Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Fromage blanc
(froh-mahzh blahn): A light dessert similar to plain yogurt (yet dif-
ferent), served with sugar or herbs.
Glace
(glahs): Ice cream—typically vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry
(fraise).
Ile flottante
(eelfloh-tahnt):Alightdessertconsistingofislandsofmeringuefloating
on a pond of custard sauce.
Mousse au chocolat
(moos oh shoh-koh-lah): Chocolate mousse.
Profiteroles
(proh-fee-tuh-rohl): Cream puffs filled with vanilla ice cream,
smothered in warm chocolate sauce.
Riz au lait
(ree-zoh-lay): Rice pudding.
Sorbets:
Light, flavorful, and fruity ices (known to us as sherbets), sometimes laced
with brandy.
Tartes
(tart): Narrow strips of fresh fruit, baked in a crust and served in thin slices
(without ice cream).
Tarte tatin
(tart tah-tan): Apple pie like grandma never made, with caramelized
apples, cooked upside down, but served upright.
We travel all the way to France to enjoy differences—to become temporary locals. You'll
experience frustrations. Certain truths that we find “God-given” or “self-evident,” such as
cold beer, ice in drinks, bottomless cups of coffee, and bigger being better, are suddenly
not so true. One of the benefits of travel is the eye-opening realization that there are logic-
al, civil, and even better alternatives.
With a history rich in human achievement, France is an understandably proud coun-
try. To enjoy its people, you need to celebrate the differences. A willingness to go local
ensures that you'll enjoy a full dose of French hospitality.
Europeans generally like Americans. But if there is a negative aspect to the French
image of Americans, it's that we are loud, wasteful, ethnocentric, too informal (which can
seem disrespectful), occasionally impolite, and a bit naive.
The French (and Europeans in general) place a high value on speaking quietly in res-
taurants and on trains. Listen while on the bus or in a restaurant—the place can be packed,
but the decibel level is low. Try to adjust your volume accordingly to show respect for the
culture.
While the French lookbemusedly at some ofourYankee excesses—and worriedly at
others—they nearly always afford us individual travelers all the warmth we deserve.
