https://youtu.be/frwR19QYu2g?t=33s
NO! You may not!!! No such thing, kiddo. Get over it.
Sometime we tend to expect that being in a foreign country is just like being at home – only different. It’s not! We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto! 
The French people have been VERY nice, with the exception of that ONE WAITER who wanted to throw the visitor I was escorting out the window (over table preference). He was so angry that he practically slung the food at us. I felt like I was in a cartoon!
Now then, WHEN (not if) you come to stay with us here, I have some simple advice about ordering from the menu when eating out.
WHEN IN DOUBT, DON’T.
A beautiful terrace bistro today overlooking a lovely valley below – and le menu du jour was mostly intestines, snails, and other delectable delicacies. I had the burger. If you aren’t sure what it is, don’t guess! And remember to say “bien cuit” (bee-en kwee) when you order the beef, or else the cow will still be mooing on your plate. I hear it’s an acquired taste!
On the flip side – it’s SO BEAUTIFUL HERE. Now that Spring has arrived, I feel like I’m seeing CF for the first time, without the gray filter of winter. Green grass! Mountains! Flowers! Julie Andrews bursting into song!
Quick day trip today to Chateau de Val, about 1h20m away. Gorgeous drive with farm lands, mountains, cows, and snow off in the distance.
And it warmed right up today — 77 degrees. I opened up the windows in the apartment, really for the first time, and found out that flying bugs can get as high up as the fifth floor – with us. Who knew? I think we are going to be SOOOOOOO happy soon that we actually have A/C – and may become the most popular kids on the block! (Let’s go play at MINDY’S house!)
Working on the French drivers’ license paperwork (although I don’t know WHY, since I haven’t driven ONCE here in France. Yet). We each need FIVE identical photos, driving records from the South Carolina DMV, lots of French forms, and all of it has to be “officially” translated into French by a certified translator. Oh, and pay $$$, too – all within ONE YEAR of your arrival in France.
However, I’m not complaining. FRENCH citizens must take a private driving course, which BEGINS around $1,000, and pass the written and practical test. So there aren’t a lot of kids driving! The US has a reciprocal agreement with France, so you can surrender your state license for a French license without having to take the written or driving exam (or pay for the driving school). THANK GOODNESS! Canada, however, has no such agreement with France…and our English-speaking Canadian expat friends are either struggling with the very difficult French written test or just not driving at all!
I MUST start practicing on the manual transmission. I’m gonna be SHAMED as that mooch that always needs a ride! Besides, I’m a better driver than they are, anyway. 🙂
This whole experience would be ideal if you didn’t have to speak French! hahahahahahaha It’s actually coming along, albeit slowly, and I like my instructor. She’s pretty hard core, and that suits me just fine! [Thank you, Madame Page, for all those years of French at Edison! I’m dredging it up from wayyyyy back in those brain cells! Je souhaite maintenant que j’avais travaillé plus fort à l’époque!] I’ll be back at the Université in September, but working with a tutor right now.
We’re 1/6th of the way through this adventure…hopefully life will have some rhythm before long and we can enjoy the merry-go-round! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GET THAT PASSPORT RENEWED!
Bisous,
Mindy
Smile for the day – French law says a woman needs permission from the police to dress like a man. French law also allows you to be divorced if you smoke too much or are too interested in football. And you can write a cheque on toilet paper.
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