Let’s discuss…
I have a bone to pick with the French. Actually, I’d like to enlighten them on what they are missing out on. The French (Europeans for that matter) may love to party… but they aren’t so great at celebrating holidays. I have gotten my hopes up only to be let down too many times now. Valentine’s Day in the city of love. What was it like? I don’t know actually because if I hadn’t looked at my calendar I never would’ve known it was vday. Paris didn’t change one bit… if anything it was more quiet. I guess they celebrate in the privacy of their own homes?
And then there was Carnaval! Oh my, had I heard exciting things about this one! I wanted to travel to Venice where the celebration is said to be one of the best, but the celebrations fell right on my spring break trip to Munich. Lucky for me, Paris’ Carnaval day parade was scheduled for the day after I got back to Paris. I was out all day in the city and didn’t see anything other than a random kid in a costume on the metro. Quite honestly I saw more action on the Chinese New Year (people were carrying around paper lanterns…?).
I miss celebrating holidays with friends! Paris isn’t having the crazy celebration I had expected. |
Mardi Gras I went out in a purple top and the bars closed early because it was a Tuesday!! This isn’t just any Tuesday people, come on! We happened to find one joint that stayed open late. The people were in costumes… awesome! But we soon found out it was simply an employee party with no connection to Mardi Gras. Whatever, they let us stay!
And St. Patrick’s Day.. the holiday that my French professor thinks is in November. Poor Frenchies… don’t you get to have any fun? Renata and I got to talking and realized the French miss out on almost all of our favorite holidays!
- January – New Year’s… okay they start off strong. I’m assuming they have to have fun stuff on New Year’s Eve. But I’m beating they don’t get school off for MLK day.
- February – Valentine’s Day… no valentine’s cards that I saw, no heart shaped pastries. WTF?
- March – Mardi Gras… No celebrations that I found. For goodness sake the name of the day is in french. St. Patrick’s Day… they don’t even know about this one. We dye entire rivers green! Poor guys… They’re missing out!
- April – Easter… does the Easter bunny visit France and give the children Easter baskets? I hope so.
- May – Cinco de Mayo… They definitely don’t celebrate this one. I don’t even think the Mexicans do!
- June – Ok, I’m stumped, no cool American holidays this month that I can think of.
- July – 4th of July!! Only my favorite holiday, ever. They have Bastille Day on July 14th but considering the previous track record we probably do it better.
- August – August seems to be another lack of holiday month but, hey, the second week is Air Conditioning Appreciation Week (?)
- September – Same as June and August…
- October – Halloween.. They don’t celebrate it!! I love halloween!
- November – Thanksgiving… Yum, we win.
- December – Christmas… It’s a tie here. But I’m going to bet they don’t do Santa Claus overkill like we do.
Upon reviewing this list I’ve noticed a theme. We love holidays! And we can’t just leave the religious ones alone.. we add candy and presents and parties! Sorry, we’re not sorry… we like to celebrate. The French are better at fashion and probably food, but in America we have some awesome holidays!
Also, had an awesome trip to Disneyland Paris today (but according to my friends this is another thing that is done better in America). It was my first time and I felt like a little kid all over again! Post about the day at Disney to come soon! Now off to celebrate the roomies 21st!!
Au revior! xoxo.
-T