So I hoped to have written another post by now but life has been so busy and stressful the past week and a half that the last thing I've wanted to do is write about my struggles here in Lyon. I'll mention them briefly but I'd rather write about the other stuff I've experienced here so far, not all the obstacles I've encountered.
First off, the apartment search has been far more difficult than I ever imagined it would be. Before arriving in Lyon we were advised to search for apartments online and sent several listings but for some reason I, and several other people in my program, was under the impression that it would be better to wait until I actually got to Lyon to choose where I'd be living for the year. I didn't know back then which neighborhoods were the best and thought it'd be smarter to wait until I was here to really find a place. Boy was that a mistake. Now more than ever I wish I had been more fervent in my search this summer and not taken it so casually that I would easily find accommodations upon arriving. By the end of this week I will know where I'm living and hopefully be in my new (or like most places here, "old") home.
Besides the fact that I'm still not sure where I will be living, I've also encountered issues with getting a French phone plan and setting up my French bank account. Needless to say, these first two weeks have been really difficult, but I know once I have these things settled I'll be able to fully appreciate France and take advantage of this experience.
Now I'll mention some of the observations I've been quietly making about France.
1. French people come in all different shapes and sizes. Yes, contrary to belief, some French women do get fat. Although I don't think the obesity rate is nearly as high here as it is in the states, not everyone has the stick-thin figure we seem to think they do. The culture surrounding food here is of course very different and that makes a difference in the way people think of and consume food, but overall, people seem very average-sized.
2. So. Much. Bread. I've been to France twice before so this wasn't that much of a surprise but I still kind of can't get over how much bread is consumed. I swear every time I go into Simply, the supermarché (super market) near where I'm staying temporarily, almost everyone in the store has a baguette in their basket.
3. Men in Lyon (maybe not all of France) are aggressive. One of the most shocking things for me that I don't remember from the previous times I was in France, possibly because I didn't really witness it then, is how aggressive the men here are. Obviously I can't classify all French men as being like that but as a woman here I feel objectified quite often. It seems almost impossible to walk down the street without someone staring at you or calling out to you. I'm quickly adopting the tactic French women employ, which is to look straight ahead, as if you're on a mission somewhere, and ignore it completely. Also, mace is illegal in France so our program director advised us girls to carry some sort of aerosol spray (like hairspray) on us to detract any unwanted predators if need be. Not sure how effective that would be but let's just hope that none of us have any encounters like that and are smart enough not to walk anywhere alone at night.
4. Not many Lyonnaise people speak English well. This is something I really appreciate. It forces me to speak French, or at least try, and although it can be frustrating when communication is lost, I know it will only help me in the long run.
5. Apparently American accents in French are cute? This is news to me. I would have never have guessed. I always assumed my butchered pronunciation of French words was obnoxious-sounding, not cute. Hmmmm. I guess it's all the more reason to practice, now that I know that the French have an appreciation for our silly little accents.
6. Kebabs. They're everywhere. They're almost as prevalent as baguettes. But not quite. Anyway, I'm sick of them and all the meat I've been eating here in general. I miss my lentel-kale stews at Manley = ( . Vegetarian Indian burritos, however, are fantastic! I've had two so far and am thinking that's what I will probably procure for myself for dinner tonight. They're pretty cheap (4.50 euros without cheese or 6 euros with) and huge and filling. Also, they give me that spice I so miss from Mexican food.
7. Little old French women and French children are adorable. Enough said.
8. Pickpocketing: a European phenomenon. For some reason I feel like pickpocketing is so much more common in Europe than in the U.S. Probably because it is. In defense of their high rate of petty theft, Europe claims to have a lower rate of violent crime than the U.S. That's believable, but annoying nonetheless that every time I get on the metro I have to be weary of those around me and guard my purse. When I first got here I was slightly paranoid about it but have since gotten used to being more cautious.
Okay maybe 8 is a strange number to stop at but I think I've run out of observations for now. My hope is that the next time I write, it will be from a café or the living room of my new apartment.
I'll post pictures on my blog when I have better Wifi and it doesn't take 100 years to upload them! Ciao!
