Advertisement
Published: December 6th 2005
Cute little houses in Tours
OMG! So cute! Mum, can I have one?After getting over the fact we had to pay £14.50 (Thats nearly $40 for you aussies) for a 30 minute train to Stansted Airport we boarded our Ryan Air flight to Tours in France. Upon arrival we realised that we had indeed got more than we bargained for. It seems french people really do speak french. And we need to get one thing clear for the frenchies- WE ARE NOT AMERICAN
Bonjour, Parle vous anglais? Our new catchphrase. Perhaps the most important words we could ever learn. However with a little bit of perseverance, a lot of blank looks, and arm movements that look a lot like a chicken we tended to get what we wanted, where we wanted and also have a few laughs.
After getting over the language barrier, we have learnt a lot about the french;
1) Most really are as rude and arrogant as they have been stereotyped so well in British Comedy (You Englisha Pig Dogsa)
2) Three things French can't live without; cigarettes (they smoke everywhere!), dogs(which are allowed everywhere!) and baguettes - your simply not french unless you have a baguette in one hand, a cigarette in the other and a giant
Chateaux Chenonceaux
Every little girl dreams of one...Jacki still does. dog on a leash - no handbag dogs here.
3) There are no public drinking laws, which at first seemed cool, until you see the derelict people drinking there vin (wine for you uninformed) making loud asses of themselves in the city centre whilst bleeding profusely from the chin!! WE LOVE AUSTRALIA AND OUR LAWS!!
4) They place ATMS in the most obscure spots - usually in dark laneways and almost certainly next to a handful of very seedy characters;
5) Generally, the characters overseeing your breakfast are former Nazis - Only one Pain for you!
Tours in general though, was very nice - full of old buildings that set Lauren's inner history geek to salivate and Jacki to say 'Not another bloody church' - and despite not being able to read, we had a decent Italian dinner....the French was completely incomprehensible so we decided to stick with bolognaise and pizza. We also had drinks at an Irish bar to soothe Jackis void - she really misses work that much. The French don't do alcohol by halves - strongest bloody vodka and orange (in the smallest glasses) we've ever had. should've just asked for a shot.
We also
We found our new home
...but unfortunately our budget wouldn't stretch quite that far. Oh well. took a trip out to Chateau Chenoncaux - which was absolutely stunning. Lauren once again got shaky, especially when faced with a giant portrait of Louis XIV - Roi de Soleil. Jacki of course didn't even know the French ever had a king - she was just content to dream of being a princess and living in a castle.
And now, the part we know you've all been waiting for:
Another 5 things we've learnt so far! * Chevre is not nice cheese. It comes from a goat and tastes like dirty feet - well smells like it anyway. Word to the wise: steer clear.
* It is perfectly acceptable to eat a stick of bread as long as your arm in the middle of the street - also, it seems to be a fashion accessory.
* French women really don't get fat - though heavens knows why when every second shop is a patisserie (bakery for those un-french out there)
* Hostel opening hours are mad, and should be checked before landing in new city in order to avoid lugging backpack (which I must say is getting seemingly heavier by the day) around all day, and
And the gardens...
Jamie Durie would approve we think... sitting on the riverbank like homeless. Although if we stuck our hat out we'd probably make a killing - its a very popular profession over here.
*Last but not least, we've learnt, like Dorothy, that there's no place like home. (Well that or we just couldn't think of a 5th thing - you decide)
Next up, the train takes us to Paris and beyond...
Signing out: Jak and Loz.
Oh yeah, we love and miss you all.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.119s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 12; qc: 56; dbt: 0.0531s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
deleted_3729
deleted_3729
laughed my arse off...
girls this has been an absolute delight to read. and the pictures are so cute and hilarious. it puts my travel blog to shame it was so funny! i am so glad you are having a good time. meanwhile i am slaving my arse off in london so that i can join you. see you in Ed. love you lots x.b