I've alluded to my ever-growing To Do for Fun list in previous posts, but I never actually talked about what was on it. The list currently stands at 61 items, although a couple have been removed after further research (for example, tickets to the Moulin Rouge are outrageously expensive, so we decided we weren't interested) … Continue reading La Liste
Author: Claire Santoro
Pique-nique
Last Friday was the first day it was truly warm in Paris, so I set out on one of my longer walks—north from our apartment in the 4th arrondissement, into the 11th, and straight through to the 19th. My destination was the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, an oasis with winding trails, a manmade lake, and grass … Continue reading Pique-nique
Raisins
After finishing dinner on Saturday night but before the great toilet debacle, Colin and Anthony were enjoying a digestif of rum. Anthony, as one would expect for someone who's lived in France for years, knows alcohol well and, after offering his quick assessment, asked Colin what he thought. "It tastes like sunshine!" Colin joked, not … Continue reading Raisins
Making a splash
On Saturday, Colin and I went to dinner at his boss's apartment. Perhaps "boss" is too formal, but Anthony is the researcher here who's welcomed Colin into his lab for the year. They've known each other for ages and get along as friends, despite Anthony being quite a bit older. The meal began as all … Continue reading Making a splash
This post brought to you by a laptop-friendly cafe
The French do not mix work and food, or really anything and food. Most of the time I love this about France, but over the past couple weeks I began to get frustrated for one reason: my dream of parking myself at a cafe to read and write for hours on end began seeming like … Continue reading This post brought to you by a laptop-friendly cafe
Le printemps
Spring has definitely sprung in Paris, although lately it's been more of the April showers than flowers variety. Still, I've taken advantage of breaks in the rain to seek out spring colors wherever I can find them, which is a little like an Easter egg hunt in this city of très chic black and gray. … Continue reading Le printemps
Some thoughts on Antigua, and travel, and privilege
I’ve been struggling with how to write about my trip to Antigua because, although I loved the cricket match, the helicopter ride, and the few afternoons we spent at the beach, I honestly did not love the island. I struggle even writing that sentence. There is so much to unpack in my disappointment. First, of … Continue reading Some thoughts on Antigua, and travel, and privilege
Stray observations
Ever since I moved to Paris, Spotify has played me ads in French. I actually don't mind this because, since I understand so little, it's easier to tune them out. One of my first purchases here was shampoo. I bought a bottle labeled "ultra doux" (ultra soft) in an olive oil scent. I expected essence … Continue reading Stray observations
Two months, four countries
Forgive me if I don't quite know where I am these days! It's been two months since Colin and I took off for London, and since then we've spent several weeks in Paris, a couple weeks in Antigua, and a week back in the U.S. I just got home yesterday after a 24-hour journey punctuated … Continue reading Two months, four countries
Jiminy Cricket!
Before Colin and I had even arrived in Antigua, a turtle researcher invited us to join him at the West Indies-England cricket match that would take place after Colin’s return from Redonda. Colin and I – like most Americans – knew nothing about cricket other than that the games have a reputation for spanning hours … Continue reading Jiminy Cricket!
Practice Makes Parfait 