Quality of life

According to a recent article on CNN.com, France has been voted the best place in the world to live for the fifth year in a row.

Switzerland ranks in third place; the United States, seventh.  International Living Magazine, which has conducted an annual Qualify of Life index survey for the past 30 years, ranks 194 countries in accordance with the index which comprises nine categories: Cost of Living, Culture and Leisure, Economy, Environment, Freedom, Health, Infrastructure, Safety and Risk and Climate. The Index analyzes data from several official sources, including government web sites, the World Health Organization, and several media sources.  France scores high marks across the board in the survey, which is done every January, from health care (100 points) to infrastructure (92 points) to safety and risk (100 points).

Dan Prescher, special projects editor at the magazine, is succinct when asked why France keeps on winning: "The bread, the cheese, the wine."  Bindi Dupuoy, an Australian lawyer who lives in France (Australia comes in as number two) also appreciates the health care system and the generous maternity leave, as well as a generous vacation time.  "They treat expecting mums like treasures here," she said.   And she should know.   She got almost five months paid maternity leave from her company for the recent birth of her son.  She can take another seven months off beyond that -- a year total -- unpaid, if she wants, with her job guaranteed under French law.

As one who has the good fortune to spend most of the year in western Switzerland, about 10 minutes from the French border, I literally thank all the Powers That Be.  While I cannot speak firsthand about the French health care system, I certainly can't complain about the care and treatment I have received under the Swiss system, which is not paid for in the same way.  But I do know firsthand about the bread, the cheese and the wine.

So today, I'll give you a taste of what it's like to live around here.  Please keep in mind, however, that most of these photos were not taken in the winter.  Still, some cheering-up never hurts.  Especially after the huge snowfall in the Washington, DC area.

Let's begin with some bread and cheese.

More bread ...

To go with the bread, some nice cured ham.  Cured meats also go well with melon as an appetizer.

Vegetables are always good and Sweet K checks these out at the market in nearby Ferney-Voltaire.

Nice ripe olives go well anytime.

Appetizers can also be fancy, if one wants to impress.

Fish is always good for the diet.  The one looks ferocious but tastes delicious.

Don't forget the herbs and spices!

And now, we're just about ready to eat.  A table, tout le monde!

There's still something missing ... and here it is!  Le vin!  The prices are even more impressive when one realizes that this photo was taken before the euro became the standard EU currency.  Francs are worth a LOT less than today's euros.

Here's how Frenchwomen stay svelte even during meals with several courses: small portions.  But oh, are those small portions delicious!

Don't forget dessert!

And please don't forget to bring flowers for the hostess!  These prices, unfortunately, are in euros.  But the bouquets are truly works of art.