From Right Here

I can’t say I just spent a whole day taking pictures of normal French people. I can’t categorize any person as normal, especially French! I spent Sunday at a Festival of “welcome”, a brilliant idea by the city of Montpellier, that invites every association, dance school, choral group, mosaic-workshop, gay/lesbian club, karate class in the greater Languedoc area to come and give out information to the public.

It was a beautiful day to appreciate how nice it is to live for a few months in one of France’s largest cities, where culture is king. Here’s some photos of Montpellierians…and French people, whom I try to impersonate on a daily basis.

Salsa dancing is VERRYYY popular in Montpellier. It may be because Montpellier is a huge cultural center for dance, with many dane schools and its own yearly dance festival - Montpellier Dance. They also had their own country line-dancing group.

Even when women are dressed “comfortably” in France, they always wear jewelery, and have great hair. Love her bag, too! And don’t even think of wearing sweats unless you’re headed to the gym…it’s just weird.

Right after Bastille Day something tres bizarre happens in France.

EVERYONE GOES ON VACATION

Now, I know you’re thinking - Oh Channon, of course, people like to go on vacation in the summer. But do not underestimate this statement - EVERYONE GOES ON VACATION. Entire cities up and leave their houses and apartments and go vacationing in other cities. Stores and restaurants close. Everything has shorter hours. At my little (air-conditioneless) gym, they offer 10 classes instead of 30. My cute little tram (pictured above) runs slower and less often. (not to mention, the tram workers have decided to hold a stike every Saturday evening until the government increases their salary, how sweet).

The local newspaper, Montpelier Plus, goes on vacation for a month and a half- apparently, since everyone is on vacation, no one does anything and there is NO NEWS! How convenient!

Of course, if you are one of the lucky on vacation right now, you are very very happy. No one at work gets pissed that you get to go on vacation and they have to sit tight and keep the boss happy (who undoubtedly calls in ridiculous requests from their vacation home on the shore). And you get to go somewhere and actually enjoy it, because one month is enough time to really let the air out.

Of course, if you are that 1% that doesn’t get to go on vacation, like the poor teachers at my school, you might get a little annoyed. Or, you may just consider switching jobs so you can split along with everyone else!