France has made international news several times lately for coming up with creative solutions to public problems. Like the Uritrottoir, which made its debut in early spring. I think it's clever, but apparently it's pissing off our neighbors (pun intended). And a theme park in western France is hoping that people will litter less if crows … Continue reading Stray observations
Month: August 2018
Tutus, Tahiti, and the travail of language learning
Lately it seems like everyone’s favorite question is whether I speak French yet. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the answer is, still, non. To be fair, here's what I can do: Say some basic stuff, albeit mostly things like "I'll have the spinach quiche please" and "I like this champagne. Can … Continue reading Tutus, Tahiti, and the travail of language learning
The most stressful part of a French party
On Monday night, we went to a wine and cheese party at the Montpellier home of the brother of one of our Paris friends. (Anne-Claire, whom you may remember from the dinner party where I, um, really made a splash.) “Bring a bottle of wine or cheese to share!” the invitation read. Now, if you're … Continue reading The most stressful part of a French party
A few days in Montpellier
Like the rest of the Parisians, Colin and I skipped town this week for somewhere more scenic. We're in Montpellier, soaking up the last of summer with seafood, sun, and - hopefully one day soon - a trip to the shore. Colin's here for an evolution conference so we aren't totally in vacation mode, but … Continue reading A few days in Montpellier
Paris in August
People warned us that Paris would change in the summer. After le 14 juillet, locals would skip out of town for four or five or six weeks of summer vacation, while international tourists would take their places. And shops would close, leaving us to rethink our regular routines. Sure enough, our regular produce market is closed, my … Continue reading Paris in August
Directions
Every now and then, some poor lost soul mistakes me for a French person and asks for directions. I take it as the ultimate compliment that they think I look like a person who lives in Paris; the only problem is that they also think I look like a person who understands French. Usually I … Continue reading Directions
Été in the Alps
Paris is sweltering after weeks of near-triple digit temperatures. It's a solid 10 degrees warmer than what Colin and I expected from Parisian summer, and since no one here has AC, we all just sit around and sweat. Ice cream and chilled wine only help so much. At what point do we admit that year … Continue reading Été in the Alps
Mmmacarons!
There are a few things you absolutely have to eat in Paris—wine and cheese, obviously, but also escargots, crème brulée, and macarons. (And one thing to avoid: the dreaded andouillette.) Colin and I have definitely done our part to support the French economy with our consumption of the first two, but somehow we made it nearly … Continue reading Mmmacarons!
Six months in
Today marks six months since we boarded the plane for Paris, and I can't believe it. Where has the time gone?! We have simultaneously done so much and so little, and although we've seen a ton, our list of places to go and things to do just keeps growing. I can’t even bring myself to … Continue reading Six months in
Le Tour de France
Sunday was the last stage of the Tour de France and, well, since we’re in France, we figured we should watch. The fun part about watching in Paris is that the cyclists ride eight laps around the same circuit, so if you blink and miss them the first time around you still have seven more … Continue reading Le Tour de France
Practice Makes Parfait 