Parlez-vous français? ¿Habla español? ?????? ?? ????? ????????? Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Parla italiano?An bhfuil Gaeilge agat? ????? ?? ????????? ????? Fince konu?uyor musun? Sen Türkçe konu?may? biliyor musun? If that paragraph leaves you wanting to say, “That’s all Greek to me,” don’t worry—you’re not alone. The European Union is (currently) comprised of 27 countries: allContinue reading “Talk to Me, Goose: Learning Languages and Bridging Cultures in Your Travels”
Tag Archives: French
Let’s NOT Give In To Fear: Lessons We Can Learn from the Attacks on Paris
“Let’s continue traveling so we can better sympathize with the pain of others, to work for understanding, healing, and peace with those who feel hurt or marginalized, and to find solutions to the underlying problems that precipitate the kind of anger and hatred that fuel the fires of terrorism.”
New York, NY Part 4: Good Eats
What’s your relationship with food? For some, food is a question of sustenance–keep it simple as long as it satisfies your hunger and the need for energy. For others, being a foodie is a badge they wear with a boy scout’s pride, having earned their status in countless restaurants and paying what amounts to theContinue reading “New York, NY Part 4: Good Eats”
Is There a Doctor in l’Hôtel?
You know that tickle-throat, on-the-verge-of-a-festering-cold feeling? The one that tells you “If you ignore me, it can only go horribly wrong from here”? Yeah, it sucks. But you know what’s worse? Ignoring it while you’re traveling abroad. Such was my lot seven weeks into a nine-week stint on the road, earlier this year. I hadContinue reading “Is There a Doctor in l’Hôtel?”
With A Little Help From My Friends
One of the best ways to enhance your travels is to season it with friends. Either you can enjoy your present company, meet up with friends who are serendipitously passing through the town you’re in, or make new ones. I’ve been fortunate enough this summer to do all three. So this blog is a photoContinue reading “With A Little Help From My Friends”
A Place That’s All Your Own
One of the most annoying things about travel/tourism is that if you’re going to someplace that’s popular, everyone else is too. That means crowds, lines that seem to have no end, pushing and shoving, and odors that you didn’t think were humanly possible. With all of that mass of humanity, patience and a good senseContinue reading “A Place That’s All Your Own”
Making the Best out of Being Where You Are (part 2 The How-To)
In my previous blog post, I wrote: Whether you’re away on vacation or just living like a local on “staycation”, whether it’s your virgin visit or you know the place like a pro, find alternate ways to enjoy the place you’re visiting. You have the opportunity and the choice to do something beyond the ordinary,Continue reading “Making the Best out of Being Where You Are (part 2 The How-To)”
Making the Best out of Being Where You Are (part 1 — The Paris Staycation)
Summertime in Paris can sometimes be a real grind for American tourists. It’s the pinnacle of high season when the majority of families coordinate their kids’ vacation with time off from work. If going with the flow isn’t your strong suit, the energy can be unbearably crushing. Most museums can be inundated with tourists fromContinue reading “Making the Best out of Being Where You Are (part 1 — The Paris Staycation)”
The French DON’T Hate Americans
I’ve wrapped up a Rick Steves’ Paris and the Heart of France tour as an assistant guide, and I feel blessed to have been on tour with Julie. As an American ex-pat raising her children in the Burgundy region of France, she has so much insight into the French psyche, customs and history. And havingContinue reading “The French DON’T Hate Americans”
Light Bulb Moments in the City of Light
As an assistant tour guide, my job is to first and foremost help the tour members however I can, answering questions when I can, offering recommendations when needed, making sure there are no stragglers and that no one gets left behind, passing our tickets/brochures/what have you, finding out who wants what for dinner, setting up/cleaningContinue reading “Light Bulb Moments in the City of Light”