Now as a "seasoned" Frenchie, I don't always find things to blog about that I think most people back home would find interesting. There might be a "thing" here or there, but nothing substantial enough to warrant a whole posting.
Today's blog will be just a smattering of "things" and I hope that it doesn't disappoint. They will not necessarily be in any chronological order and there certainly will not be a "flow" to this post.
Here goes:
When traveling in Europe, ALWAYS ask if there is an EXPRESS train.
I learned this the hard way while Sarah was visiting in early September. David had left Italy to go back to France (work) early on Monday morning and Sarah and I took a ferry from Naples to a town on the Amalfi Coast named Positano.
 |
| On the ferry arriving in Positano |
The agent "assured" me that it was okay. We would take the ferry to Sorrento and then buy a ticket for another ferry to Naples. (They couldn't sell Sorrento to Naples tickets) She said "you grab a coffee while you wait for your ferry, it's good, no?"
Wow. That worked out well, didn't it? Sarah and I enjoyed our day on the beach, had a nice lunch and boarded our ferry to our Sorrento destination. We got off the ferry and went to the ticket booth. "2 tickets to Naples, please." TOMORROW was the reply. WHAT????? The last scheduled ferry from Sorrento to Naples (about a 2 hour car drive) left 35 minutes before we arrived!
Now what?? (insert me freaking out and Sarah "going with the flow") We went to another ferry company, same story, TOMORROW. This agent was kind enough to say that there was a train (leaving in 30 minutes) going to Naples. Super! Let's find a taxi to the train station.
No taxi in sight, but we did see a bus full of people. The person selling the tickets (by the bus door) asked us where we were going and I said "train station". He said 2,40 Euro each. We paid and squeezed onto the bus. Whew. We should make the train. The bus driver didn't announce the stops prior to the bus coming to a halt and "train station" meant nothing to our fellow passengers. I later found out "railway" would've been the better word choice. I asked how to get to Naples and someone said "next stop".
We now only had about 15 minutes to get on the train. We exited the bus and went into the Tabac shop (it's like a convenience store, selling magazines, papers, tobacco products) and I asked for 2 tickets to Naples. The agent sold me 2 tickets and we went to find our train.
We looked up at the route (which is always posted on all forms of railway transportation) and saw that there were like a MILLION stops between Sorrento and Naples. Surely, we weren't going to stop at all of them?? Yep, we did. 1 hour and 45 minutes later we exited the train from the last stop on the line. We each had about 6 different sweaty, smelly bodies sit next to us during our trip. At last, we were in Naples!
We exited the train station and it was nearly dark. I had no idea what part of Naples we were in and there were no taxis in sight. Just as we prepared to start walking a taxi appeared (cue triumphant entry music and add the spot light highlighting the vehicle as it approached). 7 minutes later we were safely in our hotel lobby.
The next day we were planning a trip to Pompei. I knew the taxi fare was 90 Euro and that was way too expensive I asked the front desk what the best/cheapest method to get from the hotel to Pompei would be and he said the train. (We had just passed the Pompei train station, it was about halfway between Sorrento and Naples) I explained that we had just come off the train from Sorrento and I didn't want to do that again. He said, "didn't you take the EXPRESS?" WHAT?? Seems there was an express train that would've taken only 45 minutes with only 3 stops in between.
Now I know. ALWAYS ask if there is an EXPRESS TRAIN. FYI, it was much cleaner, less crowded and only took 30 minutes to get to Pompei.
 |
| This is Sarah enjoying a lemon granita on the Express Train |
Our visitors love leaving the windows open and hearing the church bells ring. It is a very soothing sound as I sit at my kitchen table every morning. It will be something that I miss when we go back to the states.
 |
| My view from the kitchen table and a sampling of what I hear every morning |
Last night, as we were headed to bed, the bells started ringing. After 3+ years here in Strasbourg I finally had an epiphany. When it's 10pm here, the bell is going to ring 22 times! Yep, we are on a 24 hour clock and I know that. I had just never put the two together.
 |
| View of the Strasbourg Cathedral from our window at night |
Just last week I attended our first AIA coffee morning of the 2016-2017 year. There were several new ladies who attended and the hot topic of conversation was the French school system.
There were 3 new families who had arrived in Strasbourg between July and August. All had completed the proper paperwork for their kids to begin school September 1.
Let me just say that schooling in France is difficult for English speaking families. It can take months for a space to open up in either the European School or in the International School. When Lilly brings a family from the states, they begin the school process months in advance to secure a spot in a school that will teach part of the day in English.
One of these 3 families (3 teenage boys) reported to their school on the first day. These boys were given proficiency tests in both French and English. The school arbitrarily decided that they didn't have "space" for the boys (even though they had been enrolled since July) and now these kids are sitting at home waiting for a spot to open up.
Can you imagine? Your family gets transferred from Michigan to California and you arrive at the public school and they say they don't have room for the three kids that you already registered and that they accepted? HA!
The other topic of conversation regarding the school system was class presidents. There is an election in what would be middle school (which, let's face it, is usually just a popularity contest). The elected president meets with the class teacher throughout the year. Nothing seems unusual about that yet, until you find out that when they meet, the teacher provides the class president feedback on each student in the class. Then the PRESIDENT meets and provides the teacher's feedback to his/her peers.
Can you imagine?? A middle-schooler wielding that type of power? Yes, bullying does exist here.
Parent night....that also happened last week at the schools. Imagine sending your child to a school that teaches in English, but where the lead administrator holds an information night and doesn't speak any English. You are sitting through an INFORMATION night and unless you are fluent in French, you have no idea what is going on. (Fortunately, we have some very kind AIA members who attend these nights WITH new members and translate for them)
THANK THE LORD that I came here with no school aged children!
Words that have a different meaning in a second language. Specifically, the word FRESH.
Webster defines FRESH as
- : newly produced, made, gathered, etc. :not preserved by being frozen, canned, etc.
- : not old, spoiled, etc.
- : clean and pure
Now, I know that there are additional definitions of fresh, but during this time of the year here in Europe people use FRESH to describe, not the air quality (clean/pure), but the air temperature. "My, it's so fresh today."
I made a dinner reservation and they suggested we sit outside because the oven would make the interior temperature too warm, but outside it would be fresh. (Remember, no A/C here!)
I made a dinner reservation and they suggested we sit outside because the oven would make the interior temperature too warm, but outside it would be fresh. (Remember, no A/C here!)
It's funny, because even native english speakers that have been living here for quite some time refer to the Fall temperatures as fresh, not cool or chilly.
Remodeling/New home purchase
We have friends, Katie and Guillaume, who were talking with us about the possibility of buying/building a new home. It's quite the undertaking in any culture to build a new home from foundation up. I was quite overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices I had to make when we built our home in Taylor Mill. Flooring, cabinetry, door styles, handles, door knobs, hinge colors....the list goes on and on.
Somehow, we arrived on the topic of bathroom fixtures. Prepare to have your mind blown.
Apparently in Germany (not too far from us) there is a place called Hansgrone Aquademie World of Discovery. It is essentially a water-bath-design museum. What does that mean and why are you writing about it, you ask? It houses "Showerworld", where you can set up an appointment, take your swimsuit and "try out" the different showers that they offer for sale.
Guillaume suggested we visit, (and in French it would be known as musée de la douche or douche museum). I thought he was totally making it up. However, it does exist and you can check it out. http://www.hansgrohe-int.com/268.htm
I am in new territory this weekend. David travelled home for DJ's "SAE Dad's Weekend" and I stayed behind. It is the first time that HE has gone home and left me here alone in France. I must say, I don't like it one bit. I am excited that David will finally have the opportunity to share a Dad's weekend with not only DJ, but also with Sarah. (DJ approved his sister coming in advance)
Wishing you all a blessed weekend. Stay safe and intentionally love those around you.
