Bonne Annee 2001!
The 20th century is almost over and we are heading into
the new century. The 21st century has long been a symbol
of our future and now we are actually living in it!
However, people here seem to be less excited than they
were for last year's millennium hoopla. I heard the
word "Deux Milles," which means 2000 in French,
everywhere around this time last year. I don't know why
but I don't hear people say "Deux Milles Un (2001)" so
often. It might be the result of the disaster which
happened a year ago - a horrible storm rooted up a
large number of trees, and many feel too sorry to be in a
festive mood. At the beginning of 2000, many people
were left without gas or electricity.
For French people, Christmas is the biggest event of the
year. New Year's Day, however, is relatively quiet.
Still, if you go to certain places, you will find people
gathering here and there for parties. Traveling abroad
is another popular way to spend the new year. This is, of
course, a worldwide trend. It is an exciting idea to
start a new century (not only a new year) in a new
place.
The holiday season in France is about eating, really.
Traditionally, people celebrate, and eat, the New Year
with their family at home. The younger generations tend
to spend time with friends.
I remember one day when I went shopping with friends for
the festive dinner. An old lady came up and started
talking to us in the supermarket. "Don't you think it is
too much for one person to finish all of this food?" she
asked, holding an entire block of foie gras. "You
know, I have no one to have dinner with."
For someone like her, this season must be a hard one. TV
programs and magazines show only happy faces with family
and friends, and that is the image of the New Year that
most of us hold. Who thinks of those who have no family
or friends? They become invisible to society. But that
doesn't mean they don't exist. That woman was one
example, and she helped me become aware of the problem.
Normally, French enjoy dinner at home. The shelves at
the super
market are full of attractive food for the fete.
French cuisine is some of the best on the planet. Don't
worry if you don't like cooking or aren't good at it,
there are plenty of restaurants that will fix you
something.
Restaurants have special menus for the last night of
the year. There are differences in budgets, of course.
Magazines and guides categorize dinners for un
der F500 (-7,500), between F500 and F999 (-14,985), and
F1,000 (-15,000) and up. Generally speaking, the
Christmas Eve menu will cost about half of the one for
New Year's.
With the cheery atmosphere, you might be tempted to
drink some champagne. The special holiday menus don't
always include the price of drinks, so don't be surprised
when you get the bill.
The food may be good in Paris, but the tourists make
Paris what it is. Visitors who have chosen this city as
a place to welcome the 21st century are, in my opinion,
romantic people. Strolling along the world-famous
Champs-Elysees with your lover, which is beautifully
lit up with 180,000 light bulbs is an excellent idea
for couples.
The view from the Eiffel Tower is also spectacular and
concerts, operas, dances and theaters are always
popular.
The big-name cabarets such as "Moulin Rouge" and
"Lido" are packed. They say you need to make a
reservation a year in advance for this day. But if you
are lucky, you can still find seats available. As the
program is exceptional, there is a price to pay.
It all depends on how you want to spend the special
night. If you want action, go to the Champs-Elysees. You
will never be alone there. Or you can go to a bar, which
will be crowded with people in high spirits. You can,
of course, choose to spend the time quietly with someone
you love.
As I wrote at the beginning, the new century has long
been the image of our dream of the future. I used to
think that it would be much farther off, in the future.
It's odd to realize how fast time flies.
I am excited to start a brand new millennium in Paris,
my beloved city. Its charm never ceases fascinating
me. Paris will always be a city where old-world esprit
and the spirit of the future coexists.
ST
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