What struck you about France?

I was 18 when I first came to France.  That was a very long time ago.  Flying was out of the question as in the 60s, far too expensive and sophisticated.  I came by ferry to Dieppe and then train to the Gare Saint-Lazare.  Black tobacco in the heat of July and stalls selling sugary toasted almonds on the streets hit the sense of smell and of course the bustle of a railway station packed with parents meeting their children off the trains, back from the 'stages linguistiques'.  I had been told to wait for a Madame T, accompanying one of these groups.  I had absolutely no idea how to identify her amongst the throngs of chattering parisians.  I was lucky to be able to understand French from intense A-level work at school and stood waiting puzzled as to what to do next ... and eavesdropping on those nearest to me.  Miraculously, I heard the name Madame T, mentioned and so 'SVP, attendez-vous Madame T?'  Oui, oui !!!
From then on, the sensations were unique and fabulous.  I was treated like a daughter by the family whose au-pair I became in their house in the country.  I learnt to cook and how.  The rapport with food is ever present in France and in the 60s, one went to the dairy for milk in a churn and cream for 'fromage blanc', the butter was a 'motte' llike a huge decorated rugby ball, cheese was local, Saint Nectaire and Cantal, fruit and vegetables were straight from the 'potager', pieces of meat were hung in the cellar and roasted on a spit in the fireplace for the Sunday lunches and of course wine was from a barrel in the 'cave' extracted with a 'pipette' straight into the jug.   All this I could deal with, but the most difficult was eating the salad the French way, Stuffing whole leaves with their dressing into one's mouth with just a fork in a nonchalant, chic manner is an art to be acquired.  There was 'salade verte' with every meal !
None of this happened in the south of England in 1964 ...
I apologize for getting carried away but once started, it's difficut to staunch the memories.

Hello CiliaAnn,

Thank you for sharing these lovely anecdotes of your first time in France, and the times that followed.

Diksha
Team Expat.com

You should write a book, I love hearing about this!