French Lessons (Part 1)

'Another favorite question after "Thee" bike trip, was

"So how was France?"

That's like asking a kid how they liked a parade, after meeting Mickey and Minnie, staying up later than normal, and getting stocked up on candy. All they can say, and I echo, "It was amazing!" as memories of so many things dance through my head. Here's what I remember most!

The Lessons of France.

"Sir Ducky" and his creators

Lesson 1

"Sortie" means "exit." After waiting for my massive bike box to get hand-carried in, everyone else had left...all but one customs agent who was engrossed in something other than the wandering tourist who could not figure out which hallway led out. At long last it was found! And I learned my first French word in France. Experience truly is the best teacher. Although my class in spring should help also!

Lesson 2

French culture and American culture.... may look similar but are very different. Especially in communication. Typically:

• Americans are louder in public than French...and often stand out as a result there.
• When in a dialogue, there is freedom to express, contradict, and add to thoughts. No need to sugar-coat, beat around the bush, or withhold them. Each person is "ok" with who they are, and can then banter back and forth without fear. What a relief!
• And though different and at times hard, there is a lot of truth to learn and I liked it!

Lesson 3

People I encountered in France are kind, hospitable, and not stuck-up. On two different, cold and rainy occasions, people took us in for the night and fed us. Complete strangers, who, when asked for directions to campgrounds, offered us shelter. One even helped us with maps, showed a shorter route, and then proceeded to tour us around her area, Cathedrals, a "Bio Boulangerie & Patisserie" and historical monuments with the extra time she saved us! Wow! Complete strangers, befriending complete strangers.


Lesson 4

French fries in France, taste just the same as in the US. They only cost 2X as much, for half the amount. And French bread... yeah. There's a reason why they are known for it!

Lesson 5

While on the topic of food....France (in the country at least) has a good balance of rest time vs work time. Stores close for 2 hours for lunch. And then close for dinner, and do not reopen. All good boundaries come with their limitations... For traveling bikers, that means,  the route and timing is considered wisely, and food bought when possible. Otherwise, there may just be a mad rush at 5:45pm to peddle furiously to the next town 4km away, find a grocery store, and buy food before 6pm. Not saying this ever happened of course...  ;)

Lesson 6

...You'll just have to wait till next week!