Cheese, please.

One thing I haven't mentioned yet, is how we all get through our day over on this side of the world....
I'm talking about food. Of course. Breakfast usually consists of a hot drink (coffee or hot chocolate), cereal if you want (usually also with chocolate in it), bread with butter and jam, and milk or orange juice. You pick and choose what combination you want. Lunch is a larger meal - more like dinner. I've had everything from chicken to pasta, to couscous and veggies. Dinner is smaller (most of the time) and served later...usually 7 or 8. Most of the time there are a 2 courses. The main dish (an omelet, veggie puree, chicken), and then the cheese...
Oh, the cheese. You really don't realize how insanely PLASTIC American cheese is until you come to the place where cheese was invented. All right, I don't know who invented cheese, but the French certainly do have the highest appreciation for it, I think. And it is strong. I liked strong cheeses back in the states too...but this is a totally different beast. Usually you tear off your hunk of bread, choose a cheese, slice off a slab (I take slivers, since I'm so "inexperienced"), and there it is. Camembert, fromage a chevre (goat cheese - the one I have the most trouble with), Parmesan...it's all there. My favorite so far is a piece of parmesan, and then you eat it with cherry jam. Bizarre, I know, but I love it! Foie gras is also a new experience. I try not to think about what it's made of...and just eat it. I've only been able to eat a little, it's one of those acquired tastes, I think. The acquired taste that ALL of France has!