I'm a genius!

Sometimes, I just have brilliant days. And today was one of those! I had a friend come for a visit and let me tell you how much fun it was!! I will post pictures later, but back to my genius day! Unfortunately, before she came she came in contact with ringworm. Being the daughter of two who are in the medical field, I knew right away what it was, so I got on the phone with the parental unit and asked about treatment. I was told that in the states you can get the medicine over the counter. I thought, well, that shouldn't be a problem here because their over-the-counter here is far bigger than in the U.S. So I went on hunt for anti-fungal cream. I went to three pharmacies. Three because I didn't know how to say "anti-fungal" in French. I tried using hand signals, and describing it. No luck! Finally, on my way to the third pharmacy ( I was praying the whole way), I had a very ingenious thought! Here is what happened!

I walked into the pharmacy and began the charade game again and finally I said, "It has the same scientific name as a mushroom!" The pharmacist's eyes got real big and said "oh, ___ (whatever the word is in french)" and I said "Oui." Then we went through what form of the medicine I wanted (spray or liquid). She was so sweet. She looked at me and said "see we are communicating!" She was so helpful and didn't make me feel like an idiot. I really love the people here!! So that was my genius moment! Okay so maybe it doesn't make me a genius but I would say a good problem solver. Come to think about it; I have learned a lot about problem solving. Sure have had a lot of practice here!

Family Vacation

7 of my family members came for a visit. We went to London, Paris, Rome, Venice, and Nice. It was a wild ride. The first photo is of my grandfather trying to take a picture of our family in front of Buckingham Palace. As you can see, he struggled a lot.

Many more fun adventures were had . . .

Loosing my grandmother at the Eiffel Tower for 2.5 hours in the freezing cold rain, at 11:00pm. Not fun!

Before we lost my grandmother . . .















After we found my grandmother!




















Wanna know what this handle does?


Just ask my grandfather. That is right, folks, the man stopped the high speed train from France to Italy with one hard yank of this lever. Why? He thought it released the window shade. When pulled, smoke, along with this horrible smell, and screeching brakes can be experienced by all on board.





Needless to say, it was an adventure more than a vacation. But memories were made by all.

Water in an aerosol can?

That is right folks, water in an aerosol can!!! Last summer, I noticed people spraying themselves with this misty liquid. At first I thought, "Don't they know deodorant goes on under your arms not on your neck?". I was waisting time in a store yesterday and discovered this!! For when it is hot, Evian has canned it's refreshing water in a spray. This set cost 7 euros. Someone should introduce them to a spray bottle, works the same and cost way less.

I'm Canadian

My old supervisor used to make jokes about how if he every did anything stupid or culturally offensive, he would tell people he was Canadian. Americans get a bad enough rap, why make it worse? Well I was in a market in North Africa with a group of ladies from the states. One of them had to use the restroom. Well if you've ever been in a market, then you know there aren't any restrooms. So we were going to try and ask at the mosque if there was one there. We were stopped by this man who asked "Are you going to pray?" We didn't really look like we were the praying type if you know what I mean. In my best french accent, I replied, "no, we are looking for the restroom." He said, "Follow me" and motioned for me to follow him. At this point we/she was desperate for a bathroom, so I followed him, with the lady right behind me. He started to take us deep into the market (you can get lost in these things, if you aren't careful). She began to ask me where we were going (like I knew). I told her to be quiet, I didn't know. (I wanted to be as low profile as possible--and English is like a neon sign) And so I continued to follow him, all the while praying. After 2 minutes, I asked again, "Sir, are you taking us to the restroom?" At this he got frustrated/angry and said, "You said you needed a restroom . . . " I couldn't understand his french because he was missing teeth. So we continued. The lady nervously asked, "Is he taking us to his house?" I replied, "I have no idea, just stop talking." He finally looked at me and said, "where are you from? what is your nationality?" I quickly responded to his first question, "France" ( I do live in France). I knew what was coming next. "What part of France?" He asked this question with a look of slight unbelief, no doubt because of my lack of a french accent. So with a big smile, I responded, "Well actually I'm Canadian". And this look of "oh so that's why her french is so bad" look came over his face. We finally arrived at the restroom. I paid him 1 dinar for his services and he kindly returned us to where he picked us up at. When in doubt tell them you are Canadian--Everyone loves the Canadians!!!

A Quarter of a Century old

On May 12, 2007, I celebrated my 25th birthday. I went to the park for a couple of hours, to exercise and just hang out. I had lunch at a cute little cafe at the park. Then a couple of friends and I got together to have domino's pizza and home made chocolate cake. It was a really sweet time. Amazingly, a card from my brother arrived that morning and I got a ton of phone calls. Thanks so much to everyone who made my day so joyful.

And the number one question I've been asked it, "How does it feel to be a quarter of a century old? Well, the same as when I was 24.

From Culture Shock to Culture Rage

I talked with a friend the other day who is also living across the big lake. In the midst of our conversation we chatted about culture shock and the things that just really get under our skin. He informed me that at this stage, it is no longer called Culture Shock but Culture Rage. He was right! You see, I am no longer "Shocked" by this culture. I know how things work here or should I say don't work here, however, it still drives me crazy and yes, some times even produces some anger. By now I would have thought I would be accustomed to the differences. I wonder if a person ever becomes used to another culture?

I should have known better . . .

My day has been one that no one will believe unless you were there with me to experience it. And since no one was, enjoy the story . . . It all began December 2006 . . .

Background Info:
I met with my former boss and discussed some ideas for the coming summer with her. They are studying France and so she was able to pick my brain on some things. Well at the end of the meeting I offered to purchase these things called "santons" and mail them to her for the summer.

This is where the story picks up. . .

Since December 2006, I have been keeping my eye out for these little creatures. During the holiday season they are everywhere. There are markets dedicated to just selling them. Stores that don't normally sell them, sell them. So I didn't think they would be hard to find. I would just need to visit their workshops and "Voila" it would be easy. I was WRONG, way WRONG! Having lived here for more than a year I am ashamed to say I should have known better.

For the past two weeks, I have been diligently searching for these creatures. There are seven stores in Marseille and I have visited every one of the 7, asking if I could purchase them---not have them, but purchase them. And their response, "No". Why? Because it isn't tradition--It isn't December.

Yesterday, I found a store in another town that said I could order them. Since these need to be in the states by May, I decided it would be best if I went there to get them myself. So I took a bus to Aix, went to the office of tourism, asked which city bus I needed to take, and took the appropriate bus. With map in hand I departed the bus stop in the direction of the store.
The name of the street I was looking for was Bouenhoure de Haute. Those of you who know french know that the word "Haute" means on top or high. I would soon realize the reason it was named Bouenhoure de Haute.

I eventually turned onto this gravel road, that had a slight incline. Let me paint the whole picture for you. To my left is a rather steep embankment (kind of like the road was carved out of a mountain) and to my right is a ditch that separates me from the interstate. You would see this scene in one of those lifetime movies where the girl gets abducted and is never seen again. I started to walk and take notice of the street numbers on the houses. At the bottom of the hill (I would later learn that it was a BIG hillmore like a mountain) the first house read 205 Bouenhourde de Haute. I looked at the address in my hand: 955 Bouenhourde de Haute. I thought "surely the next house won't be 206 Bouenhourde de Haute." Oh it was, and this wasn't like I was in a neighborhood, there were acres between houses. . . .

1 hour later I reach 856 Bouenhourde de Haute. And shortly after that I come across 955. Only to discover that the owner passed me in his vehicle on his way in and was in his drive way. I tell him that I am there to buy the santons and he shows me to the shop. As he is getting my order ready, I begin to look about the shop and realize that this isn't so much a professional looking store. Translation: He probably doesn't take credit cards. What do I have? A credit card. So I ask "Do you take visa?" He responds, "no, only cash." I'm not real sure what my face said, but I would love to have a picture of it. I respond, "Is there a bank near by?" Remember the hour plus walk, the acres between houses, the hill . . . there is no bank and I know it. He asked, "did you walk here?" I said, "yes". We were both thinking the same thing and then he speaks.

This is where he becomes my best friend!!

He said, "I have to go pick up my kids from school, I will drop you off at a bank, you can pay me, and then I'll take you to the center of town." You can bet your bottom dollar the whole family is rolling over this story tonight. He wraps up my purchase, we get in his car, have a lovely conversation about how cold it is, how strong the wind is (and I'm thinking you have a car--I walked up hill in it), how much I love it here, and what I'm doing here. Before I got out of his car he said, "you know people aren't buying santons right now; it really isn't the season." I chuckled and nodded in agreement with him. He drops me off at the bank and I pay him. I apologize for the inconvenience and you know what he said, "It is normal". I think to myself it is so far from normal.

This is what I have learned:
1. My dad was always right--take cash not everyone accepts a credit card (of course he told me that 8 years ago)
2. I still have an american mindset. Not everyone cares about making a buck, tradition is far more important to some.

So it has been forever!

I know I have become a total slacker! Well life here is now normal, so the cultural mishaps aren't as funny. I'm trying to think of some that have happened lately. And can't. I have been hiking, which was a great stress reliever. I highly recommend going to find a mountain to climb. I've hit this fruit and veggie stage. I love them!! Strawberries are in season and huge. One thing I miss about the states is that you can have any and all fruit year round, but here you only get it when it is in season; however, there is nothing like fruit that is in season! Oh, my the strawberries, melons, grapes, and cherries are gianormous!.

Above are some pictures of our hike!

The A. family

Saliah and Me


Aya

Djeziah and Me


Aya and Sannia


Hosine being silly





Aya being cute



Aya is just now learning how to talk, so we sit there and babble like two old friends. Djeziah and I love to play games . . . card games, word games, if it is a game we play it. Sannia and I do our nails, and talk about makeup, just girl stuff. Hosine and I play this game called, "Rachelle what does ____ this mean in english?" "How do you say this ____ in english?" It can last for hours. He loves it and so do I. Saliah is their mom and an amazing cook. She cooks and we all eat. I love this family!!

A Funny Story . . .

A friend and I decided to go to the movies tonight. She is a big movie fan, and even votes for the nominees. We went to see Little Miss Sunshine. I forget everytime that they don't have ratings over here. I walk in expecting this clean movie and walk out with new vocabulary.
So to the funny part. It was a new theatre. She went to use the restroom while i went to find us seats. I'm going to try and describe to the best of my ability. I am facing three doors. The middle one opens up into this large theatre and the doors to it one are propped open. The two side doors are small, almost like side doors to something. There are signs over each door indicating a movie. I enter into the door on the right, the sign reads Little Miss Sunshine. I walk in and the door closes behind me and it is pitch black. So I feel along the walls until I come to a dead end (literally about 7 steps from the door I entered). I run my fingers along the wall. This has got to be some sort of closet. I exit and look at the sign again. This time I enter the big theatre thinking maybe that is the way. It isn't so I walk back out and try the right door again. This time there is a little light, but not much. I walk all the way to end (7 steps) and think maybe it makes a right turn and that I just didn't go far enough. So I try. . slam!! right into the wall (remember it is dark). So I exit again and wait for my friend. She comes from around the corner and I ask her "where is the theatre. She points to the door that I just came out of TWICE. I start laughing and tell her "it is just a room, see for yourself". She walks in and i follow. About 3 steps before the end she magically opens a door. Where this door came from I have no idea. I start dying laughing and at this point am thankful people can't read my mind, because I was throughly confused. We took our seats and entered into the world of entertainment.

I think it was one of those kind have to be there moments, but it made me smile and think "maybe I should have been blond"