...for a seller of stoves

[thiel]

Today we bought a new stove (to replace the waterlogged old one) from a man selling all sorts of electrical items out of a shop on Belleville. I entered with a rose, and was immediately transfixed by a wall of televisions broadcasting video-clips of East-European pop ballads - all close-ups of teeth, doves and hair in slow motion. But I snapped out

Comments

[black_sunset]

I always look forward to hearing the adventures of a fellow Aussie. You write really well!

[thiel]

Warm thanks, comrade! And, don't worry, I'll be back there, soon enough...

[black_sunset]

Yeah, but living in Europe has many advantages, I came over for a year or so, and I'm still living in Europe 4 years later! There is actually a thing called culture over here!

[thiel]

Oh, I'm enjoying it immensely, too, and will be back in Paris from February...

[cecilyrules]

Mmm, I think that laugh was an insult. Not very cool.
But you have your new stove to cook comfort food. Cookies, cakes, that kind of stuff. :)

I'm SO glad you'll be back in February! And with a brand new project, too! That you still won't breathe a word about, right?

[thiel]

Keywords for 2007 project-options are, so far, "saints" and "lemons."

Tonight we used the brand-new stove for soup.

[mochaberry]

Hmmm. I wonder at the story behind the shrill laughter. Perhaps there was an exchange between the seller and the little person prior to your arrival that made your kind gesture hilarious to the little person. Perhaps it really "stuck it" to the seller and the little person deeply enjoyed it. Perhaps the seller was the last person in the world the little person would say deserved the gift of a flower. Perhaps s/he just thought it was amusing. Perhaps s/he has a mental disorder that causes laughter when the desire is tears.

I'm always wondering about the backstories of the people you see. :o)

[thiel]

Yes - imagining backstories is one of the funnest bits for me, as well.

I rather like the 3rd possible motive that you list, and hope very much that it was true, this afternoon.

I always wonder...

[buckyinn]

How did you find yourself so far away from home? Are you traveling only Europe or other continents as well? Is it for business or pleasure? Have you been to Sweden yet? I spend at least 2 weeks in Europe (one in Sweden, one in which ever country happens to catch my curiosity) ever summer. Good times!

*sigh* Questions, questions!

Enjoying the read, as always!

Re: I always wonder...

[thiel]

How did you find yourself so far away from home?

I spent a year studying medieval literature at the University of York, England. During that year I met my boyfriend, French, with whom I am now living in Paris.

Are you traveling only Europe or other continents as well?

I had already spent some time visiting countries in Asia, so this trip is all about Europe, I guess, with a couple of side-trips to the United States. We'll be heading to Australia for three months on Tuesday.

Have you been to Sweden yet?

No, but I did visit Norway, a few months ago...

Thanks for you interest!

[precious_junk]

Can I just ask...Do you purposely do each entry at 10:00?
Someone may have asked, but I always see 10:00!!
and I'm curious. Why 10??

[black_sunset]

wow, i never noticed that!

[thiel]

Which makes it okay, right? It's more about me than anyone else, I suspect.

[precious_junk]

I noticed that the first time I saw his journal...but I didn't ask until now. :p