Three Scourges of Provence: Scourge #3

Scourge #3: Beer is cheaper than tea! "Kan jy dit glo?" (Can you believe it?) That's probably just fine if all you want to drink is beer or wine but not such good news for a teapot like me.

On principle I won't pay 3 Euros for a cup of tea when a beer costs 2.50. Once converted to Canadian dollars, $4.50 for a cup of tea is exorbitant. More than twice the price of what it would cost me at home. And that is without milk. Oh, you'd like milk with that - that's extra if you please. Needless to say, we were tea dry for most of our visit.

Case in point, one Aix morning, I head down to the corner store to grab a few items. "Look what I got us for breakfast for just more than 6 Euros," I boast to M on my return. I unpack a baguette, camembert cheese, yoghurt, apples and beer - 750ml of Kronenburg. It's always good to keep the surprise factor in a marriage I smile to myself as M exclaims with disbelief from under the shower.

And did we drink beer with our breakfast? Wouldn't you like to know!

So imagine how great was the indulgence when, on a cold damp afternoon in Bonnieux, we happen upon a restaurant that serves tea for the same price as a beer - 2.50 if you please. Yes, I certainly do please. Not only did it come with milk in a dainty jug, it was delightfully served in an elegant tea pot with a speculaas cookie on the side.

I enjoyed the occasion: steeping the tea in the tea pot, pouring milk from the jug into my cup and then adding the hot tea. M and I conversed with the hostess in broken English (hers) and juvenile French (ours). We understood each other well enough to share a laugh about the French prevalence for smoking excessively and drinking copious amounts of alcohol because tea is so expensive. She summarised French culture for us: "We drink! We smoke! Vive La France!"

And don't forget to watch for the dog poop as you step out the door.