la vie parisienne

So the adventure continues in Paris. I'm coming to the end of my first week here and starting to really get into it. As I write, the sun is just starting to come out after a pretty grey and chilly week. I'm sitting in my little apartment eating and listening to music, having gone for a swim this afternoon at the pool a couple of stops away on the Metro. Needless to say, and despite its ungay location, the pool seems to be a bit of a magnet for the gays, although not overwhelmingly. I must have a bit of the bravado of the outsider because today I broke with my usual pool shyness and actually chatted up a hot man at the end of the lane. He seemed to like my accent in French. Of course all of Paris is a spectacle of hot men, especially le Marais where I've been spending a high percentage of my time - sitting in bars and cafes and cruising the shops with Rowena. I already feel as if I have "my" places (at least those I've adopted from Ro and her friends), and I'm starting to orient myself pretty well to a few different parts of the city. Often I find it's moments of having to find my way that make me realise how comfortable I've become in a new place. Last night, after missing the last metro in a neighbourhood I don't know at all, I walked a few blocks in the general direction I was heading, found a cab, and got myself home across the city. Of course, when my French all comes together, as it mostly does, I feel most capable. It's all about small challenges.

More excitement and hopefully scandal as it comes to hand. Tonight we're off to see Hercules and the Love Affair which should be very cool, and then this coming week I feel like I need to get into a bit of writing routine. Plus I have to keep an eye out at the pool for my yummy new bearded friend.