“Everything became quite unreal finally and it seemed as though nothing could have any consequences.” ― Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises We are making a lot of memories living in Europe, but some experiences are absolutely unforgettable. Such was our journey to Pamplona, Spain and, in particular, our participation in the 2015 San Fermin…
10 Lessons I’ve learned as an Expat (thus far)
1. World history and geography CAN be fun. When I was growing up, I was never really good at geography and probably mediocre at world history. Now that we’re doing so much traveling, I can actually relate different places to experiences and mental images. The lessons I learned in school make so much more sense…
Sun, Sand and San Sebastián
The weekend before last we discovered a gorgeous haven in Spain that we will most definitely visit again: San Sebastián (or Donostia). This Basque city that lies on the cost of the Bay of Biscay (just 12 miles from the French border) was our (desperately needed) R&R stop on the way back to Toulouse from Pamplona. It was the…
La Fête Nationale (a.k.a. Bastille Day)
This past weekend was a long one and full of parties and celebrations, which is probably why both Matt and I ended up with colds this week. Let me just say that Europeans really know how to party. Obviously our poor bodies weren’t quite up to the challenge. Let’s start with start with Bastille Day here…
Painting a Picture of Giverny
I am following Nature without being able to grasp her, I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.-Claude Monet Looking back at photos we’ve taken during our past month in France, I am reminded how lucky we are to get to travel abroad and see so many new and wonderful sights. Monet contributed his becoming a painter…
One Hot Weekend in Bordeaux (SFW)
It was hot in southern France this past weekend. I mean 100ºF hot (that’s 38ºC for those of you who use that scale). There’s no better way to beat the heat than a nice cold glass of wine. That’s why we once again hit the road and took a two and a half hour jaunt…
Five Tips for Surviving Une Coup de Cheveux in France
I am fairly girly. I will admit it. I love makeup and pretty clothes and getting pampered at a salon. Salons in the U.S. are great, but I envisioned getting my hair done in France as an exotic treat–after all, that’s where many of the top hair and makeup brands seem to be based. When we were…
Escape to the Pyrenees
Saturday marked a milestone for us. It marked the one-month anniversary of our move to France. It’s hard to believe we’ve already been here that long, but we are loving every minute of it. To celebrate, we booked a trip to Andorra–a small country located in the Pyrenees Mountains in between France and Spain. If…
Gotta Shop Till You Drop!
Toulouse is nicknamed the “Pink City” for the rose-colored hue emanating from the sun-drenched bricks of the beautifully architected buildings comprising the city, but it should also be nicknamed “Shoppers Delight.” Every corner of the city seems to be packed with shops and markets are staged at various locations each day of the week. With our husbands heading…
Fete de la Musique à Toulouse
If any of my readers have been to New Orleans, this video may bring back some memories to you. Obviously New Orleans has a heavy French influence, so walking through the streets and corridors in Toulouse you understand the impact of France’s architecture and design on the U.S. city. However, this street performance, reminiscent of a “second line parade,” shows influence…
Eat, Drink, Move (Repeat) 