The Bold Soul: A Writer's Life in Paris

Trippin'

In a few days, I'm getting on a plane for a short trip back home to good old New Jersey. I can't believe it's been just about three months since I got back here and settled into life as a non-tourist in Paris. WOW, did that three months go by fast! Today I was out with a friend, an American who has lived in France for about six years after she married a Frenchman, and she asked me if I have had any real difficulties or unpleasant surprises since I've been here. I thought for a moment, and realized: "No, I really haven't had anything happen that was really that bad". That's not to say there haven't been little things here and there that I could have done without: the endless effort to avoid stepping in the crotte (still my #1 pet peeve about Paris); ongoing frustrations at not being able to have the right words at the right time, despite the many French people I've met who have told me I speak French très bien; the typically NOT helpful sales people in stores; and limited choices of English television programs and reading material. And there are some pretty big... Read more →

Orchids

Big wheel keep on turning

What's holding up the Eiffel Tower elevators, so that you get to see view like this: Read more →

Googlery will get you... well, here

I haven't posted in a while about some of the truly bizarre ways people are finding my blog through Google or other search engines. So, since it's a subject that's long overdue, here are some insights into some of your fellow readers: I continue to be disturbed by people who are looking for information on "breast guillotine" and who find my site listed about TENTH, apparently because of a post I once wrote on the actual guillotine invented and used in France as the death penalty tool of choice. But I wrote my post in the context of the annual April 15th tax filing deadline in America! Why would someone want to look for images of "dipping shoes"? What do they want them dipped in -- chocolate? The largest number of searchers seem to be "over 40 and single", and typing in some combination of keywords to that effect. Nice to know there are more of us out there and apparently we're finding comfort and safety in numbers. Of course when people are searching for information on Paris, they're likely to get my blog posts in their results for "macarons", "batignolles", "inner french girl", "parisian arcades" and "make your dream... Read more →

Free speech still has a petite voice in France

The verdict is in, and this is big news for bloggers everywhere who are worried they might get "dooced" by their employers for blogging: Petite Anglaise has WON her judgment in the French "tribunal" (labor court) over her employer, who fired her for writing her completely anonymous blog despite the fact that her work performance was documented as being exemplary. The employer has the opportunity to appeal so it's not a done deal yet, but this is a precedent-setting employment case in France and very happy news for bloggers. Read more →

Twinkle Toes

Flip-flop ready now. Bring on the sandals! Read more →

What the Pont Alexandre III sees every day

Boats full of tourists... the lawn in front of les Invalides... and the Tour Montparnasse. Read more →

Patron saint of kick-ass, take charge women everywhere

Jeanne d'Arc rides again. Read more →

Maybe if I clicked my heels three times it would work in reverse?

In the story of The Wizard of Oz, as we know, the Wizard wants nothing more than to get out of Oz. He wasn't a native Ozzie: he ended up there by accident, of course, when his balloon went astray, and when he was finally able to use his balloon to get out of Oz, he was a very happy camper. He didn't like being an ex-pat. Neither did Dorothy, and her ticket home involved the ruby slippers, three little heel-clicks, and a mantra: There's No Place Like Home. The message of the story is clear: you're SUPPOSED to want to go home, no matter where you roam. Be it ever so humble. But some of us ex-pats don't want to go home. Not until we've fully had whatever experience we want to have in the place we've chosen to make our foreign home. For some, having that full experience might take only months; for others, years. It's different for all of us, but what we share in common is we love to travel and experience new places. We live for it. It's what makes our lives worth living. It's all about the experience. Lest you think I'm about to... Read more →

The one before the one that nearly got me thrown out of the Louvre

There she is. The most famous painting in the world. The one everyone comes to the Louvre to see. Also the one no one is allowed to take pictures of, but everyone tries to snap anyway. I managed to get this shot, very surreptitiously, while the guard moved to my right to chastise some other sneaky photographer. Na na na-na na... Moments later, while I was WAAAAYYYYY at the back of the room, I snapped a long view because I was more interested in capturing how many people come to gawk at this other Lisa. Next thing I know, a VERY tall and stern guard comes up behind me and waggles his index finger at me, telling me no photos allowed (duh) and then commanding: "Delete". (I delete that one while he actually looks over my shoulder at the camera screen to make sure he sees me do it, but he doesn't notice THIS one!) Then ordering: "Turn camera off." (I oblige.) Then pointing at my purse: "Put in your bag." (Damn, he REALLY wanted to ensure I wasn't going to take another photo in that museum!) Then he stalked off to harrangue his next victim. Being a natural rule-challenger,... Read more →