Spot on and so funny. Ah the calcium! It's the bane of our French existence. My hair is a drab dry mess. Any shampoo or conditioner recommendations? I'll be forever grateful :)
People like Malibu Shampoing Eau Calcaire which I think is a stop gap measure for me because the real fix to get a filter on the shower. Of course you have to have it installed. The problem they say is that the minerals are deposited on your hair and you never really get it clean so it builds up which is why it’s dull and floppy.
Thanks, I'll give it a try. I'm desperate! The good news is that we are staying at a hotel in Paris this time around and I'm pretty sure their water is filtered :)
LOVE this. Paris is the city where, if someone tells you they cannot meet up because they need to 'descale' their coffee pot, you accept it and wish them good luck.
Loved this! Oh, how this brings me back to my time living in that magical and, on occasion, maddening city! I remember going over all the vocab words to speak with my plombier. Some of my best lessons in french were these moments with various technicians! You nailed it like a pro. And pro tip: always have white vinegar on hand. And la politesse!
I feeeeeeeeeeeel this deeply!!😭 Couldn’t believe what was happening to my hair and my dishes when we were living there! Crossing fingers the thingy works! 🤞🏼💋
I never realized that calcium was such a problem for Parisians. I was very entertained by the whole article but particularly your encounter with the "fixer" who installed your new equipment. It's so good to have a new article from you. And I'm so pleased that, because your writing class this spring was so successful, you are offering another one this fall! Fantastic. Wissie Thompson
Hi Susanna, I live in Milan, Italy where we have the same issue with tap water. Get yourself the largest Britta (Brita?) pitcher and their filters and use the filtered water to pour into your coffee makers and electric kettles. I also use this water in any glass flower vases because if you use tap water it will leave permanent damage etched forever into the glass.
I would love to know more about the large R2D2 water filter though.
Laughing my head off because when we renovated our house in Switzerland, I *insisted* on the R2D2 device in the cellar to filter ALL the water. My German husband thought I was overreacting but wisely acquiesced. Allegedly our water is now within normal limits (the water guy comes annually to check, change filters, etc.) but I have my doubts when I see the Kalk build-up. So we also have all the products!
Lou is a legend, saw her live in Zurich two years ago (the audience was made up of people I have never seen on the chic and moneyed streets here).
I just realized I was supposed to use a second thing besides just the little pods for the dishwasher a little salt tab thing that fixes the calcium spots. I’ve been here 18 months, that’s 18 months of spotty dishes.😂
Spot on and so funny. Ah the calcium! It's the bane of our French existence. My hair is a drab dry mess. Any shampoo or conditioner recommendations? I'll be forever grateful :)
People like Malibu Shampoing Eau Calcaire which I think is a stop gap measure for me because the real fix to get a filter on the shower. Of course you have to have it installed. The problem they say is that the minerals are deposited on your hair and you never really get it clean so it builds up which is why it’s dull and floppy.
Thanks, I'll give it a try. I'm desperate! The good news is that we are staying at a hotel in Paris this time around and I'm pretty sure their water is filtered :)
I love this story and dislike the problem which, as you say, is so widespread it comes up about as much as discussions about the weather !
I am now going to be up nights worried about all of my pipes. 😂😘
LOVE this. Paris is the city where, if someone tells you they cannot meet up because they need to 'descale' their coffee pot, you accept it and wish them good luck.
So funny--a fact of life like strikes...
Loved this! Oh, how this brings me back to my time living in that magical and, on occasion, maddening city! I remember going over all the vocab words to speak with my plombier. Some of my best lessons in french were these moments with various technicians! You nailed it like a pro. And pro tip: always have white vinegar on hand. And la politesse!
Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't am just seeing this note, thank you for the kind words. I found the special cleaning vinegar section of Monoprix today...
I feeeeeeeeeeeel this deeply!!😭 Couldn’t believe what was happening to my hair and my dishes when we were living there! Crossing fingers the thingy works! 🤞🏼💋
Merci 💕
So glad my writing pal Ed Orzechowski forwarded the link to your post. I enjoyed reading it beaucoup!
I’m so glad!
And could that be the Ed from Quaboag regional high school?
Your high school teacher, yes? He’s a talented local writer with two published books. “Darlene” and “You’ll Like It Here.”
I never realized that calcium was such a problem for Parisians. I was very entertained by the whole article but particularly your encounter with the "fixer" who installed your new equipment. It's so good to have a new article from you. And I'm so pleased that, because your writing class this spring was so successful, you are offering another one this fall! Fantastic. Wissie Thompson
Merci for the kind words 🧡🧡🧡🧡
Serious question: can I drink the tap water or not? I guzzle it by the gallon!
Yes, and I gather that the rates of osteoporosis for women are lower in Paris because calcium is high
Hi Susanna, I live in Milan, Italy where we have the same issue with tap water. Get yourself the largest Britta (Brita?) pitcher and their filters and use the filtered water to pour into your coffee makers and electric kettles. I also use this water in any glass flower vases because if you use tap water it will leave permanent damage etched forever into the glass.
I would love to know more about the large R2D2 water filter though.
And here is the R2-D2 water filter that my friend has: https://www.berkeyexpert.fr/filtres-a-eau-berkey?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1547906570&gbraid=0AAAAADR8t2tfIqxSJ_HiwFOuVt6fYMtUp&gclid=Cj0KCQjw64jDBhDXARIsABkk8J5nnSn8FCgCr6XoXK0tE3swEfmA-BH17qeoMP8Vtfrsvd4H_54rUX8aAlGpEALw_wcB
And here it is in situ 😆
Ooohhh good tip
Laughing my head off because when we renovated our house in Switzerland, I *insisted* on the R2D2 device in the cellar to filter ALL the water. My German husband thought I was overreacting but wisely acquiesced. Allegedly our water is now within normal limits (the water guy comes annually to check, change filters, etc.) but I have my doubts when I see the Kalk build-up. So we also have all the products!
Lou is a legend, saw her live in Zurich two years ago (the audience was made up of people I have never seen on the chic and moneyed streets here).
I will never doubt people like you again. You are wise and I was wrong.
😂
I love your encounter with the plumber. Well done, you!
Wonderful story, thanks for the laugh. Reminds me of Peter Mayle in Provence
A nice complement indeed
I JUST bought a filter for my showerhead, so this was timely! Now to try to install it……..
Laughing because when we lived in Paris, our dishes were always filmy and my husband wore cargo shorts, despite my objections:)
I just realized I was supposed to use a second thing besides just the little pods for the dishwasher a little salt tab thing that fixes the calcium spots. I’ve been here 18 months, that’s 18 months of spotty dishes.😂
France is confusing 😂
You saw Lucinda! In Paris! Now this is what middle age female dreams are made of. Nothing soothes more more than her twang.
Love you!
Aw, she was great. And it was oddly comforting to see a whole bunch of men who look like they left a campsite to come to the concert.