Blogs from Montivilliers, Upper Normandy, France, Europe

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Europe » France » Upper Normandy » Montivilliers June 8th 2019

Combining these two days, as we spent Friday on the campsite, mostly watching "Storm Miguel" out of the van windows, as it continued its exploits of Thursday night. Sad news from home, that three lifeboatmen had been killed on a shout for a fishing boat in trouble with the storm. Apparently the lifeboat (the old one I think) capsized. No mileage, and no exciting activities. Slept well both nights, except for the noisy weather! But Saturday has been much more interesting, as we've headed closer to Le Havre. Lots of evidence of damage to trees etc, as we headed first to Honfleur and later to Fécamp, just to look around. Sadly neither place is brilliant for motorhomers nowadays - both have large Aires, but not conveniently placed for short daytime visits, and we're barred from parking ... read more

Europe » France » Upper Normandy » Montivilliers March 29th 2015

The longer I stay here, the more I realize how diverse the world must be. Example: Here, the isn't an Easter Bunny. They were even perplexed by the idea like, why would there be an Easter Bunny? How does an bunny get ahold of eggs? What they have instead is church bells.... The church bells fly away for the weekend and when they return, as they fly over your house and they lose eggs along the way. And that's only one different country. Imagine all the different traditions other countries follow, which compared to us, seem completely ridiculous. Some things are similar though, and somethings scarily similar, Like the hierarchy of teenagers is exactly there same; the way people react to others from different social standings. Another that is really similar would be the profile of ... read more

Europe » France » Upper Normandy » Montivilliers March 23rd 2015

I don't usually post anything if I don't have a at least a good chunk on one subject, but the last few weeks, I've either been super busy or, when I sat down to write, I had nothing. Maybe my muse has been on vacation ;) So, this is going to be the little bits, crumbs and snip-its of idea's I've had over that last couple weeks: - I started a journal beacause I realized that I wasn't writing enough. It's half in french, half english because I'm too embarrassed to write in french here, incase I make a mistake or sound too simple. My oral french is getting a lot better, although I'm acquiring a Normandy accent. For example, we are taught to say Boîte for Box in french, but they say it like Buette ... read more

Europe » France » Upper Normandy » Montivilliers March 9th 2015

One Way Roads You know how in Canada, when you want to get on the bus somewhere, you wait for the people getting off to disembark first? Yeah, that's not a thing here. It's took me a while to describe that in Canada, even if someone bumps into you first, you apologize as well, because you we were there to be bumped into in the first place, so technically it is your fault too... Right? But, they don't have that logic here. I say logic because for me, it is common sense, but here if you were to excuse yourself, you would be degrading yourself. I guess Canadians aren't afraid to admit their own defeat. Here, Streets are confused by signs that allow only one direction. Sometimes, I don’t even see the signs, and then I ... read more

Europe » France » Upper Normandy » Montivilliers February 22nd 2015

My first experience of a French dinner party was last night; It would be better described as a marathon of consumption. It started of fairly late. Around 8pm, all the guests arrived: The farmer couple who lives down the road, their daughter, their son and his fiancé. They all lined up inside the door and the uncomfortable long sharade of cheek kissing unfolded. I'm was told that in the north of France, the custom is 4 kisses. Here, the custom is two, starting on the right. And in Paris, it's also two but they start on the left... See how that might be troubling? Anyway! Two kisses is still a lot when its on someone you've never met before and you're trying the explain who you are and all that jazz in between the two cheek ... read more

Europe » France » Upper Normandy » Montivilliers February 18th 2015

Have you ever wondered how exactly we form questions in English? Not really in a philosophic sense of "how" but more, what makes a question correct? Well! According to my English teacher (and I use the term loosely), the correct form in which to ask a question in English is as follows: Wh( )+ Aux. + Suj. + verb +? = Question. Example, What did Suzy do? I never thought I'd learn something about English in France. Well, really, It wasn't as much of a lesson in grammar per say, but a realization. A realization that that formula for asking a question would limit anyones use of the English language, which is more of a rhythm and song than a math problem. So maybe I didn't actually learn anything, but became more ignorant to the lyrical ... read more

Europe » France » Upper Normandy » Montivilliers February 12th 2015

Cheese, Bread, Cream. 5ever. I quickly learned that Normandy is known for its cream. Valerie made a veggie soup with a scoop of Creme Fraiche (which is has the constancy of sour cream), which made it so rich, my god, I feel like I might start perspiring cream sauce. It hurts so good. And the Cheese! After lunch and dinner, like clockwork, slices of cheese are passed around and accompanied by chunks of bread. I've tried 5 new cheeses now, and they're all so good! It's hard to distinguish my favourite, but Im sure I'll be bringing back a variety. My mom would die; the pile of crumbs that end up on the table after dinner could feed the poor. For some reason, (I haven't asked yet but anyway) they don't cut their bread on their ... read more




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