the easy way

being abroad always makes me realize how easy we have it. hungry? take your pick of the boundless restaurants, grocery stores, and fast-food eateries...open all day. don't feel like walking? hop into your car and, bam, you're there. need to use the restroom while out and about? just stop by the nearest gas station or store for public use. abroad, i find these things to be luxuries - or rather, things i take for granted in the land of convenience.

i am clearly enamored with paris and its seductive ways. from my first visit and every visit thereafter, i could imagine myself marrying and then the two of us becoming residents, leaving everything we know for the chance to build a life in that spectacular city. we would learn to adapt to new customs and depart from the easy way...

...like stairs, for instance.

adios, surplus of escalators and elevators. in paris, you're going to indulge in croissants and terrine, and then walk your ass up those stairs. haven't you ever heard of french women don't get fat? well, there you go.

...and showers.

not every home in paris is equipped with both a bathtub AND shower. so brace yourselves for "showering" on your knees or bum, trying to rinse your hair with one hand while holding the handle with the other. you could always ask your partner to hold the shower handle for you, but don't be surprised when you feel like a dog being bathed at the groomer's. 

...oh and the convenience of having all our power cords compatible with the electrical wall sockets.

living abroad, we'd either have to replace our plug-in devices or acquire a stock of converters - hopefully ones that don't need an elaborate contraption performing a balancing act to make them work. 

i really do believe if we accepted these lifestyle changes - and eating dinner at 10 pm - my beau and i could transition quite nicely.