Simple

Just the other day I was frolicking the streets of Paris, wearing nothing but my tights, a rather adorable skirt, and a light jacket and basking in the glory of nearly 50 degree weather.

 

One week later, and this is what we emerged to see after our class visit to the Cité Nationale de l’Histoire de l’Immigration…

Luckily (luckily?) I was wearing two pairs of pants, three pairs of socks, three jackets and a scarf 

The trek to the museum took us about 50 minutes on the metro from our cozy apartment in the 7th arrondissement, but luckily it was just two stops away from Marche d’Aligre. I strolled the market with a friend for a bit and finally made it home around 1:00pm with quite the appetite, and a ginormous (what? It’s a word…)bag of epinards that I bought for 0.74 euro at the market.

 

Of course, I couldn’t wait to put that spinach to good use. I have been trying to buy some for the past couple weeks to create one of my favorite go to lunches at home…

Keepin’ it classy with massive handfuls of spinach, two whole eggs, and a broken up Babybel cheese with a side of Food, Gender and Globalization syllabus. Simple food is always the best, isn’t it?

 

The rest of the day was spent reading for class (we are now learning about the Fifth Republic of France and the Algerian War!), eating yogurt (which by the way is beyond delicious in France…and comes in really cool little containers!),

and practicing a little bit of yoga!

 

I’ve finally made peace with the fact that my practice is just not going to be what it used to for these months in Paris. Yes, there are several amazing yoga studios here…but I think I’d rather save that money that each class costs and go do something fun, know what I mean? Maybe a special dinner at a restaurant or a trip somewhere? Who knows. Someone told me “You’re mat will always be there, but you won’t always be in Paris.” Wise words, my friend. Wise words. This is a new kind of practice…just being, staying present, and enjoying right where I am.

 

So today’s practice was short and sweet (like me! Okay, I had to.).  After strolling the city (and by strolling I, of course, mean running through the snow in suede boots hoping for the best!) for a couple of hours, I hit the mat for 1/2 an hour for some core work and much needed hip openers. And I’m feelin’ good.

 

We’re keepin’ it low key tonight – spending time in the kitchen and maybe watching a movie?

 

I believe in all that has never yet been spoken.
I want to free what waits within me
so that what no one has dared to wish for

may for once spring clear
without my contriving.

If this is arrogant, God, forgive me,
but this is what I need to say.
May what I do flow from me like a river,
no forcing and no holding back,
the way it is with children.

Then in these swelling and ebbing currents,
these deepening tides moving out, returning,
I will sing to you as no one ever has,

streaming through widening channels
into the open sea.

- Rainer Maria Rilke

Tagged as: omelet, Paris, Yoga