Sunday, January 11, 2009

Entry #51

It’s Not Like It Is In The Movies
by Charlene Watters


Je ne veux pas travailler.

Je ne veux pas déjeuner.

Je veux seulement oublier.

Et puis, je fume.


But there’s no smoking anymore in gay Paree. Instead of sitting in a bistro sipping espresso and smoking Gitanes, I’m on an escalator in Le Bon Marche heading towards ladies wear, armed with photos to see if I can find some knock-offs for my little Piaf-wannabe, Gail.

Ah Gail, ever the frugal little fashonista. Twenty years we saved for this vacation. We knew the sights we wanted to see, the restaurants we wanted to try.

Who knew, thought, that real French food was so rich? I told Gail she should take it easy. More salad and less soufflé. But this is our once in a lifetime vacation. Sample everything. And then spend the night puking it up. Cross shopping off her list and add it to mine since we can’t leave Paris without couture, faux though it may be.

Gail’s a trouper, though. She sent me to the hotel dispensary for some stomach soother and promised to come and see the sights after a short nap. Of course, her short naps tend to be anything but, so I’m on my own for the rest of the day.

On my own, in a frou frou store where the sales ladies sneer at my denims and sneakers. You think, in this recession, they’d be grateful for the money I’m spending. I bet they’re friendlier in Italy.

13 comments:

laughingwolf said...

no question, they ARE more friendly in italy :D

nicely done....

Lena said...

Nice work here. Liked the style of your piece. Thats somehow different.

Sameera Ansari said...

Nice description!Happy shopping :)

peggy said...

pretty fun shopping trip, neat story

Sarah Hina said...

I have a soft spot for Paris (and Piaf), but I like your take of the dampened dream. Reality rarely lives up to the expectation.

Nice, wry voice, and strong writing, Charlene. Really enjoyed this.

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

loved the flow of this snippet...great beginning!

Anonymous said...

oh, that was so very good!!.. yes, shopping is less than desireable... i'd rather be sipping expresso, cognac and listening to piaf too... yes, i thought italy was much better than france too...

Tiffany said...

I really like this. Well done.

PJD said...

I feel really bad for gail. Tough break.

Catherine Vibert said...

Nice job, well written. Funny how vacations aren't what we cracked them up to be sometimes...

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your comments everyone. :)

Esther Avila said...

Nicely written, loved the Italy ending.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for being a wonderful part of the contest!