I went to the train station to buy a ticket to see Alex in London! The girl helping me was my age and super super nice. At the train station there are several different tellers and there is a screen above each window stating which language that specific teller speaks. Well I decided to be brave and go to a French speaking window. Which actually turned out great. Almost the entire conversation was in French, which really isn't too impressive since trains and travel is probably ch. 3 in everyone's French 1 book, but still my life is all about the small victories. Anywhoo this girl was explaining to me that before I get on the train I have to validate my ticket, essentially put it in a little machine that stamps that date and time on the ticket. Where I got lost was when she was trying to explain why I didn't have to do it in London because France is somewhat unique in that requirement. Sensing my confusion and disbelief that France would dare to be the one European country that requires this she laughed and said, "We are French" as if that alone explained and justified all the craziness that foreigners experience here in France.
Oh Joy,
ReplyDeleteDoes that bring back memories?! I remember the first time I went to the train and I was supposed to "Composter" my billet. I, of course, had no idea what that verb meant. I had never seen it in my 4 years of high school or 5 years of college French. I was very nervous about what it was and how you do it. So I stood back and watched people. I saw people walk up to the orange post like thing, still don't know what it's called, stick their ticket in that and then walk away with their ticket in hand. So I did it too. I felt so proud!
The French are so French, aren't they? Gotta love 'em!
Auntie Keeka