The best cultural institutions are those whose visitors walk away with new insights, but with more questions than answers.
Leaving the Alertes! exhibit at the Palais de Tokyo, big questions loomed: Why protect free speech? What is hate speech and what is blasphemy? Why is keeping church and state important? Continue reading “Relevant Right Now Art: Pussy Riot at Palais de Tokyo, Paris, Extended Indefinitely”
Swirl, swirl, swig. My head hung down, I looked deep into my merlot. The late summer sun gave way to the lovely, lonely yellowish cast of street lamps. I sat hunched over, with my elbows on my knees, my fluted glass resting in my fingertips. I was still at the terrasse, and still drinking wine. Most people who noticed me, if anyone, surely thought I’d had one goblet too many. But I wasn’t drunk, I was tired.
I’m so fricking tired of not understanding anything! At best I vaguely get the gist of what’s being said. Especially if spoken at the usual Paris speed, which is to say, reallyfastyouthinktheyweren’tbreathing fast. And if it’s past 8 at night – whew, forget about it. It takes so much energy. I’m so frustrated by not being able to say simple things to strangers without great effort, or to tell my friends a story, or tell them a joke without having to explain why it’s funny. Gr. Sigh. Continue reading “When You’re Tired of Speaking French, Go to Jim’s”
Bikes and sharing. Two things I love, and two things that could be perfect together, especially in summertime Paris.
Continue reading “What You Need to Know About Vélib, Paris’ public bike share”
There’s two things that grow in Holland that interest most tourists: Tulips and Marijuana. You can find them both in Amsterdam’s Bloemenmarkt floating on the Singel canal. Continue reading “Can I Bring Tulip Bulbs from Holland Home to the United States?”
