This past week (first week of January 2009) has been exceptionally cold in Paris. We have had morning temperature that went as low as -8 celcius. And it did not go high during the day either, stayed negative or at the most 0 degree. And bunches of snow that for once actually stayed on 
the ground and blanketed Paris in white (well at least on the first few days, after that it was all dirty).
During this time, of course, Parisians who drive went nuts. I remember the accidents they had when there was just an inch of snow that did not even stick to the ground…so you could imagine the slip sliding away of these crazy drivers this time.
But what is amazing to me were that huge airports were closed (for example Paris airports and the one in Marseille and other cities). I mean, come on people, this is a modern country and the airport is closed for a bit of snow and cold (I said a bit because I think of NY when I think of snow and cold and what we had was nothing compared to what NY state could get) (And I mean Paris is not exactly in a tropical country!).
Sometimes I had the impression that I was in Romania as the sidewalk was not well salted or
cleaned and we all had to walk like old ladies and gents without a cane.
I also went to the university, snagging a ride from a friend. Drove in to the parking lot and got out of the car to realize that the whole lot was covered in ice. So there we were, walking hand in hand as if we just had a hip operation trying to get to our building. Interestingly, the university president’s office had no ice whatsoever in front of it…looked like they just cleaned the president’s office and compound but not the rest of the campus! I guess at times like this we could forget égalité huh?
Despite the cold, hats off to those who marched in protestation of Israel bombardment of the Gaza that results in deaths of civilians. The demonstrators walked from Place Republique (where there is the statue of Marianne) to Place de la Nation.
With the cold, forget about sitting in terraces to smoke and have your coffee (even when there are outside heaters, which by the way, have been protested by members of the green party). Luckily I found a café with a well heated closed off smoking section near the metro Bonne Nouvelle.
And with the cold, forget about outside cruising looking for quick sex with Parisian guys (sorry for the gay tourists who found themselves here at this period). Braving the cold would just be too much for the sensitive Parisian gays who do not like to look bulky in too many layers of clothes let alone sticking their dick out in the icy air. It’s much more elegant to stay home with lots of blanket on top of you (heating in paris apartments is not the strong point of French life) even alone.
Hints for visitors:
Many cafés with heated terraces where you can smoke can be found in le Marais (paris 4th arrodissement e.g., Café Feria or Café Etincelle). Café Bastille Madeleine (metro Grand Boulevard) next to the club Rex also has a well heated terrace. Sex clubs are an alternative to outdoor crusing to avoid the cold (e;g., the Depot, rue aux ours, see my entry for le Marais).
the ground and blanketed Paris in white (well at least on the first few days, after that it was all dirty).During this time, of course, Parisians who drive went nuts. I remember the accidents they had when there was just an inch of snow that did not even stick to the ground…so you could imagine the slip sliding away of these crazy drivers this time.
But what is amazing to me were that huge airports were closed (for example Paris airports and the one in Marseille and other cities). I mean, come on people, this is a modern country and the airport is closed for a bit of snow and cold (I said a bit because I think of NY when I think of snow and cold and what we had was nothing compared to what NY state could get) (And I mean Paris is not exactly in a tropical country!).Sometimes I had the impression that I was in Romania as the sidewalk was not well salted or
cleaned and we all had to walk like old ladies and gents without a cane.I also went to the university, snagging a ride from a friend. Drove in to the parking lot and got out of the car to realize that the whole lot was covered in ice. So there we were, walking hand in hand as if we just had a hip operation trying to get to our building. Interestingly, the university president’s office had no ice whatsoever in front of it…looked like they just cleaned the president’s office and compound but not the rest of the campus! I guess at times like this we could forget égalité huh?
Despite the cold, hats off to those who marched in protestation of Israel bombardment of the Gaza that results in deaths of civilians. The demonstrators walked from Place Republique (where there is the statue of Marianne) to Place de la Nation.
With the cold, forget about sitting in terraces to smoke and have your coffee (even when there are outside heaters, which by the way, have been protested by members of the green party). Luckily I found a café with a well heated closed off smoking section near the metro Bonne Nouvelle.
And with the cold, forget about outside cruising looking for quick sex with Parisian guys (sorry for the gay tourists who found themselves here at this period). Braving the cold would just be too much for the sensitive Parisian gays who do not like to look bulky in too many layers of clothes let alone sticking their dick out in the icy air. It’s much more elegant to stay home with lots of blanket on top of you (heating in paris apartments is not the strong point of French life) even alone.
Hints for visitors:
Many cafés with heated terraces where you can smoke can be found in le Marais (paris 4th arrodissement e.g., Café Feria or Café Etincelle). Café Bastille Madeleine (metro Grand Boulevard) next to the club Rex also has a well heated terrace. Sex clubs are an alternative to outdoor crusing to avoid the cold (e;g., the Depot, rue aux ours, see my entry for le Marais).
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