My husband and I just recently returned from an amazing, whirlwind trip of France. This trip, having been something that we have talked about for years, was even more incredible than we had originally anticipated! We decided to take this trip as reason to, pardon the expression, kill two birds with one stone... With our five-year wedding anniversary quickly approaching, we wanted this to be partially an anniversary celebration. On the other hand, we have talked about moving to France for some time and we really wanted to go and see the country from which our dreams spring!
France really was incredible. Being back, I really realize how great they have it across "the pond." One of the things I really came to appreciate about the French was their commitment to a slower pace of life. I had always heard about the French and their long lunches and you know, it really is true! If we tried to hit up a town during the lunch hours, the only places open were cafes, restaurants, and bars/tabac shops. This really shows that even the working class get to have a leisurely lunch, go home, perhaps even take a short siesta before returning to work. How wonderful!
People seem more relaxed over there. Maybe because they don't have to worry about healthcare costs in the same way that we do? Over here, with no insurance, forget about it. One medical emergency or even worse, a long-term sickness in the family, and you are ruined financially and emotionally. Maybe they are just healthier, did you know that GMO (or as the French call it OGM) crops are banned within Frances' borders? Considering how hard it is to acquire non-GMO foods in this country, it felt really awesome eating over there, where I had a degree of safety over my food! I know that there is controversy over whether or not it is safe to consume GMO foods, for now I am happy to omit as much of it from my diet as possible. I do not trust or support its largest backer, Monsanto.
In any case, I cannot forget about the delectable food! I have to first say this, I wish that the bakeries in my area could create treats and breads even half as good as what we ate over in France! I kid you not, every single boulangerie that we entered was like walking into a pastry-laden dream! Pain aux raisins, pain au chocolats, croissants, tarte aux pommes, meringues, beignets and so on and so on... Every piece was delicately decorated and shaped. I wanted to buy one of everything! Only my lactose intolerance held me back! But oh, how I wanted to try those little cakes, the slices of mouth-watering flan and the custard-topped tarts. Every town seemed to have at least one of these boulangeries and some had multiple ones! In a culture where buying bread daily from your local baker is paramount, it makes sense that each and every ones of these bakeries is central to the life and happiness of its own village or city.
It was something in the air. It was something in the food. It was something in the sunsets. It was a certain je ne sais quoi. It was like returning to a place I had already known before, a certain sense of familiarity hung about me as I walked the cobblestone streets and glanced into the windows of the boulangeries. Sipping a cafe, chewing on a flaky, buttery croissant, and watching the people as they drift on by.
Going to France has spurred my desire to learn how to create delectable pastries and breads, as I write this I have four loaves of French bread rising in the kitchen. Tomorrow morning I hope to bake them and have some fresh baked bread alongside an omelet! Next project? Making the perfect, flaky croissant!
Bonne nuit!
- Night Owl
