Finally the corpse arises
Okay, so we all know I'm really really bad at this. Today is a new day. I'll begin our saga now. Two weeks ago Pace & I got a car. It a little thing, Xantia, but big for cars in France. We took it to find furniture, we drove around the suburbs surrounding Lyon city. This place is kinda like some old NY neighborhoods. It reminds me of Queens when I was a kid. That's it. This place is like a time machine from 35 years ago. The stores are old, people walk everywhere. They save energy by shutting off alot of lights. There's dog shit on the ground everywhere (I've yet to step in it!) yes in the early 70s there was no scoop-a-poop laws in place. Also it's kinda dirty. The guys like to just urinate in corners. Not all the men are like this, but even one or two, drunk or not drunk, is a surprise to me. There are people who come by a sweep the street and wash them down every morning. I'd like to tell them that if the people polluted less, there would be less need for these men. But then they would lose their jobs and have a "greve" or "manifestation". This a strike which occurs on a weekly bases with one group or another....But back to the beauty of Lyon. It's spring, ahhh
It usually rains at some point in the day, but then it warm and sunny. It's nice to be between 2 rivers (Saone & Rhone). Like most French people, it good to sit at a table outside a cafe and order something to drink or eat. You can stay there all day if you like, no one bothers you. I feel funny doing by myself, but I should try it more often.
Last weekend we drove North to Beaujolais. It was beautiful. The lilacs were in bloom. The fall over walls and fences like pale purple or white clumps. It was very nice. We filled our tank after that The full tank of gas was 100 euros!!! Oh la la c'est tres cher (oh my that's expensive). The euro is equal to about 1.29 dollars right now so that $129. Crackers!!! We'll have to plan our trip so we are efficient travelers.
I've finally met 2 people who I think will be good friends with me. I've met several people, but it usually doesn't work well. Like the people in my afternoon French class were still in their 20s. They just wanted to go to the bars and get inebriated. Been there, done that. Although I did try. I went out with the to the"Smoking Dog" a pub in old Lyon. I ended up talking to a Norwegian guy named "Hellraiser" for about an hour then leaving. I love the people, but not the constant drunkardness. Anyhow I'm now taking my French in the morning. I got together with one of the women whose husband also works for Interpol. I went to lunch with her and her girlfriend. It was real fun. I consider them super friends in progress. They invited me to a going a way party for one of them. She is going to Singapore on a trip. I hope not too long. We're meeting at a gay bar, because all the good-looking guys are there. Why not have drinks in a pleasant safe environment? Meanwhile I forgot to tell you one of the girls is Spanish, and speaks French & English, the other is Swedish and speaks Russian, French, German and English also. Since English isn't their native tongue, they have a little trouble with me, but I try to talk French with them. They're in a higher grade than me, but they put up with me.
As for the food here, it great. The people seem to eat smaller amounts, but more often. I'm having a little trouble with the boulangerais (fresh bread store) on every corner. I think they are thinner because the walk or bike everywhere. Although I will tell you, the same old societal pressures about your appearance are no less here.
The block we live on is one block from Bellecour, which is an active area in the summer. The stores in my neighborhood are not for me. Louis Vuitton, Armani, Dior, just fancy fancy stores. I like to go back to Hotel de Ville where the place is a little more down to earth. Also I forgot to mention there are fountains everywhere. My favorite is in front of the beaux Arts building. It has 4 horses being driven by Neptune or Poseidon. The horses arise from a wave and they have mist makers in their nostrils, so every once and awhile they breathe and it looks cool.
I've been not writing because I get into those isolative moods. I know they are not good, but it gets hard sometimes not to. I miss you all and will write again soon
PS I saw Da Vinci Code in French even in french I can say the book is batter
A bientot mes amis (soon my friends) or should i say the slang PLUS for plus tard (later)
Maria
It usually rains at some point in the day, but then it warm and sunny. It's nice to be between 2 rivers (Saone & Rhone). Like most French people, it good to sit at a table outside a cafe and order something to drink or eat. You can stay there all day if you like, no one bothers you. I feel funny doing by myself, but I should try it more often.
Last weekend we drove North to Beaujolais. It was beautiful. The lilacs were in bloom. The fall over walls and fences like pale purple or white clumps. It was very nice. We filled our tank after that The full tank of gas was 100 euros!!! Oh la la c'est tres cher (oh my that's expensive). The euro is equal to about 1.29 dollars right now so that $129. Crackers!!! We'll have to plan our trip so we are efficient travelers.
I've finally met 2 people who I think will be good friends with me. I've met several people, but it usually doesn't work well. Like the people in my afternoon French class were still in their 20s. They just wanted to go to the bars and get inebriated. Been there, done that. Although I did try. I went out with the to the"Smoking Dog" a pub in old Lyon. I ended up talking to a Norwegian guy named "Hellraiser" for about an hour then leaving. I love the people, but not the constant drunkardness. Anyhow I'm now taking my French in the morning. I got together with one of the women whose husband also works for Interpol. I went to lunch with her and her girlfriend. It was real fun. I consider them super friends in progress. They invited me to a going a way party for one of them. She is going to Singapore on a trip. I hope not too long. We're meeting at a gay bar, because all the good-looking guys are there. Why not have drinks in a pleasant safe environment? Meanwhile I forgot to tell you one of the girls is Spanish, and speaks French & English, the other is Swedish and speaks Russian, French, German and English also. Since English isn't their native tongue, they have a little trouble with me, but I try to talk French with them. They're in a higher grade than me, but they put up with me.
As for the food here, it great. The people seem to eat smaller amounts, but more often. I'm having a little trouble with the boulangerais (fresh bread store) on every corner. I think they are thinner because the walk or bike everywhere. Although I will tell you, the same old societal pressures about your appearance are no less here.
The block we live on is one block from Bellecour, which is an active area in the summer. The stores in my neighborhood are not for me. Louis Vuitton, Armani, Dior, just fancy fancy stores. I like to go back to Hotel de Ville where the place is a little more down to earth. Also I forgot to mention there are fountains everywhere. My favorite is in front of the beaux Arts building. It has 4 horses being driven by Neptune or Poseidon. The horses arise from a wave and they have mist makers in their nostrils, so every once and awhile they breathe and it looks cool.
I've been not writing because I get into those isolative moods. I know they are not good, but it gets hard sometimes not to. I miss you all and will write again soon
PS I saw Da Vinci Code in French even in french I can say the book is batter
A bientot mes amis (soon my friends) or should i say the slang PLUS for plus tard (later)
Maria
posted by Maria Barklie @ 1:43 PM
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