South of France to Rome, Italy: Why So Hard?

When I leave today for Rome from sunny Montpellier, I will walk to the end of my street and board an express train to Nice. I have an hour and a half layover in Nice - just enough time to stroll down to the sea while munching on a delicious sandwich from Paul - [...]

Never on Sunday: The Mysteries of the Mistral

It’s been such a strange day so far. Already, a lot of things have happened that never happen:
1. I played video poker on my cell phone before getting out of bed this morning. I have never done this before, and in fact was the first time I had ever played a game on [...]

Begin the Beguines: Belgium’s Beguinages

Thanks to the divine Ms. Bleeding Espresso, I’m inviting myself to a party - The Ultimate Blog Party, if you must know - hosted by the wonder twins over at 5 Minutes for Mom. You’re invited, too!

I guess this is where I introduce myself. I’m not a mom; I’m better known as the [...]

Florence, Italy: A Kindred Soul Tells All

In which an honorary member of the Gay Mafia (West Coast, represent) reveals what I am unable to about Florence, a city he adores and I really just can’t seem to get into. However, after reading this I might have to give it another try!
When I was doing my research for places to stay [...]

I Kango. You Kango, Too!

Well, well, well. It looks as though your very own Miss Expatria has made some sort of list!
The Happy Hotelier has included me in a list of travel blogs based on my Technorati ranking. I’m way far down on that list, but I’m on it. Yay!
This prompted another site to contact me [...]

Where to Eat in Paris, Part 1 of 2: French Food

Finally! Right?? Let’s get down to bidness.
First, the basics of dining in Paris - according to me:
1. Menus vary wildly - and not just the food offered on them. You’re as likely to get a laminated, expertly translated menu as you are a piece of slate with the day’s dishes written in [...]

Next Stop, FUN: The French Summer Party Train!

As Miss Expatria’s gentle readers well know, I don’t love France. But just when I start to think there’s nothing fun about this existentially-shrugging, chain-smoking, c’est-pas-possible country, they turn around and surprise me!
My discovery of Beaujolais Day was one of those times. Held on the third Thursday in November - making it [...]

The Slow Movement: You Move Too Fast

I’ve been on a kick recently where I make notes on topics I’d like to write about during the week, and then on Sunday I write them all, so I simply have to go online every day and post one.
However, yesterday Cal and I got off to a very lazy start and kind of eased [...]

Mission Accomplished: The Freedom Ship!

I have seen the future, and now I need a Dramamine.
My parents and their friends and cousins have been having to deal with retirement homes and nursing homes for the last 15 years or so, which has prompted them to think about how they want to spend their own retirement. This is when I [...]

Craving Bagels: A Love Story

Bleeding Espresso is a blog I have come across, and I love love love reading it. Sognatrice is her name, Italy is her game, and she writes with a passion for that country that gives me goosebumps - like this recent one about Calabrianfolk music.
It was this post that took my breath away, as [...]