Chocolate or Death? Chocolate, please.

I am heading to Auvergne for the weekend to stay at a beautiful old French manor house (envy me), and socialize with some very nice, kind people. I like these people because they are intelligent and classy, but also because they don't treat me like an idiot because my language skills are not as strong as theirs. They are patient with me and very gracious. This will also be the first opportunity I've had in a while to converse in French (vendors on the street and in the market don't count), and I am very excited.
Today, in preparation for this trip, I headed out to buy a hostess gift. I stopped by a chocolatier-- not any one in particular, I just needed to pick up some chocolate for the lady of the house. I know very little about fine chocolate and less about choosing a chocolatier. So, I went to Blvd. St. Germain where pretty much everything is of quality. I had passed the Patrick Roger Chocolaterie on many occasions, but never gone in--not that I wasn't tempted. He has the most amazing windows, and a life-size man made of chocolate in his store! And walking in today was a bit intimidating, but as I was the only one in the store at the time, the two employees gave me their full attention and I was able to make (what I think to be) the perfect selection of truffles and other yummy treats. The whole experience felt a bit like buying jewelry and the box it all went in is certainly worthy of the finest diamonds! The man who helped me was actually Patrick Roger himself, and after doing some reading up on him, I am quite content with the chocolatier I choose. I will definately be back (can't wait for Easter-- he is famous for his eggs).
Anyway, after spending the most amount of money I've ever spent on chocolate, I got to thinking about how different the chocolate culture here is from the US.
First and foremost, the chocolate is much richer and more bitter than in the States (which is not really saying much--most of the rest of the world hates our chocolate). And, in France, chocolate is not considered a candy, but something much more serious. Its own food group, if you will. I was feeling weak one day (after touring around town with little to eat), and stopped in a store to buy gummi bears while my friend reached for a mini-brick of chocolate. I consider 100% fruit snacks to be a healthier choice than chocolate, but she was almost amazed. "Not CANDY," she told me. "Have some of THIS. Not candy." And I got an "oh, Americans" look.
It's a very strange difference that I am still not fully able to comprehend, and therefore, inept to describe. I have been told that Belgium has the very best chocolate in the world, and I can't wait to go there, but in the mean time, I love even the cheap generic stuff France's groceries have to offer. Even that is better than anything in North America (imports don't count).

So, yes. Off to spend the next four days having fun and making friends. I am really looking forward to this trip. This will also be my first real train trip (with luggage and a destination further than a few miles). I am very excited (it really doesn't take much). What will all of you do without me?


20 pts. for movie. 10 pts. for character's FULL name:

"Chock-LATE, heh he? Rock-EE Rohhd, heh he?"