Blogs from France, Europe - page 1261

I wasn’t sure which of the titles I liked better so I decided to use both. I say ‘Paris on a tightrope’ because I ended up spending a little more money than you would if you were to do it ‘on a shoestring’, but still tried to keep it cheap. And when I say ‘Paris Diet’ I don’t mean Paris Hilton - I think one chocolate croissant would be one too many for Paris Hilton. I mean the city in France. So here’s ten easy steps on how to experience ‘Paris on a Tightrope’ or how to lose weight in Paris (or at least get fit)!: 1. Make sure you have sturdy walking shoes. I didn’t. My shoes were basically already dead before I got there, so know not only are my shoes dead but my ... read more

Probably the two best white wines in Burgundy begin life, respectively, in vineyards covering strategic sections of the Corton hill and on Montrachet (Mont trachet, meaning "scabby hill"). These wines are typically intense, can be long lived, and are made only from chardonnay. Of course, you will never find chardonnay mentioned on the bottle anywhere. A all-too-common failing of French wine, which can make it a little inaccessible for the New World wine appreciant. Still, the French don't do things to everyone else's taste; which is good, if you don't like Starbucks coffee anyway. There's not exactly a lot to go around. The white wines on Le Corton are called Corton-Charlemagne, reputedly because they were that 7th Century's French king's favorite white wine, but the white wine growing areas on Le Corton cover only 45 hectares ... read more

Well how do you sum up an epic journey through Europe? After lost credit cards, car break-ins and split heads there can't be anything else left, or can there? Well folks the trip was nearing to an end and it was time to head back to France on the home stretch. We headed to Nice for more Med relaxing and certainly weren't disspointed. Nice is nice. We stayed in a rockin' hostel full of drunkiness, oh yeah. It was also Rugby world cup final time. We headed to the local square for the France V England final, only to have a dull crowd and France lose, boo hoo. The next day bought on better things, Ev, Fin and I hired roller blades and skated along the beach front while Shaun went to a muesum. We were ... read more

Up before dawn brimming we were with excitement about going back to continental Europe. By 7am we were on our way to the coast to catch our train....by way of the Eurotunnel. This was my first experience where you actually drive your car onto the train to take it with you! And only 30 minutes later we were in Calais. As we arrived on the train into France we got off and drove straight to Belgium. Probably the first country I have entered in years where they didn't stop us to check passports. Not a immigration booth in sight simply a sign saying "Belgie" on the motorway. We entered Brugge and parked under the city centre. Climbed a few sets of stairs to find ourselves immersed in a Saturday market packed full of stalls. Clothing, cheeses ... read more

So I taught for the first time today. I have eight different classes, all between the ages of 8 and 10, and either in CE2 or CM1. CE2 (that’s the name of the “grade”) children have never had English before, so I am their first-ever exposure to it. CM1 kids have only had the same twice-a-week English classes that I am giving them last year with the previous assistant. We played a game to introduce ourselves and give our ages, and we went over colors. I also talked to them (in French) about myself and where I come from. I showed them the States and where Ohio and Pennsylvania are located. I also tried to explain how much bigger the US is than France. Yes, I gave them a couple numbers, but I mostly used the ... read more