Rants about the French

Well here it is finally, a little more than a month into my stay, here comes all the things that piss me off about France.

Thank God I had the good sense to bring drugs with me to France; my face feels like it's about to explode from the pressure inside. I suppose it's a good thing since I have the next two days off. Other than feeling sick though life is pretty good right now:) I am finally set at school, no more classes to be added, no more surprise changes of rooms or time, and I have finally taught all of my classes at least once (that only took three weeks). My students for the most part are lazy as hell, but I've got a couple of good eggs in each class so that helps me out. I'm teaching an american culture class as well for students that are interested or are already enrolled to travel abroad, so I think I really enjoy that class the most, although it does take the most preparation. I spent the last week in that class explaining the differences in the university systems in the states versus the system that they're a part of here in France...I really do enjoy shocking the hell out of them, it's a lot of fun to make them realize how easy they've got it. The university I teach at here is about the equivalent of a step below community college, the kids don't even have to pass every class each semester to go on to the next level of any given class; grades are averaged from all the classes each semester and then you have a total semester average (you either pass the semester or don't). They've got it pretty easy here, but a degree from the university isn't exactly looked on as a grand accomplishment in the business world when searching for a job.

I've done a lot of exploring this week since I was given law classes on a campus about 45 minutes from our apartment. I've learned how the bus system works and have been bopping around town. I finally found the GIANT grocery store (basically the equivalent of Sam's Club) and have since gone on two BIG shops. It's nice to have found a place that doesn't charge and arm and a leg for chicken breasts. I've learned that in France, commodities that are most expensive in the states (cheese, snacks, wine, gourmet chocolate) are most inexpensive, however that things I took for granted (chicken breasts at 2.99/lb) are ass expensive here. You have to make the mile and half hike (or take the bus, or mooch a ride off your roommate's boyfriend) to the large grocery store, and you can buy 6 chicken breasts (note: this does not mean whole breast, it means half of one) for around $13. This is a good deal. However, gourmet chocolate that would run $3-4 a bar in the states, you can buy a pack of 6 for $4. It's really going to be difficult for me to try and not get fat.

The last couple days have been quite an adventure. Last night was my friend Amanda's birthday (she's the youngest of the lecteurs, just turning 23) and bless her heart, her mother came in to see her, but also surprised her by brining her 80-something gran with her (and her wheelchair). For those of you that can't understand why this would be a problem, I invite you to recall what I said to you about train stations and apartment buildings here in Europe, and how there are most times NO elevators. Since Amanda's gran coming was a surprise, her mother of course didn't know that the elevator in Amanda's apartment (where she lives on teh 4th floor) is out of service for the next month (most things seem to go out of service and never get fixed here, so I'm still skeptical). So last night and this morning Zach and I trekked over to Amanda's apartment to help haul her up and down the 8 flights of stairs while she sat in her wheelchair princess style. Did I mention we had to do it at 7.30 this morning? After Zach and I had been out celebrating Amanda's birthday without her because she had to go home with her Gran and Mum last night instead of coming out to the surprise party we had planned for her. Lovely. We still had a great time at the party sans (without) Amanda, although we had to talk only in whispers because our friends neighbors threatened to call the police the last time we had too many people out...

Speaking of which, I'm going to have to learn how to call the police here so I can report my jack-ass of a neighbor upstairs who thinks it's appropriate to have a party in his house at 5.30 in the morning, complete with music and skanky girls clacking around in high heels above my ceiling. A complaining foreigner with no command of the language doesn't do much good, even if you go to his door in full pj's, hair a mess, wearing flamingo socks with earplugs in hand to show you just how loud he is. Grrrrr. Apparently when you do call the police here (because there is a noise policy that is enforced) it's a 160 euro fine on the spot. Next time I'm waking up Siobhan's (roommate) boyfriend Flo (who is French) and am sending him upstairs...as she and I have both learned that when little foreign girls complain nothing gets done, but if you send an actual Frenchie, you'd be surprised at how accommodating the French are willing to be. Freaking Frogs.

So other than lack of elevators, unmotivated students, school schedules that change and you can find solutions to, loud neighbors and the fact that I still DON'T HAVE A BANK DEBIT CARD AND CAN'T USE MY MONEY, everything here is lovely:) I'm heading to Belgium in two weeks to visit friends from mine and Graham's green tortoise adventure last summer, and I'm going to Portugal with all the lecteurs the week after that. I'm starting to find that three weeks is about my limit, and then I need to go out of town and get a breath of fresh air to start again:) I'd love to hear from you if anyone has the time for an email or a letter

103 rue george SAND

37000 Tours, France

I love you, I miss you

Sarah:)

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