Saturday, July 12, 2008

Other Things That Didn't make the Blog but I don't Want to Forget

Today's post is a random collection of things I don't want to forget but am afraid I will if I don't journal it...

- I loved the way Euros are different sizes (including the paper ones) for different denominations. It was very handy to just look in my wallet and pull a small one if I needed a small bill, etc.

- I loved croque moiseur sandwiches - a grilled ham and cheese with cheese on top

- It is funny how different pizza can be in a different country, taking on the culture, even. In France a 'margherita' pizza (which you would think would be plain cheese) comes randomly with olives and sometimes even ham. We frequently had to ask for the pizza 'sans' something (usually olives). The pizzas were all about the size of a dinner plate and arrived totally uncut, as they expected you to just cut and eat with a knife and fork, similar to what you would do for a piece of meat.

- The French always have both hands visible when eating, usually holding both a knife and fork. Its actually considered rude to have you hands on your lap. This is amazingly easy to adapt to and in fact a very useful way of eating.

- People speak far more quietly in France. This was harder to adjust to, but incredibly pleasant in restaurants. John and I were in a restaurant in Severna Park, MD last night and it was really noisy (last night was our Anniversary, so that's why we were out - woot on 16 years).

- Light switches are not like typical US ones - they are more like the flat flippy ones - fun to figure out where they are too.

- Fixed price menus all over the place and desserts assumed.

- Appel (to call) and rappel (warning, we think) all over the place... so fun to see our names everywhere.

- The Holocaust section of the Caen Memorial - made both Alexa and I gasp and then tear up - a room full of electric candles.

- The roosters at Monet's garden in Giverny - fun and crowing

- The Texan family we met in the train station and then bumped into again in Bayeux - so nice and fun and sent us on an Oddessey for a wooden sword for Ben.

- The lovely pharmacists who were so helpful, and 'bon marche!'

- Frederick, my new friend, who is the manager at the hotel in Bayeux and was the most helpful host.

- The fabulous sense of relaxation that comes from slowing down at meals and just chatting as a family. And how amazingly easy it is to fall into the routine of having a drink at lunch (its sooo much cheaper to have cider than Coca-light - same price for a bottle that served both John and I).

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