Part of the fun craziness of Matt’s new job is not knowing where we’re headed next. A few weeks ago we got a calendar outlining our assignments after Toulouse, but just yesterday Matt found out things might change again. Unfortunately the change means we might be headed out of Toulouse for about six weeks to stay…
Tag: Tourism
Moher Adventures in Ireland
If I close my eyes, I can almost feel the chilly breeze whipping my hair and smell the salty ocean breeze mixing with wind-blown grass. Memories taking me back to the day we stood on sheer cliffs and stared out at the wide-open expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. Our fourth day in Ireland was slated…
A Day in Provence
“We had been here often before as tourists, desperate for our annual ration of two or three weeks of true heat and sharp light. Always when we left, with peeling noses and regret, we promised ourselves that one day we would live here.” ― Peter Mayle, A Year in Provence Admittedly, I have not yet…
French Jokes and Crystal Chandeliers
I am funny in multiple languages—at least after an adult beverage or two. For the second time since we’ve moved here I’ve made French people laugh in their own language and it didn’t have anything to do with my terrible accent (at least that’s what I’ll keep telling myself). It all started when we went…
In the footsteps of saints and wine growers
I think I am not the only one who occasionally often dreams of living in an 18th century French farmhouse in the countryside surrounded by vineyards, fruit trees and vegetable gardens. The pure simplicity of growing and harvesting the food we need and waking up to sunrise over a stunning and natural landscape is part…
The Stars of Champagne–A Tasty Adventure
“What did Dom Perignon say to fellow monks after he invented champagne? … Come quickly, I am tasting the stars.” ― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars This weekend we’re going to be heading back up to Bordeaux—this time to explore the Saint-Émilion region. Thinking about the tastings we have planned, I began reminiscing to…
Fairytales do exist…in Bruges
This week has been an off week for me with my writing and I attribute that to the weird hours we’ve been keeping. Matt’s schedule changed drastically resulting in him working overnights (going in around 6:00 in the evening and coming home as late as 4:00 a.m.). Feeling bad about the hours he is keeping…
Port Leucate Through Rosé Colored Glasses
Yesterday I made a joke with a woman in a flower shop—in French. It was such a victorious feeling to be able to make the shop owner laugh in her own language. It wasn’t anything very complicated. When she asked if the plant we were buying was everything we needed, I looked around and joked, “Je voudrais…
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…
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…
Eat, Drink, Move (Repeat) 