One of my favorite things about living in Paris (or in any city, for that matter) is becoming a part of a neighborhood, or, in other words, creating a safe space against the chaotic and anonymous city life. And as I've mentioned, my current neighborhood in the Latin Quarter has enough local charm to go around. But it's the simple stuff, like knowing where to go to do my laundry, withdraw cash from the ATM or buy vegetables, that makes it feel like home.
And recently, it's been knowing where to go to buy my fish. As part of my recent commitment to cooking, I have begun to buy fresh fish at the poissonerie on rue Monge. The first time I went in, I bought swordfish (called espadon in French). A few days later, heading back for salmon, the fish man quickly recognized me and asked if I was back for more espadon. A week later, his memory was doubly impressive. Espadon ou saumon? he asked, with a neighborly smile. At that moment, I felt right at home in my little neck of the woods.
2 days ago
It so good to hear you are cultivating a place of your own in such a big city! I suppose becoming a part of a neighborhood within a larger city might be more manageable. But I am impressed because I chose to study in Newcastle, AUS because it was a smaller city; I wanted to find a place that was big enough to entertain me and small enough to know where to go, just as you said. It takes time to know where to go to for fish, or a good cup of coffee (mine was a short black) and have your order remembered. I feel that.
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