October

It is cold and rainy in Paris and it has been since the beginning of October.  As much as I prefer warm sunny weather, I’ve come to terms with it.  I bought a good quality umbrella at the umbrella store near our house—yes there is a store that sells only umbrellas!  And it’s been in business since the 1800s for good reason.  I wear boots and several layers, including a scarf, hat and gloves.  The bundling works well until I go into the Metro.  Then I am boiling hot and have to peel down the layers and carry them.  The French don’t seem to have that problem though.  According to my observations, they put on their coats and scarves in the morning and keep them on all day, no matter where they are.  They sit in the outdoor cafes with an awning overhead and plastic sheets hanging down the sides to avoid the rain.  Sometimes there are heaters up above.  Regardless, the French sit at outdoor tables in the cold rain and keep their coats and scarves on while they eat and drink.  They don’t seem to get cold.  They don’t get hot either.  They wear these very same coats and scarves into the Metro, which seems to be about 78 degrees in winter and summer.  They ride the trains with their coats and scarves on, not even unbuttoned.  Then they walk back out into the rain and wind in the same clothes.  (They do carry umbrellas though.)