LE BigMac

'I don't know, I never went to Burger King.'

If you've never been to France, you should at least try out their bloody computer keyboards - frustrating? Yeah, maybe a little. On a lighter note: McDonalds. I normally try to go in a new country without becoming a victim of corporate America as long as I possibly can, but this trip, it took only about a week and a half. If you have ever tried to stay under 20€ a day in spending in a place that travel books recommend budgeting at least 40-50, you'll know that all you can really afford is bread, cheese, and maybe some sandwich meat, if you've been a good boy... This week's FRENCH cultural topic is:

LA GASTRONOMIE

Now, I realise that I've actually talked about food a number of times, but let's get serious. English food is not really THAT good. Now obviously everyone loves fish and chips every once in a while (unless you're allergic to fish, I suppose) but if there's one thing the French love to be good at, it's French Cuisine. Strangely enough, they even named it in their own language! Everyone who has seen the great Pulp Fiction already knows it, but the biggest difference in fast food is this: Big Mac is the same, Fillet of Fish is McFish, quater pounder = Royal Cheese, and in Paris you can get beer on tap. As far as McDo goes, that's really all there is to it.

Crepes. Crepes, in case you've never had the pleasure, are really thin pancake kind of things that are served with sweet things in the middle - like butter, honey, fruit, or the most popular of all, nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread - which, due to technical difficulties, i cannot eat). But if sweet is not what you're looking for, look no further! You'll love les galettes. Galettes are based on the same idea, but instead of sugary filling, you'll find delicious meats, cheeses, maybe some eggs, maybe some vegetables...perfect for dinner or a heavy afternoon, morning or late night snack!

Croque Monsieur. Picture this: ham baked in between two slices or bread with cheese melted on top. This is the typical kind of food one might find in a Brasserie/bar. AKA bar food. Serve that up with some fries and you're laughing. Add a fried egg, you've got yourself a Croque Madame. C'est facile, ein?!

Le Café. Ever gone into that crappy little coffee shop around the corner from your place and just said 'dang, I really wish I could just get a really nice double espresso that didn't taste like feet'? We'll I'll be the first to tell you that in France, that's never a problem. In France they laugh at the idea of 'filter coffee' and when you order a coffee, it's fresh and it's good.

Le Menu. This is not a foreign concept, but it's what we might call a set-meal. Anywhere from 2 to 7 courses from prices of 8 to 50€, France offers the combination you're looking for. Yeah, we splurged the one day and went for a 15er. But picture this: aperitif, oysters (huites) for the appetizer, marinated mussles (moules) for the entry, mutton chops and potatoes (mouton), goat cheese digestif, and top that puppy off with a mousse au chocolat. Delicious? Yes. Also the first time I've had oysters since I was 8.

Of course, you could always play it cheap (like we do most days) and stick to the baguette and camembert, but don't forget the WINE!