Most of the time I absolutely LOVE living in Europe. Most of the time I feel at home here. Most of the time I enjoy the different pace of life and unique way of thinking.
Most of the time.
There are also those times where I think I am living on another planet and I want to scream the question, "WHY??? Why do you do that??"
We had a lovely trip to the small country of Andorra during Claire's Spring Break. The snow was beautiful and the weather was perfect for skiing. In fact, Daniel had planned to go skiing during our time there. Tiffany had even thought of putting Claire in the ski school and trying to ski, too! Katie and Courtney (our friends and teammates who went with us) brought snow boots and ski jackets..
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BUT, ski season closed the day before we got there. It didn't matter that the snow was still powder-y perfect. In Andorra, ski season opens every year around the 1st of December (even though there usually is no snow) and it closes mid-April (even if the snow is abundant). No capitalism here!!!
We did, however, find a ski resort still open across the border in France (where the snow was melting). But, ski season was not supposed to end until the next week.
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I also cannot understand WHY people choose to have a dog in a big city like Marseille and then they don't pick up after the dog's, ummm, "business". I think that every dog owner that leaves it's dog's poop on the ground should be forced to step in the mess and then walk through their own house! Get rid of the dog or get rid of the poop! Come on, people.
AND, I would really like to "key" all of the cars that completely block the sidewalk so I am forced to walk my child out into the busy street. (I have NOT done that... I just imagine how good it could feel...)
I also got pretty angry when some big girls at the playground picked Claire up and moved her so that they could act stupid and play like little kids. I did chew them out--- But, hey, at least I did it in French!
So... that is a small record of my culture stress right now. Don't worry. I won't try to change the economic mindset of any small countries, I won't force people to step in poop, I won't scratch any cars, and I won't gripe out any more children-- unless they touch my Claire!
And, it's not bad here. I still love it. Andorra really was BEAUTIFUL, and we did get to sled while there. And, I am VERY thankful that God has chosen to place us in Europe!
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7 comments:
you mean frenchies do things differently? can't imagine why that would frustrate you! hang in there momma bear.
Are you sure you're not here in the States somewhere? Sounds just like home to me! Just 60 more days! We love and miss you all.
on days like that in the city we used to say "Welcome to New York!" ha!
We always used to say "CWA"...China Wins Again. Haha! I totally understand getting stressed over differences, especially when it affects your child!
On the other hand...wow, it's really beautiful there! Aidan is dying to see snow (he hasn't since he was 6 months old, so he doesn't remember it, of course), and he definitely won't have the opportunity here! Ha.
How wonderful. I bet Claire loves the snow. Remind her there is no snow in Texas! We've already put away our winter clothes for the year! Our love to the three of you.
It is beautiful here. But, all that snow was in Andorra-- not Marseille. We spent today at the beach!
~Tiffany
great pictures. April snow how delightful. you know you have to vent or your head will blow off your shoulders like a pressure cooker.
Love you. What's sixty day??
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