Author: jyf
Cultural shock
I was prewarned before coming to Europe that I would receive a culture shock. But culture shock, what’s that? What could possibly be so difficult to grasp–to enjoy–when you’re in the magnifici... Read More
The Key to Paris
The key to Paris, a city that is bursting at the seams with artistic and cultural events, museums and unforgettable monuments, is to mix checking off things from the “to-see list” with quie... Read More
Becoming une française
When a 65 year old French lady leaned over on the tram and told me how classy I looked, you can imagine that I was very excited. More than that, I felt that I was finally a part of the noise and color... Read More
Pondering the New and the Old
I glanced at the stone where my feet were planted, wondering how many other people had stood there too.... Read More
The Power of Grammar
The polished mahogany stairs creaked with age as I followed Madame through the shadows to the third floor. After a four-hour drive through a relentless downpour, I barely had enough energy to sigh i... Read More
Halloween in chocolate
Ever since I was a two-year-old bumblebee stumbling through her first round of trick-or-treating, Halloween has been my favorite holiday. Sadly, the French don’t seem to care for it; even my dic... Read More