Despite what I experienced in Florence, people here in Paris do exercise! I joined them for a run in le Parc Monceau around noon, and found as much of a crowd then as at 9am. I have yet to investigate the 7am scene, though I think I may wait until daylight savings to do so.

One thing that is different from runners in Los Angeles who take to the streets is that here it seems people keep their runs confined to parks. I have seen maybe one or two running on the streets, but seeing as how even walking is quite hazardous, I think they are wiser for their avoidance. [Post-script: I think perhaps the fearless Parisians run mainly in parks not so much to keep safe, but to confine the areas where they allow themselves to be seen in exercise-wear.]

In addition to runners and walkers, there are also people partaking in exercise classes. I saw one woman with long flowing blonde hair engaged in a kickboxing lesson. I also saw some people doing lunges and calisthenics en masse. I’ve even heard of a free daily tai chi classes that takes place somewhere in the 10th arrondissment.

Missing are any signs of obnoxious work-out wear. Everyone seems svelte and sleek in dark colors with occasional red accents. Both men and women run, from a wide range of ages.

Julien, who is 12, described to me his custom-ordered athletic shoes that he is expectantly awaiting. He asked me if I knew of “Nyke Eye Dee”. I asked him if he was referring to “Nike.” He had never heard of it! He then said, “You know, with the logo,” and did a swoosh motion with his finger. Anyway, what he meant was Nike I.D. which is a kind of Nike shoe you get to pick the pre-designed style and the colors. He chose a purple body with a silver swoosh. I guess boys this age the world over love their purple shoes!

Addendum: You can read more about the park on its Wikipedia page. I took some photos of the homes bordering the park, which I will post later. They are pretty fantastic! (The homes)