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
Language
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
Faire des courses
People ask what I do all day in Paris. The answer, to paraphrase David Lebovitz in his book The Sweet Life in Paris, is that I embark on the daily adventure called Running Errands. Faire des courses, en français. I happen to really like this translation because courses – in addition to meaning “errands” – … Continue reading Faire des courses
The Cheese Guy
Lately we've really been trying to become regulars at our favorite cheese place. We eat bread and cheese for dinner more often than not, so this felt like a good relationship to invest in. You get better cheese if they know and like you. Before we left for Tel Aviv, we went to the same … Continue reading The Cheese Guy
Poivr(e/on)
I went to the produce market today to buy salad ingredients for dinner. I looked around for a minute, then greeted one of the employees and asked for some mixed greens, a yellow onion, a bunch of local tomatoes, and a green pepper. He carefully measured out a couple handfuls of lettuce and bagged up … Continue reading Poivr(e/on)
Say what?
After being away from France for so long, my brain is having a hard time getting used to hearing and speaking French again. On my best days, my proficiency level could probably be described as "older toddler," and these certainly aren't my best days. (My twin niece and nephew are two, and I often think … Continue reading Say what?
Google Translate et moi, nous sommes fatigués
Yesterday, after a long day of flights and trains, I arrived back in Paris. Unfortunately I had one time-sensitive errand to run since Colin's collaborator Anthony needed a piece of research equipment for his own fieldwork starting today. So I dragged my suitcase up the four flights of stairs to our apartment, caught my breath, … Continue reading Google Translate et moi, nous sommes fatigués
Mirror, mirror, on the wall
Most of the French I encounter on a daily basis is a little over my head, but this sweet sentiment truly was. "Mais oui, tu es belle!," the mirror reads. ("But yes, you are beautiful!") Non—I think it should say "mais oui, tu es petite!" instead.
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
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
Practice Makes Parfait 