Another terrible day in Paris. At 0830 this morning the sound of construction began cascading from the servants quarters above our apartment. We had begun hearing noises above us in late November and called the owner informing him that noises were coming from above and that there may be squatters moving in. He informed us that the co-owners of the building had been in negotiations for years to sell the access(the corridors that connect the servants quarters) space to the servants quarters area(The servants quarters themselves having apparently been sold years earlier.) He went on to tell us that these sounds were the architect taking measurements and making plans for possible future construction. Imagine our surprise. Now we know why the owner moved out over the summer.
Julia came home from work, after I called her and she was unable to get in touch with the owner, to talk to the workers to get any information that they had. This is one of the most frustrating aspects of being in Paris for me. For those of you that know me I am a bit of a control freak. It pains me to have depend on Julia to do so much of the "little" things in our relationship right now, due to my lack of conversational french.
The worker did tell Julia that the greatest noises would be today and Tuesday. With painting and installation of parquet floor to follow. A total of about 3 weeks of work. The intent is to renovate the area to storage and small office spaces. They have not been given permission to install sanitary facilities or hot/cold water. If this is true we will at least not have anyone living above us.
Julia also asked for and received the name and contact of the architect. She spoke to him and he confirmed what the worker had said. He also confirmed that a staircase would not need to be constructed. For those of you that have not yet visited. We are on the 5th floor with a 6th floor consisting of servants quarters above us. The lift and the main stairs currently end on our floor. There is a servants staircase that allows access to the servants quarters. This does raise the question of what will be stored in the "Storage" area being built if there is no lift access, only 6 flights of windy, narrow stairs. But both the workers and the architect stated that an extension of the lift or main staircase are not in their plans.
At this point we are in a wait and see mode. If the work becomes more than we have been told or if it looks as if the space above is being developed for residential use we will give our 90 day notice and begin a search for a house in the suburbs. We both enjoy urban living but not the living in an apartment that seems to be required of it.
We do have the option of telling P & G that we wish to move. This is our last and final option as it would likely have the effect of eliminating Julia's prospects of promotion with the company.
ttfn
-Dave
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