The Metro

My main form of transportation here in Paris is the lovely metro system. It literally will take you anywhere, even if you sometimes didn't want to go there. With my navigo pass in hand, the entire city is open to me. Here are some of the unique things I noticed about the metro.

1. The crowds. You wanna know how many people fit in a metro car? Imagine yourself as the big spoon and little spoon standing with two strangers you have never met and you don't really know if the smell is coming from one of them or any one of the other passengers. Oh look, more want to try and fit in your car...

2. The people asking you for money. Paris is definitely different in terms of the people who ask you to spare some change. When riding the metro, someone will always end up in your car hoping to get you to part with some of that strange change that is sitting at the bottom of your purse. One way they will try to get it is to perform for you. I have seen a singer, a saxophone player, someone with an accordion and a band. And that's only the ones I can think of from this week. You will also get the standard homeless person on your car who will ask for money. In Paris, they have a very unique way of going about this. There is a standard script that they all follow which basically asks for some money to help them eat, drink and bathe. Though this is standard, it comes out in a long rhymed soliloquy that lasts at least 2 stops. It is so elegant that it almost makes up for them asking me for money again.

3. No eye contact or smiling. EVER. This seems to give people the idea that you want to talk to them and have them try and hit on you. So basically you pick a spot on the ceiling to stare at so you don't accidentally look one of the million passengers shoved in your car in the eye. And definitely don't smile. It's like saying, "Hey talk to me! I want to talk to you!" Unfortunately I have poor facial expression control and smile without knowing it sometimes. Bad news bears.

So all in all, if you ever ride the metro you will know what to expect. It is worth it to experience it, no matter what you think. Just watch your wallet!


Also, apparently people are actually reading my blog so to those of you not friends with me on facebook, here are some of the links to my photo galleries that you might be interested in. I will try and always post any new albums so you can check them out!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150296158795772.357747.829255771&l=8630cdc49b&type=1

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150285859640772.354832.829255771&l=e3368119e7&type=1