Computer Issues and Food

Well, if you have been following my statuses on Facebook you know that my life hasn’t been so boring as not to write about it. The stress of final exams is rising and the countdown probably started as soon as we all got back from spring vacation. Yesterday I was having an awful time trying to figure out what was wrong with my battery and/or power adapter for my Macbook. It kept on saying that the battery wouldn’t charge but the computer was using whatever energy the power adapter was giving. After some advice from a Macbook whiz friend from EIU via Facebook I realized that I would probably have to look into a new power adapter or at the very least a new two pronged extension for it. As many Macbook users probably know, a Macbook power adapter comes with two different prongs to attach to it, a two pronged short one as in it is like plugging the adapter itself into the wall and then a longer more “typical” looking three-pronged extension cord. It is the two pronged one that is in the worst shape. Monsieur and I discovered that until I return home and look into the two-pronged attachment, I can still use my three-prong with my two pronged European plug converter. I look on this paragraph and see how complicated it can be with computers.

During the day itself while trying to figure out my problem, I must have looked more upset than I was because Madame later said she was certain I was ready to cry any minute the morning I made the discovery. Later, I cursed up a storm at life itself in the AHA office only to stop myself and feel like an impolite idiot when Sue looked at me and said, “You realize of course that it isn’t the end of the world if you just don’t happen to have a computer with you? It isn’t like we’re not surrounded by computers and Internet already.”

Feeling rude and somewhat dejected I took up the offer of another American to walk and talk with her into downtown so she could get a set of headphones for Skype and we could both get lunch. Taking her up on the offer was the best decision I’ve made all week at least. I felt so much better and it reminded me of talking about my favorite places to grab lunch in Angers. While we didn’t go to any of these places, these are my regular places to go and some of them are very popular with other students, too.

Ali Baba

Ali Baba is one of the few havens a vegetarian can go to in Angers. It is also the most lusciously decorated place I’ve eaten at for just a sandwich. The ceilings are draped in lush yellow and blue oriental cloth. Intricate Lebanese artwork is all over the walls with Middle Eastern lamps flanking them. It is just incredibly nice looking for such a laid back eatery. Being a vegetarian (not to actually say I am one) in France and going out to restaurants isn’t always easy. At least that is so if one is outside of the larger cities like Paris. The French have a passion for meat that I believe could rival many Americans. So it is a good idea to be assertive in order to find food that isn’t only meatless but nutritional. As much as I love cheese, I doubt if I were a vegetarian I would want to eat cheese and tomato sandwiches almost every single day when going out. While Ali Baba may be the only one I’ve got one this list for being veg-friendly, I can add that vegetarians in France have their best bets going ethnic while dining in France. The Lebanese restaurants are a good bet as well as the Indian restaurants. Any basic Sushi establishment should have something and generally as long as you shoot for heritages with some sort of Buddhist influence, you’re good to go. Good luck in a traditional French restaurant. At least it should be interesting.

Go for: the best-priced falafels in Angers, handmade Lebanese bread, Lebanese fries, a decent vegetarian menu in general, a well-decorated room for a casual lunch, charming Lebanese cooks

Avoid it for: sometimes-drafty rooms, a sandwich no cheaper than 3.50 euros

Sidi Bou Said

They guys got me into their restaurant early on in the semester and I do believe my initial interest was their warmer than average kitchen in the middle of February. Enough said there. How this husband-wife duo kept me coming was their fries, the cheap sandwiches of which I can choose not to have mayo and/or cheese, and mint tea with everything I order. Their tea in particular is done in something of a Moroccan style.

The Albanians, the Moroccans, and the Lebanese all serve mint tea in their eateries in France but they all do it slightly differently. By my experience, the Moroccans serve a sweeter tea. The Albanians serve a stronger tea. The Lebanese serve it not too sweet, not too strong, but always with lots of fresh mint leaves pounded and placed in the cup before pouring the tea itself. I like them all for their little nuances.

The fries and the bread in this establishment are done “a la maison.” This is always a good sign on a menu because that means they make it themselves by hand. It is one of the few places that I can eat fries without too much guilt besides Ali Baba only because though I’m eating junk food, at least it is really good junk food.

Go for: some of the cheapest, hot sandwiches in town (2.20 euro for a ham and veggie sandwich that for once has NO cheese and NO mayo), the fries, tea that comes with every meal

Avoid it for: the preteens who crowd in here at noon time so it can be better to just get your sandwich to go

Asia Wok

This is a place that just opened this semester. I pick it for best place to go when you’re just sick of eating bread. This is a stir-fry establishment and also vegetarian friendly. Woks are ordered custom made with choices of rice, different noodles, veggies, sauces, and meat. If you’re looking for a spicy stir-fry in this French-tailored “Asian” eatery, you wont get it. I mean, yes, they do have “spicy” on the menu but it is impossible to find spicy amongst the French. I only find this an issue because spicy is my favorite taste. I’m not happy until I’m looking for a gallon of milk. I’ve just accepted that French cuisine, while rich and full of flavor will never be able to touch the world of spice. Thank heavens for the North African, Middle Eastern, and Asian immigration wave in France yet again.

Go for: the meat choices that include kangaroo, a meal guaranteed with no bread, the only place I’ve found in Angers where you can eat mung beans and soy noodles.

Avoid it for: lack of seating except the four-stool bar…stuck in a corner, sodium intake, crowds at noon

Grignotine (forgive me as I’ve probably misspelled it somewhat)

Might as well ignore those other sandwich-selling bakeries if you want to stretch your euro. For the price of just a sandwich at a bakeries, you can get a sandwich, a pastry, and a drink here.

Go for: a quick, well-priced lunch, a sandwich with whole grain bread, some of the cheapest pastries in town

Avoid it for: the inevitable, mayo (this is no “Have It Your Way” joint)

Resto-U

This is the University Restaurant but everyone calls it the Resto or Resto-U. This is where you will get the best meal at the lowest price possible. The food it typical French and is sometimes an adventure. If you won’t eat it if you can’t recognize and/ or pronounce it, I wouldn’t suggest ever coming here. If you want to eat what the French typically eat on a budget, come here as much as you can. There is also dishes here that you will not typically see in an American cafeteria simply enough. How often really can one pay just 2.90 euros for salmon served with a white wine cream sauce as the main dish? Not very often.

Go for: the best priced meal to be had for a student, trying new food

Avoid it for: really noisy setting, mysterious dishes