A few weeks ago, I ran into the blog of 2 French people from Marseilles (a big city in the South of France) who moved to Boston for 3 years. They are now back in France, too bad, we didn’t have time to meet “for real”. But there’s still their blog to look for ideas to visit Boston and New England, and the rest of the US. They took the time to travel before coming back to Marseilles, and now they are sharing all their great pictures. Start from the beginning, in November 2009 and go back in time: it’s a real pleasure to read such a great experience. Here is a Q&A of their feelings about Boston and the life abroad…
Why did you leave Marseilles for Boston? To work! I was doing a postdoc for 3 years. Going abroad is important to get a position as a researcher in France. Antho is in the Army, he could take 3 years off. We sold everything and flew over the Atlantic where the lab of my dream was waiting for me. When Antho got his authorization of work, he passes some exam to be a lifeguard and teach swimming. During the summer, he was a “caddie”in a very hype Country Club…
Did you like Boston? We loved it, and we loved New England as well. There’s a lot to see: countryside, nice architecture, wild shore, mountains, lakes… We had a lot to do for 3 years!
Did you know the United States before living in Boston? Not at all, we’ve never been there before. But we were 100% ready to live this adventure. The United States were only for us what we’ve seen in movies and TV show. That was it.
What did you like the most in your “American” life? Generally speaking, I loved the facts that stores are open every day and even very late. And from our experience, I really enjoyed our trips: Chicago, Washington, Miami, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, New York, New Orleans, Montreal… and all the things you can’t do in France, as going on a whale sight-seing tour, or watch the sea lions. And of course, to enjoy the huge desserts. We will miss a lot of things: the local Bostonian beer (Sam Adams), seasons and snow, parks in the city, our nice apartment, the easy driving, Cheesecake Factory, brunchs, the American “efficiency”, crispy bacon, sweet potato fries, air conditioning in the metro, large sidewalks, geese, see an American fail to park his big car, burgers, movies in English…
What did you not like? I miss to do “apéro” (drink alcohol at the end of the day*) with good olives, outside with the sun, with my friends from Marseilles, with a typical “boule” game close to us. I know, it’s a cliché about Marseilles ! Americans are nice, but they could’t replace our friends.
What did you like the most to eat? That’s an hard one! Clam chowder from Boston, Fish Tacos from San Diego, mufulettas and gumbos seafood from New Orleans, Fish’n’chips from Seattle, pumpkin pie during fall, tiny eggs from Cadbury only sold for Easter (and the commercial is awesome). Seriously, I think that I’ll miss more and more things.
What word or phrase do you like to say and which sounds american? “Oh boy !” When I say it I feel that I’ve learnt English! I also like to say “How’re you doing?”, far from the “How do you do” that I learnt at school. I like to say it, nobody responded to me with a “what?” so upsetting when I was starting.
What cliches about the United States were confirmed? At the supermarket, you can’t find good yogurts (or very bad ones for $10) – but you can buy a very, very huge ice cream pot for only $3,50… But I don’t want to be mean, so a good thing that I saw is that American work out a lot, even when it snows!
Why did you launch a blog? First, it was for Antho’s family so they can follow what we were doing. And it was also for our friends. I love taking pictures, it was a good way to do better.
How things are going back in France? We are really glad to be with our friends, to do “apéros” outside, eat “saucisson”, olives and good fresh daily specials, bakeries, french taxes, French health plans, quiet restaurants, hand operated car, to ear “cicadas”, prices with taxes included, less expensive telephone bills, a warm sea all year long, ski on the weekend, and desserts at the supermarket…
Thanks Grace for answering to my questions. She also gave me a pumpkin pie recipe that I should share with you very soon. You can follow Grace and Antho on their blog (in French) Wherever… Les Marseillais en vadrouille (all the pics of this post belong to them). Read here all the interviews of expat. And you, what are your favorite travel blogs?
