Old Discoveries

Yesterday marked the 1 week point that we have been back in Montpellier.  And what a week it has been!! 

It's very interesting being back in a place that we lived for almost a year, but then left for what we thought was only going to be 3 weeks and turned into 4 months.  Because of that, we felt we didn't have a real sense of closure from this place, so it has been great to be back in order to have that.  But also, it's been so great to see people we loved dearly and also re-visit things we both loved and were frustrated about this city.

Here are some of my favorites re-discoveries:

• Picard Surgelés: Yes, that's in Jean-Luc Picard...any Trekkies out there?  Anyway, true story: we lived here for a long time and never went there because we thought they sold surgical supplies.  That was before we knew that "surgelés" meant "frozen food".  It's actually not a surgical supply store, but a frozen food store, and we love it!!!  I know, maybe that sounds lame or weird, but it's really yummy and fresh frozen food, anything from ice cream to duck to veggies to cakes to chopped fruit.  True story again:  The last two nights we had dinner made from food we bought from Picard - duck, smiley potato fries (that JJ picked out) and carrot/potato/cheddar soup.  Yummm!
• Baguettes, baguettes, and more baguettes:  We asked JJ what the first thing he wanted to do in Montpellier was, and he said, "Eat a baguette."  He also wanted to visit his favorite playground, which we did.  A warm baguette, freshly made, for under 1 euro, with some butter - there's nothing like it.
• Raclette:  I went to the store and one of the things we had to have was Raclette cheese.  I think it was the 2nd night here, we had Raclette, with sausage, potatoes, peppers, and of course Raclette cheese.  Seriously...so yummy!
• No Fear:  There is no fear here on the streets of Montpellier; with the cars, buses, motorcyclists, the bikers or even the walkers.  It's a free for all.  Pedestrians do not seem to have the right away, a car will seriously run you over.  Bikers and motorcyclists weave in and out of traffic constantly.  We can't complain about that one, because we are them when we're on our bikes.  But, yikes.  I know traffic rules must exist here, I just don't see very many people following them. 
• Biking:  The first night here, I got on my bike was off to the grocery store.  That was one thing I grew to love, biking everywhere.  Espcecially I love to bike to the store with my backpack, because it's exercise, and it helps me buy only the things we need, instead of want.  I love winding through the city with that sense of freedom, and the feeling of the wind in my face.  I hope we can do the same in Zagreb. 
• Lots of Extras:  These things don't seem weird to the French because it's normal to them.  But, I forgot how so many little things are different.  For example: 
• We can only use a grocery cart if we have 1 euro, otherwise they are all chained together.
• We can only leave the parking garage at Ikea if we first pay in person at a special place, otherwise you are stuck at the gate and have to back up and make a lot of people angry.
• You have to weigh all your own fruits and vegetables and put a price sticker on them before you go to the check-out line.
• We have to light our stove with a lighter.
• The milk comes in small cardboard cartons - we have to drink less or we are making a lot of trips to the store. The good news is though that the milk doesn't have to be refrigerated if they're not open.
• Our feet are freezing because the floors are all tile.  Slippers are a must. 
• Driving is Hard:  This is all a matter of perspective, and is heightened when you've spent time out of the country and are trying to get used to it again.  
• We live/lived in a very complicated neighborhood of Montpellier because the main street is being converted into the new Tramway.  So, driving around here is like driving through a giant maze that changes every couple of days.  It can take you 1/2 hour to drive a few kilometers.
• Doctors and Insurance:  I know some may disagree with me, but I really like the French Medical system.  
• I had to go to the Doctors and get some blood work done.  Without any insurance, that trip in total cost me 40 euros (which is $54 with current exchange rate).  I couldn't believe it!  AND that amount is fully reimbursable for the people who are in the "system".  That was my out of pocket expense WITHOUT insurance.  That's it???  In America, due to some tail bone pain I was having, I once had an ultrasound and x-ray done, and seriously it cost me $700 out of pocket WITH insurance. 
• Also, one does not have to make an appointment to see a doctor here.  I literally walked in, told them why I was there, and saw a doctor in 5 minutes. 
• I also was able to see any doctor I wanted to.  You look in the phone book and go.  You don't have to see this doctor only if he/she is in a "provider network" and you can go to a specialist, even if you don't have a "referral" from your Primary Care Physician. 

Being a part of a new culture and system partly makes you appreciate things about your own culture, but also appreciate new things about the ways other cultures do things.  It's not all rosy and easy, quite the contrary.  Being part of a system that is so different from yours is very stretching at first, and feels like constant tension, until finally you realize the tension is less and less, and this is the acclimation part of slowly becoming part of a new system.

And now we get to dive into a whole new culture and system of doing things, and with it will come all sort of emotions.  I'm partly excited, terrified, and anxious; just how I felt before we moved to France.  But I look forward to how we will adjust to our new culture, new emotions and all.  One thing is for sure, it will be no less than a grand adventure.