Wash me, please!
May. 21st, 2007 06:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
amalthyaMonday 6:54 pm, May 21st, 2007
One of my absolute favorite things about traveling is doing the things in the city of choosing that would ordinarily seem completely plebeian. For example, today I walked through the town of Cannes on my way to the grocery store. I love finding the things in different countries that don't change -- and honestly grocery stores seem to be one of them. As I wandered through the aisles, no one had an idea that I was a foreigner. As I selected my fruits and veggies, I reveled in my cultural anonymity. I even managed to camouflage myself as I went to the cheese counter.
Of course, I pronounce everything in my head first. As I walked through the parking lot, I giggled at a van that had a big dusty back window in which some person had scrawled "wash me, please!"
Honestly, I feel almost guilty when I come to another country and do touristy things. I love acclimating into the local swing of things.
Some things are definitely different. So many people have dogs, but no one seems to be looking for dog-appreciation. You can see a cute dog and smile at the owner, but they don't even notice. I always feel like Americans are cruising for dog-reassurance.
Seeing funny old men out on their balconies is quite something too, with their reddened, leathery skin and hairy French chests. It's so natural.
And yes, ladies sunbathe topless. But when they do push-ups next to their pool chaise, they apparently put on bikini tops. Seriously.
French supermarkets are wonderfully nature-conscious. They don't have plastic bags. You must buy this woven plastic bag. It's sturdy, and costs 59€ (probably about a dollar). You're welcome to bring your own bag, and I'm sure after spending a certain amount of money you'd eventually bring your bag back. But what a wonderful practice to be endorsing! I wish that Whole Foods, at the very least, would start it. Ah well.
And with that, I scurry off to enjoy the rest of theday night!
One of my absolute favorite things about traveling is doing the things in the city of choosing that would ordinarily seem completely plebeian. For example, today I walked through the town of Cannes on my way to the grocery store. I love finding the things in different countries that don't change -- and honestly grocery stores seem to be one of them. As I wandered through the aisles, no one had an idea that I was a foreigner. As I selected my fruits and veggies, I reveled in my cultural anonymity. I even managed to camouflage myself as I went to the cheese counter.
Of course, I pronounce everything in my head first. As I walked through the parking lot, I giggled at a van that had a big dusty back window in which some person had scrawled "wash me, please!"
Honestly, I feel almost guilty when I come to another country and do touristy things. I love acclimating into the local swing of things.
Some things are definitely different. So many people have dogs, but no one seems to be looking for dog-appreciation. You can see a cute dog and smile at the owner, but they don't even notice. I always feel like Americans are cruising for dog-reassurance.
Seeing funny old men out on their balconies is quite something too, with their reddened, leathery skin and hairy French chests. It's so natural.
And yes, ladies sunbathe topless. But when they do push-ups next to their pool chaise, they apparently put on bikini tops. Seriously.
French supermarkets are wonderfully nature-conscious. They don't have plastic bags. You must buy this woven plastic bag. It's sturdy, and costs 59€ (probably about a dollar). You're welcome to bring your own bag, and I'm sure after spending a certain amount of money you'd eventually bring your bag back. But what a wonderful practice to be endorsing! I wish that Whole Foods, at the very least, would start it. Ah well.
And with that, I scurry off to enjoy the rest of the
