Me, Myself and Paris: One Toe Under the Eiffel Tower, The Other In the Grocery Store

Ruth Yunker
Outskirts Press (2010)
ISBN 9781432757144
Reviewed by Deb Shunamon for Reader Views (1/11)


Flashes of memories and feelings of déjà vu are what reading this enormously entertaining book stirred-up for this reader. No matter how much a traveler may feel they are just like the locals, little things like demagnetizing metro tickets can send you right back to the newbie stage. Ruth Yunker’s vibrant personality comes through in “My, Myself and Paris: One Toe Under the Eiffel Tower, The Other In The Grocery Store” and anyone who has travelled to another country or is thinking of it, has simply got to read it.
           
This book is very amusing while at the same time presenting a thoughtful and honest look at being an outsider who wants in. Yunker made three trips to Paris to live for short periods, learning more each time about what it means to be a Parisian. This is not a soul-searching travel book – the author is very comfortable with herself – but instead presents the awareness of subtle cultural differences, as well as the author’s progression from trouble doing her own laundry through to being able to pay for purchases with the exact change. Having travelled on her own and rarely with anyone to talk to, Yunker observes the oddities between being a Parisian and an American, and often develops fantasy scenarios to explain things, such as her relationship description between the athletic father and son she passes during a stroll. And unlike so many travel books about Paris she does not meet and marry a handsome Frenchman, but does fantasize and create a memorable context for a man she sees during an outing. Now what single female traveler hasn’t done that at least once? My favorite of all, however, was her eloquent observation on navigating Parisian streets with an umbrella. It is a lovely piece of writing.

Unfortunately, Ms. Yunker speaks of herself as feeling old which I’m not sure is a result of being a Californian, or living in Paris. But at 35-years-of-age, she gives to readers a mature view of that city for those who travel without backpacks. She is a wise, fun-loving woman with a great view on life, and shows that travelling and living in Paris is possible for single, older women even if they do not yet own the right shoes. I really enjoyed “My, Myself and Paris: One Toe Under the Eiffel Tower, The Other In The Grocery Store.”

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