Family Visit

In the last 3 months I've had all of my immediate family visit. I have a couple friends coming later this month too. I enjoy being a European tour guide, although so far this has only been for 3 countries. Everyone has had a great time. Most recently I heard "it was the best vacation of my life". That made me feel pretty good! I know my sister had a great time, she got to go shopping in Geneva, Paris, and a couple smaller cities. I really enjoy showing my family and friends around and letting them get to experience a little bit about what my life is like here.

Luckily, none of them have had to experience a problem with strikes. The other day a few of us americans that live here were trying to count how many different groups have been on strike in the year we've been here. We got to 11. It includes groups like garbage men, post office, electric company, stage hands, customs authorities. the people that deliver money to the atm machines and several others.

There was a group of people from one of the companies that work on my site that formed a "strike line" at work a few months back. They were giving fliers to people driving through, and standing in front of the car until you took one. I didn't like this idea much, so I didn't roll down my window. They actually rocked my car (yes it's a little european car) around before I managed to get through.

Another interesting thing about living here is one way that gratitude is occasionally expressed. Went I first moved here I went to an appliance/electronics store to by my tv, washer, dryer, fridge etc. They were very happy and gave me a free bottle of champagne. Now, that might be something that happens in the states, but what happened when my family was here is not. I took my brother into a glasses/sunglasses store because he wanted some sunglasses for his birthday. I bought a very cool pair of sunglasses that look great on him. I guess the salesmen did too, because he gave me a free bottle of wine for buying them. It was actually quite good!

Burgled

True, I haven't written an update in a long time. But I have decent reasons. The most recent is that I was burgled a few weeks ago. In broad daylight while I was at work a dirty thief broke in and robbed me. Even worse, the locksmith said that the thief had a key.

This experience will undoubtedly allow me to see a whole new side to life in France. Already I've been able to experience the gendarmerie (national police) firsthand. It reminded me of being at the post office. They may get to you, they may be helpful, but above all, they will get their retirement.

The lady helping us actually told me that I was too old for my girlfriend, who was there to help translate. The lady then said she wanted me to speak for myself whithout Angel's help because she wanted to hear me speak french. OK, I obliged her. Then she asked me to list the things that were stolen. After I did she said (in french of course) that I must have a very nice life to have had these nice things. She is very lucky I don't speak better french.

After 3 weeks of no response I now get to meet the insurance agent at my apartment on Thursday. (Yes crooks, if you're reading this you know I'll be home part of Thursday!)

Less than a week after the robbery (in which the thieves took my laptop) my desktop computer went down, and went down hard. After I determined I couldn't repair it myself, I took it to a shop where I went through more than a week of "it should be ready tomorrow".

OK, other interesting things about life in France. A note about grocery shopping. As you all know, the french love patés in general. There are many many different types of them at the store. I find it very interesting that these are (at least at my grocery store) on the same aisle as the pet foods, just on the opposite end. This is slightly disconcerting when your french isn't 100%. You definitely make sure to double check the container.

Another grocery note: It still feels a little strange to go to the "Foods of the World" aisle and find things like popcorn and peanut butter.

A few people have asked, and yes, I did receive my driver's license. It took a few tries for the written (the average for french people is 3-4 times) and 1 time for the practical (which was quite easy once you are told the "proper" way to drive).

Well, that's all for tonight, but discounting other bizarre circumstances I will post another update soon.

wireless (1 year later)

I'm typing this (and will publish it) on my laptop. Finally, my system is wirelessly networked. It took almost a year because of many various issues. It's been quite frustrating, but it is at last complete.

This also marks 1 year that I've been in my apartment. The place is coming together quite nicely. I have a number of great pictures on the walls (some from friends, some that I took, a few that I bought). I got almost all the light fixtures up soon after I moved in, but Angel has a fondness for lamps so I've been adding some lamps tot he rooms as well. It's nice to have the option for the bright lighting, or the "warm" lighting that the lamps provide.

We took a trip to Italy last weekend (for 4 days). It was a great time, I plan on trying to get pics up soon. We went to Turin, Pisa, spent a couple days in San Gimignano (in Tuscany), and Sienne. San Gimignano was great, I highly recommend it if you spend time in Tuscany. The views were amazing, the weather was perfect, the food and wine were out of this world.

So, now that I've been here for 1 year I'd like to answer some of the wuestions people have been asking me.

1) What do I miss the most? Friends and family are number 1, but at times there are a number of other things. Specific foods (like bar-b-q), customer service, or just not having to work so hard to understand people.

2) What has been the biggest surprise? Probably having to get a driver's license, and the difficulty that comes with it. I passed the written test (bucking the trend and using my own pantented method). But I still need tot ake the driving part. I still have about a month, and I should be taken the driving part the week after next.

3) What has been the best thing about moving? Probably just the fact that I am so close to so much. Going to Geneva, Marseille, or into Italy for a day is pretty nice. Having so much so easily accessible is great, it's probably what I'll miss the most when I leave.

4) What has been the most disappointing thing? Maybe the lack of music. There are a couple of music festivals near here, but there is very little live music most of the rest of the year. Roughly half of the music on the radio is american or brittish.

5) What is the biggest cultural difference? Well, this probably isn't the biggest cultural difference, but it's the one that stands out the most. If you don't eat lunch or dinner at the approximate "normal" times you're pretty much out of luck cause everything is closed. Almomst nothing is open during the weeknds (all stores, not just restaraunts). This all goes in hand with the general lack of customer service.

Well, that's it for today, maybe I'll list the next 5 next time.