Food

I am going to cheat a bit and blend some of the days together by topic...

The food here is amazing. We also argue whole heartedly against the concept that American portions are larger. I have gained weight on this trip. I know it -- but I can't stop eating. Everytime I go into the cafeteria and say that I am just going to get a salad, that is it and I am going to be good today -- I get completely distracted by the wall of tarts and desserts. The Swiss chefs are malicious and evil. ...but how can it be wrong if it tastes so right!?! (but I digress).

I have been able to guess quite well at what things are and I have only been surprised a couple of times. 1) I thought that I was getting a carrot thing and it turned out to be a winter squash thing. 2) I thought I was getting regular creme brulee and it was a nutmeg version.

Raclette
For example the sheer goodness of the food, one night we drove to a nearby town in France for Raclette. Raclette, for those of you who may not know (I had never heard of it) is about 1/8 of a big round of cheese (Raclette) that they set near a moveable heat lamp for 2 people to each adjust. As the cheese melts, you scrape it up/off and put it on potatoes, meats or bread.

So the waiter brings out this massive thing and a bottle of wine. He opens the wine and offers me the cork. I am thinking, "Buddy, I am about to eat 2-3 pounds of cheese -- a cork is the last thing I need. I might, however, need your corkscrew if you are looking to offer up a gift."

Hunting Season
We are also here during hunting season which means that we have choices of red deer, reindeer, wild boar and other cute cuddly animals that are quite tasty with bread and sides. I have not gotten to the wild boar, but there is a restaurant whose name translates to "The Carnivore" which we are targeting for this week.

The first day in the cafeteria I had venison stew. The first night out I had my first foie gras (goose liver) and venison steak. The next day for lunch I had a venison something or other... At this point, someone would expect to hear a nice little DEER God!

Prices
Fondue -- awesome. Raclette -- awesome. Having 12 choices for outstanding tarts -- awesome. Having to pay 20-25 USD for lunch. Ouch.

We finally realized how some of the extreme prices were occurring. For lunch, a 1/2 liter (20 oz) bottle of "Coke Light" is 4 Francs = $3.20. It would be about 2 dollars cheaper if I drank beer. I moved to water. Dinner is just an expectation to go middle of the road with the menu to pay about $25 to $30. I am REALLY glad that I am on an expense account

Ordering
I have tried very hard to only speak French when ordering. I usually get a decent distance into it before there is a bit of eye rolling and they switch to English. However, I was very proud to say that yesterday (Saturday) I made it through the whole process, no worries. It went something like this...
- Bonjour Monsieur (Hello sir.)
- Bonjour Monsieur, Deux, s'il vous plait. (Hello sir back. 2 please)
- Fumer ou non-fumer (Smoking or non)
- Fumer (Smoking for Coby)
- blah blah blah Order (something about are we ready to order)
- Oui, Raclette pour deux et une assiette a frites (Yes, Raclette for 2 and basket of fries)
- Oui, bon choice blah blah blah (okay, good choice and then something about what to drink)
- Deux l'eau (two waters)
- Avec gasse ou non (with gas or not)
- Avec, merci (bubbly thanks)
- Oui, monsieur (Yes sir)

...and then he delivered the food and told us in perfect English, "Careful, the plate is hot"