A SAFA in France

What an amazing place France is. I cannot recommend it enough to anyone who wants to visit. Of course I’d recommend living here even more, but lets focus on a few other things in the meantime.

Around every corner the country seems to just breath history. As you pass vineyards, lakes, mountains, tiny towns that aren’t even on map you get the sense that each rock has been kicked at least like a billion times, and that these valleys have seen more wars than JZ has children.

 Having made the decision to come to France for the first time a few years back, was a combination of realizing a goal as well as confronting a few romanticisms head on. Like for example; living in the South Of France.

I was stationed in a little military port/town called Toulon, about an hour outside St. Tropez and Marseilles in either direction. No one told me though that the city, although pretty much on the edge of the French Riviera was more like East London (SA’s version not London’s) than East Awesome. But never the matter…

Wine festival in Duras

The surrounding area was truly amazing…Provence is everything its cracked up to be. Full of the kind of naturalistic beauty and charm that all those guide books go on ad naseum about. And full of the kind of beautiful ruined medieval villages and tiny little vineyards that make it seem like you’re walking through a storybook, or a movie. The country side is really breathtaking, and at the risk of going on and on (like those darned guide books) you never quite run out of scenery in this country, something that we can relate to as South African’s. With the kind of country that makes tourists flock to our end of the world every year.

What France trumps us in every time besides all that history, is being in Europe; where a spliff and some good times is waiting only a hour away in Amsterdam. (EasyJet, one of the UK’s and Europe’s low cost airlines, is offering flights at around 40-60 Euros from Gatwick To Schipol) Traveling in Europe is disgustingly easy and cheap. As a Saffa sitting on the end of the African continent, an hour flight doesn’t really take you anywhere, but here?! You can go populate the world with your seed! Just remember to take that shower afterwards.

Castle in neighbouring Perigord region

This second trip to France and the decision to continue my love affair with the country has taken me to the South West (some say the cradle of rugby in the country) but certainly known for all its amazing wine (Bordeaux is an hour away by car) and its amazing Duck and Foie Gras. The produce here is amazing! One of the most beautiful aspects of the French lifestyle is the morning market rush, where all the local organic producers from around the area congregate to delight the taste buds and sense. Its just business as usual or the locals, but for a tourist, its awesome. And yes the French LOVE their baguette, and after a few days here so will you!

Filet Mignon...good!!!

 So I basically went from the Mediterranean to the Lot Valley and was greeted by a completely different culture, mindset and experience. All the rough strokes were the same, but ‘the devil is in the detail’ so they say.

Oh yeah and then there’s the French. What an interesting bunch. As emotional and passionate as everyone says (and doesn’t say) and far more friendly and polite than they’re reputation gives them credit for. But don’t expect top get anywhere quickly on the roads…if you’re in a rush, you’ll be screaming bloody murder before the ride’s over. I think on a sliding scale there’d be African time…which most of us are familiar with, and then there’s French time.

(little night market below)

Night Market 

 If you need something fixed or seen to in a week, expect someone to get to you in about 3. They are the only country in the world SURELY where restaurants are opened for lunch ONLY between 12-2. I’ve been turned away from a full restaurant and busy kitchen on numerous occasions because I got to the restaurant just before the close of service (2pm). Sure you can pick up a baguette at the local boulangeirie…but that’s if you can find one that’s open.

Ok ok its not all that bad, but if you’re traveling around the country side, popping into some little French villages whilst on holiday, make sure you time things well enough to be hungry and walking into a restaurant between 12 and 2pm. And closer to 12! 

[And just a little tip of the side: The French LOVE their country, try trow a little french around and show how much you appreciate their culture and love their country and they shall love you right back!]

Au Revior et a bientot

 I could write a book about France, honestly I love this place, and even when I hate it, I love it. But any longer and I’m going be losing your attention, so let us leave it there…feel free to send my any questions of places you’re thinking about going, or just tweet the hell out of me @RossSkeate, oh yeah and I'm constantly posting photos like the ones you see above on Instagram (find me there @skeato)

Anyways!!! All my love and ill be chatting to you soon, and writing more regularly I promise.