Vous venez d'où?

Where are you from?

This question is often followed with an "Umm..." Sorry, I mean "euhh" if I'm speaking French.

I never just say I'm American because I'm not here as a tourist, travelling and backpacking around Europe. I have a work visa, so I say, "I'm from the United States, but I live in France." The typical response to that is "Oh, are you studying abroad?" Nope, just teaching English. "Oh, that's cool!"

Whenever I get asked this question in a hostel, I just say I live near Lille. However, tourism offices and museums around here always ask where we're from, for statistics I suppose. If they ask for the postal code, it's easy, 62400. I don't really think there can be hesitation with that question.

"D'où venez-vous?"
"Euhhhh... nous venons des États-Unis, mais nous habitons à Béthune." (We're from the US, but we live in Béthune.) For statistics sake, I just respond with that, they can choose what they want to mark down.


This past weekend, I received the funniest reaction.

"BETHUNE?!"

They were so shocked that Americans would come to France and live in Béthune in all places. To come from the US to a small town like Béthune? Oh là...

But honestly, it could be worse. At least there the TGV stops at our train station. At least there are some bars, a club, and a hypermarché. Recently, they've had a big fair with ride and games taking over the town. I could've been placed in an even smaller town with no other assistants, with absolutely nothing to do or nowhere to go.

Oh Béthune, you've been my home for the last 6 months. I'm used to life here... walking down the same roads to go to work, to church, to the grocery store, to the gym... I have a routine.

It's really weird to think that I only have 2 more weeks left of teaching. Before you know it, I'll be leaving on a jet plane...