It was only later, when my life was better than I could have dreamt, that I could see that all of the random-seeming routes I’d taken, the roads that led to failure, or despair, or regret, had been not been broken paths, but instead segments of a circle so large they a...
I’ve lived in Paris for a year, and chose my apartment for its view of Notre Dame. I live two “blocks” away.
My journey here was prompted by my love of art, and my horror at how quickly we are losing our cultural heritage (eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites bombed to ru...
After having studied classical painting Paris and visiting the Louvre so many times I lost count, I decided to bookend my studies by viewing some of the oldest masterpieces in the world, so I boarded a train and seven hours later arrived in the Dordogne, where Cro-Magn...
Without a full education in classical realism, meaning 10-12 years of intensive study and practice under the tutelage of a master, painting can be fraught. Even after years of practice, an artist will find within one painting there'll be a passage of great beauty surro...
When I rented this apartment, I was thrilled that there was a washer in the kitchen, which is where lots of French people have their washers. I still don't know why.
Gazing at its shiny plastic-encrusted door, I entertained visions of whistling La Marsellaise whil...
During one of the many heatwaves this summer, my Parisian friend invited me to come visit her and her family at their country house "because it's cooler there." I said yes right away.
The word for heatwave in French is canicule, which is pronounced "can-ee-cool" an...
A foul combination of heat and jetlag woke me up at 4:30am. It was still dark out, and as I opened my shutters the partiers across the river were still singing The Marsellaise, as they'd been doing since 11pm.
When the sun came up at 5:05, they broke ranks and...
This is embarrassing. I, the Careful. I, the Meticulous. I, the Aware, have just suffered the humiliation of the classic crime foisted on travelers. Henceforth I shall style myself; I, the Mortified.
Rushing to catch the Metro line 9 before the doors closed, m...
I can almost hear what you're thinking, because I've heard it from my friends, when I tell them I take cold showers in the morning. You're probably thinking, "You do you, but don't even suggest I try it." Well I'm here to tell you, you might want to try it. (Talk to a...
