Saturday morning we went produce shopping at the market. We loaded up on supplies for the hike that day, just me and one other girl, Bridget. I don't do much produce shopping, because my host mom does all the cooking, so Bridget sent me to fetch things at the stalls she new had the best … Continue reading St Victoire hike →

Last Thursday I took a train to Paris and Sunday I came back to Aix. I saw a fistfight on the metro. A group of Italian tourists started to loudly chant "pickpocket! pickpocket!" at the end of the car opposite mine. A young man took it deeply personally and started hitting and kicking anyone around … Continue reading Three midnights in Paris →

As requested, a short tour of my living space. Note that the toilet is separate from the bathroom. Also note that I went to the Sacred Heart of Mary Cathedral in Paris.

Hey everyone, this is the key that got jammed in the door to my Airbnb. We called a locksmith and waited an hour and then he charged two hundred euros (to the landlady). Just another magical night in Paris that I will never forget. Cordialement, Allison P.S.: Expect a longer post tomorrow.

Very strange thing happened a couple days ago, ladies and gents. For context: Every day in my general language class, a student presents an exposé on a topic of their choice that is relevant to French or international society. That thing with the rats is an example. This past Monday was my turn. I found … Continue reading Cultural differences →

Or more specifically, French language learners. If you are here for Spanish help, you should probably try Duolingo. Gracias. The past tense is literally the key to the language. If you're serious about getting the hang of this language, get the past tense down pat. It's the basis for every other tense, and let me … Continue reading Tips for language learners →

It is officially warming up here in Southern France. I can tell because my host mom stopped keeping perishables outside on the patio to keep them cold; now we just have to eat things quickly. I've switched from my Carhart to a stylish raincoat I got from a thrift store, and I don't need a … Continue reading France again →

We continue our harrowing story of la petite americaine. Professor Claude clicks through the slides to an image of a medieval marriage. "This is Charles IV," he says, "Who was the first king of France, in a way." He is about to move to the next slide when a student (Dave, age 40) says, "Who … Continue reading More adventures →

Subtitled: A cemetery and a train. I went to a giant cemetery outside Dublin. I came upon an old man in black who stooped over a plot. I watched him, because he was all alone, and I like people-watching. He was ripping up weeds and tossing them away from the plot. Every now and then … Continue reading Last Ireland post I promise →

For breakfast, I wandered into a tiny café that, as I realized after sitting down, was plastered floor to ceiling in high-class male erotica. Framed photos of David and other nude classical statues were everywhere, as well as Italian paintings, signed hand-drawn military posters, and collages from magazines. The parts of the building not covered … Continue reading One Dublin morning →