1 Month down, 10 to go!

I have lived here a little over 4 weeks now, but it seems more like 4 months. Classes are enjoyable, but the workload is excessive. I am starting to fall into a more disciplined pattern for a daily rountine, which is nice.

The weather is still quite pleasant, in the high 60's and even 70 during the day. It is a lot like CA weather, but unfortunately I know the cold is just around the corner.

Some observations about the French after one month here.......they are total foodies! Every meal is an event. And, it's not by accident, that no buisinesses are open during the hours of 12:30-2:00, (not even the bank) because everyone has left their offices and headed straight to a seat in any of the countless cafes, brasseries, and restuarants to settle in for a good hour and a half of quality dining....with a bottle of vino!

One cannot live in France if you are lactose intolerant or a vegetarian. They all consume so much yogurt and cheese, it's incredible. There are literally 3 aisles at the grocery story of only yogurt!! Also, telling a French person that you are a vegetarian, would be like telling them you have the H1N1 virus. I am not a vegan, I do enjoy meat....but I am wondering about the people who are and how they go out to eat here. France, as a nation, is simply not tolerant of anyone who chooses not to eat meat. You rarely find a veggie option on a menue. This is a country where steak is only ever served while still bleeding and a chef is offended is you ask him to prepare a steak "medium". You might get, "Non, c'est pas possible". And they definitely cannot live without their steak tartare or their foie gras (which is duck liver).

However, I do like the idea that food plays an important part in their daily lives and they believe eating a leisurely meal is a right for every citizen. I think Americans could take a lesson and learn to slow down and savor a meal without inhaling it.