"You can find me in the south of France (Frahnce) dahling"

"Let's holiday in the south of France (Frahnce) this year dahling, it's where all the smart people go".   It's not as posh as it sounds but it is a very nice place to be.  The temperature is only 75 degrees accompanied with plenty of sunshine. Once again all of Europe has decided to follow us here to Montpellier.  I can't seem to shake them.  I think there were about a zillion in the town center today.  Most of them seem to be students. You know,  that lost look with too much luggage heading straight for McDonalds (McDo is what they call it here).  They looked like young adults trying to find themselves but in the process they lost their hair brushes.  Dreadlocks seem to be all the craze with the young people.  I want to just reach over and start brushing or better yet, cutting! 

There seems to be a rooster nearby who takes his job very seriously.  He starts at about 6:30 and goes until about 6:45.  He belts out cock-a-doodle-do with a French accent and a I'm sure a bit of an attitude. He made me crave coco ban (French Roasted Rooster!) but I could not find any for lunch.  I'm thinking that having that for a meal might increase his odds for losing his voice, if you know what I mean. 

Lindsey started her French classes and staying with the host family.  She is enjoying the freedom. Seriously....how can a girl flirt with mom hanging around?  I'm sure I'm putting a bit of a crimp in her style but she is taking it well.  Her French hostess does not speak ANY English so Lindsey does a lot of smiling and nodding when she doesn't understand her.  The other girl in the house is French and is here at the school for English lessons...hmmmm.  I would think those might be a bit useless unless an EFL person teaches.  If not, they would be teaching English with a French accent.  That just not right.

They give her a pretty heavy load of homework each night.  Dinner is at 7:30 and then homework until bedtime.  She has no television and no computer. Just an iPod (some French music), journal and a French novel she is reading.  That's great immersion! 

Tomorrow she goes on a class excursion to Carcassonne, France.  They leave just after class and then return around 8 pm.  Funny...I also have a ticket to Carcassonne. Wonder how that happened?  Don't worry, she will never know I'm there. 

I've decided that if one more French person cuts in front of me I'm going to go all "American" on them.  I'm not sure if they know I'm American and they do it to make a point or if they really don't think there is an issue.  Lindsey has threatened me to not embarrass her but I'm really tempted.  I have to keep reminding myself "when in Rome...."  And I'm not  in a hurry since I'm on vacation, so I guess I can just deal with it and laugh about it.  Maybe that will be my new words to learn in French.  "How Rude!"  That's my homework....to learn "How Rude!" in French.

Lindsey and I started playing a game today.  I'ts called "You know you are in France when..."

So here are a few that we came up with.

You know you are in France when.....

.......you have to pay to use the toilet

.......you see men carry over the shoulder bags/purses

.......public display of affection is everywhere

.......you push a button to flush the toilets instead of using a handle

...... you see more bikes and mopeds than cars

.......you have to wait a very long time to get your bill after a meal

.......you eat chocolate for breakfast

.......males go in to clean the female public restrooms WHILE you are still inside

.......you see buildings that are older than America

.......you are on the 2nd floor yet they call it the 1st floor

.......you see people start counting with their thumb as number one instead of the pointer finger
.......you see minors drinking....legally.

More to come. I love this game.

We also started one that is called "I don't miss ____________. (from back home in the states).

1. The heat

2. TVs blaring in every cafe or restaurant while eating

3.  Having to drive everywhere you need to go

4.  The heat

5.  The fast pace
6.  The heat...did I mention that?
7.  The sound of weed eaters and lawnmowers at 7:00 am.

More to come!