Category: France

Occupy Hemingway Bar at the Ritz Paris

Right now in my home country an ongoing demonstration is taking place in a private park in the financial district of lower Manhattan. You may have heard of it….Occupy Wall Street. Over the past 28 days the movement has spread across the great US of A, and is also said to be trickling into other… Continue reading Occupy Hemingway Bar at the Ritz Paris

Topless at the Immigration Office

It is official! I am official! Yep, as of 10am yesterday the French Government declared me healthy and said I am allowed to stay here to continue eating baguettes, wandering the Rues of Paris and spending Euro…they emphasized the spending Euro part J. The visa process here in France has been two fold.  First I… Continue reading Topless at the Immigration Office

Experimental Post – One Hour at Fouquet’s

I have decided to do something a little different today… as an experiment. I thought instead of sharing a week’s worth of experiences in one sitting, I would instead chose a café in Paris, have a drink, observe and record all that I see in one hour. The joy of life in Paris is really… Continue reading Experimental Post – One Hour at Fouquet’s

My Birthday in Champagne!

In July and August, Parisianers pack their suitcases and head out of the city for the all important vacance.  The metros and rues are now full of Frenchies dragging wheeled suitcases in full anticipation of their beach time in Spain, Corisica or Morocco (and this year more than others people are extra excited to exit Paris since we have… Continue reading My Birthday in Champagne!

Bastille Day and Beyond!

Why does time seem to elapse even faster in Paris??? At my advancing age (I turn a year older on Sunday! Yikes…and Yay!), this isn’t a good thing :)!  Well, I guess we should just all get use to the fact that I will continue to miss my personal goal of posting once a week….however, if… Continue reading Bastille Day and Beyond!

Bienvenue a 7eme Arrondissement!

In The Toronto Star Weekly on February 4th, 1922, Ernest Hemingway wrote an article about living in Paris on $1,000 a year. In it he celebrates the robust exchange rate of the Canandian and US dollar compared to the franc…12.5 francs = 1 dollar.  His hotel cost 12 francs a day, his breakfast cost 2 francs… Continue reading Bienvenue a 7eme Arrondissement!

My Baguette Belly :)

Il fait chaud aujourd’hui…tres chaud! Today is the first day since I have been here that I have felt and experienced summer heat….in fact, as I sit her holed up in my little apartment, shutters shut tight blocking the sun’s rays and my fan blasting on high, my iphone reads that the temp outside is a balmy 97… Continue reading My Baguette Belly 🙂

Saturday Night in Paris

It is Saturday night.  I am settled on my couch/bed watching L’Ecole Des Fans, a cute program where children around the age of 5 get to sing a song with one of their favorite French singers.  The kids are asked pretty basic questions prior to their performance (i.e. What is your name? What will you sing? … Continue reading Saturday Night in Paris

Week One as a French Débutante – Fini!

The French word for “beginner” is débutante….kinda nice, I think…and I suppose it is good that I like the word as I am sure I will be using as a self-descriptive adjective for a while! My first week of French classes fell during a week that France also had a national holiday or un jour férié.  Ascension Day… Continue reading Week One as a French Débutante – Fini!

Home in the 17e…At least for the next 4 weeks!

Ah! So nice to be in my own space! I officially moved in today around 1:30pm. I should have been here to meet Ignacio at 1pm, but a late taxi delayed me (more and more I am learning customer service is not the strong suite of the French). To enhance your customer service, click here… Continue reading Home in the 17e…At least for the next 4 weeks!