For over 60 years Robert Doisneau was committed to capturing “les petits moments de bonheur de la vie quotidienne” (small moments of happiness in daily life). His subjects were both parisiens (people who live in Paris) and les banlieusards (those who live in the Parisian suburbs). Though his photos are quite different from one another, they […]
Exploring Bilbao, Spain: A Paradise for Foodies and Art Lovers
After writing a paper on the Bilbao Guggenheim for a contemporary art history course in graduate school, I knew I had to get there one day. I was captivated by Frank Gehry’s innovative architectural design and curious to see the museum’s diverse collection. So, the day after I finished a rather intense teaching gig […]
Why I’m “Soldes” on Shopping in Paris
When I was living in France, I used to count down the days (and save my centimes) to two exhilarating periods of sales in the winter and summer. Winter soldes typically begin in Paris the second week in January and last through the first week in February. Summer soldes usually begin the third or fourth […]
Granada, Spain: City of Culture, Castles and Cuisine
While planning what was supposed to be a trip to Spain and Morocco, I scheduled a 1-day stop in Granada, Spain. After sampling the sights, sensations, and savory cuisine of Granada for one afternoon, we decided to prolong our stay. Well, we liked it so much that we never ended up making it to Morocco […]
Paris’ Quai Branly Museum: Collections and Controversy
For many reasons, Paris’ Quai Branly has caused much controversy among the French and international visitors. Despite (or perhaps because of) this continued controversy, it has become hugely popular since it opened on June 23, 2006. The Musée Quai Branly contains an impressive collection of over 300,000 artifacts from Africa and Oceania that was previously displayed […]
The Tastes of Paris: Rue Mouffetard and Beyond
In the summer of 2006, I found myself staying at the Citadines in Paris’ Place d’Italie, teaching a month-long summer language and culture course for UCLA undergraduates. I immediately fell in love with the energy of Place d’Italie, with its tall Haussmann style buildings, delicious corner bakeries, and hoards of teens and twenty-somethings sitting on the […]
Celebrating Bastille Day Parisian-Style
Bastille Day, the French Fête Nationale (National Celebration) takes place each year on July 14th. This day commemorates the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille, an important event in French history. On July 14, 1789, revolutionaries and Parisian common folk stormed the Bastille fortress/prison in Paris. This event has become symbolic of the formation […]
Discovering Paris Theater
One of my favorite things to do when visiting Paris is to see a play, whether at the illustrious Comédie Française or at one of Paris’ many independent theaters. The French have an approach to theater that will seem different to Americans (even theater buffs). Each season, French directors, set designers and costumers strive to […]
Budget Dining in France – Try a Brasserie
During my second stint in France, I worked as an English teacher at a lycée (high school) near St. Tropez. Needless to say, I didn’t have a lot of disposable income at the time. A culinary adventurer, I ended up spending a hefty portion of my monthly paycheck on eating out. In the small town […]
When in France, Try Speaking a Little French
In my years traveling and working in France, I’ve observed many Americans clumsily attempt to craft phrases in French while ordering in restaurants, purchasing museum tickets, or asking directions to La Tour Eiffel. Do the French turn up their nose? Do they walk away in a huff, disgusted by the American’s lack of linguistic finesse? […]