher were to walk by me right now, they'd say hello. it's really quite nice. just to be acknowledged.