So far there are many differences between France and the states. Most are positive and I'd even like them to come back with me to the states. I like how reusable bags are implied, not special. In fact, plastic bags come at a cost. Its very little, maybe 0,10 euro, but it makes a difference. Lunch is an event. There is a 2 hour break where the stores close, students are let out of school, and the restaurants open. The only acceptable things to do during this time are eat, sleep, or picnic in the park. Nothing else is really an option. It's nice sometimes until you really want to see a movie at 1 or go shopping right after lunch in town. Sundays are different too. Every store is Chick-fil-A on Sunday. The grocery store is open until 1, but after that there will be no eating if you miss those few hours. Yesterday, I got back from Bordeaux at 9. I only had chocolate and cheesy chips in my apartment so that's what I ate. There was no other way to obtain food by any means especially because public transportation is all I have besides walking. I have never had something like this happen to me. There is always a McDonald's I can drive my car to or food in the pantry.
Sundays are great for parks, though. After church, everyone goes to a lake or a park and picnics.
I like the breaks we have during our 3 hour classes. The teachers take enough time to drink a cappuccino really slow, smoke a cigarette, or have a snack. This gives my brain enough time to recoup from all the French. Usually, I write in my journal or nap. I also like how every Monday our teachers ask us what we did over the weekend and I always have a trip or a celebration to talk about.
In the markets and stores, all of the fruit is really fresh with no pesticides. This makes it go bad faster, but there's no strange coating on the apples or green bananas. The food is much cleaner. All of the candy bars are free from high fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients. The candy tastes a bit different (especially the kit kat bars) but I like it better. I found this amazing new juice, too. The brand is Oasis and there are 5 or 6 different varieties. It's just water, sugar, and juice. No artificial sweeteners or corn syrups. It tastes so amazing. In the US it's so hard to find something like that. Everyone in France is obsessed with Oasis and I will miss it so much! Grocery shopping is such a learning experience. I'm exhausted after it from having to translate everything as well as keeping to my budget (and trying to convert from euros). The baskets they use are great too. If it gets too heavy, the shopping baskets just roll like a suitcase! How simple? They don't have buggies at all where I shop, but those baskets are so handy. However, just the fact that everything is slightly off makes life so much harder. France is a very developed country, so it seems to be just like the U.S. But my brain is always so tired from adapting to the small differences and the language. I guess all the pain au chocolat is worth it, though.
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| For the love of bread! This is just one of many patisseries in Chambery. On most streets you will find two, and all sell pain au chocolat! |
I like the breaks we have during our 3 hour classes. The teachers take enough time to drink a cappuccino really slow, smoke a cigarette, or have a snack. This gives my brain enough time to recoup from all the French. Usually, I write in my journal or nap. I also like how every Monday our teachers ask us what we did over the weekend and I always have a trip or a celebration to talk about.
In the markets and stores, all of the fruit is really fresh with no pesticides. This makes it go bad faster, but there's no strange coating on the apples or green bananas. The food is much cleaner. All of the candy bars are free from high fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients. The candy tastes a bit different (especially the kit kat bars) but I like it better. I found this amazing new juice, too. The brand is Oasis and there are 5 or 6 different varieties. It's just water, sugar, and juice. No artificial sweeteners or corn syrups. It tastes so amazing. In the US it's so hard to find something like that. Everyone in France is obsessed with Oasis and I will miss it so much! Grocery shopping is such a learning experience. I'm exhausted after it from having to translate everything as well as keeping to my budget (and trying to convert from euros). The baskets they use are great too. If it gets too heavy, the shopping baskets just roll like a suitcase! How simple? They don't have buggies at all where I shop, but those baskets are so handy. However, just the fact that everything is slightly off makes life so much harder. France is a very developed country, so it seems to be just like the U.S. But my brain is always so tired from adapting to the small differences and the language. I guess all the pain au chocolat is worth it, though.