about 4 years after i had my intensive stay in france, i decided it was time to go back. now here’s what i learned:
* the librairie privat, at place belcourt, is a great book store. what intrigued me most was their amazing (for a normal book store) selection of anthropology books (i got some marc augé and le don). they even had sherman alexie!!! (in french) and those little books full of pictures you can point at in case you’re one of those travelers who are insensitive enough not to speak the language of their host country, or outgoing and trusting enough to go to countries the don’t speak the language of. either way? i didn’t get it…
* i’m talking about lyon, btw.
* they have ben&jerry’s at monoprix!!! (in fudge, cookie dough, and chunky monkey) it’s probably double the price you would have to pay in the “native country”, but hey- they have it!
* up on the hill, you can treat yourself to a beer with kiwi, strawberry, raspberry, peach, lemon and whatever else you can think of sirup at paddy’s, a rather cozy pub. if you have what it takes to become a regular and click with the crew, the bartenders will make you cakes (several!) on your birthday.
* ter trains are better than tgvs: you get an age reduction on the ters, and at least i didn’t on the tgv. when the tgv burns however, resulting in the whole trip taking about 5 times as long as it would have otherwise, they pass out free food on the train. it’s disgusting, though. oh. and don’t bother standing in line to get a ticket like everybody else… you know, those really long lines that look attractive cause you think the people know what they are doing or why would they stand in such a long line? don’t let the masses fool you… there are perfect little yellow machines where you can get the tickets, too.
* take a tour of lyon at night. there won’t be as many annoying tourists, it’s more beautiful, not as hot… more intimate.
* there’s some really cool restaurant that’s open only from 23h to 7h in the morning where they serve amazing food. i, who never eats eggs, had a really good cheese omelette. everything served with salad and baguette. mmmmh, baguette…
* if someone bakes you a cake, don’t let it fall into the onions. in french culture, this could possibly be seen as a sign of disrespect. at least try to glue it back together with chocolate frosting in an attempt to make amends for this faux pas.
* if you’re at the train station in strasbourg, don’t buy victuals at the expensive vending machines, bakeries, etc. look for the indian store on the lower floor. it’s hell of a lot cheaper, and they have good stuff. everything. and if you buy something, come back later, and the guy still remembers you, you get a discount.
* “Le Suédois” (jambon, cheddar fondu) by “Sodeb’O” (or so…) tastes really good after a long day on the train…
* vis à vis the train station lyon-part dieu i lyon there’s a mall, and in there is a really good sephora! they have a pretty advanced selection, although the US-sephora card doesn’t work there (black) and you can get a white french one for france… (yeah, i’m that kinda girl that has her own sephora card for every country…)
* indian fast food? they have little indian fast food stores, just like kebaps here, called tandoori… most lovely, heavenly, tandoori chicken in a rolled up naan with salad, and, because in france, with melted cheese of course… i dream about it every night since
* bring mannerschnitten for people- allegedly you can buy milka chocolate in france, and people go crazy for mannerschnitten (you could also bring a selection of different kinds)
* smoke outside of the bars in france! another one of those great french things… austria’ll probably get a good punch in the goschn by the eu if it doesn’t imply it sooner or later (which it won’t).
* the tap water in lyon is as good as the tap water in vienna, or maybe i was just thirsty.
* the frigging subway goes up! not just straight, up and down like a roller coaster! very exciting…
* don’t buy alcohol late at night. apparently it’s illegal. just try to avoid the police in general…
* in small mountain villages, everything is closed for noon break till 3 pm. just go along with the siesta. and don’t think of buying postcards at the post office, silly! get them at the supermarket. which also opens only at 3. so don’t try any weird things like going in the exit when someone comes out just cause you can’t go in through the front door… it really IS closed!
* at the train stations it costs 50 c to go, but they are super clean, not like in vienna where you have to pay and they’re still super gross.
* last but not least and most important: if you want to please a french mémé, ask for more!