Chapitre Un: In summary

I have now been in France for a week, so I thought it would be nice to do a general overview of life here so far.  First of all, let me review the 3 things I was most excited about:

Very European...

1. French cuisine:  France has lived up to my expectation by providing me with ample cheese, bread and Nutella.  I've yet to have a crepe, but I've seen some creperies around, so I'll have to check one out sometime.  But here's the big news: They eat other things here too!  I've had some meat (not always sure exactly what kind of meat, translations are difficile sometimes), plenty of fruits and vegetables, pasta, etc.  At the sandwich shop where I've been getting lunch on campus, they have a delicious mozzarella and tomato panini sandwich.  It's possible that I'll have one everyday for the entire semester.  Food score after week 1: 9 out of 10
2. Cobbled streets and Vespa scooters:  The legends are true!  Although in hindsight, not as exciting as they seemed.  The scooters are cool, but somewhat annoying because they allow crazy French drivers to drive even more crazily.  Cobbled streets are picturesque, but nothing to write home about.  
3. Grenoble is indeed surrounded by mountains!  3 chains (the Vercors, the Belledonnes/Alps and the Chartreuse) surround the city and provide beautiful views and plenty of activities.  Today I walked up to the Bastille, an old fort on the side of a hill, that gave us great views of the surrounding mountains.  Unfortunately, I must report that I have yet to sing anything while frolicking through alpine fields a la Sound of Music

Now, my 3 top concerns:

1. No milk!  Maman, you were right!  I have yet to drink any milk or see it offered anywhere, unless it is a cafe au lait, or something like that.  I can feel my lactose intolerance building already.  Zut alors.
2. No bidet catastrophes so far.  In fact, I haven't seen any bidets.  Urban legend, myth busted.
3. French women don't shave: myth plausible.  Although I haven't actually asked any french women (could be awkward), the pictures in a pamphlet about campus events leads me to believe that at least some women don't shave.  

Other urban legends:

• French people love red wine: True.  Not all of them, but the vast majority.  They drink it with their cheese and bread ALL THE TIME.
• French people take weird showers: Maybe not actually an urban legend, but its true.  They (often) have just a bathtub with a hand held shower head.  Equally effective, but takes some getting used to.
• French people are mean: myth busted!  French people are great!  The guy at the post office was very patient while I managed to convey that I needed some international stamps, and my waitress last night was very kind and helpful.  No comment on the Parisians, but here in Grenoble people have been welcoming of my obtuse American ways.
• French people love small dogs: true!  There are little dogs  running  being carried around everywhere.
• French people wear berets: plausible.  I haven't seen any in Grenoble but my host father Didier assures me that in other areas of France they actually wear berets.

Other general surprises and reflections:

• There are lizards here!  Who knew?  In my mind, lizards are associated with Florida, Mexico, deserts and rain forests.  Apparently they exist elsewhere, and apparently this only surprises me, because when I pointed them out to other members of my group, no one was as impressed as I was.  One of my goals is to get a picture of one of them, but they're quick little buggers!
• Also, there is corn here.  Just before I left I was wondering if corn is popular in France.  It is.  We went by a lot of cornfields on the way from Lyon to Grenoble.
• Pigeons here are pretty much just like pigeons at home.  I like them, but no one else does...

I have plenty more to comment on, but I'll save it for other posts.  I also have plenty of pictures, but the internet isn't too excited for me to upload them right now, so I'll have to save those for later too.