Wednesday 12 December 2012

My opposite spectrum France day

Today I had the oddest experiences in the way that they all encompassed the 2 types feelings I frequently experience in France: the awesome and the annoying.

First off, yesterday I received a phone call from the Prefecture (the people who deal with my visa) saying in not so many words that the 4 pictures I supplied them with "manque". Not that they lost them, that they are missing. I was told to show up at the 10th booth to give them new ones any time from 9-1.

So I went today, arriving at the Prefecture at 10:30. No one is at booth 10. Not having an official appointment, and not knowing if any of the other booths can equally process my file, I decide to wait to see if booth 10 will open soon. I wait 50 minutes. This is the annoying part of France, now on to the awesome.

Deciding to take my chances, I totally butt in front of people who actually have appointments and run to the 12th booth (desperate line cutter Cayda I had become). Thankfully, the lady who had seen me wait for almost an hour, takes pity on me and says that she will personally give my pictures to the guy at booth 10, when and if he ever shows up. AWESOME!!!!!

With a spring in my step I leave the Prefecture and walk towards the tram stop. While waiting for the tram, I am approached by a man assumedly in his 30s. He asks me if I can help him out as he has a question. Sure, thought I, maybe I can answer his question. He proceeds to ask me if I'll adopt him and then says something vulgar in french about being spanked and my breasts (which he couldn't even see through my winter coat). A.N.N.O.Y.I.N.G.

I give him the "f-off face" and walk away. The sun hides behind the clouds, pathetic fallacy. Just before the tram arrives, however, an elderly french lady approaches me and talks to me about the weather. She tells me it's cold out and that I should put on a scarf as it would be a shame if I got a cold. Awesome.

So there you have it, in the span of 2 hours, my time in France so far has been totally covered in chance encounters. I admit, this post is a tad melodramatic, but hey, that's life in France.

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