Dear friends,
My adventures in France have ranged from hanging out with the police after a gas explosion near our Paris hotel, to downhill skiing in the Pyrenees, to completing a ropes course near Pau. This trip has been filled with “les premières fois” (first times), and makes me wonder about all the things we haven’t seen in our petit California.
The people in Orthez and Audaux (Margot, my French exchange student’s hamlet) are friendly country folk, and live lazy, like work is no serious obligation. Margot’s house, like others in Orthez, was constructed in 1745. It is surrounded by farmland, forest, fields of yellow colza flowers, and the snow capped Pyrenees. Every morning, the cows come out to graze, the roosters crow, and I look out my window like I’ve been placed inside an impressionist painting.
At Lycée Gaston Fébus, Margot’s school, everyone is warm and sociable, and greets us with bises. The high school culture is nothing like Tamalpais: no one is incessantly taking pictures of themselves; every teenager smokes or vapes during campus hours from 8h30 to 17h30; and they don’t have homework…none. I absolutely love Margot’s history class, unlike the one I take at home. Her chemistry-physics class interests me as well, especially since we’ve learned how to balance equations and how to convert moles. I concur that science is more fascinating in another language.
The cars here drive very fast, in Paris and in Orthez. But they’re tiny, and most are manual drive and run on electric power. The food, while I’ve had to put my vegetarian diet on hold, is more superb that any wanna-be American chef could dream of making. I’ve had escargot, French onion soup, pan au chocolate, Moroccan couscous, gateau Basque, and tons of espresso shots. They all (including the teenagers) drink lots of wine (which I once mistook for ice tea). I wonder: if I was French, would I become addicted?
It’s not scary to speak French, especially when it’s all you have to communicate (Margot’s parents, nor her professors speak much English). Well, except when a teacher made me get up in front of the class and read aloud a page from a French novel! That was a little intimidating. But all the French idolize Americans: their food, their music, their morbid obesity…and for once, it’s been nice to be the center of attention (at school, in Paris, really everywhere). While the people of Paris were indeed rude, and insisted on speaking English with us (in a patronizing kind of way), it was different to walk in the rain and I know that I wouldn’t be returning to Pixie Trail anytime soon.
We took a long bus ride to some caves (des grottes) in the Pyrenees. We also visited the chocolate factory of Francis Miot, and a beret museum outside of Orthez. Margot’s parents come home very late on the weekdays, maybe 21h30, so we often eat dinner by the television and watch American shows dubbed in French. It’s quite tacky, but it’s a good way to learn the language. Margot has a record player at her house, and just last night we danced to a French rock ’n’ roll group called “Le Téléphone”! This weekend, Margot and I will stay in Bordeaux and visit her brother. When we return, I will fill you in on our second excursion in Paris. We’ve seen Notre Dame and L’Arc de Triomphe, but we are yet to see La Tour Eiffel, les catacombs, the Monet Gardens, and Ladurée (the most famous macaroon company in the world!).
Au revoir mes amis!
Maxine
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “A Letter from France”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
you can subscribe to our twice monthly e-mail e-newsletter at this link for our Email List Serv.
https://myfamilytravels.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=1b0a1654029b6444bf6ff3530&id=869c979acc
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely return.
I will right away grab your rss as I can not find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
Cruise looks exciting, this experience will be nice.
The canoe ride looks very fun and exciting. I would like to experience this.
In brief, I can’t recommend this article enough. It’s a must-view for anyone interested in topic above. Good work to the writer, you have truly outsmart yourself! Keep the good blog coming.
Hey there! I simply would like to give you a big thumbs
up for your excellent info you have got right here on this post.
I will be coming back to your site for more soon.
Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!
Woh I love your posts, saved to fav! .
I believe you have noted some very interesting points, thanks for the post.
Only a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw great design. “Reading well is one of the great pleasures that solitude can afford you.” by Harold Bloom.
I got what you intend, regards for posting.Woh I am happy to find this website through google. “The test and use of a man’s education is that he finds pleasure in the exercise of his mind.” by Carl Barzun.
I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
One more thing. In my opinion that there are a lot of travel insurance sites of reputable companies that allow you to enter your vacation details and get you the estimates. You can also purchase the international travel cover policy on-line by using your own credit card. All you should do is to enter all your travel specifics and you can start to see the plans side-by-side. Simply find the package that suits your capacity to pay and needs after which it use your bank credit card to buy them. Travel insurance on the web is a good way to start looking for a reliable company regarding international holiday insurance. Thanks for revealing your ideas.
Some truly quality blog posts on this web site, bookmarked.
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic blog post.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Definitely, what a great blog and revealing posts, I definitely will bookmark your site. Best Regards!
Thanks for your travel insurance idea. I am also planning for a tour.
I think this is among the most important information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The site style is wonderful, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
I have discovered some important matters through your blog post. One other thing I would like to state is that there are lots of games available and which are designed especially for toddler age kids. They consist of pattern recognition, colors, dogs, and styles. These commonly focus on familiarization rather than memorization. This helps to keep little ones occupied without sensing like they are studying. Thanks
It?s really a cool and useful piece of info. I?m glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
Spot on with this write-up, I actually think this web site wants far more consideration. I?ll most likely be again to read far more, thanks for that info.
I have been surfing online more than 3 hours these days, but I never discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours.
It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net shall be much more useful than ever before.
Before my trip, I required all of these specifics, so I randomly looked for information about airline policies. Then I came across this helpful article containing all the necessary travel-related information. I appreciate you providing this insightful advice.
The decorations in NewYork city have always been in a full swing.
That’s an interesting experience, thanks for sharing your story
But a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding style and design. “Individuals may form communities, but it is institutions alone that can create a nation.” by Benjamin Disraeli.
Havve yyou ever consideed writiing ann e-book oor guest authoring on other sites?
I have a blogg based upon on the same topichs youu discuzs and
would love to have you sshare some stories/information. I know my visitors would
appreciate your work.If you’re evn remotely interested, eel free to senhd me an e mail.
Hello there! I just wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for your excellent information you have got here on this
post. I’ll be returning to your website for more soon.
Appreciate this post. Let me try it out.
Very good article! We are linking to this great article on our site.
Keep up the good writing.
Excellent content writing, congratulations you are doing great!
Thank you so much! This was very helpful. Heading out to see the inflation in a few hours!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Definitely a totally motivating content!
Very good information, thank you for sharing it, it has helped me a lot to discover and learn a little more about this topic!
Hi, I’m glad you enjoyed your Orlando vacation! I have a few suggestions on how to make the most of your trip. First, I would recommend visiting the Magic Kingdom during the holidays. The decorations are really something special and you can’t beat the Christmas atmosphere. Second, I would recommend checking out some of the holiday shows and events that Orlando has to offer. There are some great shows for all ages, and you’re sure to find something that everyone will enjoy. Finally, I would recommend taking some time to enjoy the many great restaurants Orlando has to offer. There are some great places to eat, and you’re sure to find something to your taste. I hope you have a great time on your Orlando vacation!
It’s a nice spot to stay here. I found the environment to be relaxing. Such a location sounds like a great spot to spend my holiday. I’m considering some of the choices I found on https://santafe-vacationrentals.com/. They are great options in my opinion.
Wonderful blog! This is really informative and efficient information.
Hello.This article was really motivating, especially because I was searching for thoughts on this subject last Wednesday.
One more important area is that if you are a senior, travel insurance for pensioners is something you ought to really consider. The more mature you are, greater at risk you’re for allowing something awful happen to you while abroad. If you are never covered by some comprehensive insurance policies, you could have quite a few serious issues. Thanks for expressing your ideas on this weblog.
My partner and I absoluely love your blog annd finhd thee majority of your post’s too be precissly what I’m loooking for. Woujld you offfer guest writer too write conternt for you?
I wouldn’t minmd compossing a post oor elaborating on a number of thhe subjects youu write rellated to here.
Again, awesome site!
Really nice style and design and good content, nothing else we require :
D.
Excellent post. I certainly love this site. Keep writing!
Hi i aam kavin, itss mmy first occasion too commentinbg anyplace, when i read this piecee of writng i thougyt i coulld also creatfe comment due to this sensible piece of writing.