Filed under: Culture Shock, Fun stuff, Global culture, Politics | Tags: conservatives, De Gaulle, France, protests, Sarkozy, tea party
I might be wrong but I believe that only De Gaulle in France had managed to get conservatives protesting in the streets (to support his policy against the socialist party in the 60’s). I was not even born at that time. Since then, the conservatives have returned to work, leaving the streets of France to the left-wing protesters.
Protest against Sarkozy’s rigorous economic policy in France – January 28, 2009
So imagine how unusual it is for a French to witness an actual right-wing protest such as the “Tea Parties” that took place today across the United States! These protests against federal deficits and the prospect of new taxes did not gather a lot of people, but it was worth reporting a few shots for my French fellows. Conservatives in the street! It doesn’t happen a lot in Europe!
Filed under: Global culture, Travel | Tags: Internet spoiler, miniatures, Old Faithful, Travel, typical American things, US Capitol, Yellowstone
Yes! It’s vacation time! I’m taking a 10-days break in August. A short break compared to the usual 3-week summer vacation I enjoyed in France, but a long break since I’m an American worker now. I’ll be visiting Yellowstone National Park. Amazing wild life, chromatic geysers, hot springs and pools, the Old Faithful… a dream come true. I remember watching pictures and documentary films about this fantastic place as I was a kid, with eyes wide open. The Wild West! What a country!
Today however, I feel much less excited as I thought I would be so close to the trip. It’s like I’m returning to a place I already know. I’ve seen so many pictures, so many videos and red so many comments. Is reality up to the dream?
Internet is a vacation spoiler. Yes, travel is made easier and I like getting picture of an hotel before booking a room. No surprise is safe. But no surprise is no surprise. Why should I spend thousands to go take a picture there when I’m sure I’ll get a better picture browsing the Web?
Browsing the planet at light speed, shopping global and chatting worldwide is changing our lives. For the best, we probably understand each other better, and some of us certainly make better business also. But what about our dreams? What about that “typical-thing-that-you-MUST-bring-back-from-your-trip-because-you-won’t-find-it-anywhere-else”?
When I was in Paris last June, I bought a bottle of wine and a foie gras can persuading myself that it was “unique” and that I would not find these things in Pittsburgh. I know I’m wrong. French wine’s in every wine store and foie gras is just a 20 minutes drive further. However, I’m pleased they do not sell the same brand!
France’s chance is that it’s all about food and taste. Not so easily exportable if you want it to be fresh-made. But what about America? The nightmare begins at the airport when you try to find some “last minute gift” for some friends living abroad. What’s the “typical American thing”? I mean THE thing you do not find anywhere else? Someone help me! I ended up buying a Steeler’s T-shirt. How typical is that! I was thinking of recording some episodes of Ugly Betty, Lost, NCIS or Dirty Sexy Money, as they used to be aired in Europe months after the US, if not years. But not anymore. Internet changed it all and some French friends now are sending me spoilers before I get a chance to watch the full episode of an American TV show here in the US!
In my quest of finding typical-American stuff, I started a collection of miniatures. I mean very small reproductions of American monuments. You know. The kind of things tourists usually buy, and you usually laugh at. I already have a 1-inch high Empire State building from New York and a 3-inches wide U.S. Capitol from Washington (kind of weird when I put them side by side). A laughable collection but at least I know I won’t EVER find a U.S. Capitol miniature in Paris. Looking at the sticker however, I might find one in Shanghai if I happen to travel there…
Living in a smaller world is fantastic. However, I wish we could also keep our identity strong and continue finding “typical French wine” in France and “typical American fudge” in America. It’s not the way business is moving though.
Back to my trip to Yellowstone, I know one thing from browsing travelers’ blogs and from my own experience as an expatriate: experience is irreplaceable. Feeling the combined heat and refreshment of Lake Powell last year was not an expected Web experience, and I rarely get a kid’s “Wow” watching pictures on my computer. I’m expecting lots of “wows” in Yellowstone. If not me, I’m pretty sure I’ll get the kids’ wowing at the Old Faithful!
I’ll let you know… and certainly will post some more spoiler-pictures of Yellowstone on the Internet!
