The farmers market and other funny French things...

Good morning!  So, I know I promised no more negative posts, but I'm feeling particularly defeated this rainy Sunday afternoon. For those of you who prefer not to join in my pity party, I advise you stop reading now.  

There are many things that I don't understand about French culture.  My hostess told me several times about a farmer's market that is held every morning along the Saone river.  Cool.  Even though I'm a little tired of walking around by myself, I decided to go exploring in the rain.  The market itself was amazing.  Fruits, veggies, bread, cheese, olives, meat, flowers, spices galore.  Walking through the small street, however, proved to be quite a challenge.  You see, in France people don't walk on one side of the sidewalk.  That is to say, they don't stay to the right, or to the left to let others pass.  They just walk straight into your path.  Needless to say, I had to dodge several pointy umbrellas as they plowed right through. 

As I was walking home, I met my hostess on the street.  She was on her way to the market to buy some peaches. Now I feel like the overly-sensitive JD on Scrubs with a constant dialogue in my head, telling myself not to be offended.  But man!  Would it have been so awful for her to ask me to go with her?  I really don't get it.  Maybe she just likes to do everything on her own.  Hard not to feel disheartened, and I'm starting to really miss my friends and family.  

Last night I went to dinner with my two Australian friends and two other Americans I met at school.  We were talking about the French way of life and beliefs, and certain things are starting to make sense.  For example, Mary (American) said that the French feel they have a right to everything--to walk on the sidewalk wherever and however they want.  It's not their obligation to make way for you.  Similarly, one can sit at a restaurant for as long as they wish.  They have a right to the table.  The same goes for most things in life--the right to healthcare, the right to a job, the right to housing, the right to vacation, etc.  

Now I understand why the French and the Americans clash and so frequently disagree.  While in France the basic things in life are a right, people in the States are expected to work  and earn these necessities.  Don't have a job and can't pay for your house in the States? Too bad, so sad, the bank will take your house away (ie: recent foreclosure crisis).  You're sick but don't have insurance?  Sure we'll treat you, then send you a bill for $160,000 that you will never be able to pay. Two very different ways of governing, and it makes me wonder why the US is so determined to continue its policies that promote injustice, making the rich more wealthy and the poor, well, poorer. 

Lastly, everything closes on Sunday.  I need some basic things and was very frustrated to find the supermarket closed.  Guess I should have known better, but I figured at least the store would be open for people to buy food.  Okay, I'm done now.  Sorry for the rant, guess I'm past the honeymoon stage of culture shock and am moving onto the frustration.  On a more positive note, I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the weekend.  Love,  Caro