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
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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
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
Gustav Eiffel and the Île aux Cygnes
A few weeks ago, I decided to walk to the western side of the city, past the Eiffel Tower. I had just discovered that there are, in fact, three islands in the Seine in Paris. The first two are well-known: Île de la Cité, which is home to Notre Dame, and Île Saint-Louis, which is … Continue reading Gustav Eiffel and the Île aux Cygnes
Thankful
Happy Thanksgiving! Today isn't a holiday in France of course, but Colin and I are lucky enough to have his parents here to celebrate with us. Although I should specify—here is Barcelona, Spain. We're off adventuring again, taking them to explore a new city and country. So even though our Thanksgiving will probably include more … Continue reading Thankful
Mint condition
In this episode of Things the US Should Consider Borrowing from Europe, let's talk about: Fresh mint tea. It's everywhere in Amsterdam. I've never seen it anywhere else. It never even occurred to me to make tea with fresh herbs! But it is oh so delicious, and the rest of the world should take note. … Continue reading Mint condition
Beaujolais Nouveau: il est arrivé!
Yesterday - Thursday, November 15th - was a totally French holiday. Not the kind of holiday that gets you out of work but the kind that warrants drinking wine just because. It was Beaujolais Nouveau Day, which is the day - always the third Thursday of November - when that year's vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau … Continue reading Beaujolais Nouveau: il est arrivé!
If you thought Versailles was fancy…
A couple weeks ago one of my best friends from grad school visited with her husband, and she said she wanted to see somewhere fancy. Pas de problème—France has so much history that sometimes it seems like every large building used to be a palace of some sort. When she asked about Versailles, though, I told … Continue reading If you thought Versailles was fancy…
Practice Makes Parfait 