Plink.net

Finally this week I made some time to go running. Paris streets are way too narrow, and sidewalks way to crowded, for just running anywhere. So I got a recommendation from the hotel desk clerk and he sent me to Parc Monceau. Definitely a great park for running, but also a great place to see a cross section of ordinary Parisien life.

Some of what I observed:

• A young couple making out on a park bench.
• Someone dressed in an Aztec warrior priest head piece with another person doing an African tribal dance around them.
• A personal trainer putting a young woman through a workout. Looked like a pretty strenuous workout, but she was still wearing makeup. And he was decked out in a total hip-hop getup.
• An old couple making out on a park bench.
• A wedding party arriving, all obviously North African, and all dressed in traditional wedding tux and gown fashion.
• Kids playing on playground equipment that looked identical to what we have in the States. For some reason, this was oddly disconcerting.
• A middle aged couple making out on a park bench.

The French are comfortable with public displays of affection. Very comfortable. Did I mention that?