Yesterday, I made my way to the pool. Considering that I have been eating pastries and bread practically every day, it is strange to think that my pants are actually a bit looser. That being said, I still need to exercise, stretch-out and relax and go for a nice swim. Oh wait. I'm in Paris. For anyone who has ever been to Rome, you know how they drive - the road markings are only a general guide. Well, apparently, French swimmers have taken a lesson from the Italians.
The large 50 -meter pool at Les Halles is closed. "Quel dommage." So, I went to the little 4-lane pool in my quartier (neighborhood) about 6 blocks away. I've got to give the City of Paris credit for being clever and egalitarian. Upon entering the locker rooom, you choose your own locker and then enter the number and select a code from a central kiosk -no padlock required. Very cool. And egalitarian - because there is no men's or no women's locker room. Just one big locker area with changing rooms and communal showers.
One lane of the pool appears to be reserved for wild young people and people who don't know how to swim but like to splash around in the water. The second lane - not sure what they were doing there - swimming or slowly floating down the lane, I suppose. The third and fourth lanes were for "regular" swimmers but anyone can get ito any lane regardless of how fast they THINK they are. And since the pool is only about two feet deep at one end (try doing a flip turn - ouch) you can basically stop and walk anywhere in the lane - and people do. One lane had 13 people in it. No rhyme or reason to speed or stroke - just pass up the middle when you need to, but keep your head up becasue someone else may be coming your way. Fun fun fun.
Back to the egalitarian thing... I'm used to stripping down and taking a shower after swimming. Being the clever guy that I am (and watching others - so being the voyeur that I am,) I figured out how to wash "those" parts with my swimsuit on as the two elderly women next to me put on their swim caps and headed for the pool. I'm sure they were heading for the fast lane!
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5 comments:
Hey Rick
Awesome!!!
I am glad your having a wonderful time exploring the world!! Have fun for all of us here in SFO.
evelyn
This reminds me of the part in Adam Gopnik's "Paris to the Moon" where he tries to join a gym but keeps running into French bureaucracy, in the form of attractive young women in pristine red tracksuits, who can't believe he wants to work out more than once a week. Have you read it? Parts are a little elitist and dull, but other parts are hilarious. I think he's written another one about moving back home to NYC.
It starts with your pants being a little loose. Then they will be a lot loose. Eventually they will fall down to your ankles (insert snappy comment here) and you will be grateful for the big sale in June so you can buy new pants. Then your new Parisian pants will become a little loose, then a lot loose, then fall down to your ankles. I swear they put diet pills in the water or something! Keep eating those pastries!!
The incredible shrinking Rick. You stories are so entertaining. Who knew that going to the local swimming hole could be such entertainment. You need to add something else fattenting to your diet, apparently the pastries cause you to lose weight. What a nice problem to have.
losing weight eating Parisian Pastry... I hate you!
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