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"

The best night ever!!!

What is that? Can it be? Rest assured your eyes are not failing you!!!
Upon closer inspection . . . It is a domino's box in my fridge!!!
The best pizza in France.

My supervisor and I hunted this place down, about 30 minutes out of town. It was well worth an hour walk that is for sure. We arrived at 5:30 to an empty parking lot and a dark Domino's. Fear not, we waiting for that bad boy to open. There we were huddled in our car with the heater on (it was so cold). The minute the lights were on, the race was on to be the first to the door (it was just her and I).lol. So we ordered our pizza (one a piece) and told the man we would be waiting in our car (the car was right outside the window). It was the longest 10 minutes of my life. When we saw him with our pizzas, we beat him to the door. We thanked him and hurried back to our car. There we sat, two Americans, inhaling like we've never eaten before (in our heated car). We sat in the parking lot and finished our pizza before heading home.
Then we went and saw some Christmas lights. It was the best night ever

Saying a blessing. . . before you eat

I'll be honest in saying that before I came here, I never thought much about what I said before I ate. Don't get me wrong, I meant it but not as much as I do now. I often quote what Mark said in his book, chapter 18. . . "when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all . . .". You can never be sure how things are prepared or for that matter what was prepared (raw meat or unmentionable body parts). The other day I had lunch with a family. The mother proudly brought out chicken soup (best way to describe it). She told me it was chicken. I didn't realize that the whole chicken was in there, bones in all. A couple of times I almost choked. And then I got to this lovely brown ball. I thought, "I've never seen KFC or Popeyes serve this". I ate it with a smile and prayed it would stay down.

Or like the time I was in the middle of an olive grove visiting with the people harvesting the olives. We were in the middle of the field and they brought out food for us (we are literally in the middle of nowhere... the gps didn't even know where we were). Oh we were definitely asking for protection from it, and nourishment from it. But to see their faces light up as you eat like them and comment on how it is better than the restaurants is worth it all. May they see the one in us that is the creator of it all.

A two bedroom apartment

Today was absolutely Beautiful!! I stepped out of my apartment to very windy, but sunny day. The sky was an incredible blue and everywhere you look, it looks like Christmas, and feels like it too, especially with the crisp air. The vendors were out selling their hand-made products for Christmas. Everything from jewelry, to bird shaped candles (go figure), to Mediterranean style clocks. Ah, and the smell of chestnuts roasting was in the air. The shopping bug has bitten. And those of you who know me, know I hate shopping, but I love shopping in Marseille at Christmas time (I decided this today). But who wants to go shopping by themselves??? Not me or anyone else I know. You can't ask yourself what you think about the pretty blue necklace you are thinking of buying, or if you like the rose smelling soap better than the honey smelling one. Because if you knew, you wouldn't need to ask. I'd give just about anything to have my roommies back. Hear that roommies?? You are missed, not just for the shopping partner, but for cooking awesome meals together (raclette and homemade french fries), craft making parties, chick-flick nights, and oh so much more!!! I never knew a two bedroom apartment could be so big. Girls, you are missed and loved!! How thankful I am for you both. Abba is, oh, so good.

Betty is back . . . and fat and sassy

The first picture is something I created all on my own. I was trying to make Chicken Parmesan, but bought mozzarella cheese instead. I'm still confused on how that happened. Anyway so I ended up making Chicken Mozzarella with Champignon (mushrooms) and red sauce. It was way tasty. The other picture is chicken pot pie. We are talking made from scratch chicken pot pie. I have no clue how it will taste; it is for tonight. But I will let you know. Don't you wish you were my roommate!!!

Exceeding the Weight Limit

My pants have decided that I have exceeded the "extra baggage" allowance, so I decided I had to do something about it. While my brain said, "running is the best option" every bone and muscle screamed, "NO!". And usually the bone and muscle tantrum works, but not today. Now while most of you know I hate running, there is something I hate more. And that is running in the cold. I refuse to do it. So when I woke up this morning and checked the weather I was less than thrilled that it was a whopping 45 degrees. Yes, you read that number correctly . . . 45!!! I decided to fight back. I was going running and I was going to do it in warmth. So here is what I did. I dressed like it was snowing outside and set out. Remember every other French person running in the park today still had on their summer running shorts. I got a couple of stares, but I didn't care, because I was nice and cozy. Thanks Dad, for the hat. And mom and Chris, for the gloves and scarf. They came in handy!!!

The French and their dogs . . . Craziness

I was walking home yesterday and I passed a lady walking her dog. Her dog stopped to go poo. Oh so common here. . . and then I noticed something a little strange. I saw the lady take a tissue out of her pocket and are you ready for this?? She wiped the dogs tail. I am not lying. She lifted his tail and well you can fill in the rest. Someone please tell me this isn't normal. I have a dog and we have never wiped Lucki's tail. By the way, did she bother to pick up her dog's poo??? No, wiping was far more important. AYE!!!

Just Call Me Betty

I realize that the one picture looks like the dough thing throw up a little, but I just wanna say those were made by me, from scratch, baby. The desert was from a box, but hey it shows I can read instructions. Since, all of my roommates have left, my apartment can be rather boring in the evenings, so I've taken up the hobby of cooking. More to follow . . . a girls gotta eat.

The Best News Ever!!!

Today has just been one of those days. It has rained all day and I've just been in a pooy mood. Well that was until 5 minutes ago. I got a phone call from a dear, dear friend. We have grown up together so we have a ton of history. He called to tell me he was engaged!!! I am so thrilled for them. She is a great girl! They are perfect for each other. It was so sweet of them to call and let me know. Being overseas I find out what is going in people's lives from the internet and weeks after it has occured, but they were so thoughtful and called me!!! I love them! Congrats, Danielle and Brandon. I love you guys.

Me and My Niece

While i was home I was able to meet my adopted niece for the first time. I love being an aunt!!!We are the most beautiful girls in the world.

Sweet memories

I took some vacation days and headed for the good ole' U.S. of A. to visit with very dear friends and family members. I was so busy I forgot to take any pictures except these. I did however, manage one meal at chick-fil-a. (My mom isn't the greatest at using a digital camera)

Another example of le mistral (the wind) here in Marseille

Summer Help!!!

All of my sisters!! All living in different countries, all different nationalities, but still family.

One Year Down and One More to Go!!!

Can you believe it??? Some days I can, oh man, I can and others I think there is no way, someone had to miss count!!! No my friends, I have been employed by the same company for one whole year. With one more to go, I am experiencing mixed emotions. Kind of like when I left my summer job (camp). The feeling of the work continuing without me, not that it needs me, because it doesn't, but oh how I want to be apart of it. I am excited about the next adventure. May I cherish every moment (even the ones that give me one more grey hair) --seriously I may have to change the color category on my driver's license. lol

One more set of pictures!!!

The most beautiful sun set ever!!!

More Greece Pictures . . .

My Vacation . . . to Greece!!!

I am still reeling from my awesome vacation to Greece!!! It was a dream come true. I visited Athens and then the Greek Island, Mykonos. The most beautiful place on earth. I wish I could tell you all of the crazy stories, like the Greek guy that wanted to take me and my friend to a Greek island to show us what fun really is. Praising the lord that didn't happen. Or how our travel agent said, "just cross the street and you will see the sign for your ferry". We crossed the street to one of the largest ports in the world and 7 million signs, all of which were in Greek!!! Or about how when we disembark from our ferry into a parking lot 10 miles from the center of town, with no bus in sight. But all in all it was a great trip. I saw the acropolis, Mars Hill, some temple, and a Greek island. I'm planning on returning, anyone wanna come???