Entry #4: 7/10/2013 2:00 AM
“Un autre jour, un autre château.”
They always say the easiest way to start a story is from the beginning. I have been putting off writing this blog post because every day here is a whirlwind of excitement and adventure. Actually that sounds a bit extreme. Like any new experience, there are pros and cons to studying abroad in France. There are so many things I love about this country. Everything is old and beautiful. And when I mean old I mean like the churches and chateaus go as far back as the 11th century. We went to the Musée des Beaux Arts yesterday and they have artifacts from the 1st century! Nothing in America even comes close. I have never been surrounded by so much history. Perhaps I will always be a very noticeable American tourist, because I will never get used to turning a corner and seeing a castle.
Another thing about France is the renowned people, culture, and cuisine. I am a continent and an ocean away from home. But in many ways America and France are a world apart. The people are people. They look just like you and me except usually speak better French and dress more chic. There are definitely those who look “French” but mostly the people are a mosaic just like anywhere else in the world. When it comes to stereotypes, I know Americans are famous for being fat. But I must say McDonalds has found the French too, even if deodorant has not. Still there are many beautiful women and the men are “très sexy”.
Now to the famous French culture: I love you even if I will never completely understand you. I had an embarrassingly American encounter the other day. It was Breanna’s birthday and we were out on the town with two other girls from the program. We were looking for the museum and were fortunate enough to run into one of the local men who befriended us at Soft Bar. Simone spotted us from across the street and said “Bonjour”. We said hello back and then I instantly asked “Simone, où est le Musée des Beaux Arts?” He replied wait, first we must properly say hello. We shared “la bise” where you pantomime a kiss on each cheek. Then we went through ‘how are you’ and Simone introduced the friends he was with as well as where they were from. Finally he asked where we were going and what my question was. After I repeated it, Simone was kind enough to lead us to the museum. I have yet to encounter a rude Frenchman or woman. However I felt totally out of place like a typical impatient, inconsiderate, and ignorant American.
Oftentimes the French do not seem to be any rush at all. Meals are three times a day and each meal has several courses. They don’t seem to understand the point of a ‘snack.’ There is endless bread all day long but no butter or any particularly fatty foods. There is sweet like nutella, but no peanut butter and sour like vinaigrette, but no ranch dressing. Everything is fresh and flavorful, but always a little bit unusual. For some reason the milk and eggs are not kept in refrigerators at the store. Breanna and I both noticed that the cereal tastes a little bit different in the morning. There is always cheese at the end of every meal all the time. Our host mom was showing me a bag of Dutch cheese because I told her my mother was from The Netherlands and I thought she was asking if I wanted to take it to eat on our excursion that night!
I think the cuisine has been the greatest transition for me. I am not a picky eater and I will try anything. But every day I stuff myself at noon when we have lunch at the university and then starve until dinner around 7pm. Our site director, Sue, says you get used to eating that way. I miss my after school snack as well as a plain bowl of cereal, your fattiest, greasiest American fast food, and a tall glass of lemonade. We have tried for several days to order lemonade and keep getting a sparkling lemon water that tastes very similar to sprite. Oh, how I miss Oregon water. The tap water is not bad but there are no water fountains anywhere because the French buy bottled water. Clocks are scarce as well as sufficient hand dryers and air conditioning. However you can buy hard alcohol and pink toilette paper at any convenience store. Then, it is also ridiculously challenging to eat as a group at a restaurant. It is considered rude to ask to split the check but no one ever has exact change to pay for their food.
My last little tidbit about France is that everything is “très petit”. I feel like I am too big for this country. The desks are very small and close together. I feel like every time I move I am bumping or kicking someone else. This includes the people and the town as well. The streets are so tiny! We will be walking around the shops and forget that we are on a street because they look like little cobblestone walkways. I have noticed the French drive like Californians but better. There is no shoulder on the roads. The cars and buses pass right next to the sidewalk and you had better get out of the way. I have not seen a single normal intersection; absolutely everything is a round-a-bout. The cars are all small and look the same. Our host dad drives fast and smart. I don’t want to know what happens when another car turns down the same road you are on. There just would not be enough room. I have only seen one accident, but it involved three cars since everyone drives bumper to bumper. Bravo to the bikers of this city. I would not have the courage to navigate these streets and sidewalks.
I have been in Angers for over one week. The last time I wrote, I had just arrived and was bright eyed and clueless. Not much has changed in that regard. Yet, I have the strangest feeling. We are busy all day every day. This week has flown by and yet at the same time I feel like I have been here forever and a day. Once you are a part of this life it is hard to imagine what it was like before. Already, I feel like France has changed me. They say you can never shake that high on life study abroad ever loving France feeling. There is nothing like it. And all it takes is one taste.
Next time I’ll go into more detail on everyday activities, adventures, and excursions! Sorry for the delay. I promise there is more to come. À bientôt!
Bon voyage,
Sarah