What Ana Does

This week we got 20cm (that's less then a foot) of snow dumped on us and more is expected in the next two weeks. For Paris, this is a bit of a novelty. According to my French tutor, they get "two snows" in February and usually it's a dusting and it's gone. She told this to me last week. This is not a dusting and it's here to stay. And more to come. And while everyone is outside photographing buildings and trees draped in white, and yes, it's very lovely and gives February a familiar look, as I'm used to midwestern winters -- I have to admit I was hoping to skip some of the snow and freezing cold weather this year. The temperature here is supposed to be similar to Virginia. And this is not Virginia weather. Add to that the once-in-a-decade event of Seine River flooding. And Parisians are going crazy. There's Usually a Park at the Bottom of These Stairs (gah!) We recently had an English lady over to give haircuts (we have yet to ent...

We’re in our fourth week as Parisians and I can tell you there are three things we're all trying really hard to get used to: Poop, smokers and all this rain! Paris Dogs First, the poop … Paris dog owners (of which there are a lot) do not clean up after their dogs. It's gross. On any walk we're all quick to point out different sizes, shapes, colors and locations. "Don't step there!" "Watch out for that one!" "Ew! What are they feeding that dog?!" We had dogs, and it's really not that difficult to pick it up. But here, little poo bombs are just everywhere. Speaking of gross, smokers! Ugh! It’s Europe so we knew smoking was going to be an issue, but it’s still so nasty. You can’t walk into a bistro without passing the patrons smoking on outside chairs, drinking their espressos and talking dramatically with friends. Not appetizing. The smokers stand outside shops and metro stations. They walk along the street puffing away. Pushi...

Can we just talk about how bad this weather sucked this week? A 40 degree difference from Thursday -- when I held practice in 80 degree weather. And this weekend's tournament -- 40s with bitter wind and rain. It's a good thing I didn't tuck the winter coats away just yet. Oh you, fickle Spring weather. This is why we can't ever leave the house.