I Love France

Don't misunderstand, we enjoyed Spain very much, especially San Sebastian, but after just landing in Bordeaux from Madrid, there is sort of a comfort level like putting on your favorite old jeans or tee shirt.  France seems comfortable, relaxed, sophisticated without pretense.  After landing in Bordeaux, we went to the Hertz counter to pick up a car that we were renting for a couple of day's.  I mean that we weren't in the country for 20 minutes and one of the guys at the Hertz counter was asking me about Donald Trump.  He was very worried about "The Donald".  I expressed my embarrassment about the republican candidate, and tried to reassure him that I didn't think he would be elected, and if he was that I was going to move to France.  He mentioned that they had their own Right wing nut job, Marine Le Pend.  He wished me good luck on the election, I  wished him the same.

I totally don't understand some people that say the French are rude.  I have just the opposite experience whenever we are in France.  To date whenever Linda and I travel, we try to learn a few word of the native language.   I think it's only respectful.   No one mistakes us for being fluent but enough to be respectful.  You only need to say "bonjour, madam or monsieur" immediately ad their entire attitude change.  Doing this the French are extremely polite and helpful.  they are very forgiving of you mangling their language.  You will be surprised how many people speak English if you start off with Bonjour.   You have to remember when you go into any shop, especially the small ones to say Bonjour when entering and Au Revoir when leaving.   How many shops in the US do they always say Hello and Goodbye.   I think we could learn a few things from the French.

Their cheese is better.  Their charcutterie is better.  Their pastries are better.  Their fruits are better.  One thing that is not better, Steak.  Rib eye or what they call "Entrecote" is my favorite.  I've ordered it 3 times now in Spain and France and have sadly been disappointed each time.  Our beef is better.  Maybe I'm not ordering it in the right places, but it not good.