fashion whoops

apparently french women are ectotherms, because they can stand mingling in a crowded bar wearing tights, boots, two layered shirts, a scarf, and a blazer. meanwhile, the three americans prance into the place with a pair of pants and one shirt [each], perfectly comfortable, if not a little toasty. why are we made so differently? so i now know, to be cool, to dress for the outside, despite spending most of my time inside, when 'going out' at night.

the french boys didnt seem to mind our fashion faux pas however, and after speaking with us for a few minutes, tibault et sebastian told us oh so convincingly how great our french is... for americans. im not sure exactly how to take that, especially since after we said things they smiled all-knowlingly. or after they said things and we stared blankly before asking 'comment?,' they did this little snort-giggle that i think only a french guy could pull off, while glancing at each other. oh well. i do think they meant it, that we speak better than most americans. so i guess that says a lot about...les autres americains? if only they believed us when we would tell them that the main reason we didnt understand what they were saying most of the time was because of all the other conversations going on around us and of course the blaring 'love shack' or 'pretty woman' [i know, what country is this?] pumping through the speakers. apparently that handicap isnt a legit excuse.

i got the boots part of my outfit right! but next time, dressing down is the way to go, surprisingly. however, its not like they were wearing plaid shirts from goodwill or hand-me-down worn leather belts. this is still paris. it was this odd kind of upper-class polished seattle grungish atmosphere. like when hollywood celebrities buy jeans with more holes than fabric... for $700.

all in all, the martini was lovely, the whole street was lively, and we didnt miss the metro stop on the way back. [on the way out...maybe.] i turned down the offers to smoke cigarettes, but im sure i could not have convinced anyone of my good decisions, judging by the aroma that overtook my clothes and hair.

yellow tights paired with teased hair is back in style. expect to see it in the usa next year.

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in other news, pictures from day 1:

this is everywhere. its really getting to be no big deal.

les invalides, on the way to la tour eiffel

our sneak peak of the destination. about 20 minutes til we got there.

in all its glory, from the exact center. this positioning caused some near-accidents with my fellow tourists.

peace wall close by.