I bet there is juicy village gossip, no? hee hee…Posted by: Amy
There is a Peyton Place or Desperate Housewives in every town mine included.
What is chic there now? How are they wearing their hair? Jewelry? Posted by: Chelsea Gwynne
Flow-y blouses, prints, wallpaper, mixing old with the new, hair seems to be shaggy and going longer in front and shorter in back, Chunky jewelry, dyed hair even when you aren't grey, cool glasses, More to come when my daughter sends photos….
I am thinking Northern Italy or your area of France…what do you think? Posted by: Mo'a
France because we could be neighbors!
When did it feel like you belonged? After 22 years and 14 in your little town, do you still feel 'other' and keenly aware of your American-ness, or has that faded? Do you ever hear your beautiful kids speak French flawlessly and marvel at the fact that they are your children?
Posted by: Fanfan
About ten years. I felt I belonged when a man (who then became a good friend of mine) asked me how to cook celery at the grocery store. I was flattered to think he thought I was a Bonne Femme (a French woman who knew her cuisine.)
My children always amaze me, that is what love does to a mother.
Is it hard for Americans to find work in France?
Posted by: Charles
Without a Carte de Sejour and a French a working visa it would be very hard to find a job.
Could you tell us more about the water?
Where does it come from and do you fill pitchers with the water and bring it home for drinking? Posted by: Miz
People do collect it from the fountains in plastic jugs to take home. I don't. Most people buy their water or have water filters in their homes (we have a water filter.) The water is safe, even from the tap without a filter. The water in the fountains come from the natural springs underground and the household water comes from reservoirs.
Are there any art galleries near you? Or maybe you have a favorite one? Posted by: Kayla
In Marseille, Aix, Arles, and Avignon there are many. Though I do not have a favorite.
Do the French freeze or refrigerate their bread to preserve it? Or is it just like a baguette a day and throw out whatever you don't use? And do they make a fuss about carbs like they do here in America?!
Posted by: Uberburber
Yes, though most who live near a bakery and bakeries are everywhere buy it daily. Few throw it out as they eat it. The French, for the most part, have healthier eating habits.
How difficult is it to live there is one is self-employed? What do you have to do initially? Loads of paperwork? Posted by: Wish I were there
Hard. A ton of paperwork, heavy taxes and like any self-employed person a great deal of motivation and determination.
Are there any bookstores or antiquarians in your village?
Posted by: Anna Bluebell
No, the French do not "go all out" like they do in the States at Christmas. But the shops downtown do and it is beautiful.
Yes, neighbors visit each other and do borrow the occasional sugar. But they are also very respectful of privacy. Rarely would they stop by at unannounced or at the hour of meal time.
How large is it (population)? Do most of the people who live there work there also, or do they commute to Marseilles or other places? Posted by: Star
My town has 5000. Most commute. Sacha my son commutes to Marseille to go to Lycee (high school) it takes him nearly an hour (we live twenty five minutes away)
2. Is it difficult to live in a place where space seems to be at a premium and where there is no grass or gardens surrounding the homes? Posted by: suzanne, the Farmer's Wife
We live in the country, like most small towns in France the center is tight and compact and the wide open spaces are a stone throw away. It is not like living in a city where it takes a car to find natural, wide open spaces.
Nevertheless, living in Europe one senses space differently and values the sense of freedom it offers.
Several of you asked about Mattieu and Eva…. I am biting my tongue… I am sworn to secrecy, and cannot talk about them until they give me permission. Darn it.
I want to know, does all of your town look like that – filled with lovely old homes and little fountains, or is there a modern section, or even a housing development of boring tract houses? Posted by: Mary
If you have read through all of this you are amazing and far too loyal. Tomorrow there is a guessing game as a special treat for your effort. The winner will take home the guessing game object.
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