I’m coming to the virgin

 Switzerland was fabulous and now that I’ve been there I am better aware of my life plan: work in Switzerland, live in France, and shop in Germany. According to several Swiss, this is the best way to do it. Sounds right. In addition to  getting a job – which will require an accepted Zusicherung der Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Autorisation de Séjour – and finding a place to live, I’ll need to learn a couple of languages: German (High and Swiss), French, Italian and, possibly, Romanish. Seems simple enough.

Upon our return to Paris, we got a text from Three Sips suggesting we meet at Gare de l’Est. This is a decent sized station, so connecting there can be a bit difficult if you aren’t familiar with it – which we weren’t. After several texts were exchange, about where we were and where he was, Three Sips sent us the most immaculate text I’ve ever received, “I’m coming to the Virgin.” Can I get an amen?

After enjoying Montmarte, we decided to grab dinner at one of Three Sips’ favorite Portugeuse restaurants. We were seated in the corner, near the toilette and the musician. Three Sips noticed I was “speaking to the musician with my eyes.” I told him I was eyelingual – something everyone understands. With all of the toilette traffic, we thought it might be a good idea to ask people for 50 cents to use it – not an uncommon request in Europe, and a great way to make some party money for the evening. Unfortunately, this plan was not too successful.

Wanting to ensure we had a quality experience in Paris, Three Sips located a karaoke bar, called New York Café. Doing karaoke in Paris at a bar with a New York name and theme is the great way to end our time there. As we were walking to the bar we passed a couple eating at an outside bistro on a narrow cobblestone street. They were taking pictures of each other, individually, so I offered (with my eyes, of course) to take a picture of the two of them together. In return, she offered to take a picture of us. We graciously accepted and as she was taking the picture she said, “This is perfect – looks just like Paris.” Shocking – it is Paris.

Karaoke in other countries is truly an experience not to be missed. We heard so many renditions of so many great and interesting songs. We stuck with English songs: Love Shack and More Than a Feeling. After Love Shack, Sleepless smiled proudly and said, “We just love shacked in Paris.” After singing Boston, I wasn’t smiling so proudly, “This may be a hunch, but I have a feeling there should be no more “More Than a Feeling” at karaoke.” Sleepless agreed.

At approximately four in the morning we left the New York Café and decided to tour Paris by foot. This is by far the best way to tour Paris. The only negative being my camera battery was dead so I was unable to take any pictures. Luckily, Three Sips had his phone and was able to capture the important shots, with the most important being  Sleepless and I dancing in the Place du Pantheon fountain (something that is strictly forbidden – but if you dance in a fountain in France at night and no authorities are around, is it still strictly forbidden?). Our last stop, just after 6 AM, was at the Eiffel Tower. At this hour, there are no lights on the Eiffel Tower and we decided to wait for daylight so Three Sips could take our picture. I had stepped away for a minute and when I returned, I learned I was coming/returning to the large city virgin. “We’ve just been watching a squirrel,” said Sleepless. “A squirrel, where?” I asked. “Just over there by the garbage – I think he is eating.” Unfortunately, it was not a squirrel, rather a rat. “Oh, is that why he was fat and his tail was so thin?” “Yes,” I replied, “His thin tail is not because he is French, it is because he is a rat. Unfortunately for him, French rats, unlike French women (according to Mireille Guiliano), can get fat.”