Vincent Pinard - Sancerre 1999

[lizardbrains]

Man, I was late to work today because I spent too much time online this morning. Mainly I was typing a decently lengthy reply (to you, Catch 22) with more French cultural info. And apparently it didn't go through. Well, I'm not going to re-type, since Puccino pretty much said it! Instead, I'll elaborate a bit. :-)

I must say, I forgot about walking straight on the sidewalk! I remember dodging Parisians left and right on the sidewalk, and finally I said to myself "Forget that!", and I became one of them - sometimes (I hate to admit!) even aiming for tourists, to see them get out of my path!!! After 3 months, I must have really infiltrated the system - I had tourists stopping and asking me in broken French for directions, and they were shocked when I responded back in native American English!!!! I guess I just learned to play the part - don't look people in the eye (it's rude to stare), don't smile at people (a smiling stranger is not to be trusted - why would they be smiling at someone they don't know, unless they have something up their sleeve), etc. It's actually quite a fun game to play!!! :-) (Oh, no, did I just say that?!)

I'm a French teacher, and I just love talking about French culture!!! I love the French! They are SO kind and EXTREMELY GIVING! But you have to kind of kiss up to them a bit - compliment them, and then ask for help - it works wonders! That's their culture. ANYWAYS... the best book about French culture (it's factual, AND entertaining!) is "French or Foe" by Polly Platt. She compares the French to Americans, in the most accurate and hilarious way.

By the way, I didn't get too far out of Paris (just the Loire Valley for a bit), so I didn't get to experience any of the charming southern French culture that I've heard great things about. Alas, another time, another trip.

I sure wish I knew about wine when I was over there. I was 19/20, and didn't even know how to open a bottle, nonetheless choose one! I sure do miss X-Cidre (it's an alcoholic cider, and SOOOO good!) - if I were to go back, I'd bring back to the USA a few 6-packs of those, and drink them slowly so as to savor them!