Douceur de vivre

This past summer I had the pleasure of going to Paris. I had been before, but never had a trip quite like this one. I went to meet my friend Chris and his friends from New Jersey/Philly, most of whom I didn't know. I kept asking Chris: "Are you sure it's cool if I stay there?" Chris's friends had rented a small apartment in the 19th district and he said I could stay, but I was a bit nervous because I hadn't met any of the other guys. I mean, If I was paying hundreds of Euros for a one bedroom flat in Paris, and I had already packed in ten other of my close friends, I would be a bit apprehensive about letting another person I didn't know cram in the apartment for a week. I was hoping they wouldn't be too bummed at me for staying on the floor. There definitely was the potential for me to receive some vibes, but I suppose I'd just have to wait and see.

So one warm night in June I boarded the Eurostar for the quick trip from London to Paris. When i arrived, I called Chris to see where to go and he said I could meet him at the Jourdain metro stop. Twenty minutes later I arrived, nerves intact I walked up the metro steps. There to meet me was not only Chris, but loads of his other friends. Everyone was friendly and nice, they seemed happy to have me! I don't know what I was worried about. It was a short skate to the apartment and soon I met everyone else. I was amazed how everyone there went by a nickname; B-Dougs, Rew, Trivs, Hern, McDougal, Jeb, Slippy Guns, Brengar, Loco, Stinky Baby Jones, Rosa, etc. It makes it easier to remember people I suppose, but sometimes you refer to nicknames so much, you can forget the person's real name! Bottom line was, everyone was really cool, they were "safe" as they might say around here.

The apartment was packed no doubt, sleeping bags and air mattresses covered all available bits of the floor; I slept in the kitchen. Showers were every other day, and thats if you were lucky. But no one really cared, all we did was skate every day, explore Paris, and drink ourselves to sleep with cheap French wine at night!
It was oddly comfortable hanging out with so many Americans, It had been awhile. Living in the UK, I'm not surrounded by very many. We all shared a common ignorance of the French language(except Jeb) and a zealousness for the Parisian way of life.

That trip to Paris last June was one of the best times of my life. It was an escape back to youthfulness that seems to be slowly slipping away. Baguettes, Cafe au laits, University spot, museum at sunset, strap it up, and pan au chocolats are just a sampling of all the memorable times. Meeting so many new friends, finding and skating such amazing skatespots, and genuinely having an amazing experience.......thats what i'll remember that summer in Paris for.

So fellas, summer 2009, what you sayin? Lets do it again!








































































































































































































































"Philly is Jersey!" - B. Dougs