Settling into Paris

Ok... you are right, the picture is the same as yesterday's, only at night. I am surprised I was able to get such a clear picture to be perfectly honest. What the pictures do not convey is the life and energy of central Paris. I hope those of you who can be in King Hall Sunday morning will get some of that.
Today we tackled some practical matters (grocery shopping, etc.) and visited some familiar haunts in the neighborhood, including a favorite cafe for lunch. It is not necessary to spend a fortune here; lunch at the cafe included a large bowl of spaghetti bolognese, a large pizza, a coke, and wine... all for $32 including tip. (The same meal at night would be much more.) Wonderful sandwiches on fresh baguette bread are readily available for around $5. Of course, making them yourself if even less costly... but eating on the streets of Paris is a unique joy.
I enjoy the challenge of settling in to a different culture, and discovering its rhythms and (to me) idiosyncracies. I have learned that some common things Americans do are perceived as inexplicably rude here. For example: We think of going into a store as a commercial venture... about buying something, handing over money, and leaving without any thought to the people. For the French, when you enter their store it is as though you step into their home; eye contact and a "Bonjour, Madame" or "Bonjour, Monsieur" is met with a smile. It is not necessary to buy anything. To leave without a "Bon journee, Madame" is insulting. It takes some getting used to, but such behavior really does add to the quality of life!
Similarly, a meal is an event to savor, with conversation with the staff as well as with each other. Why all the rush? To wolf down food and then call out, "Check, please!" means, to Parisians, that they are not considered worthy company and have served bad food... the ultimate insult!
All of this has a tie-in to the central Buddhist understanding of "mindfulness"-- which includes being fully-present in each moment (not stuck in the past or consumed with the future). Our American culture has lost much of what it once knew of this art. We will try to soak in as much as we can while we are here, and bring some home to share. In the meantime, savor THIS moment for all that it has.
Onward.