I was walking back to the hotel yesterday, having just left the bank, when Donna Summer's classic hit "I Will Survive" popped into my head. I hadn't even heard that song playing anywhere, but it definitely summarized the past few days.
I walked around town on Tuesday, visited the flower market and fruit/vegetable market, looked for all the famous fountains in Aix, and did some Christmas shopping. I went into a clothing store looking for a particular gift and found myself confronted with the sales woman. "Oh no, I have to try to understand her." (They talk so fast) But I survived! I even surprised myself a bit because I understood everything she said, including asking me if I wanted the items gift wrapped. Sweet.
Wednesday night I made a yummy Chicken and Shrimp in a Creamy Dijon Pistacio Sauce for dinner. Of course, when I went shopping for the ingredients I had to buy shrimp with the heads still on... that's how they're sold in France. So I survived yet another trip to the grocery store (I feel like I'm making improvements every time and can finally understand the cashiers). The next feat was making the shrimp. Yes, this would be an experience. I dumped the shrimp out of the little fresh-bag and stared at the bowl while the little shrimp stared right back up at me. Deep breath... another deep breath... and I did it! I survived! I pulled the heads off of ten shrimp! Agh! And I didn't need Mark's masculine nature to do it for me.
Yesterday was probably my biggest nerve-wrecking experience. Mark and I need insurance for our apartment. That meant I had to go to the bank to ask about insurance. Oh dear Lord. I went to the bank along the Cours Mirabeau because I figured it was the biggest branch in town and someone must speak English. Turns out I had to go to the branch on our checks which is along the Cours Sextius. At least I knew where it was. I was able to successfully let the teller know I needed to speak to someone about apartment insurance. She got an office agent to come help me. We sat down. She seemed nice. Apologized for it being too hot in her office. I told her what I was looking for. She nodded. Then she started talking fast French! Aaahhh! It's hard enough when it's just conversational, but when we're talking about a quote for apartment insurance... now that's another story. Yet somehow, I survived! Of course there were a few moments of "Je ne comprends pas". Even so, I was able to tell her the details of the apartment and understand her when she asked if we had any dependents living with us, if the apartment was furnished or not, and if we wanted to buy the insurance now or wait. Definitely gonna wait. Luckily, Mark was able to buy the insurance through the branch at his office where he set up the account - I'm not sure if I would've survived another interpretation extravaganza. But maybe, just maybe, I would survive.
On a more serious note, Mark and I are happy to have another survivor among us. Mark's dad had some surgery done this week, and we are very pleased that Jim has made it home safely. Love you, Jim, and can't wait to see you for Christmas!!!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Things that Make You Go Hmmm...
So I'm in a new country. Naturally I'm going to make observations about the differences between USA and France. I will preface these next comments with the fact that I love southern France. I am extremely excited to be living here. These comments are just about some of the adjustments Mark and I will have to face during this experience... these are the things that make me go "Hmmm..."
AIRPORTS: The Marseille airport seemed to be fine. However, as soon as I walked down the ladder from my plane, I hopped on a bus that took us right to baggage claim. Then I immediately walked outside. So I haven't quite experienced that airport. Madrid airport, on the otherhand, was an interesting experience. When I went through immigration, I was "greeted" by the grumpiest looking man I have ever seen. I don't know how else to describe him other than the fact that he looked absolutely miserable... maybe constipated. He took my passport, stamped it, and then looked around at nothing for about 30 seconds. I just stood there thinking, "Okay, dude. You gonna give me my passport back or are you going to stare into oblvion for a few more minutes?" It was just weird. I then had a 30 minute walk to my connecting gate. However, one hour prior to boarding time, I still did not have a gate assignment. I didn't have a gate assignment until my boarding time! When I went to the gate it said for Niza (Nice), not Marsella (Marseille), both flights leaving withing 5 minutes of each other. There were 30 people standing around wondering which flight was actually at that gate. Sadly, the attendants at the desk had no clue either! Eventually they sent the people for Nice to another gate and the people for Marseille to the gate next door. Ten minutes later the people for Nice were back at the first gate. Ugh! It was a mess. Hmmm...
Luckily I got in last Wednesday before the airport completely shut down!
NO TRANSLATION FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE: I'm not sure if this actually exists in southern France. Paris, yes, of course. But southern France, not really. Don't get me wrong, the people here are extremely nice! But the difference is this - In America we say in business, "Under promise, Over deliver." This way our customers are not upset if we don't live up to expectations. It's the complete opposite here. The French "Over PROMISE and Under Deliver." For example: Mark and I are moving into our apartment January 1st. We will be coming back to the States December 14th to get our visas (hopefully), go to Perpignan to visit Brian for Christmas, and then head to Palermo for New Year's. We asked the owner of our apartment, since she's moving out December 10th, if we could finalize the lease on the 13th, and get the keys so we could leave the clothes we already have here in the apartment (versus one of Mark's coworkers' houses). We told her we wouldn't be moving in until the 1st, we just wanted to put a few things in the apartment. She was totally fine, and said it wouldn't be a problem at all. Awesome! The next day we get a call from the landlord. He said if we wanted the keys on the 13th then the owner would want us to pay rent for the second half of December. Huh? So I know it's not a big deal, but I just find the owner's actions a little odd. Hmmm...
LACK OF APPLIANCES - Our apartment is super cute! I'm very excited to move in next month, but it's lacking a few things we Americans are pretty used to having. All of the appliances in the apartment are up-to-date, but here's what's interesting: We have a washing machine... in the kitchen. No dryer. I guess this means I'll be hanging our knickers out the window! No dishwasher... fine I can live with that, I've done it before. Here's the kicker: No oven. Yup, no oven. If you know me, that is a big deal. I cook. And when I am living in a new country with no job, cooking can keep me occupied and content. Apparently not many French apartments have ovens. None of the apartments Mark looked at had ovens. There was a microwave/convection oven in the apartment which the owner said she'd leave, but we know how that goes... she's taking it with her now. There are plenty of meals I can cook on the stovetop, and I've actually lived in an apartment before for two years that had a non-working oven (but that's when I didn't really cook, just microwaved). So hopefully Mark and I can find a combined microwave/oven after we move in. Hmmm...
SHOWER - Oh the shower. If you have ever been to Europe you probably know that many shower heads are not raised to the height of one's head, but rather at knee level. You know, those shower heads you have to hold with your hand to actually bathe yourself? That's what we've got in our hotel right now (luckily we have a raised shower head in our apartment... that is, unless the owner changes it before she leaves!). But let me tell you, showering has been interesting. My first attempt, I sprayed water all over the bathroom because they don't have shower curtains either, just a small piece of glass that goes halfway across the tub. So finally I made the decision to just sit down in the tub, that way the shower head is now at the same level as my head. It's a different experience, but I'm getting used to it. And surprisingly it was a lot easier to shave my legs sitting down rather than standing! Hmmm...
GREY GOOSE - This may seem odd, but Mark believed that since Grey Goose vodka is made in France that it would be cheap and easy to find in France. Budweiser is cheap and easy to find in the US, right? Couldn't really find Grey Goose anywhere. We finally found it at the Geant Casino (like a Super Walmart). Definitely not cheap. After the conversions, it was about $20 more expensive in France. Hmmm...
TIPPING - This is one difference I can get used to! No need to tip in France. If the server does a good job, just leave a little extra change, maybe a euro or two. Sweet!...
AIRPORTS: The Marseille airport seemed to be fine. However, as soon as I walked down the ladder from my plane, I hopped on a bus that took us right to baggage claim. Then I immediately walked outside. So I haven't quite experienced that airport. Madrid airport, on the otherhand, was an interesting experience. When I went through immigration, I was "greeted" by the grumpiest looking man I have ever seen. I don't know how else to describe him other than the fact that he looked absolutely miserable... maybe constipated. He took my passport, stamped it, and then looked around at nothing for about 30 seconds. I just stood there thinking, "Okay, dude. You gonna give me my passport back or are you going to stare into oblvion for a few more minutes?" It was just weird. I then had a 30 minute walk to my connecting gate. However, one hour prior to boarding time, I still did not have a gate assignment. I didn't have a gate assignment until my boarding time! When I went to the gate it said for Niza (Nice), not Marsella (Marseille), both flights leaving withing 5 minutes of each other. There were 30 people standing around wondering which flight was actually at that gate. Sadly, the attendants at the desk had no clue either! Eventually they sent the people for Nice to another gate and the people for Marseille to the gate next door. Ten minutes later the people for Nice were back at the first gate. Ugh! It was a mess. Hmmm...
Luckily I got in last Wednesday before the airport completely shut down!
NO TRANSLATION FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE: I'm not sure if this actually exists in southern France. Paris, yes, of course. But southern France, not really. Don't get me wrong, the people here are extremely nice! But the difference is this - In America we say in business, "Under promise, Over deliver." This way our customers are not upset if we don't live up to expectations. It's the complete opposite here. The French "Over PROMISE and Under Deliver." For example: Mark and I are moving into our apartment January 1st. We will be coming back to the States December 14th to get our visas (hopefully), go to Perpignan to visit Brian for Christmas, and then head to Palermo for New Year's. We asked the owner of our apartment, since she's moving out December 10th, if we could finalize the lease on the 13th, and get the keys so we could leave the clothes we already have here in the apartment (versus one of Mark's coworkers' houses). We told her we wouldn't be moving in until the 1st, we just wanted to put a few things in the apartment. She was totally fine, and said it wouldn't be a problem at all. Awesome! The next day we get a call from the landlord. He said if we wanted the keys on the 13th then the owner would want us to pay rent for the second half of December. Huh? So I know it's not a big deal, but I just find the owner's actions a little odd. Hmmm...
LACK OF APPLIANCES - Our apartment is super cute! I'm very excited to move in next month, but it's lacking a few things we Americans are pretty used to having. All of the appliances in the apartment are up-to-date, but here's what's interesting: We have a washing machine... in the kitchen. No dryer. I guess this means I'll be hanging our knickers out the window! No dishwasher... fine I can live with that, I've done it before. Here's the kicker: No oven. Yup, no oven. If you know me, that is a big deal. I cook. And when I am living in a new country with no job, cooking can keep me occupied and content. Apparently not many French apartments have ovens. None of the apartments Mark looked at had ovens. There was a microwave/convection oven in the apartment which the owner said she'd leave, but we know how that goes... she's taking it with her now. There are plenty of meals I can cook on the stovetop, and I've actually lived in an apartment before for two years that had a non-working oven (but that's when I didn't really cook, just microwaved). So hopefully Mark and I can find a combined microwave/oven after we move in. Hmmm...
SHOWER - Oh the shower. If you have ever been to Europe you probably know that many shower heads are not raised to the height of one's head, but rather at knee level. You know, those shower heads you have to hold with your hand to actually bathe yourself? That's what we've got in our hotel right now (luckily we have a raised shower head in our apartment... that is, unless the owner changes it before she leaves!). But let me tell you, showering has been interesting. My first attempt, I sprayed water all over the bathroom because they don't have shower curtains either, just a small piece of glass that goes halfway across the tub. So finally I made the decision to just sit down in the tub, that way the shower head is now at the same level as my head. It's a different experience, but I'm getting used to it. And surprisingly it was a lot easier to shave my legs sitting down rather than standing! Hmmm...
GREY GOOSE - This may seem odd, but Mark believed that since Grey Goose vodka is made in France that it would be cheap and easy to find in France. Budweiser is cheap and easy to find in the US, right? Couldn't really find Grey Goose anywhere. We finally found it at the Geant Casino (like a Super Walmart). Definitely not cheap. After the conversions, it was about $20 more expensive in France. Hmmm...
TIPPING - This is one difference I can get used to! No need to tip in France. If the server does a good job, just leave a little extra change, maybe a euro or two. Sweet!...
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Notre Premiere Weekend
So Mark and I had a pretty exciting first weekend together in Aix. As I previously mentioned, we went bowling on Friday night and had a great time!
Saturday was a beautiful, sunny day - a little chilly, but still nice - so we wandered around the town and explored. Along Le Cours Mirabeau is les chalets de noel (Christmas market). We found all kinds of really interesting shops, from chocalte figures to lavender sets and many other Provencal traditional gifts. We also walked along La Foire aux Santons which is a row of shops that sell hand-made clay figures for nativity scenes. They are pretty sweet! (But expensive) Eventually we made it to the north end of town and stopped at a pub for a drink. Inside the pub, Mark and I witnessed our first rugby match on tv... whoa! It's definitely a more exciting game than soccer, but quite confusing... especially when all of the commentary is in French. We'll have to get a rugby lesson from Mark's uncle when we're back in Chicago. There's a match in Perpignan in February that we're going to try to go see. Should be fun!Today was a surprise... my old co-worker, Alex, from Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas arrived in Cannes yesterday for business this week. Cannes is only an hour and a half away, so Mark and I hopped in the car this morning to go spend the day with her. Unfortunately it was a rainy day, so there wasn't too much to do. We did find a cute little restaurant for lunch and sat there for a couple hours. It was wonderful to catch up with Alex, and crazy to hear how much has changed in the six months that I've been gone (can't believe it's been that long!) Afterwards we walked around Cannes, through the Christmas market and eventually to a casino... go figure. So not a bad way to spend our first weekend in France.
In addition to our explorations, I've been able to explore a bit of Provencal cooking. Friday night I made a "stoup" with wonderful fresh vegetables and chicken. Trying to find chicken stock in the grocery store was a bit of a challenge... my first attempt resulted in buying some kind of "ramen noodle" thing. Luckily, my brother and Joan were able to tell me what I really needed - boullion cubes. The stoup turned out to taste pretty darn good, especially with some black olive tapenade on top. Mmm... Last night was a bit simpler. I made an onion vinaigrette (recipte courtesy of the cook at the villa my family and I stayed in during Thanksgiving in the Dominican Republic). I don't have the exact measurements for all of the ingredients, so this recipe will be a trial-and-repeat deal. The main course was three-cheese ravioli and chicken tossed in olive oil and herbes-de-provence. So simple, but so delicious! Can't wait to finally have our own apartment so I can explore more with the French cuisine.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Baby Steps
Due to the help of my brother and Joan, as well as Google Translate, I have perfected a little bit of my French. I still have ways to go. But I have taken some baby steps. Today I went to the French Toursism Office. Knowing my luck, I ended up talking to the only lady in the office who didn't speak English... go figure. At least I could understand enough to know what the big festivities are this weekend in Aix. The rest I guess I can figure out on my own.
I made it through my second trip to the grocery store... although when I left it began to hail! Awesome.
Mark and I went bowling with his coworkers at ITER. It was quite an eventful evening. I think every lane we bowled on ended up breaking down, but somehow I still ended up with the highest score! I won some kind of certificate... I don't think it really means anything except that I beat everyone else! Afterwards we went to the "famous" Irish pub, O'Sullivan's... had a few drinks and headed home.
Tomorrow we hope to make it to le Centre Ville for the parade and party for Noel. More to come soon!
I made it through my second trip to the grocery store... although when I left it began to hail! Awesome.
Mark and I went bowling with his coworkers at ITER. It was quite an eventful evening. I think every lane we bowled on ended up breaking down, but somehow I still ended up with the highest score! I won some kind of certificate... I don't think it really means anything except that I beat everyone else! Afterwards we went to the "famous" Irish pub, O'Sullivan's... had a few drinks and headed home.
Tomorrow we hope to make it to le Centre Ville for the parade and party for Noel. More to come soon!
Jen's First Day in Aix
Bonjour mes amis!
After a 14-hour journey to France, I finally arrived in Marseille. Poor Mark got stuck in traffic (behind some huge accident) on his way to pick me up at the airport. I waited outside for 40 minutes, hoping that I was waiting where Mark said he'd pick me up... it's hard to remember what we did before cell phones, but now I know!... wait and hope.
Mark and I went into town for dinner. Aix en Provence is a very cute little town! They have all kinds of things set up for Christmas. I didn't see any nativity scenes (which Provence is known for), but there were a TON of merry-go-rounds. And some really cool ones, too, that were almost like mini roller coasters. Even Mark wanted to go on one! And of course they have all kinds of little shops set up along the street for the holiday.
Most of the restaurants in the town are on the main street, Le Cours Mirabeau, so they are a little pricey. There are a lot of pizza places, though. We went to a little place last night that had some really good pastas. Mark had lasagna and I had 3-cheese ravioli. So good! Then we went to the grocery store... that was an experience! Many didfferent things, things I couldn't even recognize what they were from the box, and an isle full of cheeses! ... part of me just wants to go hang out at the grocery store and study. I've realized after last night how much I have forgotten!!!
Our hotel room is fine. Nothing too special, but it's functional. We have a little kitchen with a mini fridge, a stove and some basic cooking utensils. I already shipped over a bunch of my utensils so I can use them if need be.
The weather right now is a little cool, so I might just spend today and tomorrow settling in to the hotel and go back to town with Mark this weekend (it's about a 20 minute walk from the hotel). I'm also watching a French cooking channel to try to learn things.
I'm a little more nervous now that I am actually in France, but I know that my language skills will come back eventually. As Mark and I keep telling each other, this will be quite an adventure!
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