Miss and Love

4 Comments 20 June 2005

There are good and hard things about a place. Today, I went through a list in my mind of the things I miss about the USA and things I love about France. Here’s an ad-hoc list:

MISS:

Libraries. Oh how I miss the Rowlett Public Library. It wasn’t a big library, but it was partially my home. I loved to walk the aisles, smelling books, reading magazines, checking out books on tape for my children. The library in Le Rouret charges people to use it. It occupies a tiny store front and is only open once or twice a week. And, of course, it’s full of non-English books. Someday, when my poor wee brain connects to French, I’ll peruse there. Even so, it’s so small–no chairs, no tables, only a few scattered shelves.
Bookstores. For the same reason as stated above, I miss those pesky big box chains with comfy chairs, books aplenty, and pastries and tea very nearby.
Clean air. There are no burning laws in France. Today, I felt like I’d smoked a pack of cigarettes while I was running because of all the smoke in the area. People here burn trash and it SMELLS. I’ll look out our window every morning to see (usually) a pristine day, but when I step outside, I often smell smoke.
24/7 Convenience. Oh to go to a store at 10 at night and be able to buy something–anything! Or at 1:30 in the afternoon, for that matter. France is not a convenient shopping experience.

LOVE:

Laundry etiquette. I used to be considered a kook for hanging my laundry in Texas land, but no more. Everyone does it here, so now I’m finally NOT a laundry nerd–I’m in style!!! Hooray!
Hills. I looked out my window today and a hill winked back at me as if to say, “You’re not in Dallas anymore!” I love these hills. My poor legs and lungs don’t like them when I’m running, but my eyes are soaking them in. I’ll never grow tired of treed hills. Spectacular.
Pace. Though I miss the convenience of things opened when I want them to be opened, there is something lovely about stores being closed on Sunday. It helps slow down the week, helps me put my focus more on people than things or activity.
Bread. I love the stuff. And it’s REALLY good here.
Lavender. It’s everywhere, scenting even highway medians. We have a hairdo of them in the backyard, lining a rock path. Their purple heads tickle my knees as I walk by.

There’s more to my lists, but I’m ending for now. I wrote over 3,000 words today so my hands and eyes are tired. But, I’m happy to be here in France, and that’s a blessing. I do miss home, but home is slowly coming to me here.

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Anonymous

To sherri,I’m frenchIt’s because old people in France don’t want the kids to spoil their appetite on bread… cause when it’s fresh and just warm, you eat it all!!!BUT… I think it’s a shame to miss it!!!To Mary,there is a regulation about fires and also a big fine if they catch you doing it… but people in France don’t obey the law…
Anonymous

To sherri,
I’m french
It’s because old people in France don’t want the kids to spoil their appetite on bread… cause when it’s fresh and just warm, you eat it all!!!
BUT… I think it’s a shame to miss it!!!
To Mary,
there is a regulation about fires and also a big fine if they catch you doing it… but people in France don’t obey the law…
sherri

Gotta love that French bread. I spent a summer in France when I was in college, and one of the highlights was the bakery down the street.I was with a group of about twenty other kids. When we arrived at our destination, our hostess had purchased a large amount of bread for our group and kept it in a wooden crate-like box which was not airtight–so, the bread had turned just a little crusty & dry. With a bakery down the street, we asked her why she didn’t wait and get fresh bread. Her reply, “You won’t eat as much if it’s not fresh.”I never found out if that was a normal practice–or special just for us If I lived there, I’d probably have to adopt her philsophy so I wouldn’t end up looking like a loaf of bread.Sherri
sherri

Gotta love that French bread. I spent a summer in France when I was in college, and one of the highlights was the bakery down the street.

I was with a group of about twenty other kids. When we arrived at our destination, our hostess had purchased a large amount of bread for our group and kept it in a wooden crate-like box which was not airtight–so, the bread had turned just a little crusty & dry.

With a bakery down the street, we asked her why she didn’t wait and get fresh bread.

Her reply, “You won’t eat as much if it’s not fresh.”

I never found out if that was a normal practice–or special just for us If I lived there, I’d probably have to adopt her philsophy so I wouldn’t end up looking like a loaf of bread.

Sherri