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

(C) All rights reserved