Today I went to America

I took the bus with my roommate to La Garde today, in search of art supplies, which are apparently cheaper there because it's more industrial than Toulon. We got off the highway and landed in the commercial area, complete with giant billboards and warehouse-sized stores, including an Office Max (!) and Toys "R" Us. We were both like, "I feel like I'm in American right now." It's been a long time since I've walked through a parking lot, I have to say. My roommate commented, "I love how we see the ugliest thing so far in this country, and we both freak out because it feels so much like home."



I got my pastel set and then we wandered around and happened on a "Chaussland". Which was rows and rows of shoes like a Famous Footwear or an equivalent. And cashiers like cashiers in a proper capitalist state whom you don't have to greet or say goodbye to when you walk in and out of the store. We finished off the evening by getting fries at a French fast food chain, Quick. There were bright signs promoting the "effet XL" or the "effet XL Giant" for just 70 centimes more and families with kids throwing tantrums. It made me confused. It made me confused, because really, it was just like we were in American, except everyone was speaking French.