I know you're all anxious for an update on my secret identity - and I promise I'll get to that soon - but the prelude to that update is actually my recent trip to Italy. I know, I know—after having just written about how this fall is jam-packed with visitors, how did I have time … Continue reading A quiet realization
France
Tourist season, take two (it’s better with champagne)
Summer is definitely tourist season in Paris, unless - apparently - you're living here, in which case all your friends and family prefer to come in the fall. For the first six months, we had exactly two houseguests: (1) my mom, who works in an elementary school and thus can only get away during the … Continue reading Tourist season, take two (it’s better with champagne)
The mountains were calling
In the words of John Muir: the mountains were calling, and I had to go. Last week, Colin and I returned to my new favorite place in France - the Alps - this time with his brother and brother's girlfriend, who were the first in a long string of visitors we have coming this fall. We … Continue reading The mountains were calling
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
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
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
How to move to France: Part II
See Part I – which includes everything from scheduling your consulate appointment to actually applying for and getting your visa – here. Bienvenue en France! It’s tempting to think that you’re done with paperwork now that you’re here, but unfortunately that’s not the case. The second half of the process of moving to France requires … Continue reading How to move to France: Part II
How to move to France: Part I
While orchestrating our move to Paris, I relied heavily on blogs and other online resources to figure out what to do and how to do it. Unfortunately, I discovered that info can be pretty limited, so I decided to write a few informational posts detailing what I’ve learned. Apologies if these aren’t as interesting to … Continue reading How to move to France: Part I
