Spring Fever

This Louisiana girl has never lived in any other large city, except Paris, so perhaps this phenomena is universal.  We have had a delayed spring, with many cool gray days, and mostly rainy, except a few days last week.

All it takes is one warm day, and the population of Paris seems to literally explode on the sidewalk cafes and the parks everywhere.  Seems like everyone is starving for sunshine, that they have been deprived of much of a very cold winter.

Last Thursday, it was a picture perfect warm day in Paris.  The sky was that azure blue impressionists painted, with temperatures warm enough to go sleeveless.

In Louisiana, where the seasons are blended, I was never used to springtime  literally bursting forth  as if with urgency.   Seemingly with just a little warmth and more sunlight, buds on trees suddenly open within a few days time sporting brand new baby green leaves.

Since living in the northern European hemisphere, I too, like all of nature,  can identify with being awakened from the dormancy of winter.  Within the last week, I have been waking up earlier due to the sun getting up earlier and brighter.

I have always thought I suffered from seasonal affective disorder, so I welcome the return of spring with open arms and expectations of feeling more alive and vibrant.   The increased daylight decreases the amount of melatonin that makes me feel sluggish, and as a result, I find my energy returning.

I headed to the park Montsouris for one of my walks, only to be met by throngs of others who had the same idea and more.   Seems like everybody and their uncle had decided to take advantage of the rare sunshine.

The balloon wagon made for a colorful entrance and I noticed that even the park’s restaurant, Le Pavillon du Parc terrasse was all set out for  warm evening dinning.

As you can see in the photos, they were  folks dotting all over the slopes and grassy parts of the park.  It looked more like a Sunday in warm weather, but is quite unusual for a weekday.

Everybody looked pale skinned, but I look pretty pale too these days, having been covered up from head to toe for 6 months.  Sun hunger predominates here, so all it takes is a few rays that draws Parisians outside like a magnet.

I was even lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the park’s first spring ducklings.  Mother duck really had a brood to watch, as I counted 8 little ones in tow.

The resident ducks and geese were having a hay day begging for little crumbs of bread.  They must have sharp eyes to being able to decipher who is eating on a bench, as I have seen them sail by then waddle out of the pond to check out if there is any possible nibbles be had.

Though there are signs, asking that they not be fed under a threat of getting with a “ticket”, it appears to be generally ignored.  The French will be strongly obedient about not walking on the grass, if it is forbidden , but otherwise appear nonchalant regarding other little “laws”.

Park Montsouris is one of the few parks that doggies are allowed in with a leash.  Owners are very careful to clean up after their pets, as I have never seen any canine dejections left behind.

Donkeys on the other hands often leave a trail, walking around with littles ones on their back, but that too, is usually quickly disposed of.  I find the park to be kept meticulously clean and always well manicured year round.

The tulips were delayed this year, but as you can see are proudly tall and beautiful.  Pink and white flowering trees were also in full bloom, the names of which elude me.  I captured the pink one in the photo as a large balloon sailed above.

The energy of the whole city changes with warm sunny days.  Somehow Parisians are seen with a few more smiles on their usually stern looking faces, and they seem less in a hurry too.  I even noticed the birds have been chirping much more loudly than before.

Perhaps they are like me, happy for the return of warmer days and spring flowers.  Spring here though, is no guarantee that every day till summer will be warmer and warmer, as it was back home.  One day could be pleasant and then the next one cool enough for a sweater or coat.

Even more reason to take advantage of any warm and sunny day, because you never know if and when it may continue.  A perfect example, is the next day after my photos, it turned back into cool, and cloudy with the following week to be cold and rainy.

So bye bye spring till maybe next week.  Nevertheless, I am grateful to have short peaks of spring, than none at all!