Speaking, Paying and Driving

Anthon was the first awake Saturday morning and was asking to investigate the market outside our window; and Emmeline came downstairs and was ready to join us.  So we went for a walk on our first morning in St. Aignan ("Market Day") and watched as the booths were begin constructed and the vehicles pulled into the square and opened up the side displaying their meats or cheeses or vegetables and were open for business.

Speaking and Paying:
We browsed and finally settled on some baguettes and goat cheese. At the cheese stand, the very nice lady packaged our cheese and quoted a price. I had no clue what amount she stated, and I simply asked if she spoke english and presented her with coins in one of my hands and some Euro bills in the other. She quickly counted through the bills and coins and took the cost of the cheese and gave us a very nice "merci" and "au revoir".

Again, we thought more people would speak English.

I apprecaited the approach of the lady at the bakery stand; she would print the receipt and show us the amount.  Emmeline took her turn at the bakery asking for two baguettes and presenting a 5 euro bill and and handing it over she began to walk off feelling very successful in her purchase. I stopped Emmeline from walking away as her 4 euro's in change was returned from the baker.

Later today, Grace also successfully placed her order at the bakery stand and was so pleased with her overcoming the language barrier that she immediately walked off with her bread while the baker called out for her to pay. Fortunately, Scharman was there to supply some Euros.

I currently rely entirely on saying hello (bon jour), thank you (merci), excuse me (pardon), good bye (au revoir); and, I attempt to calculate the cost of any items so when the price is quoted I simply present approximately enough money and wait for change. So far, so good. Contrary to what we have read, which might only apply to Paris, the people have been very gracious and accommodating and willing to walk with us through the language barrier.  Surprisingly, we have encountered a handful of Brits who engage us in a bit of chatter in English which is a welcome connection to the people who live here.

Driving:
We are driving a Peugeot Expert Tepee.  The goal was a vehicle large enough to contain our 6 person family with luggage and have some level of comfort as we are contemplating a drive to Provence and a day at the beach in the Mediterranean; followed by a long drive back to Paris for the final week of our trip.  But it seems that either no-one has a 6 person family or they carry fewer pieces of luggage in our little village of St. Aignan, or more likely that they did not have our vehicle in mind when they built these streets, because on the first day of driving around this town I have been caught in a pinch 4 times--where we could not go forward without reversing several times to reposition the angle of the vehicle to make it around the corner.  Imagine not knowing what is ahead... deadend, tight corner, blocked street.

Driving down streets where you wonder if your mirrors will nick the wall of someone's house or be able to squeeze past the pedestrians sharing the same skinny street.  You never know where the street will lead you and if it will have room at the end for your vehicle; and if you are being followed by a car you might not have any way out.

But despite this anxiety producing experience, it is fun; and when someone comes to assist you in making the turn you simply answer in English, and they give you an understanding nod that indicates: "oh, you're not from here."

Scharman is already asking to replace our suburban with this smaller Peugeot. Can you get one of these in Utah?
-Matt