Pinot, Bretzels, and Cathedrals

1. In general, Germany’s      food is cheaper than France. Seriously.       We can shave 20% off a monthly shop if we pop into Kehl, over the Rhine.      (Petrol and diesel is cheaper in France.)
2. The French DO NOT LIKE      imports very much at all.  Rooibos      tea bags cost the equivalent of 2 ZA Rands EACH, and there is NO South      African wine to speak of available here.       (Thanks to Germany, Anton can buy Pinotage, and I have found      Roodeberg).  And I am told that the      Americans really miss pre-packed Mac ‘n Cheese, and Uncle Ben’s Rice.
3. If we shop at the big      supermarket- like a Pick ‘n Pay Hyper, the Cheese Aisle is too long.  I do not have time to wonder down 50      meters of cheese aisles trying to decide on what cheese I feel like (much      less afford), especially with Monster and Minion in my shopping trolley.
4. The shopping trolleys      are the WORST design in the history of shopping trolleys.  All 4 wheels turn, and you will have to      take my word for it- it’s the worst thing to try do, if you are pushing      25kg’s of milk, meat, and vegetables, AS WELL AS your 15kg personal      Minion. And the Monster tries hanging on the side. 
5. While on the topic of      shopping trolleys.  I am STILL      trying to remember to keep 1 or 2 1€ coins in my wallet for the      aforementioned trolleys.  (To the      South Africans: we have to insert a 1€coin into the trolley to detach it      from the aisle of trolleys.  It is      refundable, but you cannot take a trolley if you don’t insert that little      coin)
6. I have lost track of the      number of different flour types- each flour type serves a different      purpose.  How have a coped with      baking in South Africa for 17 years with just ONE type of white flour?
7. The Baking Powder – Chemique Leuvre– SUX.  There is no need to spell that correctly.  I have no other words.  I will have to import my own Moirs      Baking Powder going forward.  Thank      you SJ and Koekie for the packets you have very kindly sent so far.
8. Bicarbonate of Soda can      be found on the salt aisle.       Truly.  I do not lie.
9. Cup cakes DO NOT      EXIST.  I can buy Brioche,      Baguettes, Ciabatta, Madeleins, Pain au Lait, Pain au Chocolat, Muffins,      Croissants, tarts, but not cupcakes.       When I sought cupcakes for Beth’s birthday recently, I could buy a      ‘cake’ that looked like a ginger orange loaf, or a cake referred to as a      ‘gateau’ that was filled with mousse and other chocolate, or fruit      puree.  Sadly, both my girls know      and love cupcakes, so I will be making those soon. Late birthday party.
10. For the most part,      sliced ham is pre-packed.  And brand      labeled.  I can buy a pre-packed      plastic tray with either: 2, 4 or 6 slices of ham.  It is either with 25% salt, or other varying      amounts, it is fume, or not, it      comes with rind, or not.  To mention      but a few options.  The tray is then      covered with an expensive printed label cover- not a simple sticker, or      vac-packed, or such.  No, they spend      money on the labeling.   
11. Cheddar cheese does not      exist in France.  I think they are      still bitter over their feuds with the English in the 19 century.  I miss Cheddar Cheese.  Alot.
12. I’m still trying to      figure out why long life milk is cheaper than fresh milk.

 

On the other hand, France has a successful economic policy, so they must be doing something right, and here is what I love:

 

1. The cheese and dairy      aisle!  It is an area that is      cheaper than buying in Germany and the variety trumps anything I have ever      seen.
2. The city’s street      markets. There is a food market somewhere in the city from Tuesday to      Saturday, and you can pick up most fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as eggs,      cheese, yoghurt, charcuterie, meat, raw seafood, breads, pastries and      fresh cut flowers.
3. The ‘Bio’ concept.  If you are interested in the organic,      France, and much of Europe have dedicated a huge effort to ensuring      environmental friendly products.       Rooibos tea is often located in the Bio aisle.  If you don’t object to paying stupid      amounts for it.
4. Whole dead cleaned      chicken.  Le poulet is not just le      poulet. You can buy a good family sized regular battery style chicken      that you can find at Woolworths, which I know Alex loves.  And they’re good for stock and      soup.  You can buy le Poussin, a baby chicken, which I      personally do not see the point of.       You can also buy my favourite, Le      Chapon, which is rooster without its Daddy tools.  The lack of hormones alters the taste of      the meat, and for reasons I cannot explain, reminds me of the old hens my      Mum use to rear for eggs, and Roast      Chicken on a Sunday at Netherby.       The meat is more gamey, and although le Poulet tastes good,      le Chapon tastes better.       Familiar. Like Netherby.
5. Occasionally you can      find some real bargains.  These are      not found every day, but if you grab them when they are available, it is a      good idea.
6. Sales.  Everybody’s favourite concept.  Strasbourg shops have 2 major sale times-summers,      and after Christmas, for six to eight weeks, and then in the slow season,      they mark items down to up to 50% off. The sales are popular, and if you      can tolerate sorting through racks of madly sorted clothes or shoes, then      you’ll find yourself in heaven. 
7. Christmas is on the      way.  The shops are full of      Christmas food spices, and biscuits.       Christmas baking is a BIG deal here.  I am trying to decide if I should make a      Lynn Bedford Hall Christmas cake or not.       Or simply to just bake Ginger Stars until I know how to make traditional      Alsacienne Christmas biscuits. 
8. Speaking of Christmas,      something I am half excited about is the Christmas Markets start at the      end of the month. I am only half excited, because it will be a tourist      mecca, and it will become infuriatingly busy.  Karima has promised me to take me before      the end of school term, so that we can swear at the German tourists, while      sipping on Gluewein and snacking      on le marron.  That I will be certain to try.
9. The shops do not open      here in Strasbourg on Sundays.  As      soon as you get through the withdrawal symptoms of not being able to shop      aimlessly on a Sunday, you will realise it is a good thing. It means you      can spend all day ironing, or of course, prepare a big Sunday Poulet Roti au Thym et Citron, and      have real family time.  I suspect      Anton might become too familiar with Broccoli and Cauliflower au gratin, and Thyme roasted      Carrots and Onions. 
10. IKEA.  So it is not French.  But it IS European, and so much of it is      just right.  (Although, so much of      it still conflicts with my South African self, so I won’t sing too many      praises)
11.  Artisan Bakeries.  Le Boulangerie.  Beth walks off to buy her daily bread,      and comes back chomping on the crusty end piece.  Alex has discovered ‘beignets’.  Why she has never enjoyed doughnuts before      is beyond me.

 

After sitting in my little office today, slowly getting more and more cold while two gentlemen replace the windows in our apartment, I have also succeeded in inhaling silicone sealing fumes.  As a result, I cannot think of anything else to add to the list. If you can think of anything you’d like to add, from any other perspective, go ahead.

 

Till next time, xxx