Photo of a local fishmonger's lovely underwater mural on aluminum shutters. I took this photo while standing across the street; you can see the mural's reflections in the rain-slick sidewalk pavement.
It's not just the weather that's wet and unseasonably cool. Our hallway carpet is being continuously soaked from a leaking hot water tank. After three weeks of waiting for the gardien to bring a plumber, we sent a letter to the building management. This afternoon - exactly one month after the problem began - a plumber arrived. But this being France, after identifying the problems, did the plumber begin to fix them? No. After two phone calls, the plumber announced that his office will telephone us to let us know when the work will begin. Meanwhile, I'm doing two loads of laundry per day to wash towels soaking up the leak.
A wide crack and damp patch in the ceiling of the second bathroom appears to be caused by a leak from our upstairs voisin - this would be the same neighbour that has screaming fights with his girlfriend and plays basketball indoors. The plumber advised I should telephone the neighbour to complain about the leak. Instead, I'll have to write a letter and send it with proof of delivery. The neighbour doesn't like confrontation. In the past when we complained in person, then by letter about his incessant basketball-playing and occasional shouting matches, he denied everything. He insisted the sound "must be coming from another apartment," even though the basketball net was clearly visible from his open doorway.
After informing the rebellious neighbour of the leak coming from his apartment, the next step is to notify the building owner and our insurance company to file a claim. Normally with this sort of problem, we would have phoned a plumber right away, then applied for reimbursement through insurance and the building owner. But this being France, certain procedures must be followed. Ah, the bureaucracy; nothing is ever easy in this country! Hope your week is off to a better start!
More hand-painted underwater murals grace the local seafood shop's shutters.
Like my Mom always says: "Life is a maintenance trip".
I'm sorry that you have a screaming basketball player living upstairs. I must admit, you made me smile the way you tell it, but not a nice reality at all! Sending hopes that the plumber will arrive sooner than later!!
Posted by: rochambeau | 10 July 2007 at 16:23
It's like 100 degrees here...I could just dive right it..it looks soooo cool!
Posted by: My Melange | 10 July 2007 at 13:26
I love to watch fish in aquariums. Your photo with that reflection is cool.
Tara, I'm sorry you're having plumbing woes. That is so frustrating. We have had to do several plumbing repairs. I didn't blog about a major water leaking incident we just had, that luckily turned out to be more a pain in the tush than anything seriously damaging. It did occur on a holiday, of course, complete with one plumber who should be put in a tank himself...) on the heels of that no A/C. I hope yours is fixed smoothly soon and that nicer neighbors move in place of the infuriating ones.
Posted by: GeL(Emerald Eyes) | 10 July 2007 at 09:38
AS a Piscean I really like this photo! You talk of French Bureaucracy.. did you know that the french government controlled the Auction market for antiques/paintings etc for many years.. no-one could get a job/or work etc. Sothebys ( as an example) would do a display of auction items (say, fine art),in Paris, then have ship it all to london!
True!
Posted by: Simon | 10 July 2007 at 08:33
Great writing, very entertaining, I want my sister in law to read this. After she and her husband saw the movie sicko they were ready to move to France.
Posted by: robyn | 10 July 2007 at 05:05
Tara, I'm sorry you're having to deal with all of that (your neighbor sounds like a charmer, too). I hope that it's all cleared up and fixed soon. I loved the photos of the awning...and would love just a touch of your weather!
As soon as the new issue of the magazine is out, I'll send one your way. :)
xo, Andrea
Posted by: Southern Heart | 10 July 2007 at 03:58
bad weather in paris too!! isn't it 'triste' to spend a rainy weather like that? we're suffering from 7 weeks rain here in the southern netherlands, almost non stop. i can tell the minutes i saw the sun in the pas month.
wishing you good luck with the french plumbing system and friendly voisin du haut :(
Posted by: marita | 10 July 2007 at 01:31
Here, you would report the noisy voisin to management and they would talk to him, not you.
Here, you would withhold the rent until the problem was fixed. chances are you wouldn't have to go that far. Management knows that if they delay and delay it will cost them more in the long run.
Maybe you should move here.
But then, it isn't Paris........sigh.
xoxo
Posted by: Colette | 10 July 2007 at 00:33
I'm sorry for the plumbing issues, even more for the crap upstairs neighbor, but I'm loving the murals - so bright and detailed.
Posted by: kristen | 09 July 2007 at 23:33
None of this sounds like any fun to me -plumbers, dampness, noisy, obnoxious neighbors - Bah! I'm sorry these frustrations are marring your summer. I'm saying a silent "thank you" to my quiet old neighborhood.
I wish you could send us some of the rain, however. We are compeletly dried up here in the midwest.
Those murals are spectacular!
Posted by: Becca | 09 July 2007 at 23:31
How frustrating!!! I think I'd be looking for another place to live! Apartment, I mean. Can we have some of your rain and coolness? We're all frizzled and fried here in the US!
Xoox,
L
Posted by: Laura | 09 July 2007 at 22:56
Tara~
What a shame about the carpet. Too bad. Noisy neighbours to boot! I hope it gets fixed soon. But if you have to put up with the mundane things of real life like the rest of us, you are one up because you are in...Paris!! So things could be worse. You could be here! LOL
I like your photo at the top with the reflection.
xo
Blue
Posted by: Blue | 09 July 2007 at 22:54
The awning is such a relief from the annoying neighbor. He must feel very safe from reprisals since he continues to behave like a farm animal (take your pick on which one - they'd all fit.) And now I've probably insulted farm animals everywhere. **sigh**
Posted by: AnnieElf | 09 July 2007 at 21:48
LOVELY paintings. It is amazing how much one can see, when we take the time to appreciate. I am often very glad, some people put in the effort to carry out decorative initiative which can also add and colour the world for others.
Thank you for sharing your view!
Hugs. Nina
Posted by: Nina | 09 July 2007 at 21:29
What a pain in the butt! I'm sorry everything is so wet there Tara. I'd have to stick that ball where the sun don't shine. lol
Lovely murals. :)
XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 09 July 2007 at 20:25
Sacre bleu! HE really does play basketball..A NET??!! How can you stand it! Have you thought of moving?..I loved the post on Petra! How beautiful and mysterious it looks!
Posted by: pam aries | 09 July 2007 at 18:26
I sympathise on all fronts. Plumbers, rain, cool weather, leaks, noisy neighbours all can be infuriating but oh those shutters almost make up for it all - beautiful.
Posted by: Di Overton | 09 July 2007 at 17:25