Well the mid-life crisis culinary tour has finally launched! Thank you to all who have encouraged this mischievous behavior and enabled me to dissolve my life entirely and fly to a country I've never been to with a language I don't speak to live with people I don't know. Scary, exciting, nerve racking and a once in a life time opportunity. I promise I won't let you all down. Apparently I have several people back at home living vicariously through me right now so I best make the most of it.
I arrived yesterday at Jo and Nick's house. A lovely British couple living in Saint Gaudens, France. They have a beautiful 1934 classic French house that they have been renovating for the past ten years. I know that sounds like a long time but they, unlike most Americans, are taking their time and only renovating what they can afford, little by little and all on their own. They are very hard workers and their home is beautiful. I will try to take some photos tomorrow and post for people to see.
So here's my first discovery that sent me for a bit of a spin. Turns out they have stores here that are more or less exactly like Wal-Mart! A huge box store with way to much shit crammed inside and none if it worth a damn. Everything from avocados to socks to jumper cables. So very disappointing France. This whole time I had this impression that the French were snooty and stuck up but at least it was for a reason. Exceptional bread, pride of their food, rustic farm to table style meals everywhere. That is not the case so far. I don't want trouble out the entire country but so far it has been less than snob-worthy.
On my way toSaint Gaudens I had to stop in Toulouse to get the train but had a couple hours to kill so I snuck across the street to this charming bistro with seating on the patio and big open windows. place wasn't overly busy but it was only 11:30 so the lunch rush hadn't really come through yet. For me however it felt more like 8:00 at night due to the traveling so I was starving.
As I walk into the bistro I see the bartender walking around setting the tables. I also notice there isn't a sign stating whether you should seat yourself or wait to be seated. I know how annoying it is when a customer assumes they should seat themselves and then gets pissed when you don't see them hidden in the corner and they end up waiting. So I stand in the dining room and wait while this guys sets the
tables. After standing there like an asshole for what felt like 20 minutes I walk up to him and ask if I can grab a table. He says to go ahead and walks away. From this point on I proceeded to have the worst service followed by the worst meal I think I've ever had. And in France no less!!! I ordered a glass of wine and it came out in a strange latte style glass with not a drop more that three ounces. That took him ten minutes to complete. I placed my order and he was out of the croque Monsieur. I asked what he suggested instead and he said that the ham sandwich was nice. Perfect, I said. I'll have that. Cue another twenty minutes and with not a single letter of exaggeration I am given ano eight inch piece of baguette, cut open with
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