I know, I know, 2 in a row!! :-) Well, yesterday I had a little time to write, and today I just had to write since it was a holiday. I guess this is my way of connecting with all of you on Thanksgiving. (Although, I doubt many of you will be at your computers much today.)
So the americans that have moved over here have to take the French written and practical driving tests to get a french driver's license. The whole process costs 1000s of euros (dollars) and is time consuming since you are required to take a class first. The average french pass rate for the written part is about 35% (of course that includes people re-taking it) so it's quite difficult. Our little group of americans are averaging about 50% now. That's little consulation when you actually fail it, which I have now done. I missed 8 out of 40, and you can only miss 5 and still pass. I retake it next week. Then comes the driving part, I think our pass rate is about 50% on that as well. Some of the people just got their results from that yesterday, and several of them have failed that for the second time. We are required to have an actual french license within 1 year of arriving, or your insurance expires.
It's dark and rainy most days now. About once a week their is a beautiful cloudless day. The rest of the time it is cold and dreary. The sun comes up around 7:30 and sets around 5. That combined with the weather makes it tough to stay energized sometimes. Overall though, it's fun to see the seasons.
No, they don't have Thanksgiving in France. I'm working today as normal, but I will be celebrating Thanksgiving on Sunday with a group of americans. I'm looking forward to the stuffing and the sweet potatoes!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!
My elevator is closed for repairs for 2 weeks. I live on the 10th floor. Guess this will help get my knee in shape for ski season...
I made gumbo for some people at work. I had a hard time because there were a few ingredients that I couldn't find. Also, boudin and andouille are not the same here as in the sates. One of my favorite parts of gumbo is okra, and I couldn't find it anywhere not fresh, frozen or canned. Today at work, I walked to my desk and found a bag of fresh okra. Apparently one store just got their shipment of it. I think I'll have to make another batch of okra this weekend!
The trees are beautiful, the mountains are snow capped, the weather is cold, and it rains every few days, but I love it all. My heaters work fine now, they're quite consistent. The warmed marble floor is getting nicer every day. I've been hiking in the snow a couple times now, and that's been quite alot of fun.
I've met a wonderful young french woman, so that's been quite enjoyable as well. I'll be joining Angelique in her hometown in the northeast of France for Christmas, so I'll get to enjoy a truly french Christmas. I've heard from many people that Alsace is the best region in France to spend Christmas, so I'm really looking forward to it. Angelique has been fixing crepes and creme brulee for me, mm mmmm good!
The beer brewing is going well. We have a Thanksgiving ale that we'll open on T-day. We have about 65 pints of it, and there will be something like 15 of us at the T-day celebration, so there should be plenty! Angelique is coming with me, so I'll get to show her a little bit of the Thanksgiving traditions. That's fun, cause I can make up anything I want and say that it is a Thanksgiving tradition. We have a recipe for a Christmas brew as well, but it looks like the ingredients won't be here in time for the beer to be ready.
I've been making a swedish glug that a friend in austin taught me, and people here seem to like it quite a bit. It's a little sweet, but very similar to what they call 'hot wine' here. It has some of the traditional christmas type spices in it like all spice, cardomom, and cloves among other things.
I've actually gotten a few french folks to start enjoying cheddar cheese, and salsa! They'll be begging for tex-mex in no time!!
A few Jehovah's Witness guys were just at my door. They're everywhere!! This is the 4th or 5th time they've come. They speak english fluently, and seem to try to hit on the new american that doesn't speak french very well (me) cause he "might be so isolated that he'll invite us in". It didn't happen, and I think I convinced them not to come back this time.
I'm missing my family and friends a little as I look forward to the Holidays and wonder what you'll all be doing and hoping they treat you well. And I promise (yes again) that I'll try to get those pictures up soon!