Pros and Cons

I've decided that après cet semestre, it might be possible for me to live in Paris one day.  These are the reasons:

1) Strong Azn presence in the Franco-sphere
Thus far I've had Vietnamese pho in the 13th, Korean-style shabu shabu stuff in the 2nd, dim sum brunch in the 20th, and very vite ramen (also referred to as Lamen) again in the 2nd.  Comfort food will never be farther than a stone's throw as long as the French don't find a reason to start hating on the Orient.

2) Marches aux puces
If one has the tenacity to search long and hard, than they shall be fruitful at the world's largest flea market in central Saint-Ouen.  Par example, I bargained Francinel bag (probs around 100 euros) down to 25, and emerged this past weekend with a Margot Tenenbaum fur coat for fitty euros.  Even better than the fur coat, which will probably attract bullets back in SF, is my new fawn hoof corkscrew (10 euros).  Taxidermy is so HAUTE!

Downside to flea markets: flea bites.

3) Starbucks
Seriously.  I have a love/hate relationship with European coffee culture.  On the one hand, I do like being forced to sit down to sip and enjoy espresso in cafés.  It's very cute and very cliché.  On the other hand, I like drip coffee.  On the go.  A problem which I can reasonably remedy with a portable coffee tumbler and the know-how to work Madame's 18th century coffee maker.  But sometimes I really need those "The Way I See It #____" quotes on the Starbucks cups to really put my life in perspective.

4) Métro
Navigo pass.  1 month unlimited.  Fucking awesome.  Except when the proletariats decide to go on strike.

5) Public parcs
Grass should be sat on.  That's why one goes to the parcs and not the jardins.

6) Cheap champagne
Where there's a Leader Price, there's a shiny bottle of Marimont waiting to be bought for 1.27.  One tries to be as consistent as possible, so when there isn't a Leader Price, there's a Monoprix, and where there's a Monoprix, there's a comparable bottle Montmartre on the bottom shelf.

7) Terrorist threats
Fuck tourists.  It's easier to get on the metro without you and your stupidly large (and completely unnecessary) fish lens Nikons and your endless caravan of luggage.

Downsides to Paris:
1) Dog shit.  Everywhere.  Watch your step.
2) Arrondissements 1-7.  The 5th might be salvaged because of its cheap grec sandwiches, and ethnic food stalls.  Or maybe my problem is that I want what I know I can't have, but it hurts so hard to have to walk by Sonia Rykiel, Zadig & Voltaire, and all those très cher brasseries with delicious coq au vin and overpriced drinks EVERYDAY.  Window shopping is hopeless here.
3) Delicious patisseries EVERYWHERE. Not really a downside, but I wrestle with temptation daily.