Culottes ou strings?

My first days in Paris were mostly composed of traditional tourist activities, which overall isn’t a bad thing. After I got off the plane, I went to find my friend Marie-France at the meeting spot we had carefully chosen: Gare du Nord metro station. I didn’t get lost (those who know me well enough know just how fabulous this miracle is), and when I finally saw Marie, we jumped into each other’s arms. We went to her place and started a long conversation.

I need to mention a funny story. Only two hours after my arrival, Marie-France, Émilie and I decided to go grocery shopping not too far away from their apartment. On our way there, two French students with a video camera stopped us on the street. They were conducting a survey about the habits of young adults and we accepted to answer their questions.

“Vous préférez les culottes ou les strings?” Émilie, the only French person among the three of us, simply ran away as she didn’t want to reply to them. Confused, Marie and I looked at each other and responded: “Les culottes.” The second question, although not as personal, was along the same line: “Quelle est votre orientation sexuelle?” Once again, honestly and simultaneously: “Homosexuels.” They concluded what they called a survey by asking us where we came from. Then, they admitted that they weren’t really doing a survey on the habits of young adults, but were doing a university study about how far people are ready to go when asked about different sexual topics. We had a five-minute-conversation and continued on with what we had planned. Later on the same day, I started asking myself why would people be shy, or even traumatized, to talk about things such as the kind of underwear they like on their partner or their sexual orientation. Is there a reason why the only person among the three of us who decided not to answer the questions was European? As my good friend Carrie Bradshaw would say, I couldn’t help but wonder: In Europe, is sex still a taboo? I shall definitely come back to this question as my adventures unfold.

At the end of the day, I went to see another of my very good friends in Paris. I met Annabel (but I'll refer to her as Olive) last summer at camp. We hadn’t seen each other for more than a month, and for us it was an eternity. After a long time spent catching up, we went on to the discover the beautiful Parisian Quartier Latin. Lights were strung from one roof to another, hanging over us as we walked. The streets were as narrow as you can get, in an incredibly cute way. I felt like we were in one of the cheesiest Christmas movies, which is simply wonderful when you’re actually living it. I also tried real French cuisine for the first time; it was an immense step for me since I’ve translated so many French recipes by well known cooks. Everything was exquisite, as I was expecting it to be, and Olive and I left each other at around midnight.

Yes, the Eifel Tower is beautiful. You must see the Louvre at least once in your life. Paris is an incredible place to visit for anyone who likes good food, good wine and marvelous sights. I won’t expend my thoughts on every single one of them; I’d simply repeat everything that’s been written a thousand times. I do want to mention that L’Opéra, where the latest The phantom of the opera movie was shot, is simply gorgeous. Looking at it brings you back to Renaissance times. The walls were decked out in golden decorations and there were tons of stunning sculptures. It really should be much more popular. Marie and I finished our day at the Café des 2 moulins, Amélie’s bar. I was expecting a lot of tourists, but was pleasantly surprised. It is actually a very laid back place; it’s awesome to relax and have a few drinks. And now, as I’m running out of inspiration, I’ll have another sip of that rather tasty French red wine.

L'importance des chapitres

Chapter. C’est le surnom qu’on m’a donné lorsque j’ai commencé à travailler dans un camp d’été il y a quelques années. Il m’aura fallu plus de deux ans afin de comprendre la véritable signification de ce surnom que je n’ai même pas choisi.

La veille de mon tout premier voyage en Europe, j’ai invité mes amis les plus proches à une fête dans un bar où, pendant mes années collégiales, j’ai expérimenté l’interdit et commis des actes qui pour certains seraient vulgaires et déplacés. Bref, j’y ai été un adolescent bien normal et je souhaitais rendre hommage à ces années de jeunesse et de folie avant de passer à une autre étape de ma vie. Tout le monde y était, en passant par les quelques amis du secondaire avec qui j’ai gardé contact, mes amis d’Ottawa qui étaient venus spécialement pour cette soirée mémorable, les collégiens de Vanier avec qui j’ai traversé le programme international et le programme de langues, sans oublier mes frères et sœurs du camp de vacances et mes camarades de classe à l’université.

J’oublie le moment exact du déclic ; je crois que c’était après l’une des sessions de « baisers français » avec mon amie Molly et juste avant que j’aille entreprendre une conversation philosophique dans la salle de bain avec mon ami d’enfance Jean-Sébastien. Je me suis soudainement rendu compte que j’avais un passé avec chacune des personnes présentes dans le bar. J’avais des souvenirs précis par rapport à chacun d’entre eux, et mon départ du lendemain me donna l’impression qu’en m’en allant, j’effaçais toutes les expériences que j’avais avec des individus qui, avec le temps, sont devenus des amis. J’ai dû retenir mes larmes.

C’est en prenant l’avion vers Paris que j’écris ces quelques lignes. Avec le recul, je perçois la soirée d’hier comme la fin d’un chapitre qui aura marqué ma vie. L’Europe est un nouveau départ, mais je sais que c’est avec le regard de ceux et celles qui me sont proches que je la découvrirai. Je sais également qu’ils auront tous un rôle primordial dans cette expérience que j’ai appelée : The European Emancipation. Mes amis, je vous salue tous et toutes. Sachez que je pense à vous et que vous occuperez toujours une place de choix dans ma vie. Et faute d’inspiration, je vais maintenant entamer mon camembert !