Updated: February 14, 2014 When Charles Dickens wrote the line, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” he must have been living abroad. In fact, there’s a strong chance he was working in Paris as an au pair. Over the past year I’ve learned that expat life certainly has its ups and downs, which somehow feel stronger than the vicissitudes of life back home. When things go wrong, it’s extra frustrating- the French post lost your box of summer clothes, you can’t figure out how to unlock your phone and your banker doesn’t speak a word of English (who, ironically, is the one person in France who wants to speak to you in French). And all the while your family’s across the ocean and it can take a long time to set up a network of friends and acquaintances. Life abroad can get frustrating and lonely very quickly. (And in those moments, god bless Gchat.) But the highs are also so much higher. Everything’s new and exciting. … [Read more...] about Paris Expat: The Reality of Life in France
Cheap tickets to paris from london
Dear Paris: A Love Letter to the City I Finally Adore
Updated: February 14, 2014 Dear Paris, I have a confession. I didn’t love you at first. And I’m not really sure why. Maybe it’s because I associated you with loneliness, as I spent my first three Parisian summers wandering the cobblestone streets by myself. Or maybe it’s because I thought you were cold and uptight, that your citizens were too effortlessly perfect. Maybe it’s because everyone else seems to love you, and I didn’t want to form a part of the swooning, Eiffel Tower-adoring masses. But now, I know that I love you. We’ve been through a lot together, Paris. I’ve watched you move through each season. I’ve seen you without your make-up on, so to speak. I arrived in the fall, when the markets proudly displayed whole mallard ducks and chestnuts fresh from the tree. I was there during the grey, drizzly days of winter, when I tucked into a plate of Japanese curry with kimchi on the Rue Saint-Anne. I was there … [Read more...] about Dear Paris: A Love Letter to the City I Finally Adore
My Favorite London Moments
Updated: March 21, 2013 Though I’ve heard mixed reviews about London, for me it was nothing short of a very drizzly heaven. After months of feeling like I have no personality (my poor French reduces me to a shy but sweet, whimpering version of myself), it was such a blessing to socialize in my native language. Escaping from France aside, there was so much to love about London, and I spent three days pocketing little moments of joy across the city. Here are a few of those moments. Table of Contents Generously sized coffeeLunch at Borough MarketCatching some rays on the ThamesWelcoming in spring at Hyde ParkStumbling upon the Camden Lock’s Global KitchenEncountering Street ArtAntique Shopping on Portobello RoadBreak Dancing in Trafalgar SquareEnjoying some much needed time at the pubEnjoyed this post? Subscribe here! Generously sized coffee La Belle France. I have no idea why it has a good reputation.) Lunch at Borough Market Spit roast pork sandwiches, chocolate chip … [Read more...] about My Favorite London Moments
Climate protesters try to “occupy” London city airport
London police dragged away several chanting and singing climate protesters on Thursday (Oct 10) who tried to "occupy" an international airport serving the British capital's global financial hub. Some protesters were wearing business suits AFP/DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS Uniformed officers were seen dragging several Extinction Rebellion group demonstrators from outside London City Airport, although there was no immediate official tally of arrests. Campaigners, some of them in business suits, also staged a sit-in on the platform of the nearby overground train station. Others unfurled the group's trademark pink banner showing an hour glass - a symbol of time running out to save the planet from a "climate emergency". The year-old group backed by Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg is spearheading a two-week global action that kicked off Monday with partial shutdowns of traffic in cities stretching from Sydney to New York. In Berlin, protesters blocked a bridge overlooking the Reichstag … [Read more...] about Climate protesters try to “occupy” London city airport
Vegan delights in Paris and London
By Paul Eyers on Oct 12, 2019 in Europe, Food and Drink, France, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe Being based in Southeast Asia we get limited opportunities to visit Europe, but instead spend our time lusting after the vegan food and vegan friendly luxury hotels that we read about online. So when given the chance of a whistle stop tour of Paris and London during which time we would get to live out some of our vegan dreams we just had to say yes. With a little over 24 hours in each city we knew exactly where we were going to stay and exactly which plant based creations we would enjoy. Vegan delights in Paris and London features the vegan dreams that we made a reality during our trip. Not only is Shangri-La Hotel Paris one of the finest hotels in the world, it is also incredibly vegan friendly with a monthly ‘Green Dinner’ and a legendary ‘Vegan Afternoon Tea’ which are both served at La Bauhinia. The hotel is … [Read more...] about Vegan delights in Paris and London