You are so right about the five year mark... My meltdown was also exactly at five years, but it was over having my carte vitale cancelled (their mistake) and being unable to have it reinstated. I tried everything... There was a lot of crying. They can't legally deny me one since I'm married to a French citizen, but they can drag their feet, claim that they sent letters that were never actually sent, and so on. I finally gave up and decided I will try again this summer.
Oh, this was delicious! First of all I'm a fellow octopus lover and will also not eat those dear beings. So funny, especially the line, "Once you fail to bonjour a friend, you might as well leave the country." Also so silly and true, "Ah, Karine, don't worry! You can write about this!" You -- "Don't worry! I am!" Also, I suspect that even before you crossed your apartment's French threshold, you were deigned to be a local character. Great post.
Oh! I would be frazzled by a live octopus in a plastic bag. Funny you should mention “The Octopus Teacher” . I’m currently in Cape Town and just earlier today we walked through the area where that was filmed. I am an octopus lover and will not eat them myself.
Love this story! And I love octopus--as a creature, not a menu item (though they are delicious...). Have you read Sy Montgomery's Soul of an Octopus? That was what got them off my plate and put me firmly in the octopus-should-run-the-world camp. xx
I hear you! Seeing they were alive I would have grabbed the bag and plopped them back in the sea. I hope the dinner party went well ... or are there more stories?
I know! We live a block from the sea, why didn't I do that?! I think maybe I thought they were too far gone? If an octopus is out of the water too long do they get, like, brain damage? (Must research). The lunch was actually lovely -- one of those great south of France 5 hour gatherings with multiple generations and robust conversation. It was lovely. . .as long as you stayed at the "pas de poulpe" end of the table .
This reminds me of a time when, boiling live lobsters, they cried out (squeaked) when hitting the water. It was disturbing, as typically I’m well removed from the animal-killing part of the dining process. Report back about grilled octopus! I only had it once, at a Korean restaurant, and it was rubbery. Bonnne chance au barbecue aujourd’hui !
The scientist in me wanted to believe it was a sound made by the quick expansion of gases as they first hit the boiling water, but as a sensitive animal lover, it sounded like a cry for help—and as an omnivore, it was a moment of great inner conflict!
The MotH is trying to back the whole situation up by saying they weren't actually alive. Which changes NOTHING. Are you still in Paris? If so, I hope you're enjoying yourself. It was great to meet you and have you in workshop!
You are so right about the five year mark... My meltdown was also exactly at five years, but it was over having my carte vitale cancelled (their mistake) and being unable to have it reinstated. I tried everything... There was a lot of crying. They can't legally deny me one since I'm married to a French citizen, but they can drag their feet, claim that they sent letters that were never actually sent, and so on. I finally gave up and decided I will try again this summer.
"The franglais in our house is something else." 😂😂😂
Congrats on your passage into Local Character, and in such colorful style!
Oh, this was delicious! First of all I'm a fellow octopus lover and will also not eat those dear beings. So funny, especially the line, "Once you fail to bonjour a friend, you might as well leave the country." Also so silly and true, "Ah, Karine, don't worry! You can write about this!" You -- "Don't worry! I am!" Also, I suspect that even before you crossed your apartment's French threshold, you were deigned to be a local character. Great post.
I just finished Day 340 of French Duolingo . At present rate I would be ready for my orales in about 10 years.
I love your stories. My love to MotH
Mady
Oh! I would be frazzled by a live octopus in a plastic bag. Funny you should mention “The Octopus Teacher” . I’m currently in Cape Town and just earlier today we walked through the area where that was filmed. I am an octopus lover and will not eat them myself.
I should have insisted they take them back down to the sea and let them go, but somehow it seemed past that. And...Cape Town! Wow!
Hindsight is terrific, eh? Your compassion was intact. Yes Cape Town and it’s amazing. Beautiful weather as well.
I love your humor. I'm a published author. However, I write boring stuff about home automation,
Thanks for your kind words, Richard. By home automation do you mean. . .robots?!
Oh la la! Quel horreur! I can picture Mathias sans bonjour!
It was definitely une petite catastrophe
What a horror for your 5 year anniversary!! #donoteatoctopus
There are definitely worse things, but none came to mind at that moment.
Love this story! And I love octopus--as a creature, not a menu item (though they are delicious...). Have you read Sy Montgomery's Soul of an Octopus? That was what got them off my plate and put me firmly in the octopus-should-run-the-world camp. xx
I loved that book as well! I have eaten octopus since them, but it was sort of in a fugue state where I left my body.
I loved that book so much! It too put me off octopus forever.
I love this story and shockingly eating grilled octopus. In a restaurant only. Killing one in my kitchen would be traumatic and never happen.
I don't think it's shocking, because at the end of the day, they can be pretty tasty, alas.
I hear you! Seeing they were alive I would have grabbed the bag and plopped them back in the sea. I hope the dinner party went well ... or are there more stories?
I know! We live a block from the sea, why didn't I do that?! I think maybe I thought they were too far gone? If an octopus is out of the water too long do they get, like, brain damage? (Must research). The lunch was actually lovely -- one of those great south of France 5 hour gatherings with multiple generations and robust conversation. It was lovely. . .as long as you stayed at the "pas de poulpe" end of the table .
This reminds me of a time when, boiling live lobsters, they cried out (squeaked) when hitting the water. It was disturbing, as typically I’m well removed from the animal-killing part of the dining process. Report back about grilled octopus! I only had it once, at a Korean restaurant, and it was rubbery. Bonnne chance au barbecue aujourd’hui !
OH NO THEY SQUEAK?!
The scientist in me wanted to believe it was a sound made by the quick expansion of gases as they first hit the boiling water, but as a sensitive animal lover, it sounded like a cry for help—and as an omnivore, it was a moment of great inner conflict!
Great story. Thanks for writing it. I’ve got one about eating langoustine the first time.
Do you have special feelings about langoustine? (Which I think of as sea bugs. Is that unfeeling?)
Oh my goodness—I would have reacted the same way. 🥲
The MotH is trying to back the whole situation up by saying they weren't actually alive. Which changes NOTHING. Are you still in Paris? If so, I hope you're enjoying yourself. It was great to meet you and have you in workshop!
Bonjour! Sent you a PM :) Yes, still in Paris and it was great to meet you too. Thanks for all your excellent feedback and advice.