Tag: France

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Shakespeare and Company, Paris. Quite possibly, the best bookstore in the world.

After leaving Saint Michel, I walked through some truly horrendous back streets turned Disney-fied tourist trap version of Paris over to Shakespeare and Company bookstore.

On the ground floor (no photos allowed), it’s bursting with English-language books, filled to the rafters. American and French bibliophiles who are used to cookie cutter, sterile, impersonal Barnes and Nobles or Fnac, respectively, will, I believe, find Shakespeare and Company refreshingly full of personality and with a definite point of view.

And not to confuse you more than necessary, bookstores in French are les libraries and libraries in French are les bibliothèques. Actually Shakespeare and Company is both, and more than that.  Continue reading “Shakespeare and Company, Paris. Quite possibly, the best bookstore in the world.”

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Meal, Drinks and a Movie: Le Salon du Cinéma du Panthéon, Paris

It is the kind of place that I hate to tell others about but are too good not to share: Le Salon du Cinéma du Panthéon in Paris. Merci mille fois, Roger, for showing me this little gem! Continue reading “Meal, Drinks and a Movie: Le Salon du Cinéma du Panthéon, Paris”

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When You’re Tired of Speaking French, Go to Jim’s

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”

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What You Need to Know About Vélib, Paris’ public bike share

Bikes and sharing. Two things I love, and two things that could be perfect together, especially in summertime Paris.

Vélib public bike sharing, Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

Continue reading “What You Need to Know About Vélib, Paris’ public bike share”