SA

topping

doug

thanks SA

SA

Can you tell us about Pau itself. I know little about it except that it is near the border of Spain. No problem Doug.

Genesea

Hi All ...<BR><BR>Well, about Pau itself: <BR><BR>Pau ... the fourth capital of the B&eacute;arn, is the most elegant of the towns and cities that overlook the Pyr&eacute;n&eacute;es from their vantage point on the high bluffs that run parallel with the mountains. It owes its importance initially to Henri IV, France's first Protestant king, who was born there, a proud B&eacute;arnais.<BR><BR>Located in the region of the Atlantic Pyrenees in Southwestern France, Pau is a picturesque city of 140,000 inhabitants. Pau offers spectacular scenery and a temperate climate, and lies roughly 66 miles from the beaches of Biarritz, 36 miles from the ski resorts of Gourette and Artouste, and 24 miles from Lourdes. <BR><BR>In the 19th century Pau became very popular with the British when a Scottish doctor proclaimed the curative powers of its mild climate, and their influence led to the city's soubriquet – “La ville Anglaise”. The first mainland golf course, steeple-chasing, fox-hunting and very many fine English-style villas as well as the spectacular Boulevarde des Pyr&eacute;n&eacute;es all bear testament to their influence.<BR><BR>The Old Quarter, built around the castle of Henri IV, has an active commercial district, museums, and a library which houses the mementos of Henri IV and Marechal Bernadotte, former king of Sweden. Many colorful figures in the history of France such as General Foch and d'Artagnan, leader of the Three Musketeers, came from this region. The Wright brothers, famed American aviators, also worked in Pau for many years. <BR><BR>http://www.uidaho.edu/ipo/abroad/programs/usac/fran.html<BR>http://www.123voyage.com/realsw/towns/pau.htm<BR><BR>The Pau link is: www.ville-pau.fr and visit my "My Life in Pau" website for pictures and a map:<BR><BR>www.geocities.com/truckzter<BR><BR><BR>Genesea<BR><BR>

Dan

In regard to "the way the French treat Americans..." My wife and I just returned from two weeks in France, and had no trouble at all. The French people treated us very well!! I was concerned that we might run into some anti-American Sentiment, especially given the Possible war with Iraq, but we had no problems at all.

Michael

Genesea,<BR>Heny IV was not France's first Protestant king. He converted to end his siege of Paris at the end of the Wars of Religion - "Paris vaut bien une messe". However, he was the first Bourbon king.

Genesea

Michael -- thanks for the info. I just cut and pasted from the websites I listed .. <BR><BR>And to the Cal Poly Alumnus:<BR><BR>I brought wine from Paso Robles for my family [they are saving it for Christmas -- though they were surprised at the "high" alcohol content], and they were very gracious. For the family in Bristol, England, I brought the girls necklaces and Jelly Bellys which they LOVED ...

SA

Keep up the excellent commentary. It just makes my trip in March seem that much nearer.

Joelle

I don't generally like to make comments on threads related to France but I found Genesea's one very interesting.<BR><BR>Just one point: French families generally use napkins for lunch and dinner. Yours doesn't, but I think they belong to the exception (quite allright with me!). <BR>And people use sunglasses (at least in Paris and on the various coasts). Since Pau enjoys a warmer weather, compared with the north of France, maybe people down there are more used to sun... and do not care much for sunglasses.<BR><BR>Joelle<BR>(French "northerner")<BR><BR>

Genesea

Other interesting observations and comments:<BR><BR>I think it is very interesting that many police and ambulance vehicles are a type of stationwagons or minivans. I don't know why it is done this way ... Traveling in comfort, I guess ... <BR><BR>Oddly enough, I feel very comfortable living in France. I don't feel like I am in another country ... and after a month, I still don't miss the USA. I feel like I *should* miss California, but I don't yet. I guess that's a good sign!<BR><BR>Two nights ago I made fajitas for my host family complete with homemade salsa and guacamole. My family loved it! My french "father" kept calling it super bon (and why wasn't it hyper bon? =). I had never made fresh salsa or guacomole but it turned out super. There was a supermarch¨¦ that had flour tortillas as well ...<BR><BR>While on the subject of food, I should say that American food can be found. It is expensive, but it can be found. In one supermarch¨¦ there is peanut butter (very expensive), pancake mix, canned salsa, popcorn, sour cream, tortilla chips ... and, yes, France has ketchup (which tastes like US ketchup) and chocolate chips (my friend's brother living in Germany can't find chocolate chips) ... I'm looking for cheesecake because the idea of cheesecake is quite weird for the French. My 24 year old host brother and his friend thought the idea of cheesecake was so extremely disgusting ... well, I think they were thinking about a cake made from roquefort cheese or something ... <BR><BR>Electronics: all my friends who brought laptops (and old ones at that!) haven't had any problems. With that in mind, I'm going to have my mom send me my laptop. The disks are the same too as with the US ... and batteries are pretty cheap. It's amazing how I thought that products and types would be non-compatible with US products, but I haven't had any problems ... except I bought a Radio Shack converter for my discman, and that isn't working. <BR><BR>Until next time,<BR><BR>Genesea

Ninos

Genesea..I<BR>I love to read what you write ..your experiences ..keep it up..just only one question how dificult is it to have internet access..do you write in a internet cafe or wich will be the most inexpensive way to be conected to the internet, I would like to know..thank you

Jan

Genesea,<BR>Cheesecake is pretty easy to make and you will be able to find Philly cream cheese in France. Also, if you want a graham cracker crust, you will need to subsitute McVities Digestives--an English biscuit very similar to a graham cracker. Let me know if you want me to email you a recipe or check Epicurious! My European friends love it but think it is so heavy!<BR>Cheers,<BR>Jan<BR>PS Are you going to cook them a Thanksgiving Dinner???

Sallie

I am really enjoying your posts! Keep them coming!<BR>My husband and I just spent 2 weeks in Paris. We found everyone to be very friendly and helpful. I think it was partly because we tried to always be polite and use French greetings. Hope<BR>you enjoy your stay.!<BR>

Sheila

Hi Genesea,<BR><BR>I'm sorry we missed you in our quick pass through Pau. What a lovely town. the weather was stunning when it was horrid in Scotland and the views over the Pyrenees from the Boulevard des Pyrenees was stunning. I love the public sculpture and the purple lights on the Hotel de Ville.<BR><BR>And you didn't mention the rugby. All those lovely rugby players!!<BR><BR>We had a super meal in Le Majestic. Recommended

Genesea

Well ...<BR><BR>I am so very delighted that you are enjoying my posts; thanks for the supportive commentary!<BR><BR>I haven't seen "rugby players" per se ... I've seen a lot of sophisticated, classy, European men ... but of course, the university group is much varied. Now that school has started, I've seen a lot of "every day" types of students in jeans and cords ... of course, since I just saw my first rugby game on EuroSport this past weekend (Toulouse beat England-Irish), I have no idea how to spot the rugby players!<BR><BR>But here in Pau we have students from all over: Russia, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Japan, China, Vietnam, Germany, Canada, etc. The mixture of students is very nice ... all the different cultures are great! I feel like when I return to the USA, I will be so removed from this great mixture of cultures and peoples ... I almost feel sad living in the USA because we are so far away from everyone, or so it seems ...<BR><BR>There is internet access on campus, and there are several internet cafes that charge around 4 euros an hour.<BR><BR>In response to the Thanksgiving Feast question, I have to saw that (*gasp*) I'm not into Thanksgiving food myself (does that mean I'm not a true American?). A few Americans were batting around the idea of having a huge Thanksgiving feast for the public ... but that's more of an idea than something that could be realistic. I was thinking about making Pumpkin Pie for my family. But on another note, my French mother said that the stores don't get turkeys until December for Christmas ... so maybe we'd have to serve duck or something ...<BR><BR>In December Lord of the Dance is going to be in Pau -- and I plan on going. I am so excited ... it was shocking to see that they were even coming to Pau ... the tickets are selling quite fast, but I'll let everyone know if I enjoyed it.<BR><BR>I've never eaten at Le Majestic ... and I've heard there is a Russian restaurant in Pau ... I plan to check that out when I find out where it is!

RX

Genesea: Really enjoying your postings. Keep 'em coming! I used to make guacomole for friends when I lived in England--they always loved it. And chocolate chip cookies, too! <BR>What is your host family like?

Jan

Genesea,<BR>We have the same problem in Switzerland. Turkeys are Christmas food and you don't see them in the stores until then. BUT, you can order one from the butcher. The only thing was they couldn't believe how big a turkey I ordered. It was for 10 people and I wanted a 8 KG turkey. They said a 5-5 kg would be big enough. So, we lived up to their expectations of Americans beign big eaters! ;-) Anyway, the usual drill is that they call around to the local farms and find a turkey for you. Pretty amazing from the perspective of an American cityslicker!<BR><BR>It's OK to skip the turkey...just think pumpkin cheesecake!<BR>Cheers!<BR>Jan

Siobhan

I've almost forgotten thanksgiving as a holiday living in Ireland. My first few years I would make a typical dinner for friends and I have to honest, as a vegetarian I just got one of those terrible ready to go turkey breast to pop in the oven. Can't stomach doing it myself! People were a bit put off by pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes but I think I won a few over. I've started just having people over for drinks and snacks as my American pals all moved back home. I usually have to work the friday after and too tired to cook! It's still a nice excuse to get together with good friends and celebrate the good friendships I have made. My Scottish friends do a similar thing on Robbie Burns day so we all share our holidays. Enjoy all the new people you meet Genessa, the experiences and memories will stay with you all your life <BR><BR>

Genesea

RX -- regarding my French family:<BR><BR>I live in an apartment on the 9th level with a divorced mom, her boyfriend of 9 years, and her two sons ages 17 and 24. The living situation is one of the best because the family has had many foreign students. Of course the living arrangements are smaller (in Calif. I live in a house with a large backyard), but the family has embraced me as their sibling/kid. My French mother has a 25 year old daughter that is out of the house, so she misses the female company. I've been called her "fille" on occasions, and she wants me to take up ballet with her (I used to dance in high school.). <BR><BR>The boys treat me like a sibling (and the older one flirts a lot ..), and they will throw pillows at me, etc. It's all good because I miss my 18 year old brother, and here in France I have 2 replacements. =)<BR><BR>There are 3 TVs in the house, and the adults are accountants with 2 cars ... <BR><BR>We watch dubbed American movies practically every night .. and I was able to catch the NFL on EuroSport .. it was great to see American sports again.<BR><BR>What else do you want to know? =)

Diedre

Genesea,<BR><BR>I also enjoy reading your observations.<BR><BR>My question is what does your French family eat regularly? What constitutes an average breakfast, lunch and dinner?