Heavenly Holiday

by Danielle

It seems like every time you turn around there is another holiday in France for something I’ve never heard of. Today it’s Ascension Day, supposedly the last appearance of Jesus after his resurrection on Easter Sunday.  I think it’s great that the French get lots of holidays, it’s one of the reasons we are attracted to the European way of life.  But I’ve come to realize that in some ways it’s less than ideal.

One reason is that the majority of the vacation time is dictated to happen at specific holidays and the months of July and August when many businesses close shop. If there’s one thing I hate, it’s taking vacation with the masses. It seems like people don’t really go away “off season” very much. I could be wrong but that’s just my perception thus far. Also, since  everyone is taking vacation at the same time,  if you want to take a trip you have to book places waaay in advance. Just try to go on vrbo.com (apartment rentals) and book a vacation for southern France in July or August, and you’ll find every decent option blocked out a year in advance.

Because of the holiday Joseph did not have garderie, and when I asked him what he wanted to do he said, “take a train and see a museum.” Awesome! Off we went to my favorite museum, the Pompidou Center. Many French people think it’s a horrible eyesore but I love it. Not only is it a cool building with great collection of contemporary artwork, but on the practical side it’s just a few metro stops away at Rambuteau (which has stroller-friendly escalators, a rarity). Best of all there is a children’s room on the ground floor. 

It was my first time taking both children on the metro by myself, something that is only possible now because we’ve been making Joseph walk a lot more instead of being stroller dependent which was so limiting.  I was pleased to discover that it was quite manageable. When we got off the metro we made a pit stop for snacks (crepe and gauffres) at the playful fountain to the south of the museum that is filled with colorful water-shooting sculptures. Then we played in the discovery room which was filled with activities related to the “Alexander Calder: the Paris Years” exhibit, which focuses on his wire sculptures and in particular his circus toys.  Then back home in time for lunch and Rachel’s naptime.

I’m scratching my head trying to recall anything new and noteworthy, and the only thing that comes to mind is a “girls night out” I had last Friday. I met up with Jessica (from New Zealand), Sarsha (from Australia) and Romy (from Washington state) for a yummy dinner and drinks down the street. It was a nice mix of people, Romy and Jessica have lived in France for about a decade and love it, while Sarsha and I have been here nearly a year but are not quite convinced of its fabulousness.  When we left the restaurant (after midnight) the streets and cafes were alive with people… and when I returned home I could hear Rachel’s crying from the sidewalk. Ah, motherhood.