After yesterday's teaser, I figured it was time for a more substantive Life Update. I've been avoiding the topic of our return as long as possible, but now that 2019 is upon us, it’s time to face the fact that Colin and I will be back in the U.S. next month. I'm not thrilled about … Continue reading Le retour
Author: Claire Santoro
2019
Bonne Année! Happy New Year! Colin and I just spent a wonderful few days ringing in the new year with friends in Spain. It was a multicultural celebration—we brought our favorite French champagne, another pair of French friends brought traditional Provençal desserts, our Belgian friends brought chocolate, and our Catalan friends introduced us to the … Continue reading 2019
What we ate for Christmas dinner
At French class last week, Laurine asked each of us about our plans for Christmas, specifically what we’d be eating. (The French really love food.) She started with me. I told her I’d be staying in Paris and eating Christmas dinner with some French and Belgian friends. I said that we’d decided to eat all … Continue reading What we ate for Christmas dinner
Casse-noisette
Although I love living in Paris, the language barrier means that daily life is often baffling. I never quite understand what's going on around me, and my brain is usually a minute or two behind where the conversation is. When I try to speak, I find that my vocabulary sounds like that of a kindergartener. … Continue reading Casse-noisette
Countdown to Noël
Well, it's been a week since my unfortunate tête-à-tête with a pigeon, and I've only had one nightmare involving birds since, which seems like a win. I haven't had anything quite as interesting to talk about at French class, but that's a price I'm willing to pay for personal space. Also, thanks to all of … Continue reading Countdown to Noël
Les pigeons
Yesterday was a beautiful day in Paris. It was sunny, not too cold, and bustling with holiday spirit. I left for French class early to soak up the sun, and as I walked, I brainstormed blog topics for this week. I had just decided on a photo-laden post about the holiday lights strung up across … Continue reading Les pigeons
Les Gilets Jaunes
Paris has been in the news a lot lately and not for good reasons. I've received a steady stream of worried messages from family and friends. Although I am wholly unqualified to discuss the political issues at the heart of the protests, I can reassure you that Colin and I are safe. The protests of … Continue reading Les Gilets Jaunes
Back in Belgium
Well, that whole regular-routine thing didn't last long! Colin and I are traveling again, but this time we're only gone for a long weekend. He's giving a talk at the University of Antwerp, so we decided to stay in Belgium for the weekend to see our friends here. Coming back to Belgium reminded me that … Continue reading Back in Belgium
American cuisine, according to the French
For the holiday season, our local department store (the Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville, or BHV) has added a few displays of international cuisine. Here's the American one: French's mustard, Hellmann's mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, Tabasco sauce, popcorn, pancakes, Star Wars potato chips, Reese's peanut butter, and Marshmallow Fluff. I'm so disgusted that I don't know … Continue reading American cuisine, according to the French
A few days in Barcelona
Well, tourist season in Paris is officially over. It's turned wintry - meaning rainy - over the last couple weeks, and our last visitors left on Wednesday. That in itself is bittersweet. It's nice to get back to a regular routine, but it's sad to realize that we'll be leaving ourselves in just a couple … Continue reading A few days in Barcelona
Practice Makes Parfait 