Parisian observations, from Seattle

I have 1 final batch of observations from Paris to blog about.  But in case I don't mention it... I am so happy to be home.  :)

• I saw maybe a couple people my entire time in Paris with visible tattoos.  It is QUITE different from here, where it seems like everyone and their dog has a tattoo.
• On the bicycle tour I took I learned about this anonymous street artist (like Banksy, but from Paris) named Space Invader.  He makes space invader mosaics, then places them in public spots in the middle of the night.  In some cities, when he has a lot of them, he'll plan ahead of time and place them strategically so that they form the shape of a space invader on a map.  I got SO excited when we spotted one in Paris.  He's got them all around the world, including in San Diego and on the East Coast.  Next time I'm in San Diego, I might go on a space invader scavenger hunt.

Parisian space invader!

• McDonalds has different flavors of McFlurries in different cities around the world, as they tailor the candy mix-ins to the local candy selection.  In Paris, I decided to try a Magnum McFlurry; it's a brand of chocolate that I'm just starting to see ads for here.  The big difference between American and French McFlurries, though?!  They don't mix them!  Please "Flurr'it yourself!"  The nerve.

Stir it myself?  How dare you.

• Parisians love to dress monochromatically.  All black, all gray, all navy, all khaki.  I suppose that makes it easy to mix and match clothes, when everything is the same color.
• In America, we're starting to see people moving from earbuds to full on big earphones.  Well earphones have taken over Paris!  There are probably equal numbers of people wearing earbuds and headphones.  And I LOVE it.  

Me, Mona Lisa, and my big gray headphones during the Louvre tour (and a ghost)

• If you are looking to sue someone, might I recommend moving to Paris?  There are tons of accidents waiting to happen!  Mostly related to faulty roadways and walking areas, and especially areas that drop 3 feet without any indication until you're about to walk off of them.  I swear, if things were like this here in America, our culture of sue-happy people would be even more ridiculous than it already is.
• The Metro (subway) cars are small, much smaller than NYC or Seoul or other places I've been, but.... they arrive every 3 minutes!  It's amazing!  You don't even hardly have to wait.  It is FANTASTIC!  Then, when you exit the Metro station, they have these exit doors to walk through that seem to magically know you're there.  They swoop open quickly a foot in front of you, and I liked to do a little Harry Potter-style hand movement to pretend like I was opening them with my mind.  It just makes the commute more enjoyable.  And nobody can see you.  ;)
• Nobody reads on the commute, except a few newspapers here and there.  Nobody has seen or heard of Kindles.  Our main contact had to ask what my coworker had on the table (his Kindle).  Oh those Parisians, so behind the times... 
• French onion soup is just as good in America.  I had some delicious French onion soup and some terrible French onion soup in Paris.  So don't go there looking to have amazing soup.  The fantastic macarons, especially from Laduree, on the other hand...
• Freaking scooters everywhere, including on the sidewalks.  They literally DRIVE on the sidewalks.  Granted, it's just to get to parking sometimes (near/on the sidewalks), but still.  Catches you off guard at times.  
• There is a car in France called the Citroën Xsara (or xSara, as I prefer).  They're not cute, and I couldn't get a pic as I only saw them while I was in a cab, but still.  I think I know my future car if I ever live in the 'burbs of Paris and need a car.
• Remember that rude French girl I mentioned, who insulted me by calling me lazy (twice)?  Well, that same day, she had told me that I shouldn't drink mochas from Starbucks, as the chocolate is fatty and sugary and high in calories.  She's kind of a fun vacuum and full of things to say.  Anyhoo, I'm at Starbucks on my last morning in Paris, and she's ahead of me by about 5 people.  What drink does she pick up?  A venti mocha.  Of course.  I'm too classy to say anything (ha!), but I know she saw me.  Shame, shame.
• They love Team Jacob in France.  Taylor Lautner was doing an appearance at a movie premiere on Champs Elysees, and I walked by right before he came out (and I heard screaming girls while I ate dinner nearby).  But as I'm Team Edward, I didn't waste my time trying to scope him out.  I'm sure you all understand.

Well, that is the last of my observations from Paris.  Perhaps I should start doing that when I travel new places.  I had a ton of doozies when I was in Springfield (You know you're in the Midwest when your waiter says, "Our fish special tonight is halibut, have you heard of it?").  We'll see...  Thank you all for your feedback, I love hearing that you are enjoying my blog!