Processions and Travelers in France and England

I heard from someone that in England, locals consider caravans as a trouble to driving. This is because generally, when a passenger automobile is behind a caravan, there's a big chance that the car wouldn't be able to overtake the caravan. This is because a caravan moves at a slow pace because of its considerable size. Surprisingly, this uncommon type of excursion's popularity has increased lately, only because the British Foreign Secretary likes it and has promoted it in England.

But unlike the British, the French love to travel this way and offers one of the finest way to travel and sightsee around the country by caravans. This manner of traveling by motor vehicle gives you the freedom to go where you want without a strict plan. Another advantage of traveling by caravan is it supports you enough to save on accommodation expenses.

The village of Fayence in Var is the most fitting place to explore when going on a visit in caravan. It's one of the most lively villages in France and it's also a plus that they have the most welcoming locals around. Fayence's main appeal is its nostalgic surroundings, very much like the villages in period films where they show medieval French villages.

After a swift tour today in Fayence, our convoy went on a stop-over to look at a small number
of other villages; soon, we finally had a picnic at Lake Saint Cassien. Remembering my tour,
I enjoyed myself immensely even if almost all the French cottages I've seen have the same design. The caravan is just unbelievable and made me more spellbound with France.

Observing the Excursionists in France

In the summer, it is very captivating to see and observe the many excursionists driving on the road in France. They are all gleefully traveling towards southern France. This region of France counts as one of the most prominent tourist spots in the world.

Around eighty percent of the passengers of vans I see are tourists or visitors from other parts of the continent. The travelers buying their necessities most often come from England, the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy. The French visitors come from metropolitan areas like Paris, Rennes, Lyon, and Lille. Among the motor vehicles you can notice are caravans, large trailers, trucks and minis.

The British manuever new and trendy cars of the hottest models. They pay fees to reserve in great suites from one to two weeks.

The Dutch, on the other hand, come in spacious caravans and hope to stay in well-built campsites. They all take turns in safeguarding their goods, which come in large packages. I thought they transported everything from food to bicycles, all of which I saw inside their caravans. I think they brought the bicycles to avoid paying for more charges.

Some Germans, meanwhile, veer off with their large caravans, of which most trendy models have computerized panels. I spotted another group of highly strung Germans riding their trendy motorbikes and fixing their well-built tents later during the day.

Finally, the Italians are notorious for their manner of driving. I can count how many times those spacious caravans change directions right in the middle of the road and then suddenly jerk between two tracks. They drive and swerve and then they cheerfully turn to you and gesture to you with hands dancing in the air!

Kissing Friends and everyone you Encounter is good for you

French locals crave for kisses. Now I am talking about this nice and regular kissing on both cheeks in every juncture. French people are so affecttionate that kissing is done all the time when you meet individuals and when you bid each other farewell.

For example, I observed a young woman take a train; later, she saw her girl friends in the coach. I promptly saw a succession of perky displays of kisses from the young girls. It's somewhat shocking since Americans are not so...how shall I say this, adoring individuals. I was suddenly keen about the kissing habits of the French that I asked my tour guide about it.

According to my tour guide, the rate of kisses you give depends on how close you are to a fellow. If the person is a member of your family whom you interact with constantly, you only kiss the person once on each cheek. Should he be a girlfriend, or acquaintance, kiss both his or her cheeks twice. On top of this, if the person is a member of your family or a close friend whom you have not seen for a long year, you also kiss the person twice on both cheeks.

Sometimes, both these examples of kisses happen on just one incident. My tour guide told me there was one occasion when he got around with some new friends; right after they met at the restaurant, they all kissed each other once on the cheek. After a lengthy meal and a very engaging banter, they all kissed each other on each cheek twice just before saying goodbye.

Amusement in Exploring France

A delightful sightseeing in France involves traveling to the country's ancient caves and seeing the pre-historic drawings of its first inhabitants. Dated to be as old as the Bronze Age, the captivating images show the life of the pre-historic tribes living before in France.

These fascinating people depend largely on pasture land and animals for their sustainment. Surrounding this mesmerizing ancient spot are old and well-preserved abodes from the last century. A lot of upper class families living in France are enticed to live in modern versions of these gorgeousexquisite houses because they like the elegant style.

After my outing in the outskirts of France, I went back to my apartment.
I slept for a short time but was awakened by the sounds of gaiety from outside my room.
I stood up and peeped outside my window and saw a cheerful parade marching on the street.
There were also noises coming from minors distributing candy and vivid festival ribbons. They knocked and thumped on each door and coaxed residents to get out of their pajamas and gaily march with the parade!

Leave it to the French for being definite party-makers. A similar festive event happened last night when there was music and festivity in the village plaza and the car park was converted into a lively dancing space. A bulky tent was set up and festooned with colorful lights like a lively night spot in one of the cities. The party went on until daylight and I could still hear the music and the festivity when I fell asleep.

Feasts and Friendship in French Affairs

In France, there is an unwritten protocol during formal meals. Decorum sets off with meal invitations to would-be guests sent via courier, email, or phone. Contrary to widespread opinion, invited guests are arranged to arrive on time for the meal. If the dinner is due to start at 8 PM, it is common courtesy to inform the hosts if you would be late.

The host will serve a display of aperitif as soon as the people arrive. It could be any kind of liquor, or other choices of alcoholic cocktail. After about an hour of tête-à-tête the hostess will announce that that dinner is served and will accompany everyone to their seats.

The formal meal itself starts with a modest serving of an entree. It is frequently arranged with a
a glass of liquor. Afterwards, the hostess cleans up all the used plates, save a different variety of silverware which will be used again for the main meal.

The main course arrives and the collection of liqour are also displayed. At the end of the meal, a plate of varied displays of cheese are given out. Dessert is served afterwards with an alcoholic refreshments, specially served at the end of the meal. The guests gather in the living room and coffee is served either with a tiny drop of milk or simply black. The socialization will continue until the end of the revelry when the guests gather to say farewell to the hosts.

It's amusing to note that in French gatherings, even the seating arrangements present meanings to the most socially keen individual. In well-off affairs, the closer a guest is seated to the hosts, the more affluent a guests is.

Some Ideas from Important Findings in France

Humans and animals have lived co-existed for many years. Humans' dealings with animals has generally gotten better over the years and we now treat them with respect and care. However, for the longest time, people thought that we are rare beings and greater than other animals in our planet. However, recent investigations in the field of science are progressively changing our view toward animals.

Recently, the dissimilarity between man and animals has been confounded by a discovery in the field of Ethnology. Earlier research and its succeeding discoveries indicate that we share
ninety-eight percent of our genetic matter with animals, like the great apes. In addition, the prior findings also report that humans share eighty percent of our genes with other animals, like rodents.

French Ethnology research head Claude Baudoin comments that what's important is the
meager type of functioning genes in our bodies. However, the issue has already sparked a series of questions and the type of statement being implied by the study further confounds the mystery in the field of Ethnology. People and experts alike are still at this instant locked in the deliberation of finally compromising the blurred distinction between man and animal.

Sampling Cuisine Along the French-Italian Border

Try taking a food visit around France and you would enjoy whatever dish you would find, I tell you. We went to the French-Italian border area, one day, and we had the finest time sampling everything.

For lunch, we went to a tiny spot in the Trans-en-Provence, which is ten minutes by car from our home in the central Var region; the place boasts of your typical small but beautiful village with the medieval architecture, low stone houses, and elaborate fountains. The hidden restaurant we found served absolutely delicious and disturbingly cheap food. We had a chicken tagine, which is actually from Morocco and forms part of the amazing Mediterranean influence in France.

For dinner, we went towards Italy at the adorable Italian restaurant Palanca. We were dreaming of a courtly time because of the excellent cuisine and romantic ambiance but unfortunately, it was closed. We decided to wander to Airole, the nearby village, but again it was closed. In contrast to a few weeks ago, the whole region was very packed with tourists but apparently, everything was lonely.

At that time, we decided to ask an old man walking in the street what was going on and he replied everyone closed shop early to go home and watch the football duel; of course, each game is like a obsession. This is especially true if the two countries that are playing it emptied the roads and closed all the restaurants.

So, for dinner at that time, we just settled for your regular pizza; it was the most tasty I have ever tasted since I was so hungry already!

More Memorable Feasts in French Cities

Every village in France is regularly organizing a group to provide lively entertainment. Aside from these, a popular activity is the village sale, which is held to empty the attics. The event is normally done on Sundays or public holidays in major villages.

The village sale lets visitors bargain for different things and assorted knick-knacks dating from the nineteenth century. There are both cheap and expensive items being sold to customers. People who always come and patronize these events will eventually gather enough merchandise, which they can also enter in the event and sell as their own things!

Another memorable affair is the summer beach affair in Paris. In July, the residents in the capital city don't need to go on a long and back-breaking holiday just to go to the beach; instead, the beach will come to Paris!

This summer indulgence truly comes in the form of The Paris Beach, which is seen to be open to the public from early morning to midnight, everyday, for one whole month. Settled at the city center, a few kilometers on both sides of the Seine, the site will be remodeled into a holiday resort, an artificial beach where tons of sand will be waiting for the holiday makers. Lots of programs are anticipated to be included in the affair: live concerts, film showings, sports programs, and games for kids. In addition, a bathing pool for adults and another pool for children will be created and will be accessible for free.

Late Summer Events to Observe in France

It has been a tradition for the Fire Department to hold their own dance, wherein the firemen are the stars of the spectacle. Usually parties of this style abound in late summer or the period from the last week of June until the last week of September.

The spectacle is typified by very long days, where the sun sets only after nine in the evening and the days are smoking and the temperature can go as high as 38 degrees. During the time, the weather is so hot that most people do their gardening and household menial things in nothing but their bathing suits. Most homes also install their own swimming pools, either an assembled plastic thing laid on the garden or the traditional ones set in the ground. With this, a documentary even asserted that France comes second with the most number of swimming pools, after the United States.

As soon as the sun sets, the weather gets fine and it becomes very tempting to hold dinners in the garden or in terraces. Summer always means lovely evening meals and celebrations, with almost all residences entertaining friends and holding parties. The party atmosphere penetrates not only the private domiciles but also infests the whole village, the plaza, the churches, and the buildings where concerts, dances, and shows are held.