Smart Car

I'm amazed at the amount of small cars in France (and Europe in general). Having come from the land of SUV's, Hummers, pickup trucks and mini-vans, it's a bit of a shock to see so many little cars. Most of them are European makes (of course!) like Volksvagen, Opel, MiniCoupe, and SmartCar. They're so much better on gas mileage and therefore better for the environment. Here's a pic of a SmartCar that I found in my neighborhood. This one is a two seater but there are some 4 door models around. They're so small and compact they can park sideways. How handy! Especially in a city that's known for its lack of parking spots. I even saw some SmartCars while I was home in Canada but I'm wondering just how well they'll do in our Canadian Prairie winters. I wish them well!

I think the best way to get around in Marseille is on a motorcycle or moped. You can cut through traffic and drive down the center between the lanes of traffic. They even have some scooters with seats or pedal motorbikes (you use the pedals like a bike to run the motor). The public transit system is pretty good but you do have to wait up to 1/2 hour for the bus to come by. And then there's walking, which is what I do most. I haven't tried biking yet because 1) I don't have a bike and 2) I'm not brave enough to bike in this traffic (yet). So for now, it's public transit, walking and bumming rides. I'll have to find a friend that owns a SmartCar!

Come on, come on! Let's go breakdancing!

My Walk Home

The office I work at is about a 40 minute walk from my apartement and since I don't have (nor do I want one!) a car, I tend to walk it. I have yet to take the bus or metro in Marseille because the weather has been so nice. But I know that my luck will soon run out. Today on my way home I experienced a bit of the "mistral" (mee-stral) the strong winds that sweep across southern France. Since its fall, all the leaves were blowing around and making little piles on the sidewalk. Piles so big that I wasn't sure if I should walk through them or not. You never know what could be inside one of those piles...broken glass, dog doo, garbage, a hole. These dry crumbly leaves and other bits of garbage were blowing around me as I walked. A plastic sandwich container sailed past me, narrowly missing the back of my leg. I'm sure it would have left a bruise it was going so fast! But the funniest thing about my walk home today was that for at least 5 minutes I got to listen to break dancing 80's music on a car radio. Traffic was backed up so at one point I was actually walking faster then the cars (now you see why I don't want a car). When the traffic moved up, this car would pass me. Then they'd hit another jam, and I'd catch up and walk past it. And we did this for a few more times so I was blessed to hear "come on, come on...lets go breakdancing...come on come on until the break of dawn..." in a real corny 80's tune. It was great (partly because it was in English and partly because it reminded me of my childhood.) No, I 'm not wanting to take up breakdancing. I'm not co-ordinated enough for it, anyways. But when I got home I wanted to brush the leaves of of my hair and rinse out my eyes. It was a dusty walk home...but at least I had some breakdancing music to serenade me!

Marseille's old port

Maple Leaf

Last night Marseille had a huge electrical storm with lots of lightning and thunder. So much so it shook the window panes and kept me awake even after I closed the shutters. It poured rain for almost ah hour. In the morning everything smelled fresh and clean. On my way to work I noticed that a lot of the leaves had fallen, due to the rain and wind of the storm. And to my surprise I saw a lot of Maple leaf shaped leaves on the sidewalk as I walked along. It brought a smile to my face as I walked to work. Just a little gift for me on a homesick day to be reminded of Canada--the land of the maple leaf.
Here are some quotes about Canada that made me laugh...
"The geography everywhere is unforgiving; to survive is an achievementt...Canadians at bus stops exchange looks of pure pleasure: they are fiesty; they are invincible; they can take it." June Callwood, Canadian writer.
"You know what a Canadian is, don't ya? A Canadian is an unarmed American with a health plan." Brad Green, Canadian humorist
"The Eskimo has 52 words for snow because it is important to them. There ought to be as many for love." Margaret Attwood, Canadian writer
"I am rather inclined to believe that this is the land that God gave to Cain." Jacques Cartier, French explorer
"Canada was formed just after the end of the last Ice Age, after which things slowed down." Eric Nichol, Canadian columnist
"In Canada there are 9 months of winter and 3 months of road repair." Peter Hansen, Canadian writer
"Canada is a country whose main exports are cold fronts and hockey." Pierre Elliot Trudeau, former Prime Minister
"Canada has never been a melting pot. It's more like tossed salad." Arnold Edinborough, Canadian art critic
"Edmonton isn't really the end of the world. Although you can see it from there." Ralph Klein, mayor of Calgary, Premier of Alberta
"No cities with the possible exception of Sodom and Gomorrah have ever been founded in less congenial physical surroundigs than Regina, the Queen City of Saskatchewan." Edward McCourt, Canadian writer

What a bell! I laughed in her nose!

Here’s some interesting literal translations of expressions in French.

Il a les dents longue. He has long teeth=He has his sights set high.

C’est une bonne poire. He’s a good pear=He’s a real sucker.

C’est une cloche! She’s a bell=What an idiot !

Je vais sécher mes cours. I’m going to dry my classes=I’m going to cut my classes.

Il a une dent contre moi. He has a tooth against me=He has a grudge against me.

C’est ma bête noire. It’s my black beast=It’s my pet peeve.

Cela ne rime à rien. That doesn’t rhyme with anything=There’s no point to that.

Ils m’ont ri au nez. They laughed in my nose=They laughed in my face.

Quelle mouche t’a pique? Which fly stung you=What’s eating you?

J’ai un petit creux. I have a little hollow spot=I’m a little hungry.

So, my friend…which fly stung you? Did someone call you a bell or laugh in your nose? Well don't have a tooth against them. That's one of my black beasts! That doesn't rhyme with anything. Have long teeth. Remember he's a good pear! Come on, I have a little hollow spot. Let's dry our classes and get some lunch...

Things That Made Me Smile

*laughter of school kids as they go home from school
*the sunset...everything turning pink in its glow
*fresh cool breeze as I sat in the warm sun
*my new recipe for roasted chicken and veggies turning out better then I hoped
*a piece of quality dark chocolate
*smell of fresh laundry hanging to dry
*talking to friends and family on msn
*watching the first episode of Corner Gas on DVD

French Food

Today I met a friend at the post-office and we walked together to her daughter's school to pick her up. There must have been about 100 parents there, all waiting to pick up their kids from ages 5-11. Mom's and dad's were huddled in little groups talking together. I noticed a lot of the parents had little sandwiches or snacks for the kids to eat. Most looked like they had Nutella, a hazelnut chocolate spread that's very popular here. Normally, French families eat a late supper, around 7-9pm so the after school snack at 4:30 is supposed to fill in that gap. And that is the perfect time to go shopping, because the stores are less busy, as I found out last night.

So, I'll describe my big night out at Auchan, one of the biggest one-stop shopping centers in Marseille. It's like SuperStore and Walmart combined and then multiplied by 2. It's HUGE. 3 floors of madness. One floor of housewares, one of food, and one of clothes and toiletries. I spent an hour just on the food floor. But let's back up and start earlier in the evening. Since I don't have a car, getting groceries is a bit of a problem. So friends of mine offered to take me shopping. I had supper with them and then we went to Auchan. After putting a euro coin in the slot of the shopping cart we proceeded to enter the front doors. Up a slight incline with well waxed floors. (Not too safe, considering the amount of loaded shopping carts that come down that incline.) We split up to get our own things and I was left amazed at the vastness of the store. It's a good thing I had a shopping list or I'd still be there. It seems to take me a bit longer to shop since I have to be careful to read labels (I'm allergic to wheat). So after flipping packages over and squinting at the small print, I can decide whether or not to put it in my cart.

You'll find the eggs in the milk section near the entrance...not in the cooler. The wine section is bigger than the whole cleaning products section. Some wine is cheaper than some bottled water brands. The cheese section takes up 2 whole isles, not including sour cream, yogurt, etc. The you'll smell, rather than see the seafood section. Be sure to stop by the "exotic foods" section. This includes imports from all over the world, exotic foods such as peanut butter, Thai rice, Old El Paso taco mixes, Heinz ketchup, Indian papadums and so much more. And I found wheat-free bread (100% rye), mererangue cookies, and spice bread (made from rye flour) that I could eat. Yay! But you won't find chocolate chips. Nope, you'll have to chop up your own from chocolate bars.

So after finding all I needed plus some things that I just wanted, I proceeded to the checkout. You are encouraged to bring your own bags as they charge you for plastic ones. You load up your cart, pay, and THEN organize your groceries in your bags. You'll annoy the clerk if you putz around trying to sort and pack your groceries. Just put them in your cart and deal with them later. Make it back to the van, after remembering where it's parked. Pack the van and get your euro back from the grocery cart. Drive home, lug the groceries into the elevator (thankfully I have one!) and unpack them. Whew! The marathon is completed. Until next week....

Some of my fave food products in France (so far) are:
1) Licorice mint tea
2) Flavored Syrop to make juice or put on icecream. Comes in all flavors from mint, fruits, violet, rose, etc.
3) Pate
4) Cheese, specifically Gruyere, Savoyard, and Camebert
5) Ice-cream, especially chocolate. It's just creamyer and stronger flavored than Canadian brands.
6) Chocolate. Of course! Especially dark truffle or coffee bean.
7) Spice cake. It's made from rye flour so I can eat it.
8) Mache or Lamb's lettuce. Looks kind of like a mix between clover and spinach but tastes like a mild spinach.
9) Soup in juice boxes. You can buy ready made soup in 1 L juice box containers. Just open, pour and heat.
10) Magnum bars. Icecream bars on sticks that are so rich and delicious! Especially the double chocolate.

Forgotten Culture

Having been back in Canada for the summer, I'd forgotten some things about French culture. For instance, I'd forgotten how long it takes to do a load of laundry. About an hour from start to finish...then hang dry your clothes. I'd also forgotten to watch out for dog poop on the sidewalk. Just about stepped in some...dodged it at the last minute. And I'd forgotten that pedestrians do not have any rights. Cars park on the sidewalk, blocking the way. Crosswalks and streetlights seem only to be "suggestions". I'd also gotten out of the habit of walking. You walk everywhere here and it doesn't seem to bother anyone. I walk 40 minutes one way to work, 5 days a week and that's normal. I actually enjoy it. It beats being stuck commuting for that amount of time. As long as the weather stays nice, that is!

I'd also forgotten how important outward appearance is to the French culture. Here, people dress up to pick up the mail, to get groceries, to get their kids from school. Hair is done, make-up on, trendy clothes, fancy shoes, etc etc. I'm going to have to find a balance between the desire to fit into the culture and spending too much time/money on "looking pretty".

Unpacked

I think I brought too much stuff! How does one person accumulate so much stuff in a matter of a few months?! I came to France in Dec/04 with one large and one small suitcase. Now what I have here could fill a U-Hall trailer. (OK, I'm exagerating a bit. But just a bit.) I now am the proud owner of a binder full of French notes, a huge French/English dictionary, at least a dozen other books, PILES of clothes, shoes, maps, souvenirs, pictures of France, DVD's and toiletries. Man, I'm going to have to FedEx some of this stuff home because it will never fit back into my 3 suitcases. Then again, maybe I should just leave some of it here. We'll see...in July, when I'm ready to move again... For now, I'm going to sit back and enjoy my own place, my own living room, my own tv, my own kitchen and my own bathroom. Sounds selfish, I know-- but after living with other people (either in dorms and sharing rent) for the past almost 10 years, I'm ready for a little "me space". Now, here's hoping I don't start collecting more things in this coming year....

Definition of Jetlag

So what is jetlag? Well the definition of jetlag according to wikipedia.com

Jetlag is a physical condition caused by crossing multiple time zones during flight. The condition is generally believed to be the result of disruption to the circadian rhythms (i.e. the "light/dark" cycle) of the body. It can also be exacerbated by experiencing sudden changes in climate or seasonal conditions, as well as the reduced oxygen, partial pressure and low humidity commonly experienced in the cabin of an aircraft.

Blah, blah, blah...that was the encyclopedia definition. But jetlag is SO much more than that. Let me tell you...

Jetlag is waking up at 3am and feeling like it's 3pm, like you have enough energy to wash your floor and wallpaper the living room. Jetlag is feeling disorientated if you don't look at a clock and then figure out what time it is back home. Jetlag is feeling like you've run the New York marathon just by walking to the fridge. Jetlag is looking pale, with bloodshot eyes, and the shakes, without having done drugs. Jetlag is feeling incapable of making a decision, even if it means deciding between butter or mayonaise on your sandwich (which you are eating at 3am because your stomach thinks it's lunchtime). Jetlag is wanting to call someone back home and then realizing it is 3am where they are. Jetlag is waking up in a state of disorientation, wondering where you are sleeping, what bed, what house, what COUNTRY? Jetlag is being hard of hearing for at least 24 hours after your last flight because your ears are plugged from the change in air pressure. Jetlag means you have a sinus headache for at least the next 24 hours because of the same. Jetlag is having dry skin, and being thirsty for the next 24 hours because of the dry recycled air on the plane. Jetlag is sitting in a chair and feeling disorienated because you miss the feeling of forward motion that you've experienced for 28 hours straight (including planes, shuttles, buses, taxis, trains, etc). Jetlag is having sudden memory lapses, like forgetting what your mother's maiden name is, what your year of birth was, what your NAME is. (Why do they allow jetlagged people to fill out forms, anyway?) Jetlag is waking up at 3am with the IMMEDIATE need to use the bathroom, but having absolutely NO memory of where the toilet is located. Jetlag is allowing yourself to sleep for 12 straight hours because you've been awake for 36 straight.

That is MY definition of jetlag! : ) Now it may seem like I'm complaining but really I'm having fun! I think the biggest way to fight jetlag is to have a good sense of humor and a good attitude. Oh yeah, and a good set of earplugs so you can sleep. Jetlag is much more fun to experience with other fellow travellers. For instance, you can ask each other questions like, "So how many hours of sleep did you get last night? Oh yeah, I got about 3...better than last night!" "So do you have any tylenol? I can't remember where I packed mine." "Do you remember where the bathroom is?!"

Ah, the joys of jetlag!

Whew! I've arrived safe and soundly in Marseille, France. What a marathon of a journey but it all went smoothly. I almost missed my flight from London to Marseille but the plane was running late, and that lateness allowed me time to (literally) run through the airport to catch it. I was the last person through the gate! After 28 hours of traveling I had a great nights sleep in "my" apartment. I'm house-sitting for coworkers while they're in the States this year. The next few days will be unpacking, settling in and getting over jetlag. I'll start my responsibilities at the office soon, too! I'm really looking forward to this year in Marseille!
I'm also enjoying the slightly cooler weather than what I experienced when I was here in July. It's only about 22C today, overcast and rainy.
Here's a little transcript of a dialogue I had with the passport control officer in the Marseille airport. My ears were so plugged and sore from the pressure change on the airplane that I couldn't hear much of anything. Plus I was a bit nervous!
Passport control officer: (in French) Do you speak French?
Me: (thinking I heard him say "Do you want me to speak in French?) No. (I was having a hard enough time hearing him and thought things would go smoother if I could communicate in English.)
PCO: (in English) Well, you must know a little bit!
Me: A little bit of what? (Having no idea what he was talking about)
PCO: A little bit of French. You ARE Canadian, aren't you?
Me: Err, uh, well, yes. I know a little bit of French.
PCO: (He said something but I couldn't hear him because of my ears.)
Me: Pardon?
PCO: (He repeats what he said.)
Me: Pardon? I'm sorry...it's my ears. I can't hear you very well.
PCO: (He repeats it again, getting a little impatient.)
Me: I'm sorry. I can't hear you. (I try leaning forward at the same time as rubbing my ears in a vain attempt to clear them)
PCO: (Obviously lost his patience, smiles, rolls his eyes, hands me my passport and waves me through.)
Me: Merci.
It wasn't until I was in line waiting to get my luggage that I realized he didn't even get a chance to question me properly about how long I'd be staying in France, what I would be doing, etc etc. My ears are still sore today but at least I can hear again! : )