dir="ltr" lang="en-US"> Roll up for the Mystery Tour

Nouveau départ à Taichung

Bonjour à tous

Désolé de n’avoir donner de nouvelles plus tôt.  On a débarqué à Taiwan le 23 Juillet et la transition entre des mois de vacances et de vagabondages en Inde et chercher du boulot et travailler et a été un peu douloureuse pour moi. Dennis est en pleine forme comme d’habitude.

J’ai deux mi-temps dans un quartier aisé de la ville. Les enfants sont jeunes et je leur apprends à écrire et à lire. J’ai pu choisir mon lieu de travail, j’aime les écoles où je travaille. Mes boss sont supers.

Taiwan a un climat tropical. Il fait chaud tous les jours. Il semble que là où on est sur la côte Ouest est protégé par les montagnes alors il ne pleut pas beaucoup et la tempête annoncée ne nous a pas atteints. Les écoles ont du fermer ce jour-là et notre premier jour au travail fût une journée dans notre grand nouvel appartement!

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New life in Taichung

Hello everyone

I am sorry it took me so long to give news from Taiwan. We landed here on July 23rd and the transition from a long holiday and vagabonding in India to looking for work and working has been quite painful for me. Dennis is doing excellent as usual.

I have two part time jobs in a rich area of the city. The kids are young and I teach them to write and read. I was able to choose where I would work, I like the schools I work at. My bosses are great.

Taiwan has tropical climate. It’s been hot everyday. Where we are on the West coast seems to be protected by the mountains so we don’t get that much rain andwe didn’t get hit at all by the announced typhoon but still the schools had to close down and our first day at work was really a day at home in our new large apartment!

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Great Facebook Traffic

I stumbled upon this course a few weeks ago and I was really blown away. It starts at a common price point, and the main package offers great content and good value. Then there are a few upsells, that were a little annoying, but once I got into the members area, i was blown away. There were tons of unadvertised bonus, covering every conceivable area of the Facebook world. It’s worth picking up, for sure.

Check it out.

Peace and Love

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Taganga – Arambol

Le frere ( Indien) de notre ami Texan est passe nous chercher a Pondicherry, ( si vous passez un jour par-la allez au cafe gratitude, tout petit, une dame tres devouee ) et c’est en voiture que nous sommes descendu a 200km environ visiter la ferme de leurs parents a Thanjavur. C’est un monsieur actif et passione de Nature que nous avons eu la joie de rencontrer. Autour de sa petite maison, une variete de plantes poussent dans un petit espace et a une douzaine de kilometres de la, leur propriete agricole permet a une autre famille de vivre parmi les noix de coco, canne a sucre, mangues, bananes, poivre et autres varietes.

A Thanjavur, se dresse aussi un temple vieux de 1000 ans avec de superbes sculptures, une spacieuse et grandiose empreinte du passe. Le visiteur recoit en echange de quelques roupees la benediction d’un elephant qui symbolise la chance et la capacite de surmonter les difficultes.

Puis escale dans les hauteurs et les plantations de the. Dans les collines de Nilgiris, on a trouve le soleil et les nuages tous les jours, de tout petit nuages blancs qui se melangent aux montagnes et permettent aux paysages d’etre si verts et aux arbres d’etre si hauts. Pendant trois jours reignait l’odeur des eucalyptus et non pas celle du caniveau et du plastic brule.

On produit assez peu de the vert par ici, le chai se boit a toute heure et partout en Inde. Les jeunes pousses de the sont sechees en quelques heures, broyees, rehumidifiees pour laisser une courte fermentation prendre place, chauffees et hop! Fini! En moins de 24h, le the a pris la forme d’une poudre noire et sera bouilli avec du lait et des epices, c’est le fameux chai Indien.

Quelques heures de bus nous ont replonges dans la bouilloire climatique alors vite vite, nous voulons atteindre la plage. Et pas seulement ca, nous voulons louer un appart pour environ un mois. Apres deux mois et demi sans cuisiner du tout, je reve d’acheter des legumes au marche du village et concocter mes propres repas. Vous savez comment on fait les choses, on manifeste nos reves. Celui-la fut facile. A Goa, beaucoup de commerces ont deja fermes, les touristes se refugiant vers le Nord pour echapper a la chaleur, alors la situation et les prix sont en notre faveur. Le trois pieces meubles que nous avons choisi est a 50m de la plage, abrite du soleil par les cocotiers. Et on a meme un solide plan de defense contre les moustiques. Par ailleurs la plus belle plage selon moi est Om Beach pres de Gokarna, un peu isolee, on y est donc pas reste.

Une chose manque. Partager la joie et la tranquilite du quotidien avec les amis. Il y a deux ans et demi apres huit mois de valdringue, Anne, Hugo, Tom et nous deux deposions nos sacs-a-dos pour trois semaines au bord des Caraibes Colombiennes a Taganga. Les etapes sont similaires bien qu’a quelques milliers de kilometres. Je pense a vous les amis et vous souhaite ainsi qu’a tous une belle brise oceane d’Arambol.

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Rishikesh, Himalaya

Depuis l’arrivee de M. International il y a deux semaines, nous avons passe quelques jours a Chennai et nous voici a Pondicherry, ancienne colonie Francaise. L’architecture, les noms des rues et les restaurants rappelent cette epoque Francaise. La Mer ici s’appelle Baie du Bengale, nous sommes au Sud-Est de l’Inde.

Je souhaite vous raconter le debut de mon voyage. De Delhi, j’ai pris le train le 19 Fevrier direction Rishikesh et j’ai passe un mois et demi formidable dans la “cite des yogis”. J’ai d’abord passer huit jours dans l’ashram qui m’avait ete recommande par mon amie Morven, a Anand Prakash Ashram,  http://www.akhandayoga.com/ endroit parfait pour debuter un sejour car agreable, calme, propre et avec des cours serieux. J’ai ensuite eu la chance d’assister a l’integralite du festival international de yoga qui se deroule chaque annee a Parmath Niketan Ashram.

http://www.internationalyogafestival.com/

J’ai passe une semaine tout-a-fait intense a courir parfois d’une classe a l’autre. J’ai prefere : tous les matins 8h30 – 10h30, kundalini yoga avec Gurmuhk, peut-etre la plus reputee mondialement dans son domaine le kundalini yoga. Son programme : choisir une forte intention pour chaque classe et mener des sequences en mouvement, sauter, se secouer, danser, courir, tenir des postures pour plusieurs minutes et se preparer pour la transition astrologique de l’age du Poisson vers l’age de Verseau. Son mari offrait un cours a 4h du matin, d’une rare simplicite a premiere vue, la sequence constituait pourtant un defi incroyable car elle requiers une determination d’acier, et pas seulement de se lever a 3h45. J’ai participe a quatre de ces cours. Le reste du programme etait constitue de classes de differents styles de yoga, de meditation et quelques autres ateliers comme The passion Test avec la charmante presence de Janett Atwood. Shiva Rea etait la aussi, elle etait la superstar, personellement son style ne m’a plu du tout.

J’ai ete touchee par les discours de sagesse de Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, maitre spirituel de Parmath Niketan Ashram  http://www.parmarth.com/home.html et Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati. Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati est une jeune Americaine qui a fait voeu de renonciation pour se devouer a la vie spirituelle. Elle a souligne un fait qui selon elle constitue la difference majeure entre l’Ouest et l’Est, elle a exprime ce que j’avais vaguement et furtivement ressenti. Partout la religion est devenue une base constituante du basin culturel. En Occident on pourrait dire que cette culture se traduit de nos jours par un sentiment d’inadequation lie directement a ce que dit la Bible. L’etre humain souffre du probleme de culpabilite, de confiance en soi, de manque d’amour, torture psychologique que l’on inflige pas seulement a soi-meme mais aux autres. Et c’est de surplus la publicite qui nous dit que l’on a pas grande valeur si l’on a pas le parfum, la boisson, la voiture, le vetement adequat. Avez-vous deja ressenti cela?

Chez les Orientaux avec principalement la tradition Bouddhiste, (l’Hindouisme dans une certaine mesure mais subsiste le probleme des castes), rien de cela n’existe, au contraire, chacun est potentiellement un Bouddha. Bouddha n’est pas Dieu, Bouddha signifie celui dont l’esprit est pleinement eveille. Il aurait fallu au Dalai Lama pas moins de dix minutes pour comprendre le sens de l’expression “haine de soi” lors d’une conference aux Etats-Unis ou un des lamas qui enseignait la meditation souleva la question de comment adresser ce probleme-la avec ses etudiants.

Pour en revenir au festival, ca a ete une explosion de spiritualite, de joie et de bien-etre. Apres ca, j’ai rencontre un prof de chant et j’ai cru que son ecole de musique etait une occasion en or. Il s’est avere que le prof en question fut un arrogant pinson dont la bouche bavarde laissait sortir entre deux chants divins des paroles bien discordantes. J’ai passe plusieurs heures a chanter et apprendre et puis j’ai dit non a l’avarice et au stress et oui au discernement.

Je ne vais a aucune classe ces jours-ci mais inclus dans ma pratique ce que j’ai appris a Rishikesh et l’integre paisiblement. Il fait entre 30 et 35 degres tous les jours ici dans la Province de Tamil Nadu. On est en mission de trouver la plus belle plage de l’Inde. Bon vent a tous!

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2011 est l’année

Après un été CHAUD au Texas en 2009, on passe un hiver FROID au Texas en 2011. J’avais pourtant dit que ca n’existait pas, ce qui est toujours vrai pour Houston mais pas pour Dallas et dès que l’on monte au nord de Austin. On pers le climat tropical du Golfe du Mexique en entrant dans les terres.

Je me réveille souvent au petit matin et les hautes herbes brunis par l’intense chaleur brillent de petits cristaux de glaces. Quand le soir arrive, l’horizon plat forme une longue ceinture orangée de soleil. Souvent meme les nuages sont étires et paraissent sans fin.

Tout cela est impermanent.

De meme tout le reste.

Je pars de Houston le 15 Février, arrive a Delhi le 17 et prendrai la direction de Rishikesh à la fin du mois. Etudier la technique de médiation Vipassana http://www.french.dhamma.org/ résonne comme une prépararion pour l’Inde, une envie de me mettre dans le bain. Du 10 au 23 Janvier j’ai participé a un stage dans un centre de méditation près de Dallas. S’engager dans ce stage de dix jours signifie s’abstenir des cinq choses suivantes : s’abstenir de tuer, de voler, de toute activité sexuelle, de mentir et de consommer tout produits intoxicants. La règle majeure est appelée Silence Noble. Pendant neuf jours, on ne parle pas ( on peut parler au professeur ou à un de ses assistants si besoin) , chacun se tourne vers l’intérieur et travaille pour lui / elle-meme. On apprends grace a deux principes fondamentaux : conscience ou éveil et équanimite.

Les hommes et les femes sont séparés. Tout etre humain qui entreprend un tel programme aura certainement envie de partir à un moment ou à un autre. Pour cela, on s’engage aussi à rester, c’est un engagement moral, on ne vous supplira pas  de rester. Toute l’organisation, la cuisine (repas végétariens), le service est offert volontairement par des personnes qui ont complétées un ou plusieurs stages.

Ca parait extreme? Ca l’est, c’est à l’opposé de la manière dont on vit, on vit dans le bruit, le mensonge et le stress. Un mot clef est discipline. La discipline que l’on s’impose a soi-meme et pour soi-meme. La méthode a été redécouverte à Burma dans les années soixante et popularisée en Inde puis dans le monde entier. Si vous ne désirez pas changer vos habitudes mentales et comportementales négatives profondes, ceci n’est pas pour vous.

Je suis très enthousiaste non seulement à propos de la technique Vipassana qui est en train de me changer la Vie en ce moment meme mais aussi a propos de mon départ vers le Nord de l’Inde et les terres sacrées des montagnes Himalaya. J’ai l’intuition d’avoir enfin trouver le chemin que je cherchais depuis des années. A present j’ai besoin de créer un foyer. D’ici quelques mois Dennis et moi serons installer pour quelques années et ce sera là où la meilleure opportunité de travail se présentera.

Je suis inscrite à un festival de yoga http://www.internationalyogafestival.com/ la première semaine de Mars a Rishikesh où je veillerai à apprendre le plus grand nombre de choses. Je suis fière et profondement heureuse d’avoir l’honneur de recevoir prochainement un tel enseignement. Quelle Joie de redevenir étudiante! Je vous souhaite à tous de connaitre une telle joie et  le sentiment de toucher à quelque chose d’aussi precieux, rien de moins que du sens à la Vie!

Très bonne année 2011!

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2011 is the year

After a HOT summer in texas in 2009, we’re spending a COLD winter in Texas in 2011. I did say that they don’t exist here, which is still true for Houston but not in Dallas or North Austin. The tropical winter warmth from the gulf doesn’t apply inland.

I’ve been waking up at the crack of dawn and the tall grass turned brown by the intense heat would sometimes shimmer with ice crystals. When evening comes, the flat horizon forms a long sun bright orange belt. The clouds often stretch out forever.

All of this is impermanent.

So is everything else.

I am leaving from Houston on Feb 15th, will land in Delhi the 17th and I will head out to Rishikesh at the end of the month. Studying the Vipassana meditation technique http://www.dhamma.org/ has been a preparation for India, a desire to immerse myself in its traditions. I’ve completed a ten day course in a meditation center near Dallas. In going to such a course, one commits to abstain from the five following things: abstain from killing, from stealing, from any sexual activity, from lying and from the use of intoxicants. The main rule is calles Noble Silence. For nine days, one does not speak to anybody (except the teacher or one of his/her assistants if needed), each student focuses within and works for himself/herself only. One learns from experience, and learns two basic principles: awareness and equanimity.

Men and women are separated. Any human being endeavouring such program will likely want to leave at one moment or another. For this reason, one is asked to make a commitment to stay, it’s a moral commitment and nobody will beg you to stay. The entire organisation, the kitchen team (cooking vegetarian lunches) and the service is offered by “old students”, that is people that have completed at least one course.

Does it seem extreme? It is. It’s the opposite of our way of living, we live in noise, lies and stress. A key word for it is discipline, the kind that YOU decide to do for your own self. This technique has been rediscovered and made popular in the 70s in Burma, then in India and the rest of the world. If you do not wish to make a change regarding deep negative habits of the mind and behavior patterns, this is not for you.

I am very enthusiastic not only about the vipassana technique that is allowing me to change my life at this moment but also about my going to India and to the sacred Himalayans mountains. I have the intuition that I have finally found what I’ve been looking for for years. I now need to create a home. Dennis and I will be settling down in a few months for a few years and it will be where the best job opportunity will present itself.

The first week of March I will be taking part in a yoga festival  http://www.internationalyogafestival.com/ in Rishikesh where I intend to learn a lot. I am proud and deeply happy to have the honor to receive such knowledge soon. How joyful I am to become a student again! I wish you all to know such joy and the feeling of reaching for something precious: nothing less than meaning in Life!

Excellent 2011 to you all

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THE 10 BEST THINGS ABOUT FRANCE

I know, I know, this was supposed to happen a long time ago, but I tripped and fell into a wormhole. I got here as fast as I could. Promise. So here we go…the best things about France in no particular order.

1) The food. There is a reason that the French are known for their culinary treats–they know what they are doing. In the kitchen, they have a culture, roots that we don’t have in the states (there hasn’t been enough time to grow them) and while these roots may be invisible, their manifestations are well known. This history, this connection to something older adds a flavor to the food that is unsurpassed.

2) Gardens, gardens everywhere. Somebody told me that 50% of the population of France has a father or a grandfather who is a farmer. If there is space, most homes have a garden. The average person in Aveyron grows their own tomatoes, chard, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, lettuce, cabbage, zuccini, egg plant, squash, strawberries, raspberries, mint. Local flavors may vary. This connection with the earth, with the food source, gives French culture a strong block of aunthenticity on which to stand.

3) Health Care. It’s well known that France offers one of the most complete coverages for their residents in the world. Health care is accessible and cheap for everyone, and once enrolled into the secu the government covers 70% of the already low costs. In France, it’s a given that all people have access to affordable medical coverage, whatever the cost.

4) Wine. Surely this one, too could be group with the food, or at least be siblings under some grander category like culinary expertise or plesaurable engineer. But the wine in France is some of the best (and I still have that top class bottle of Gigondas stashed in the van!). A good bottle can be had for as little as $3. It’s not just the techniques of wine-making that make French wine great—it’s the roots into the culture. Wine is as French as the baguette and the cheese and it is served at all hours of the day and night, breakfast included. The constant drinking—which is minimal, 2-3 glasses with a meal—provides a rose-tinted filter to life and its constant unfolding.

5) The Revolution. The French are revolutionaries. Perhaps they don’t arm themselves with rifles and pistols, but generally, they all house that spark of the Revolution, that desire for humankind to live better, to live in a world in which they can slow down and enjoy their time on this planet. The French protest quite frequently, and most times it doesn’t change much, even France is under the control of the powerful elite, but they do it and the doing it is a manifestation of that spirit.

6) The French social system goes beyond health coverage and includes money for people who are unemployed, or are new parents, or in training, or retired, or disabled or in need in any other way. Although there is much bigotry and destortion of the founding principles of France—solidarity, brotherhood, equality, an a lay society—the system is designed to honor these ideals and so with a bit of effort and patience for wading through the process, anyone can have the basic things that consititute a good life. And in France those things are: a nice table, a roof under which to put the table, good food to put on the table, a functional kitchen in which to cook the good food to be put on the table, chairs (preferrably matching) on which to sit around the table, and an authentic morcel of nature in which to walk after finishing their pleasurable discourses around the table. These are key pillars in French culture and the social security system is designed to enable every Frenchperson to build their life upon these pillars.

7) Local life. Things are changing, that’s for sure, but life in France has a very local flavor. People work for themselves and they network together. They meet their needs as much as they can in the local arena, before seeking elsewhere, usually towards the bigger corporations. In France, mom and pop still have a chance b/c the French understand that supporting neighbors and friends, builds a stronger community.

8) Villages. Although there are big cities such as Paris and Bordeaux, Lyon and Marseille, France is full of tiny charming villages. Most of the architecture in Aveyron is made of stone and masonery is a highly respected skill. Churches and castles, cobbled streets, and a quaint ambiance make the small villages in France frequented during the summer months. People from all over France spend their 3 or 4 or 5 weeks vacation at gites, rental homes in the countryside, to revel in this slow-paced life, a life marked by satiety and the quite satisfaction that comes with the simple pleasures in life. Namely, a nice plate of food, a tannic red wine, and a strong cheese. Follow this up with fresh air and a walk in the surrounding sloping hills, and you have a recipe that would please most.

9) French Language. It’s touted as the language of love and after spending so much time surrounded by it, I have to agree. French is a sexy language. There are such delicate ways of speaking about life and pleasure, something foreign to the English language. I can’t say exactly what it is because I am only learning to see it for myself now, but the French language maximizes the sensation of pleasure, the savoring of love and her delights.

10) Location, location, location. France is in the heart of Europe. Hell, France is an integral part of the European heart. It borders Spain, England, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Germany. The Atlantic to the West and the Meditterranean to the southeast. France is smack in the middle of a multi-cultural melee. There’s enough to stimulate the senses and the mind for lifetimes and lifetimes.

France has lots and lots going for it. It is a beautiful country, filled with beautiful people, and strong cultural roots that gives life that…je ne sais quoi.

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Californie

Dennis et moi avons passe une semaine a Los Angeles, nous avons vu Hollywood Boulevard, la colline avec le fameux Hollywood ecrit en grand et le Walk of Fame avec plein de noms inconnus, pas vraiment fame donc, c’etait un peu decevant. Le Walk of Fame, c’est la rue avec les etoiles sur le trottoir pour un acteur, une chanteuse ou une vedette tele.

On a vu plusieurs vans et on a vite compris que le modele le plus courant sur le marche d’ocasion, le dodge van, n’etait pas exactement ce que l’on cherchait, on aurait peut-etre fini par acheter un de ceux-la si on avait pas trouve mieux. Un couple Canada-Australien sur le depart pour la grande ile etait en grand besoin de vendre le van qu’ils avaient amenage quelques mois plus tot. D’un petit modele commercial, l’astro (ou astral ma version) ils ont cree un van de camping avec quatre grands compartiments et par dessus un grand matelas gonflable que l’on a remplace par un matelas plus petit pour gagner en espace assis. C’est du costaud, le gars etait menuisier. Il marche bien, consomme pas trop, il est assez compact pour un vehicule americain et on vient de lui offrir quelques pieces toutes neuves pour lui faire plaisir.

On a fait affaire le jeudi matin, regle tout les papiers et on a pris la route vers le Nord de la Californie le jour meme, on avait prepare notre coup et on a retrouve nos amis Markus et Monique pour aller a Earth Dance. On a passe presque quatre jours au festival et c’etait une immense bouffee d’air pur, de calme, de Vie, de bien-etre et bien sur … de danse. Le matin il y avait des ateliers de yoga et de danse auxquels j’ai participe. La danse pour se liberer, danser ses emotions danser les mots danser les blocages, danser l’ego, danser les yeux bandes et etre. Seulement etre. Temps calme, sieste et on repars danser, wouah!!

Apres ca pour se remettre on a dormi deux nuits dans la foret. Et rappelez-vous, je parle de la Californie, les arbres font une cinquantaine de metre de haut. C’est un tel bonheur de marcher parmi ces arbres, un honneur de dormir aupres d’eux, un privilege de toucher et vibrer avec ces voyageurs du temps.

On est arrive au ranch de Richard Vendredi 24 et depuis le Lundi 27 on travaille dans les vignes. La recolte est bonne. La vallee est dans la brume le matin tout comme en France, n’est ce pas les amis? Quand il est 9h du soir ici pour nous, il est 6h du matin le lendemain pour vous et c’est le moment ou la brume envahit la vallee. Quand nous commencons notre journee a la fraiche, vous l’achevez.

Avez-vous deja entendu le Pacifique? Sur les longues plages de sable fin viennent rebondir avant de s’ecouler a nouveau les vagues d’eau salee et leur mouvement infini produit une harmonie : les Harmonies du Pacifique. Qu’est ce que c’est beau!!!

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Bottom Ten Things About France

I know there are lots of different opinions and beliefs about France, and perhaps they all have some kernel of truth. Last Wednesday, I left France after more than 8 months as a resident of this European country. And while I don’t consider myself an expert on France or the French, I have seen what life is like in that country of cheese and wine. And here are the Bottom Ten Things about Life in France in no particular order.

1) Driving. For the most part, the French know how to drive. And it’s not their driving skills that makes driving such a pain in the ass—it’s the lack of street signs. What navigational panels that do exist point towards the direction of a part of town or a small city, which is fine if you know in which direction your destination is, but it sucks if all you have is an address. Want to know what street you’re on? Good luck!

2) The French keyboard. Welcome to Irritation-Ville! Granted, the French language requires a host of accents that the English language does not, which may explain why you have to use the SHIFT key to type numbers (not hitting the SHIFT key will result in accented vowels.) Sure, if they want to rearrange the letters on their keyboard, that’s their perrogative. But the idea behind touch typing is simplicity and ease of use. But in France you have to use the SHIFT key to type a period!! C’mon!! Give me a break!

3) The language. Sure, some say it’s the language of love, and perhaps it is, but that may also make it the language of nonsense. It’s very, very common in French to say things that you don’t mean. For example, in French we say ’sans doubte’ (literally ‘without doubt’) to mean maybe, as in not certain, as in there is a moderate level of doubt. Me, I’m all for saying what we mean. But it’s not just that–the language, I think is where the arrogant stereotype comes from. People attach ‘in fact’ to just about every other sentence, and while it may sometimes be grammatically correct, it’s hardly contextually correct as often as its used. What happens, unconsciously, I think, is that the French are constantly believing that what they are saying is a fact and not a theory or an opinion, which lends itself to righteousness. And then there’s an increased focus on self, with at least 3 times as much refrence to ‘me’ or ‘I’ than in English. Usually, the French speaker is the center of attention, and possibly the Universe. There’s a joke that sums this up– How do you make money in France? Buy a Frenchman for what he’s worth and sell him for what he thinks he’s worth.

4) The Bisous. In France, to say hello, to say good-bye, we kiss each other on the cheek. 3 kisses in Aveyron, 2 in Paris, 4 in Brittaney, 3.5 in the Alps, 64 in the Pyrennes. The ridiculous thing is that it’s not even a kiss, it’s a touching of cheeks with a kissing sound effect. Different strokes for different folks. But what the bisous does is that it displaces the hug, a much warmer display of affection. The result, along with other factors, is a solid wall of separation between people. The miserably lonely man is a common sight in France.

5) Social Security. This one is a tough one. By social security, I mean unemployment benefits. The chomage, as it’s called here, is a constant topic of conversation. After someone has worked 4 months full time, they have the right to 4 months of chomage, 70% of their monthly salary paid to them by the government. There are some stipulations, but the use and abuse of this system is an everyday occurrence. I believe very much that a function of government may be to help people when they are down and out, but the lax French system (it may be a European thing) does not teach men to fish. I mean, the constant chomage, and the everyday support of the government creates a population that is somewhat dependent on the government. So many people have their hands out, feeling entitled to something they haven’t earned, and when they dont’ get it, they complain.

6) The complaining. Complaining is the national pasttime. A kind word, a positive outlook is a rare exception. Most conversations focus on what’s gone wrong, what bad thing happened, or some negative forecast of a future event. In general, the French are the most pessimistic people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. It’s kinda sick, the way they take pride in their wounds, and it connects back to the smoking thing.

7) Food. I know, I know, this is a total contradiction to common knowledge. And yes, the level of food here is top notch, but I’ll get to that in the next post. The French house centers around the table and food. Meals are long and drawn out, and the conversations often revolve around previous eating experiences. Ay, there’s the rub. The French are so committed to food and what they consider a proper diet (which intuition tells me is hardly healthy) that they get stuck. Food, food, food, food, food, food, food, food. All day long. Lunch isn’t even over before the conversation turns to what we’ll have for dinner. I do believe that proper nutrition and a healthy connection with food is essential to a balanced life, but I have seen in France how an obsession with food and the pleasure of eating can get people stuck, and even sometimes mutated. In my philosophy, the purpose of life is to grow up, not to stay concerened with survival issues for the duration of our time on the planet.

8) The bureaucracy. This is legendary and its reputation is well-known. The red tape is long and tangled and to do the simplest tasks may sometimes take years.

9) Dog shit. It’s everywhere. Everywhere. Many French people living in the city have dogs, usually medium to big dogs. Their irresponsible owners take them out onto the sidewalk to shit and then leave it there for God knows how long. It’s disgusting. But, I think, it’s just a symptom of a deeper problem, the same reason that there are so many people who smoke in France—self-loathing. No matter what the rationalization, smokers willingly inflict damage upon themselves; they don’t respect themselves enough to accept a healthy life. And the same can be said for France as a nation—it shits on itself, and doesn’t have the respect or the self-love to clean itself up.

10) The Long Good-Bye. This goes back to language and saying things that we don’t mean. Time and time again, I’d get flustered, frustrated, and downright pissed off with the long goodbye. You say good-bye, everyone gets up and does their fake-kissy thing and it’s good. But then a pause comes, the pause when the departing should depart, but instead, someone begins another conversation and then you’re stuck there for another 15 minutes, then another round of good-byes without the kissing and if you’re very lucky, you’ll leave, but most times someone else has something to say. On a bad night, good-bye can take more than an hour…

The list could go on and on, but we’ll stop there for now.

Stay tuned…next time, the 10 Best Things in France.

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