Biking on a Parisian August Morning

(Something I wrote back in August of 2020…) I leave the house and I’m pessimistic. It’s a little after 9am, meaning the tail end of rush hour. The last time I left the house at this time there were hardly any vélibs (the Paris bike-sharing system) around that actually worked, causing a lot of wasted…

Instagram Accounts to Transport You to France / Des comptes Instagram qui vous font voyager en France

There are many French (or more often Paris) based Instagram accounts out there that have pretty pictures and stories of the Seine, the Eiffel Tower, the Haussmannien buildings with a ray of sunshine hitting the lense, flower shops, picnics of wine and cheese, and fields of lavender. All of those things do exist here, and…

Podcasts About France / des podcasts sur la France

Missing France these days with no trip in sight? Sit back, put one of these on, and enjoy some good old armchair travel.

How to get PACSed / Se pacser

First of all: What is a PACS? A PACS is a pacte civil de solidarité, which basically means an administrative civil union. It was originally created before same-sex marriage was legal in France so same-sex couples could have some legal rights, but statistically more heterosexual couples get pacsed each year. There is no ceremony, and…

Sevilla

Sevilla was built with narrow streets to give shade to the apartments from the blasting sun. For me, it is the epitome of Spain, or Andalusia at least, the capitol of the southern region.

Going to the doctor’s / Aller chez le médecin

Like most people that move to France, it took me awhile to get my carte vitale. Americans marvel at European health care systems, so not long after I arrived, one night at the dinner table, I wanted to discuss the system with my host parents. Instead they sent me a shock by taking it literally,…

Lost & Found

A piece for A Light In The Attic/Studio Story Hour

Amsterdam

There are a lot of first impressions one can have about this city. It can come off seedy to some and charming to others. Admittedly there are a lot of must’s that everyone does, but once that is done, the city can surprise you.

Thanksgiving à la française

This year will be my fourth Thanksgiving in France. Each year is different, the less attached I feel to the holiday, yet the better I get at doing it from afar. My first year consisted of my American and British friends assembling what we could in our limited and or non-existent kitchens and meeting at…

Budapest

With an area of over two-hundred square miles, the city that was once divided in three is now a mix of old and new. Beyond the ruin bars and baths, the city has a deep history and unique food scene that’s worth exploring.

Stockholm

The capitol of Scandinavia, the city is comprised up of 14 islands, which means you will get your sea life fix while in a metropolitan city. Admittedly, this is an area that can be a bit expensive for those on a budget, but it shouldn’t stop you from spending a long weekend and exploring a city with so much to offer.

Florence

When I think of Florence, I think of art. The Uffizi and Academia galleries. What’s great about Florence is that it feels like a big city and a small town at the same time. If you get a chance, walk around on the south side/left bank of the river. It’s quiet, calm, and residential, ie where the locals are at.