Madame Perruque was on fire this week. We were continuing our critiques of magazine ads and Juliet, an impossibly tall, thin, Cuban woman – who looked like she had just breezed off the pages of Cosmopolitan herself – made her way to the front of the class. Her choice was a steamy, full page ad … Continue reading
It’s taken me more time than it should have to get to where I am with my French. I am still struggling with the basics, but I am finally starting to be able to have simple conversations with people. And my newly minted French voice is opening all kinds of doors for me both figuratively … Continue reading
After my discouraging first day at school, things have been looking up considerably. I am loving my class so far and miraculously I feel like my French is finally starting to improve. I never did find the elusive “U” bus but I managed to find the 22, which works just as well. I started off … Continue reading
Today’s tip: Le marché de la libération – Nice, France France is known for its markets and the south of France is known for its fresh produce and seafood. Le marché de la libération combines all of the above and it is delightful. Something of a local secret, the market is situated away from the … Continue reading
I felt optimistic as I climbed the steep hill leading up to campus for my first day of school. I am attending the Corlone campus – one “e” away from being Nice’s mob school- which houses the languages department of Nice University. The Faculty of Lettres, or le fac as it is called, consists of … Continue reading
After a summer of non-stop travel and excitement I am settling back into the apartment in Nice and trying to stay put for a few months. It is quite a change to be back and to be adjusting to the pace of life in the South of France. I spent so much time in the … Continue reading
In my travels during the past couple of years, I started noticing all of the varied utility covers embedded in the roads and sidewalks in cities all over the world. I became so fascinated with the rustic, industrial, beauty of the water, sewer, gas and electric lines and covers, I have started a photographic collection … Continue reading
When I tell people I live in the south of France, I am met by jaws slack with envy and any number of variations on “must be nice” in reply. And to be sure, there are plenty of wonderful things about living here. It is indeed very nice. But I don’t live in the south … Continue reading
I was excited to read that there was a rummage sale in Nice this weekend – actually the French call it a Vide Grenier, which literally means to empty the attic – but whatever you call it, any scenario where people set up tables with mounds of cool, cheap, used, stuff is a dream come true … Continue reading
My neighborhood here in Nice feels like a little microcosm of modern France. From my balcony I can see the ethnic diversity and historical layers that make up the area. I love the combination of cultures that come together here. As I try to make this foreign city home, I am in good company with … Continue reading
The worst has happened: I can’t sleep. What’s the big deal? You might ask. While insomnia may seem like no big thing, especially in the recent wake of a nine-hour time change, it is a huge deal for me. I can sleep anywhere, anytime. On a bus or a plane, or at a party… It’s … Continue reading
I am terrified of the post office. There I said it. Ridiculous, I know, but its true. Its not that it’s difficult to get to, there is one two blocks from the apartment. I pass by it most days on my way to the beach or the grocery store or wherever. But I’m afraid to … Continue reading
More than four months after touching down in the US, I have finally booked my flight back to France. I have spent nearly as much time back here on the west coast as I have in France in the past months, which strictly speaking was not part of the plan. But it feels good to … Continue reading
The thing about “living the dream” of quitting my old life and setting sail for greener pastures, is sometimes I still covet life in other places. I love living in Nice. It’s gorgeous and sunny and I have quickly become used to the slow pace of life in Provence. But I find it hard to … Continue reading
I could barely contain my excitement as I ran-walked to the train station to visit my newfound amour. I felt a little sheepish as I bid my French teacher au revoir, but as I boarded the train and settled in for the 40-minute journey, the guilt was immediately replaced by anticipation. Velvety rich cappuccinos, steaming … Continue reading
Living in France is like being in the midst of perpetual French etiquette exam, without ever having seen the textbook. There are so many rules, and social codes here, an entire book could be written about the dos and don’ts of drinking coffee alone. Just like trying to keep track of when to use an … Continue reading
It’s a very odd thing to be a foreigner in an unfamiliar country, especially when one doesn’t speak the language. Here I am an educated, functioning adult, stripped down to an illiterate clueless, childlike being totally unable to express myself with even a shred of grace or articulation. I have been wandering around Nice, going … Continue reading
I have been in France for nearly a month now, and the Englishman has gone back to work, so I am on my own for the first time, and the vacation is over. I have vastly overblown my resources in the past few weeks, flitting around Nice and Corsica and Italy as if I am … Continue reading
To my Californian ears, Corsica always sounded like one of the most exotic and luxurious destinations on earth. For years its name has conjured images of bright beaches mixed with European sophistication. And although the reality did not disappoint, it did surprise. The Englishman and I decided to travel there by ferry from Nice. We … Continue reading
