I can hear!!
After my second visit to the doctors in 3 weeks, I am free of ear infection and free of earwax! Lovely I know. Right now I'm enjoying hearing both treble and bass listening to Basement Jaxx, but later I know I'll wish I'd waited until after work to stop being deaf- swimming pool changing rooms apres-lesson are quite loud enough.
Seeing as I've experienced so much French medical care I'll take you though it:
Forget the usual reception-waiting room-Doctor calls you through down the corridor routine. In Paris, find the Doctor's name on a plaque on the door of the third floor of an apartment building like any other, follow the signs to someone's living room with magazines on the coffee table, wait until your Doctor finds you and takes you to their cosy office with nice chairs and massive desk, and proceeds to diagnose you swiftly without asking many questions, and give you three times as many prescriptions as you'd think you need. Very thorough. I got nasal spray, sachets to drink and the biggest antibiotics I've even seen, and was referred to an ear-specialist the following week with another prescription for ear drops- if I want them. As if! Here's hoping the securite social is as efficient in giving me some of my money back- all of that set me back 105 euro... a week's wage.
I suppose I've been quite busy again, catching up with everyone, getting to know a few new places including the Bacardi Mojito Lab at Bastille- a very cool place with computers for tabletops and every kind of mojito you couldn't imagine- served with blackcurrant jelly 'caviar', candyfloss on top, or smoked, with ginger, or cinnamon, or in a ball of ice, the menu was incredible. The barman could have done with a bit of juggling practise to match the guys shown on TV screens, but still impressive.
I also have been to a friend's flat in the 16th which I didn't realise was such a posh area until we walked past 4 countries' embassies on the same street. Enjoyed multiple pastries and coffees with the girls, (we're a bit obsessed with 'eclair chocolat' and 'chasson aux pommes' from Paul at the moment) watched a tap class I'm going to join tomorrow, and booked flights home for a week in March. This is no ordinary holiday though- I'll be bringing the 3 year old with me for a language immersion type trip! I hope no-one thinks he's mine, cute as he is- I have been out of the country for a while, but not that long!
Highlight of the week was getting haggis on Burns' Night! Knowing we were working at night Laura and I went to Wos Bar in the afternoon because we knew they had some, but it was defrosting. Had to make do with a half pint and a free shot for wearing our tartan skirts, and Scottish chat. After a fairly sleepy afternoon (!) I worked until 10pm but the soup we'd had for tea just hadn't filled me up, so I made my way back to the pub afterwards. I sat at the bar, perfectly alone, drinking my orange juice and eating my haggis out of a wee bowl with a teaspoon. A bit sad yes, but definitely worth it!
I've started reading A Tale of Two Cities, watching The Wire, continued to practise my poor french. Film-wise it's Hitchcock season, ticked off Marnie, Rear Window, Notorious and Psycho, which were all excellent. Got my trainers out in preparation for going for a run, and thought about how much snowboarding is going to hurt in a couple of weeks, but just can't make myself go that little bit further and actually DO the exercise.
One things that's been annoying me is Sundays. I never remember to get food in on Saturday, especially if I've been working, and then spend Sunday hunting for milk and biscuits. By the evening I've given up and decide to eat out, then no-where's open save for the American diner! I've been wishing someone would write a list of food shops and pharmacies and restaurants open on Sundays, but no-one has so I'll have to do my own research and make one. Remind me later.
To work now, then 3 whole days off to enjoy, with my sister coming to visit. A good excuse to go out for tea and pretend I'm on holiday. With so many plans made and things to look forward to spring will be here soon, hurray! My little purple flowers in my window box are shivering but look lovely.
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