Culture shock

So I'm still in Paris and working hard (yes, despite what you may think, I am researching hard!) and it's terribly hot here. It feels worse than in Tana, though I think probably you expect the heat in Tana, but here it's a surprise. At least it's not as bad as in Maintirano, where no matter where I was, or what I was doing, I was soaked in my own sweat.

Anyway, I saw Star Wars. And I'm afraid I can't tell you what I thought, because I was a little too overwhelmed and excited by the whole experience. Not only was it Star Wars (my family can tell you how much I enjoy the whole movie series), but also in a big theatre, with a huge screen and amazing sound. You all back in America are blase about that kind of thing, but I was giddy, happy pratically through the whole movie, and so I don't remember a lot about it, except when Anakin put on the Darth Vador costume... that was pretty cool.

That kind of feeling has been pretty characteristic of my time here in Paris. I walked into the French equivalent of Target (though smaller and with food) on Friday and I think I scared some of the people in the store. Not only was I blown away by all the pretty clothes, makeup, shoes, food etc., I was shocked by the prices. I think I walked around the store with my mouth hanging open, and I even admit that I talked to myself in amazement. I only ended buying a soda, because otherwise it was too overwhelming for me. I went to a mall with all my favorite French stores the other day, and was amazed by the fashion, and felt very out of style myself. But again, couldn't bring myself to buy anything. Hopefully, by Friday, I'll have gotten over this fear and will be able to be a normal person again... who knows!

Other things i've noticed in Paris... everyone seems very well fed. I know that must sound weird, and it's not like everyone in Madagascar is on the verge of starvation or anything (though there are many places where it is a major concern), it's just that the majority of people I saw in Tana are pretty lean and in shape and also relatively small. They definitely don't overeat. Now in Paris, people don't seem fat to me, just bigger and sometimes a little fat will show in the love-handle area etc, something I never noticed before, but now it stands out. I don't know what I'll think once I'm back in the States. The nice thing now is that in Madagascar I felt like the biggest, fattest person there, and now I'm in the middle part of the bell curve, instead of the farther end (you remember the bell curve from middle school health class, right?).

Otherwise, I've just been trying to enjoy Paris. I spent the weekend helping my French mother, Therese, with whom I live, to take care of her granddaughters, and so there was a lot of playing in the park, and keeping children entertained. I'm actually very exhausted by it all. It stays light until 10pm, so it's nice to stay outside, particularly in the evening when it's cooler. I also actually called my parents, instead of them calling me, and I left one of my typical, characteristically long messages, which I haven't done for 9 months. My mom was very excited by it. Don't worry, once I'm back in the States I'll eventually get around to all my friends and leave terribly long messages for all of you.

So, tomorrow is the fete de la musique in Paris and so I'll be out with my friends from work here, dancing in the street to lots of different groups with the rest of Paris. It really is a wonderful tradition and I'm happy I'm here for it! Then I leave Friday afternoon here, and will be back in Columbus, Ohio at my parent's house sometime in the evening. I'll write to let everyone know I arrived safely. Merci et je vous embrasse tous!