here i go again on my own...

Here i sit once again writing a paper on surrealisme and i can't help but think that this is not the best way to enjoy paris.

the strikes are still on, though today was not a grand day of manifestations like yesterday. the metros seem to be running smoothly and (for now) all is well in paris. with spring break coming next week Monsieur le President is running out of time to make his peace with the youth. Apparently this is the biggest thing paris has seen since the manifestations of 1968. the sorbonne is occupied, the people are chanting in the streets, and police are everywhere clad in full riot gear. something tells me a climax must be reached soon.....

i had my own run in with the paris police the other week. last tuesday, another "grand jour de la mobilisation", i was walking to my friend's apartment when i walked bytwo police officers, looking very scary with their guns and clubs and helmets. i was wearing headphones and avoided eye contact as we passed, but i heard one of them say something to me in a very commanding, serious tone. i didn't catch what he said but i heard the "mademoiselle!" and turned, nervously, taking off my head phones to see what i had done wrong. the two policemen were smiling at me as i looked back, and one repeated his command (in scary french of course) "young lady, tie your shoe! you wouldn't want to trip and fall down!" i nervously laughed, said "oh, uh, merci..." and tied my shoe.

oh the french.

also, i was wearing a skirt that was just slightly above my knees today, and which elicited many dirty looks when walking from the metro to class. i even got an "oh la la!" from and old man who walked past me...

i have to say, for all it's feminist history, i have never felt as objectified in my day to day life as i do in this country.

back to surrealisme! or, surrealism...here's a picture of my street!!