One-hundred Lights in the Desert: Viva France!

The French are arrogant and rude. The French are arrogant and rude. The French are arrogant and rude. The French are arrogant and rude. The French are arrogant and rude. The French are arrogant and rude. The French are...

Think how ingrained this statement is in an American tourist's mindset before their first visit to France. I usually go to a country semi-free of bias, hoping to shape up some fair generalization or feel for a place. But it was hard to shake the media's brainwashing until we landed.

Ironically, the French are some of the nicest people I've met. The only stereotype that lived up to expectations was the food: The food in France is incredible. Go to a Shell station and you might just find a better tasting baguette than the one you get at those specialty, gourmet stores in the U.S.

Our 7 day tour of Paris, Bordeaux and Lacanau exceeded expectations. We met up with Sku, Natalie, and Mia for camping on the beach. Okay, we never did camp because of the 3 days of rain; we opted for the sweet IKEA looking beach cabins near the camp sites for 39 euro a night. As for the surf, France has potential, but it can be fickle because of short period swell and predominant beach breaks. Nevertheless, we will return. France is a special place that makes you say, "How can I live here someday?" The price tag is what keeps most people from pulling the trigger.