A few years ago, I was at the office during one of the delicious heat-waves that Paris enjoys at least once a summer. Our office was on the 5th floor and was orientation ouest (west-facing), so it got the afternoon sun and became a veritable fournaise (furnace) in the summertime. One day it got so hot … Continue reading …you think the air conditioning is making you sick
Becoming French
…you learn to live with the strikes
The strikes (or "les grèves") are one of the biggest clichés about living in France. And much like the difficulties of dealing with l'administration or the frequency with which French people say "oh la la", after you live here for a while you quickly realize that this cliché is very much true. I've seen many … Continue reading …you learn to live with the strikes
…you start using French expressions
Learning French in Paris is a daily battle. English is everywhere, so much so that you could actually get by without speaking French at all. Well, at least in most places. But, if you persevere, you do have little victories every now and again. Like the feeling you get when you learn a new word … Continue reading …you start using French expressions
…you become a French cititzen
It has been a while since I last blogged. Nearly two years to be exact. In those two years, a lot has changed. Some changes have been good, others bad. France elected its youngest ever President, Emmanuel Macron (cf. macaron.) Colette, a favourite hang-out of fashion folk and celebrities alike, closed its doors definitively. And David Pujadas, … Continue reading …you become a French cititzen
You know you're turning Parisian when... 