Sorting through photos is one of the best ways to get pulled in a multitude of directions as old memories of places, people, and pets derail our thinking; in good ways for the most part. This week I was drawn again to some differences between France, Europe, and the US. Often these differences are subtle, and of course exceptions do exist, but as I have written before, they are perceptable.
One thing does stand out as a difference between Europe and the US, at least here in the Northwest, is that people in Europe walk, here they drive cars or rent scooters. Car ownership is not universal in Europe, many folks never even get a drivers license. I know this does happen in New York, and a few other East Coast cities, but out here in the west, cars are the norm. I took both of these at the same cafe in Paris.
This must be part of the reason that folks often appear more fit. Add to this the fact that many buildings do not have elevators, plenty of people climb multiple flights of winding steep stairs everyday to get to their apartments.
In France, and in most of Europe, people watching is a cultural sport. Any cafe is perfect but if it is facing a part of the market it is even better.
Hanging out with friends at a cafe or a park is so much more common than what I see here. It helps that there are a lot more cafes of course.
There is no better place to read a newspaper, something you see more of in France than here, or to read a good book, or to check your phone than Luxembourg Garden in Paris.
Sometimes you just need a corner table in a cafe.
There are a number of cafes near us in The Pearl, and you do see some friends chatting, I love that. Yet, from my unscientific surveys it seems that a large percentage of the folks in the cafes have their computers open and they are working, that is far less common in France. The Italians have a phrase for it, La dolca vita. It means to just experience the sweet things of life. The French might say, La douceur de vivre – the sweetness of life.
We did cook this week. Tricia made a gratin de courgettes that is one of my favorite meals ever, she did that on Monday. Friday we made puff pastry flatbreads.
For our Sunday lunch last week we found some Orange Roughy, which I grilled, Tricia made pasta with veggies in a cream sauce.
Another favorite of ours is tiny Oregon bay shrimp in brown-butter mayonnaise on grilled baguette slices.
When the state of the world starts to get to us there is nothing like going to a good restaurant by the water to cheer us up. We discovered WildFin American Grill, at the Vancouver, WA waterfront. Oh, my! This will be one of our top spots for sure. Tricia, of course, took a couple of photos of the place.
We started with oysters, bien sur.
The mains were perfect. Tricia had Parmesan encrusted sole, with faro and quinoa risotto.
I had black pepper salmon on garlic-herbed marble potatoes.
So it was a good week, we do all we can to find joy at a time when the daily events in our world are so challenging. I hope your week has been a good one as well and you find joy in your friends, food, and of course sketching.
BTW I added a new journal with original travel artwork on the cover to my Etsy account,
theTravelsketcher 
Interesting to notice the differences in cafes….here people meet up for coffee outside offices, often to discuss work things, or you will find eg a team will go for ‘morning tea’ to a local cafe. There are some cafes that seem to just cater for public servants!
Your food looks lovely. Looking for inspiration for the weekend….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, exactly, people don’t talk about their jobs as much in France. Here, when you meet someone, one of our first questions is what do you do, that is just not common in France. The cafe is much more of a social thing there.
LikeLike
We also walk a lot more when we’re in Europe, but like the US, most Canadian cities require a car. Even travelling between cities is difficult without a car. Maggie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, that is for sure. Europe does such a good job of making it possible to not have to drive.
LikeLike
Life is definitely different in Europe, from walking/taking public transports just about everywhere to enjoying the moment at a café. I think given the infrastructure of many major US cities, it’s not conducive to get to places on foot, let alone have free time “just” for coffee…all the same, I’m glad you had a good week in Portland, and have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, since you lived there you know what I am talking about first hand.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Having been born in Europe and returned many times on business after, the differences in cultural beliefs and behaviors are palpable. In Australia, or should I say Australasia, things are perchance a tad more half-way . . . our coffee culture is increasingly ‘allowing’ us to just sit down with a coffee and ‘dream’ or talk away. Lovely food shown . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a good thing, we need more time to dream…
LikeLike
Very enjoyable posting and great observations…but…I’m sorry….I really would write more, but after looking at all of the FANTASTIC photos of food we leaving our apartment o find a cafe (sans computer/phone) where we can just EAT!
LikeLiked by 2 people
And you have so many choices now.
LikeLike
Thanks so much.
LikeLike
I’m a huge fan of the city planning in Europe and how everything is so walkable. It’s the complete opposite in North America where our cities are pretty much designed around having a car. Love that people watching is a cultural sport there too!
LikeLike
I so agree, thankfully we live in a part of Portland that is quite walkable, yet the outdoor cafes and such are not the same. I do like Europe.
LikeLiked by 1 person