The Bold Soul: A Writer's Life in Paris

Another blogging milestone

Just realized that my visitor counter is within spitting distance of hitting 400,000 (399,713 as I write this)! Not bad for nearly 6 years of blogging, don't you think? I'm honored to have you all checking in here regularly. That number -- 400,000 -- isn't a number to me, it's about people, sharing stories and common interests, and making connections. I have loved writing this blog and how it's evolved along with me since I started it in 2005. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart... for NOT spitting. Read more →

Reader Mail #2: Will it fry if I plug it in?

Reader Paulita sent in a comment on another post with questions that I thought were worthy of a more in-depth answer so that other travelers might benefit. She asks: Do you have any trouble using American electronics in France? Do you just use an adaptor when you plug in? Worried about my hair straightener, oh, and my laptop. Good to think ahead about these things, and this is a common and valid concern for North Americans traveling abroad. The U.S. and Canada (and Mexico too?) operate on 110 voltage and that's how our appliances are designed. However, Europe and most of the rest of the world are running on something like a 220-230 voltage, which means that any appliance created to run ONLY on 110 will not operate normally on a 220-230 current; it will fry, i.e. catch fire! With more and more people traveling internationally, some appliance companies are getting smarter and designing their appliances to be dual-voltage, which means that appliance will work in ANY country without you having to worry about it being incinerated within seconds of plugging it in (you would still need a plug adaptor that matches the country/zone in which you're traveling, however). Laptops... Read more →

Reader Mail #1 - Dressing for the Temps d'Hiver

Sometimes I get emails or comments from readers with general questions about visiting (or living in) Paris or France, and I decided to make a new blog category to address these. (So, if you find that your original comment was deleted and "upgraded" to a Reader Mail post, you'll know why!) Today, it's all about the cold weather and how to prepare for it. C.J. writes: "I am heading to Paris Saturday until Monday with my sister---am getting nervous with all this snow! What is it really like at the moment? Any helpful packing hints, please?" It's true, we had snow again yesterday, but nothing like we had last month where it stayed cold and frozen for a week afterward. Yesterday's morning snow was nearly rained out by noon. It HAS been colder again the past few days, but remember it's February and that's normal for northern Europe. Still, I haven't noticed the winter weather dampening the resolve of tourists to come to Paris... they're everywhere, comme d'habitude. So don't be nervous... just make sure to bring a warm coat and dress in layers. I've been wearing a tank top or T-shirt (sometimes long-sleeved) underneath my normal shirts or sweaters,... Read more →