Here in Semur, under the fifteenth century Porte Guillier there is an inscription:
Translated it means that the people of Semur take pleasure in meeting strangers. Since 1552. Now that’s what I call a long standing tradition. So far I can tell that they take it very seriously and they’re quite good at it. I guess after 400 years of practice this shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Before moving here I was concerned about how we would be received and perceived here. Would the Semurois see us as boorish North American invaders? Rolling into town with a big wad of cash and big plans for buying up their land to erect a super-size Wal-Mart.
I was a bit fearful of becoming local pariahs. Shunned and isolated until the day loneliness caused the last marble to be lost as evidenced by me wandering aimlessly through the streets in a tattered pink chenille bathrobe randomly conjugating verbs and begging someone to have tea with me.
While it’s still early days, for the moment I think I can hold off on the woman on the edge routine. We’ve been making small inroads into the Semur ‘scene’. We attended the annual New Year town meeting. The mayor greeted us warmly, bowed and kissed my hand which is how I’ve decided all men should now receive me. We met townspeople who were intrigued to hear how we came to be here.
We’ve been to the lovely Alexandre’s grand home that he built himself. He made us a fantastic dinner so ladies pack your bags because from what I can gather he’s single. We’ve done some hosting ourselves. Neil made his very French lapin au vin which we served to my French teacher Patricia (not my neighbour Elizabeth but another teacher, my French is so bad I need two), and her friend Francis.
We’ve met the très elegante Jacqueline from the lingerie store who may change my mind about bras (Lift and Separate), we’ve been invited to hang out with some Americans and now a dinner party on Friday night where Monsieur Mayor will be in attendance. Word of the Canadian invasion is spreading.
Whenever people ask us why we moved here, and they all ask, we tell them all the things we like about Semur. They seem so pleased that their little neck of the woods has somehow spoken to us. When we tell them how welcoming everyone has been they all smile knowingly. ‘Of course’ they say, this is their history.
Ah well, fine for now but you know once I start speaking French well enough for my foot to find its way back to my mouth all bets will be off. History or no history we all know that robe is coming out.
You are probably a breath of fresh air after all the Brits over there – most weekends our newspaper runs features about British ex-pats “living the dream” in France.
As I say to the kids every morning in the car “Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.”
Neil cooked a bunny?
Glenn Close as understudy to Alan Tudyk?
I suspect you’d have to alienate them by buying up all their land to erect that Super WalMart before you really have to bring out the chenille robe.
No way you’re going to need the bathrobe. You can lean on this language barrier for a lifetime. Just make the occasional charming and funny and completely deliberate slip-up, and when you really do have your toes in your throat you’ll be able to extricate them.
I just love your writing. I wish you’d write a novel.
Your post had my laughing hysterically – especially the bits about the chenille robe and conjugating verbs, and your description of how all men should receive you. American males should be just so dashing.
I am coming to Paris for three days in April and have never been. . . any tips?
– Lauren
Ladaisi Blog
Hi,
Paris, love it! Try Le Restaurant in Montmartre, D’Orsay over the Louvre, stroll through the residential streets of the 7th where you can see the Tower away from all the crowds, hang out in Luxembourg Gardens, any café will do but avoid the Champs-Elysees as it’s really overpriced! Take it all in. There’s really no need to do all the tourist stuff. Just walk and look, it’s so beautiful. Anyone else have Paris tips here?
Totally agree on the Musée d’Orsay over the Louvre. The Orangerie and the Rodin museum are both charming and intimate and have wonderful works of art — Monet is featured at the Orangerie, and it’s at one end of the Tuileries so the location is perfect for the origin or destination of a casual stroll through the gardens, which ought to be nice in April. And if you favor long walks, there is a huge garden that runs through the entire city, long and narrow, which is lovely. Not that I remember the name of it, but it’s pretty hard to miss on a map. We walked it once for three hours and only turned around because we hit the peripherique and didn’t feel like crossing the highway.
So how IS the French coming along??? Two teachers indeed!
Hi Bobbi,
Just a voice from your far distant past, e.g. Physiology, Pharmacology, 1st and 2nd Year at MUN Med. I can empathize with you love of the French countryside, spent a few weeks in 2006 living in Pezenas and touring the countryside there while enjoying the ambience of the more than 2 millenia of history of that little town (and the great wine and petit pan chocolat every morning). Want to get back again.
I also have dropped out, albeit not to a place as exotic as your locale (Newbury, ON). In my case it happened after the powers that be decided I was too old to teach medical students and do research, or at least get paid for doing that. So I have switched to the building trades and am building my own “final resting place” with my own hands although not doing much resting :) Being an early adopter of computers (1967) and loving to talk and explain stuff it was natural for me to blog http://tedspassivesolarhouse.wordpress.com the whole process. Have been at it now for 2.5 years and hope to actually be living in the house before too much longer.
Really enjoy your posts.
Ted Hoekman
He kissed your hand did he ! this is one for the strange things happen to strangers dept.This does however prove beyond any doubt, that Jean Jacque’s observations where spot on , nothing less would provoke such an action from any french man . That and maybe Mr. le mayor, for but the briefest of moments ,forgot that you are not American .
Hi. I found your blog through Laura Freelance’s blog and am now going to follow you. You have a very interesting blog and love the blog design too.
bonjour à vous 2 et bienvenue à Semur !!
j(y vis depuis 5 ans at, comme vous pouvez le voir sur mon site, jy accueille des “estrangers” qui souhaitent connaître la France sous divers aspects: la langue d’abord, mais aussi le mode de pensée et de vie, la cuisine, la culture, les paysages, …
écrivez-moi, je serais ravie de vous inviter à prendre un café !!
cordialement
maryse
http://www.la-petite-classe.com