Moisissure

n. – mould
Faux plafond
n. – dropped ceiling
The day following a torrential rainstorm earlier this month, we awoke to a loud crash. I knew what it was right away without even looking – the ceiling in the kitchen had collapsed. Well, in order not to over exaggerate, it wasn’t the entire ceiling, but rather one of the “plaques” or panels that separates it from the roof allowing for the spot lighting that we have.

Nevertheless, it was a mess with water and plaster everywhere. We had warned the owner that we had seen some cracks and the day before I could hear dripping even though I couldn’t see any water. So when my husband called to tell her the latest news, it couldn’t have come as a surprise. He pointed out that it was a good thing neither one of us were standing in the kitchen at the time to which she actually had the nerve to respond that the panels aren’t that heavy. Trust me, we picked up the pieces (literally) and I wouldn’t want something not that heavy falling on my head!

This was two weeks ago and given that it’s July and everyone in Paris is on vacation, not only has it not been repaired, but nobody has even come to assess the damage. I had a mini fit about the mould that had gathered on what was now our ceiling, but after cleaning that off with a sponge in rubber gloves and protective face mask, I’ve become resigned to the fact that this could take not days, but maybe weeks or even months to rectify.

You see that’s the beauty of July and August in France. It’s as if the months don’t even exist because life in its normal pace simply doesn’t. Several years ago when they had the “canicule” or heatwave that left many elderly dead, it was primarily the result of the “vacances.” People were away and not checking on their older relatives and that coupled with nursing staff also reduced because of vacation, led to a tragedy that rocked the country.

A little air conditioning might come in handy, but people say the same thing every summer when it gets hot – “c’est exceptional,” it’s exceptional. But it isn’t if it happens every summer! It’s that stubbornness that is a characteristic of the French. And while it helps secure so many of the wonderful traditions that mark the French lifestyle, it can also be a bit of a hindrance as the world changes.

So while they may not always be that adaptable, I have become more so. That combined with patience and a healthy sense of humour is what gets me through the frustrating moments. And somehow, things work out – after all it can’t stay summer all year long and eventually people have to come back. Until then, I remain zen and just hope that it doesn’t rain hard again any time soon.