Excuse my French...
In and around France
C'est la vie- only the French could coin a phrase that brilliantly waives a white flag of resignation and incomprehension in front of life, while simultaneously defining it: "That's life." But minus the French shrugs and the audible sighs of Americans, the literal English translation of the phrase is quite fascinating. "It is the life."
The life, singular, as in you get only one. In this case, it is my life, and I invite you to see it through my eyes as I live and teach in France this year. Maybe I will find something to share, a good story, a good laugh, or my place in the grand scheme of things. But if all else fails, I take comfort in knowing I will (at the very least) master the art of a simple shrug. C'est la vie!
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler C est la vie
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1
Crazytown U.S.A- My first destination
I am moving to France in three days.
I have verbalized it many times over the last few months, chatting with well-wishers and loved ones, ma... Continue reading »
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2
God wants me to join a convent, but there just aren't enough electrical outlets.
So I have arrived. Safely, maybe not so soundly, but I am here. Where is here you ask? Well, to be completely honest, I am not sure, yet. It is som... Continue reading »
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3
Vacation 1 (of 4) I love working in France.
Vacation 1 (of 4) I love working in France.
One of the perks to moving to a foreign country to take on a job that entails morphing in... Continue reading »
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4
Halloween in Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland: October 30- November 2
We had a bit of trouble getting to Scotland. I thought my plan was foolproof, but a congl... Continue reading »
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5
Nogent Le Rotrou- Home Sweet Home?
I have been living in Nogent Le Rotrou for over a month, and I now feel I can finally and confidently describe the town as a true resident, rather... Continue reading »
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6
The Thanksgiving Trilogy
The Thanksgiving Trilogy
Thanksgiving doesn’t exist in France. Most Americans, including myself, have never spent the holidays o... Continue reading »
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7
Kicking off Christmas
Strasbourg, November 25,2006
Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love the build up- I love multicolored, blinking lights, frosted... Continue reading »
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8
The Saga of Half-Stash
Dear France, Please stop your Tom Foolery. Sincerely, me.
In my advertising and marketing classes in college, there was one golden rule: “Per... Continue reading »
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9
Kangaroo and Cookies
If you are looking for a town with bright lights, carolers, jingle bells and aesthetic Christmas cheer, keep driving- Nogent le Rotrou is not the... Continue reading »
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10
Pinkeye in Paris
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Christmas this year, even at home, with all of the pomp and circumstance of our large family, it never really h... Continue reading »
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11
The Cramped Couchette
Paris to Florence on the midnight express.Our couchette left at 8:00 from a small station to the southeast of Gare Lyon, and to ensure w... Continue reading »
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12
I Heart Castiglion Fiorentino
After sitting for an hour and a half in the Florence train station’s McDonalds, (it always strikes me funny as how much of traveling... Continue reading »
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