Colin and I started our trip last month in Milan, where he had a week-long conference. Now Milan may be known as a fashion capital of the world and an international business hub, but it is decidedly not known for its tourist appeal. That meant that our week was pretty quiet overall, compared to other … Continue reading Milan: not-so-touristy Italy
To Do
Where to go (and where to avoid) in Morocco
Reverse culture shock is real, guys. Colin and I have been back in the US for two weeks and in St. Louis for one, and things like SUVs and billboards and noisy restaurants and supermarkets completely overwhelm me. I mostly spend my days searching online for nearby wine and cheese markets and then crying, "Mon … Continue reading Where to go (and where to avoid) in Morocco
Getting to know the Paris arrondissements
While we're traveling/en route back to the US, I've scheduled a couple posts summing up our year in Paris. Today: the Paris arrondissements. This year, Colin and I took on a number of different challenges in an effort to get to know Paris better. The big one was our To Do For Fun list (I'm due for an … Continue reading Getting to know the Paris arrondissements
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
Losing our heads
Well, it's officially la rentrée (back-to-school) in Paris! I didn't realize how empty the city had been until all the locals came back—now it's definitely bustling. And between the tourists that haven't left yet and the shops that are just reopening, it seems like everyone is going a little extra crazy these days. Losing our heads, you … Continue reading Losing our heads
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
Sur La Tour Eiffel
The biggest challenge with having visitors in Paris is tempering their expectations, because there’s never enough time to see everything they want to. On one tour I went on with my mom, the guide told us she’d moved here from Mississippi decades ago, and her family continues to ask when she’s coming home. “When I … Continue reading Sur La Tour Eiffel
La Liste
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
Practice Makes Parfait 