mont st. michel

it was just dried fruit

On Valentine’s he came with a Protea flower in hand and three movies he hadn’t seen on a usb device. More or less in response, I offered him pomegranate kernels and sliced mangoes over small cups of Russian tea. I sent him home with a brown bag of dried apricots, which he publicly thanked me for on facebook as if they were precious jewels. But, at the time I was doing my best to not be on a date, so we had started the night talking about how it’s funny the French call pomegranates grenades. (Within a few hours this analogy was made clearer to me after my stomach underwent a small attack trying to digest the seed parts hidden under that ruby exterior of the kernels). He said how it’s one of the first words Persian children learn and I thought how it must be like apple in English.

Then, to myself, I thought about how some scholars think that the pomegranate is a more historically accurate version of the forbidden fruit if we consider that the Middle East is likely the region of inspiration for the Garden of Eden. Yikes, grenades come to mind again. But, I didn’t launch into this discussion because I wanted to avoid the subject of temptation. I had already been considering how I was likely a source of this for him. In fact, being alone with him was already breaking a rule in Muslim culture. And honestly, I was kind of irritated by his lax interpretation of all the rules forbidding contact with females before marriage. Must be because he grew up in Canada, such a weird place. I’m sure he’s culturally torn between westernism and easternism, but I lose respect for those who pick and choose how to abide to sacred texts according to personal conveniences and situations at hand. Why is drinking a glass of wine still forbidden but you’ve individually decided it’s ok for you to hold someone’s hand? I didn’t agree with that logic. And even before that night…

I clearly stated I’m not interested, not his girlfriend, not wanting anything more than friendship. So I tried to keep things unromantic and we watched Thank you for Smoking on my computer. But, after that night, and another flower (a lily of all things) within a few days, I realized these things don’t really matter, and he will continue liking me and pursuing me regardless. So recently I had to say, no more! We can’t see each other anymore. Me, an agnostic, I don’t want to interfere with anyone’s spiritual life, not yours, not my even own most of the time. And I certainly don’t want to feel guilty about things I don’t even believe in. Also, on the most basic level, it’s just uncomfortable to hang out with some one who’s into you when you’re not attracted to them. You avoid looking in their eyes that are looking at you that way. O man, where to look, not the flower he just gave you. While it was really interesting to learn about Iran’s elections, the revolution, as well as Muslim beliefs, I’m not going to be someone’s girlfriend without being their girlfriend.

Which leads me to a larger theory about relationships here- why can’t you just be a girl friend. Is it impossible to be friends with someone of the opposite sex if you are both single? Here, people tend to be an item almost immediately, without that friendship or at least ‘talking’ stage we have in America. It all seems completely rushed and random and no wonder, the perfect set-up for one of the highest infidelity rates worldwide. (interesting article: http://www.alternet.org/sex/81022/) All this leaves me craving all my male companions back home who would have great discussions with me, make me laugh so hard, come by to watch movies innocently, and give warm hugs at the right time.

In the same Saturday night: "Tell me you're single!" and "You know, the stars are different in Argentina."

So, first one came from an Iranian with a handlebar mustache at a Mexican and Colombian's housewarming party. I happened sometime after I led a hilarious Iran verses India debate. Basically I exclaimed things like chai, inventing math, naan, spices and so on, while they argued for their respective countries being the original source of these things or just the best. Naturally India won because of the kama sutra and curry dishes. After this things are blurry- but I guess the Indian wandered off in glory and I think I was in the middle of talking about Canada and ventriloquists with the Iranian when he suddenly threw the one-liner at me. I was too shocked to say no, so I'm going out with him on Thursday.

And, then the second one came from a red-headed Argentine named Bruno who literally pulled me off the couch while I was talking to Ali, to dance. He didn't do too much English or French so obviously we didn't talk a lot. But, I don't think it mattered so much. Damn South Americans can dance! You don't even have to do anything, they hold your back, take your hand, and suddenly you're moving and twirling everywhere with them. Anyway, later on that night, he said the line to me on the balcony of Lucy's, after having recounted what sounded like his personal version of Motorcycle Diaries. Hahah. Of course we all made fun of his romantic balcony scene line and had a good laugh. Which reminds me, he has the most booming Santa Claus laugh of all time, and was always laughing, and is probably still laughing right now.

As my pictures would indicate, I evidently spent some good time in England over Christmas break. That being said, here's some common British expressions so that next time you're putting on a British accent you'll have more authentic fillers to babble with.

Crikey!
She's a horrible cow!
What a wanker!
Blimey!
He's quite camp!
Look at that chav!
He's got a small willy!
I'm looking a bit squidgy!
Bloody hell!
I got so pissed last night, I'm hanging!
He's always taking the piss!
Indeed!
I just can't be bothered!
Fancy a cuppa!
Chips! Crisps! Marmite! Biscuits! Curry!
I reckon it's half 8 (this means 8:30, they ALWAYS say half for thirty with time)!

And don't forget that pants means underwear, biscuit means cookie, squash means concentrated juice, jumper means sweater, uni means college, college means middle school, jelly means JELL-O etc...

And, British tv game shows are so great! Famous British comedians answering/making jokes out of esoteric quiz questions, what could be better? If I'm remembering correctly I think there was actually a channel called Dave: the home of witty banter.

But now I'm back in Nantes and strangely needing to know Spanish because there's an group of South Americans my friend (Lucy, girl in pics)befriended at the fac's "Spanish night" Spanish conversation table. Salsa anyone?