On food...

It certainly wouldn't be profound of me to pontificate about the delicious qualities of French food, but I've seen enough things here that just wouldn't fly in the States to make me want to blog about it. I started thinking about this on Wednesday, when I went with my friend Nichole to the French equivalent of a fondue party. There were about 10 of us who got together for a dinner party at this kid named Maxime's apartment. Upon arriving, we learned that we would be eating raclette, and that's where the adventure began.

Raclette is made with special "raclette machines," which are basically hot plates with little trays in them. Everyone takes a tray, puts a piece of "pungent" cheese in/on it, and then shoves the tray back into its slot. When the cheese is browned and bubbling, you take it and pour it on prosciutto, saucisson, potatoes, etc. I don't think I've ever consumed so much prosciutto in one sitting, but I'd like to try again. Amazingly, the French people ate nearly twice what Nichole and I could hold down. I don't get it! Consider me sold on raclette...

In other food news, I would like to describe what "school lunch" means to these people. No chicken nuggets, no hamburgers, no pizza - instead, we eat steak frites, moussaka, and cassoulet. Also the meal is served family style, and on real plates. To start, there is some kind of salad, and not iceberg with ranch dressing. Last Friday, it was beet salad. It's pretty amazing to watch what comes out of the kitchens there.

Also of note, you can buy a bag on individually wrapped crab legs, just for when you're on the go and can't do without seafood. It comes with a little tub of mayonnaise, too!

Ah, la belle France!