When I first started this note, the computer I was working on in my temporary living arrangement was kicking my bum. French keyboards are different than American ones and since my laptop wasn’t connecting to the WIFI I used a French computer. For those that haven’t seen French keyboards, the “q” is where the “a” should be, and there are signs like è, ç and ù that we obviously don’t have back in the states. There are many other differences but there are more interesting topics to share than just the keyboard.
First off, entertaining info that involve the names of the two men most dear to my heart: Kevin and Keck (my Dad and boyfriend). For what I’m about to share I’m glad they both have humor like mine.
If someone is essentially embarrassing/inappropriate (around here they typically partake in karaoke- it’s not appreciated like it is back home or maybe Christine and I are just special) and here’s the key, if he or she wants to appear American/speak English but totally fails he or she is pulling a “Kevin,” or Kéké (sounds like kk) for short. It’s a familiar term used at least up here in the north. Now, I mentioned my boyfriend’s last name to my two new German friends the day I met them and they started laughing. Not too reassuring. Turns out Keck in German means “fool” and it is used for people who are annoying. The phrase actually used in Germany is “du Keck”- or “you fool.” Those are the only names that have other meanings in these cultures so I find it ironic that it’s the names of the two most important men in my life.
Random Facts I’ve Learned in My First Week Living Here:
- Book stores = librarie BUT libraries are called biblioteques
- hard liquor is referred to as “l’eau de vie” (water of life)
remains from wind mills
- “Pain perdu” is French toast (literally means lost bread probably because it’s typically made with old bread).
- Lille got it’s name because it was island-like back when it got its name due to canals and rivers running through the city
- Charles de Gaulle is from Lille
- Ch’ti (sh-tea) is a dialect in the region; it’s more French than Flemish.
- French fries started in Brussels. The villagers were out of fish so they cut potatoes into the fish-sized pieces to temp. replace the fish. Thus, french fries were born (they’re called frites in French).
- There used to be over 300 mills 150 years ago but there are no working ones today
- Lille has been the most sieged city in all of France
- The first subway (mètro) in the world was in Lille
- Germany has the #1 economy in Europe
with Alex on the remains of the 1st courthouse's pillars
On September 29 a French friend named Tib gave me and our friend Alex a tour. Here were some things I learned: 1,000 years ago a church was destroyed and a courthouse was built in its place next to the water. It was destroyed and an uglier courthouse was built in its place. It was thought to be the ugliest courthouse in the north of France. The crypt from the old church is still under the courthouse and it’s opened to the public two days a year. There’s talk of destroying the “ugly” courthouse because it threatens to collapse.
Tib explaining the "star" design
The Citadel
Random note, agricultural business is France’s biggest industry. Farming and transformation of food products and the science of preservation. Also, each French region has its own specialties (in case you didn’t already know that).
The Citadel fort was built between 1667 and 1670 on the orders of Louis XIV upon conquering the city. With the fort’s completion it formed a double line of strongholds reaching from the North Sea to the Meuse to protect French borders. The base is star-shaped because the angles made it harder for canons to bring it down and get through. Really a brilliant combination of art and architecture. The French base in Lille is currently being used by the NATO Rapid Deployment Corps-France.
Louise XIV made Lille French. It was Flemish before he conquered the city but because it became part of France later than a lot of other cities is has, and has retained, a lot of Flemish influences. For example, the typical “Parisian” look for houses are those of stones and like that below (on left), whereas all the brick homes here have the Flemish look (see below right). I personally prefer the traditional “Parisian” look, but Alex prefers the Flemish look so I guess there’s something for everyone in Lille 
I just adore the flowers in the windows. When I have my own place I want to do that- it’s just lovely.
I LOVE the traditional houses
The Flemish "Look"
