I can't believe how much I've driven today. I had a two-hour lesson with the auto-ecole in Limoux, then I drove home got JM and drove back to Limoux for an appointment at the Chamber of Commerce. By the time we got back to Chalabre, I was exhausted.
Mostly it was tiring though, because today was market day in Limoux and traffic sucked. Kind of like being back in L.A., but on a smaller scale. And, of course, I'm trying to re-learn how to drive the way the examiner will want me to drive on Monday. I asked Jean-Luc how he thought I did, and he was very positive, so I hope that bodes well for the exam itself.
I'm still feeling frustrated over the issue of whether I'm going to have to drive with a probationary license or not, though. I can't really seem to get a straight answer. The auto-ecole thinks "yes," but the online site I used to study for the Code cited me something that indicates "no." I'm trying to find more precision to that answer, so we can take something official looking to the prefecture to plead my case.
It's not even the fact that I'll have fewer points on my license. It's all about two things for me. One, it will be annoying to have to drive at 10 km an hour slower than everyone else on the country roads and 20 kmh slower on the autoroute. Two, and this is the biggie for me, it is UNFAIR. I've had a license for 36 years and I really do know how to drive. If I'd come from any other place that simply exchanges licenses with France, I'd have a "normal" license. Although, I would NOT have studied the Code de la Route, and would, in my opinion, be a less informed driver.
Clearly, this regulation was badly written. I'm not willing to just rollover and take the scarlet A as a given. I want to get a ruling of some kind. Does that seem stubborn? I don't care. I am a good driver and don't want to be penalized because California can't be bothered doing some paperwork.
Before I get started on today's blog, I wanted to answer a question from faithful reader, Marianne, who wanted to know what AAA stood for. Apparently you get some pretty strange results when you Google it!
Marianne, it's the Automobile Association of America, commonly known as the Auto Club. Also, when we talk about it, we actually call it "Triple A." They have all kinds of services, similar to the French Auto Club. But most of us have it because they pretty much will come anywhere to help you if your car breaks down.
While we're on the subject of cars, I'm progressing on my French driver's license. Monday is the "practical" exam, where I will go out with an inspector from the Prefecture and hopefully not run over any pedestrians or small animals. Today, I had my first driving lesson in the dual control car. I was pleased to note that my instructor, Jean-Luc, did not have a heart attack while I was driving. Always a good sign.
It was an interesting experience, because after driving for 36 years, you pretty much feel as if you know it all. But, what you DON'T know, is what the examiner will be looking for during the test. And, of course, you're driving a different car that you have to get used to. Besides, with Beanie being an automatic, it always takes me a little bit of time to get re-used to shifting gears. So, although I hate spending the money (I'm cheap, I know), I actually think the five hours of lessons are a good idea. By next Monday, I should feel comfortable in the driving school's car and I hope I will have developed some of the new habits that I need to pass the test.
For those of you who occasionally check out my website, we'vemade some changes to the layout to make it easier to find information about Chalabre, the artisans, the region, etc. We plan to add some new features in the coming weeks, so check it out if you're interested.
New pictures should be going up later today. They are courtesy of our friend, local librarian Noëlle. She took them during JM's Monday afternoon encounter with the local Primary school students, when he helped them to draw a page of comcs. Their chosen subject: SPIDERMAN IN TAHITI! Marvel Comics, eat your hearts out.
One of the things I've been really missing from L.A. is Chinese food. Here, most often when we go out for Chinese food, it's really Vietnamese food. Which is great. But it's not Chinese food. So, I decided that the only thing to do is to make my own.
Now, theoretically, this isn't a big problem. Except that we live in a part of France where you just don't run into all that many Chinese grocery stores. It's funny how, when you live in a big city like L.A. or London or Paris, you take finding just about any exotic ingredient that you want for granted. Here, it's a bit of a project.
There IS an Asian grocery in Toulouse; however, driving three hours round trip to buy Hoi Sin sauce (amongst other things) seems a bit silly. So, after much research, I was able to find a big, Asian market that sells online. I did kind of go crazy, but it's easier to get a large order with no shipping charges, rather than make several small orders and pay an extra 8 to 10 euros each time.
Small problem though, when it came time to check out, there was no place to pay using my credit card. I called and found out that they only accept payment by check, because a lot of people in France are still very resistant to using their bank cards to pay online. No problem, I can get a check out tomorrow.
But, while I was speaking with the lovely woman who runs the company, she told me that she had just gotten notice of a postal strike in the Paris area mid-week. She didn't want me to have to wait until NEXT week to get my order, so she decided to post it to me tomorrow morning, before she gets my check! I thought that was so nice of her. Seriously, I could have lived without sesame oil for another week.
I'm always amazed at how easy it is to deal with most people here, after years of everyone (including the French!!!) telling me how non-customer oriented business are here. So far, all of my experiences, even when there have been small problems, have been pleasant and worked out great, with one notable exception at the DARTY at the Place de la Republique in Paris last December and the rather bizarre attitude at the Super U in Mirepoix when I returned a terrible coffee maker.
The rest of today has also been interesting. This morning, we were back in Limoux at the unemployment office, where I was checking in about my rather pitiful job hunting results. My counselor was very nice and we got my file up-to-date. Unfortunately, when we left, I made the embarrassing discovery that I hadn't turned off my headlights (it was a bit foggy driving in) and Beanie's battery was DOA. Let's just say that JM wasn't overly thrilled at me. Luckily, there was a garage right around the corner and they were able to give us a jump. The 22 km drive home hopefully charged the battery so that next time I go out, I won't need any further assistance. I don't think I've done anything like that in about 20 years.
I need to find out if there is anything here like AAA. Considering how isolated you often are when you drive around here, it would be good to have. I guess I need to do some more research to find out.
Final bit of news for today: JM is over at the library helping the 10 and 11-year-olds to draw their own page of comics, as part of an exhibit on how books are made. I can't wait for him to get home and tell me how it all went.
