I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...

When I have a group of students for the first time I usually only tell them my name and what I am doing at their school and then I leave it up to them to ask questions to find out more about me and where I come from. This has led to a few very interesting and funny conversations about the stereotypes of South Africa and the many differences between my country and theirs.

Yesterday I had a group of six students that I was seeing for the first time. I'm never quite sure what to expect from a new group because each student adds to the mindset of the group. Most groups have one or two "talkers", but I've had groups where every single student was vying for my attention and other groups where there was not a single student who would say a word or even look up from their books. I was pleasantly surprised with this group. They were all curious and eager to take part, which makes the lesson so much easier.

Christmas lights in Champs-Élysées

With Christmas around the corner, the questions inevitably turned towards our Christmas traditions in South Africa. After telling them that my family gets together for a day of good food (usually a braai), pleasant company and swimming, I could see the little wheels turning inside their heads. Finally one of them had formulated and translated the question that was on everybody's mind: Is it summer in South Africa right now?

Place Davout - Savigny-sur-Orge

France and South Africa are worlds away from one another, and one of the best examples is the Christmas season. About three weeks ago I started noticing Christmas decorations, mostly little lights, popping up all over Paris and Savigny-sur-Orge. When I arrived home one evening I was met with this delightful sight:

Place Davout - Savigny-sur-Orge

There are small things that all add to the festive feeling that we often see in movies. If you go for a walk in the evening, you can feel the cosiness glowing from the houses. It's a welcome contrast from the cold and wet outside. The Christmas trees are REAL and have a very distinct, and pleasant, smell. Then there are the Christmas markets.

During the week I went to the Christmas market in Champs-Élysées (a very big and well-known street in Paris that is filled with expensive shops and leads up to the Arc de Triomphe). It was a charming experience filled with new sights, smells and tastes. There was mulled wine, coloured cheese (blue, pink and green to be exact), champagne, scarves, chocolate and nougat, jewellery, foie gras (duck/goose liver pâté) and many other treats and trinkets.

Christmas market - Champs-Élysées

A building in Champs-Élysées

A food stall at the Champs-Élysées Christmas market

Now the only thing missing from my wonderful, European Christmas is snow. I have been told that snow is overrated and unpleasant, but I'm not going to give up on snow just yet! I have a bucket list that I have to complete before returning to South Africa, and one of the items is to build a snowman and to make a snow angel. So, I never thought that I would be able to say this in a serious context, but here goes:

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!

More Christmas decorations in Champs-Élysées!

Getting lost in Paris

A canal in Paris

To most people getting lost is an unsettling or even terrifying thought. I, however, have discovered the wonders of being lost, especially in a city such as Paris! Usually I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do for the day, but in reality, my day rarely goes according to plan. Sometimes it's because I've missed my train, or worse yet, a station, or two... maybe three. Other times it's because I just could not contain my curiosity.

When I see an interesting train station name, hear a street musician from afar or find a charming street, any plans for the day go flying out the window. I follow my eyes and my ears. I love to discover places and sights that you would not find in a tourist guidebook. Getting lost in a city is your chance to forget about the tourist attractions and to just lose yourself in the daily lives and culture of the people who stay there.

I met a friend for lunch in Paris and afterwards we went for a walk along this canal. It was a warm and sunny day and everybody was outside soaking up the sunshine. We bought a treat at a bakery nearby and had a picnic next to the canal. In my opinion the French know how to really relax. Everyday they will take a complete break from the hustle and bustle of their working lives to enjoy a good meal with friends or colleagues before tackling the rest of the day.

I've spent a rainy afternoon at a book store, reading a spy novel with a view of the Notre Dame and chatting from time-to-time with fellow shelter-seekers. One evening, while I was on my way home, I heard someone playing the most beautiful piano piece. In Paris, most of the big train stations have pianos that are available to the public for playing. The music filled the whole station. Even though it was getting late, I found a bench and settled down for a wonderful (and free) piano concert.

A tiny garden in the middle of the Seine

There is always another metro or bus station around the corner. That means that after a long day of gallivanting in the streets of this beautiful and culturally rich city, I can simply walk down the steps into a station, hop on a train and make my way home to a steaming cup of coffee and something delicious from my favourite bakery.

A street musician playing next to the Seine

Paris is filled with gardens, museums, quaint streets, amazing views, coffee shops and restaurants, all waiting to be found and enjoyed. I never know what I might find next, and so getting lost has become just another part of the journey.

There are beautiful parks and gardens scattered all around the city