First of all: there are dogs EVERYWHERE in Montpellier. Honestly, I think that more than half of the people here have dogs. With that being said, there is dog POOP everywhere. Yes, I said it, there is dog shit everywhere you go. Now, usually this would not be a problem. Of course, everyone poops, and dogs are of course included in that everyone, but the problem here is, the dog owners do NOT pick up the poop. In America, most people pick up after their dogs because it's common courtesy—no one wants to be stepping in doggie business. Here, it covers the sidewalks. You have to dodge it while walking. It’s horrible, and is really getting on my nerves. I hate seeing the beautiful city, and then THAT all over the sidewalks. And yes, if you’re wondering, I’ve already stepped in it and didn’t even realize until I got home. Lovely surprise right? Loved cleaning that off the bottom of my beautiful leather boots. Damn merde. You really have to watch where you are walking--instead of looking at the sights, you have to look at the ground, for fear of stepping in doggie surprise. I guess people don’t pick up after their dogs because they expect the street cleaning crew to do it—which they do…but not as often as needed. Let's put it this way, once they street crew it out at dusk, all the, pardon my english, SHIT, is already smashed into the pavement. GROSS. Still have yet to truly understand this aspect of Montpellier culture.
Another thing is there are a lot of homeless people here. Most of these homeless people have dogs too. I’ve been wondering, how do they have these dogs? And why? Dogs in the US are expensive, so how can homeless people afford to have dogs here? Well…I’ve found out the answer! These homeless men and some women receive money from the government for their dogs. Yes, they PROFIT for the safekeeping of their beloved animal. So basically, these people use the dogs for money purposes (or so I’ve heard). Also, when a homeless person has man's best friend by his side, he most likely will not be arrested. Here, there is no place to put the dogs, so if the police arrest someone on the street, the dog will just be roaming around, and who wants that? So, dogs provide a safety net. Interesting right? Of course, dogs also serve as a companion. Most of the dogs I've seen seem to be treated fairly well and others..not so much. Oh one more thing, don't be surprised to see random dogs prowling around...I swear they don't have to wear leashes.
On a completely different subject, I have found the creators of PDA-ie. Public Displays of Affection. And who, you may ask, created this often times hated issue--THE FRENCH! Yes, you've guessed it-these romantic people definitely love to show it. Laur and I walk around Montpellier and are just amazed at the amounts of PDA we can see in one day. Couples kissing, touching, groping and loving--and not just for their eyes only.
Nope. We can see it all. Sure, I understand holding hands and hugging, and little kisses, but honestly...kissing necks, deep passionate kisses, hands in places they shouldn't be...isn't that a BIT much. I don't really want to see that and I'm pretty sure no one else does. Get a room please. Thanks. Oh yeah, picture on the right--we wanted to take a picture of this extraordinary couple completely going at it in Monacco--parents, or some other older adults were present at the table. Awkward maybe? We thought they wouldn't make me taking a picture since we were already seeing into their romantic life. Some other mentionable things:
-no notebooks with lined paper, it's all about writing on graph paper here
-one can purchase milk that is not in the refrigerated section---interesting?
-no snacking=just doesn't happen here
-no deodorant but lots of cologne-I swear some men don't wear deodorant and think cologne will suffice.
All for now, I'm sure there are more that I just can't think of right now.
Stomach is growling. Nothing new here!
oh my God! There's no lined paper here either!!
ReplyDeleteand our milk comes from powder and is often drunk (drank?) at room temperature.
Yeah I remember the milk thing. It's that way in every country I've been in Europe except England (but I think they had it, but it was more common to use refrigerated milk there). It's like an ultra-pasteurized and hermetically sealed version. Usually reconstituted from powder, or so I could tell? In Italy it was great, one night I was cooking and needed like full fat whipping cream milk but I don't read or speak Italian. Thank God one of the other people on my trip had his mini dictionary with him. But yeah, that concept of not refrigerated milk is still weird to me. Then again, I'd take that over dog crap in the streets any day. Sheesh.
ReplyDelete