France ≠ Paris

As I've been prepping to make my epic (in the true sense of the word) journey to France, I've discovered that an alarming number of friends, family, and perfect strangers have the strange habit of assuming I'll be living in Paris. In fact, I can't tell you how many people have asked something along the lines of "when are you leaving for Paris?" after I've told them about my prospective adventure. Ahem...I consider it, therefore, my duty to inform you all that I will not, in fact, be living in Paris. I know what some of you may be thinking:

GASP! But I thought you said you were going to France?!

Why, yes--yes I am. However, I'm actually going to be living in Lyon. It's located in the south(ish) east of France, about two hours outside of Geneva, Switzerland. It's the second largest city in the country (although some would say that Marseille is larger) and is known as one of the gastronomic capitals of the world. I have to mention that last part because, frankly, I'm pretty excited... :) 

The funniest thing about people thinking I'm going to Paris, however, is that the idea persists even after I tell them what city I'll be in. I'm left with the unfortunate conclusion that a sad number of Americans don't know that Paris doesn't take up the whole of  France... However, in the event that this post be construed as a "stupid American" bashing session, I have to point out that when I attempted in the past to explain to some Europeans where Utah is, I often just opted to say that it was sort-of close to California... (After which some people really did ask if I often saw movie stars in Hollywood.) Sigh. 

At any rate, I just want to let you all know that I will not, in fact, have a regular view of the Eiffel Tower. (Although its iconic nature does figure into my blog header.) Inasmuch as Paris is great and certainly is the capital of France, there are many more wonderful places to visit, and even to live, than the city of light.