texas bandman
7/2/2010, 12:27 AM
Just got back from France and I think I know why they have problems. Every meal I ate over there took a minimum of 2 hours. I mean 2 hours for every meal, how do they ever get any work accomplished! I mean they'd sit you down and in 15 minutes they'd come over and take your drink order and then 15 minutes later bring your drinks and some bread and take your order. Fifteen minutes to a half hour later they'd bring your appetizer. 20-30 minutes after you'd finished your appetizer they'd finally bring out the main course. After that, you'd have to wait forever for them to bring your dessert and not to mention the wait for them to get your ticket and then the wait for them to take your money. It seemed like I spent more time in restaurants than I did sightseeing. Their meals just weren't set up for this type A American personality. :D
But it is a lovely country and most of the people were very kind to this Okie who couldn't speak any French whatsoever. Most of the time I just said "bon jour", looked confused and asked them if they "Parlez-vous anglais?" As long as you greeted them they would try to help you the best that they could.
My church choir did get to sing at some of the most beautiful churches that I've ever seen...we had performances at Chartres Cathedral, Madeleine Church, Notre Dame Cathedral, and The American Cathedral. The performance at Notre Dame was truly inspirational.
My one regret was that I didn't go to Normandy. A small group from our choir went on one of our free days and they said that it was a moving experience. My wife and I spent that day at the d'Orsay museum and the Louvre, which are both awe-inspiring.
It was a great trip and I've now got one of the destinations marked off my "bucket list".
But it is a lovely country and most of the people were very kind to this Okie who couldn't speak any French whatsoever. Most of the time I just said "bon jour", looked confused and asked them if they "Parlez-vous anglais?" As long as you greeted them they would try to help you the best that they could.
My church choir did get to sing at some of the most beautiful churches that I've ever seen...we had performances at Chartres Cathedral, Madeleine Church, Notre Dame Cathedral, and The American Cathedral. The performance at Notre Dame was truly inspirational.
My one regret was that I didn't go to Normandy. A small group from our choir went on one of our free days and they said that it was a moving experience. My wife and I spent that day at the d'Orsay museum and the Louvre, which are both awe-inspiring.
It was a great trip and I've now got one of the destinations marked off my "bucket list".