Other than learning from experience to book a TGV well ahead of time, I've picked up more French tidbits over the last few days. For example, at dinner last night, A and I learned from a lovely old French couple that if the receipt says "service compris", you should consider leaving a 5% tip, though you are not obligated. (I was reminded about the SMIC, or French minimum wage, which allows waiters to earn more than they would in the States). We also had a small adventure with counterfeit euros, but were forgiven by our jovial waiter, thus inspiring us to leave him something slightly more than 5%.
After dinner, A and I headed to the fireworks display over the ocean, in celebration of Bastille Day, and danced to a slow parade of moving band-floats. The streets were packed with merry-makers, who either held sleeping children or half-empty bottles of wine in their hands.
This morning, we set our alarm to wake us up early, and hit the beach before the crowds. I went on a wonderful run, and wound my way up the Ancien Chateau, to tunes pumped by an ancient accordian-player, for a glorious view of the Mediterranean. It felt SO FRENCH, and I loved every stereotypical second of it. Off to the Matisse Museum this afternoon!
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