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lellololes t1_jd1t882 wrote

You'll run in to more french speaking people in northern NE but that's about it.

Why not just go to Canada? Getting a passport isn't much of a hurdle and it'll open the door to more interesting travel.

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DeerFlyHater t1_jd2iups wrote

Agreed. While Canada does have some rules for entry, it's an easy trip and Quebec is pretty neat.

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broknkittn t1_jd3b8sw wrote

I just applied for my passport and waiting for it to arrive. I can't wait to go to Canada! I've lived a sheltered life. lol

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damnpslab t1_jd4yh58 wrote

Not sure if it’s related but traveling within the US is amazing too if you haven’t gotten the chance. Go to the southwest or somewhere like glacier and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a different world

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broknkittn t1_jd5sfhg wrote

I would love to go to Alaska, it looks so pretty up there. Lived in TX and S FL now in the NE. Visited AZ (work trip) but it was summer and not doing that ever again!

I need to find friends that want to go places. Most everyone I know has family/kids and won't leave the immediate vicinity. I want to go see things! Thankfully NE is just coming out of winter (kinda) and it's beautiful here too, it will keep me occupied in the interim.

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coreyraerae t1_jdalphb wrote

I’m born and raised in AK and now reside in NE. I recommend AK. It’s great.

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wojtekthesoldierbear OP t1_jd2pack wrote

I have a passport. I'll consider it.

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maxhinator123 t1_jd2rv6g wrote

If you haven't been, Montreal is so awesome and hip. Quebec city is a bit further but straight up feels like a small french city. It's absolutely beautiful and they don't speak much English lol. Very romantic city too with lots to do. The cafes and bakeries are phenomenal

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wojtekthesoldierbear OP t1_jd2shvz wrote

I have been to Montreal! Haven't wanted to travel up there though unless necessary.

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lellololes t1_jd2txrs wrote

Why wouldn't you?

You're basically saying "I want to go see a thing but I don't want to go see it"

Edit: Also looks like round trip tickets to Paris from Boston can be had for about $500 up through May on Play (A budget Icelandic airline). It might be worth a trip.

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wojtekthesoldierbear OP t1_jd2wh64 wrote

I'd consider that. But South France or Normandy is where the real fun is at.

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lellololes t1_jd2wra3 wrote

Once you're in Paris it's easy enough to take another flight or the train to wherever. I haven't been to southern France personally but it sounds like your wife would love it. If you can afford it I think you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't go.

If you want good pouting, by the way, check out Duckfat in Portland Me. It isn't remotely French Canadian but it is delicious. Just be aware that there will be a line to get in.

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trolllord45 t1_jd2tagq wrote

Isn’t that exactly the kind of thing you’re looking for though?

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wojtekthesoldierbear OP t1_jd2wcer wrote

Indeed. But I want to stay stateside. I'd rather fly to New Orleans to be honest.

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RickyDaytonaJr t1_jd2y0zm wrote

So, the most cosmopolitan French speaking city in North America is about three hours away, and you’d rather travel 1500 miles south to a city that spoke creole 200 years ago?

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[deleted] t1_jd3bvpj wrote

Why though? Haven’t renewed the passport? I get it if Montreal wasn’t French enough for you (you’d find plenty of Quebecois who’d agree too), but that’s clearly not it.

Dude go take advantage of the strong dollar. America is the worst place in the world for a culture oriented vacation. Everything is the same everywhere. Copy pasted strip malls and chain restaurants and it’s all so goddamn expensive. DC and NYC are cool for a couple days, see the museums and whatnot, but that’s about it. The US is a good place to vacation for outdoorsy types, but not what you’re going for.

If you were looking for Spanish speakers, I’d say go to Miami. If you were looking for Vietnamese speakers, I’d say go to San Jose. If you were looking for Mandarin speakers, I’d say go to Chinatown. But French? Nah. The vast majority of French speakers in the US won’t be native speakers, unless you count Haitian Creole as French, which no one does. If you do, consider a trip to Brockton, MA! Not the nicest place but you’re actually less likely to get stabbed there than New Orleans.

Anyway, there are some towns in far northern New England (especially Maine) where double digit percentages of households speak French at home, but these are very rural areas. You’re gonna look like a lunatic going to the one store in town on a mission to find native French speakers. They might speak passable French as a second language, but that’s to accommodate the Quebecois visitors.

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wojtekthesoldierbear OP t1_jd3ingu wrote

All my stuff is current. I have personal reasons I am hesitant over.

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[deleted] t1_jd3k17e wrote

Ah, sorry, I was being uncharitable, assuming it was some weird nationalistic thing. I think I get what you’re implying now.

In that case, New Orleans might not be a bad option. NYC might be better though. Go see some French paintings at the Met, go to a French restaurant… California wine country might hit the spot, too. Obviously it’s more culturally Spanish, but it’s a very similar climate to Southern France.

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wojtekthesoldierbear OP t1_jd3klyu wrote

California wine country definitely would fit the bill. I used to drive party buses through Temecula. That isn't Napa Valley but it was still pretty cool.

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Different_Ad7655 t1_jd352af wrote

Just stay on the highway and don't go exploring through a more rural crossing. Perhaps entry into Canada is easy this way but wow I got the third degree coming back over the two lane crossing near richford Vermont in the Northeast Kingdom. Took me more than an hour of searching and I was the only car. Stay on 89.

Manchester still has French parishes but it is rare that you still hear it on the street anymore as it was in the '60s when I was growing up. I know plenty that speak French but do not use it anymore.. Better luck if you go all the way up to Berlin, more isolated. But yes others have stated at that point just go to Quebec

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Pattmommy t1_jd3xp7q wrote

We were in Chez Vachon this morning in Manchester and there was a table of older men speaking anglicised French like my mother used to speak when I was growing up in Maine. It was pretty nostalgic to hear.

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Different_Ad7655 t1_jd4e7l1 wrote

Yep that's still a pretty good hot spot to catch a little French, maybe in pinardville too, or maybe Saco Biddeford, right?

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Successful_Border321 t1_jd3g6xu wrote

Quebec city is beyond great, the only walled city on the north american continent north of Mexico city. Super charming, very french Canadian, and the perfect getaway for two or three days.

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GraniteGeekNH t1_jd3heft wrote

Agreed. It feels like you're in Europe, as cliched as that sounds.

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Successful_Border321 t1_jd3hja8 wrote

Is not cliche though, it’s the truth, and its a 5 hour drive for me. Its a great weekend trip with wifey.

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