We were better prepared for the cultural expectations this time around thanks to a great book from Jack's fabulous friend Ailene (given post-Japan trip) called Throw Your Tooth on the Roof: Tooth Traditions from Around the World. Jack lost his first two teeth in Japan, the next five in Lethbridge, and number eight now in France. In Japan, one throws bottom teeth on a roof and top teeth under a bridge or something low (to encourage the new teeth to grow straight up or down); in Lethbridge, of course, the Tooth Fairy (who has VERY fancy handwriting) leaves money under his pillow in exchange for the tooth; and in France, a little mouse (La Petite Souris) visits and also leaves money and takes the tooth back home. This website has some good details on the origins of the different myths surrounding lost teeth.
Right after Jack lost his tooth, an American living in the next village (whose daughters are the English speakers in Jack's and Kate and Liv's classes) picked me up to take me to an evening of "talking English". One of the teachers at the girls' school organizes this event because she wanted to have time each month to practice her English. On Thursday night, about 16 people came (from the U.S., Canada, Belgium, England, Austria, and of course, France) and had great wines and snacks and spoke English all night.
I asked the group just how much la petite souris left in exchange for a tooth in France (the Lethbridge tooth fairy leaves Jack a loonie). Some said it depended on the tooth (more for bigger teeth); others said five euros (what a rich mouse)!
Jack was delighted to find two euros (about $3 Canadian) in his tooth fairy pillow Friday morning. Kate and Liv were excited and even tried to tell their teachers (which is saying something, as they are not eager to speak in any language at school, although they are very happy to be there).
Later in the day, John and I went to the Friday market in nearby Nuits-St-Georges (a smaller market we wanted to check out... sadly, I forgot to take a picture of the haul). On the way out, we stopped by the great patisserie/boulangerie for our daily bread (ah, the bread!). After we paid, I noticed tiny chocolate petites souris in the display case -- and it was worth getting back in line to buy three little chocolate mice to celebrate Jack's lost tooth in France.
He was thrilled with the chocolate petite souris (and had seen them there the only other time we had been at that patisserie). He also spent the rest of the night singing "a petite souris from the patisserie" which was amusing the first hundred or so times but did eventually come to drive us a bit crazy.
That said, John and I think his smile now looks even more spectacular.
3 comments:
Hi! Congratulations to Jack for losing another tooth! I have to ask, what is a loonie??
Sorry we never got to "chat" but thanks for the instructions. Next time I will be more prepared!
A loonie is a $1 coin (with a picture of a loon on it). When Canada introduced a $2 coin, people started calling it a toonie (two-nie). Great country, eh?
We'll try to chat soon! I'll pass on the congrats to Jack. xoxo
It must be quite exciting for Jack losing his teeth in different countries. Love the big smile.
I am afraid it is still winter here - we had fog all day long. Julian and Bruce went skiing at Castle Mountain, but had bright blue skies.
You all sound as if you are settling in well and really having some fun too, that is actually quite an achievement! Moving to another culture can be quite the stress!
I love reading about all your adventures.
Karen
Post a Comment