Paris in the Rain: A Photo Essay
Happy Friday everyone! So now that I’ve shown you what I do on a day-to-day basis, I want to show you what I do on my day off.
On my days off I can generally be found wandering Paris in the rain.
Read MoreA Day in the Life of an American Au Pair in France
Note: After writing this post I realized that my entire day revolves around food. And to that statement I have no defense; it’s completely true.
Today I want to give my readers a glimpse into my very glamorous life here in France. So, ready to find out what the life of an au pair is really like?
Read MoreIntroducing… My Local Castle
Life update! Remember the European to-travel list I shared with you guys a few weeks ago? Well I bought a ticket to Istanbul to visit my cousin who is living there! If anyone has recommendations for what to see/do in Istanbul I would love to hear them.
So this week during my copious free time, I decided to explore the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, to be known henceforth as my local castle. Fun fact – château is the French word for castle. Is it terrible I just learned that?
The castle was originally built in 1122, but was rebuilt and added onto in later years. (Wikipedia tells me the Black Prince burned it down in 1346, which intrigues me.) The only part of the castle that remains from medieval times is the cathedral, which was built in the French Gothic style. I’m no architecture whiz, but I’m pretty sure “Gothic” means lots of exterior buttresses and scary-looking gargoyles.
Read MoreSaturday Snapshot 8
This week found me wandering around Paris as usual, but this time in my favorite neighborhood ever, Le Marais. I also made some time to check out my town’s local castle, which was built in 1122.
Being my typical indecisive self, I couldn’t pick the my favorite Saturday Snapshot; so readers, will you help a girl out?
Read MoreMy (Very Belated) Seven Super Shots
I know that the Seven Super Shots were like, so 10 months ago, but I am an official travel blogger now (kind of) so here are mine. It seems I really enjoy contributing to internet memes in a belated fashion, like when I did my ABCs of Travel this September. Without further ado!
Read MoreStanding on a German Bunker while Hiking the Cap Gris-Nez
Due to my previous research in Frommer’s, I had read about the North of France’s Côte d’Opale from which you can see across the sea to England on a clear day. As the 200-year old apple farm where we were staying was only an hour away, the family and I took a day-trip over to see the fabled and dramatic coastline.
Read MoreTwo Days at a 200-Year Old French Apple Farm
To be fair, I didn’t really spend two days at a 200-year old apple farm – I spent two days at an apple farm that is at least 200 years old. And despite some editions over the years, the farmhouse itself was built more than 300 years ago.
Catherine and Olivier, the couple whose children I take care are of, both hail from the north of France, but this week we went to visit Catherine’s family at their charming apple farm. (Is there any other kind of apple farm?)
Read MoreThe Expat’s Guide to Opening a Bank Account in Europe
As I recently discovered, European banking is completely different from U.S. banking. And while I have a Charles Schwabb debit card that allows me to pay abroad with no international transaction fees, I recently decided that I need a French bank account for a few reasons:
- I am working as an au pair in Paris and need somewhere to deposit the money I am earning.
- I need a card with a “chip” in it. (See the small silver box on the left side of the card below?) There are many places in Europe where you can’t swipe with your card (like the Paris métro for example), and must pay with a card that has a chip.
Saturday Snapshot 7
It has been cloudy all week so the only pictures I took this week were at the at the farmers market. I know, no excuses play like a champion, but it’s honestly really hard to take a good photo in this grey Parisian weather!
I was actually quite happy with the results considering the vendors were so happy to be photographed. Here are my top three favorites… can you help me narrow it down by voting? As always I love reading your comments below.
Read MoreMy European To-Travel List
So I booked my ticket to Cologne, Germany to see the Christmas Markets with my friend Marina! I have since made a list of all the locations I’m planning to visit over the next nine months. I’m posting this for other travelers and travel bloggers to see – I would LOVE your wise advice on where to go.
To date I have spent five summers in Europe; a grand total of almost eight months here. I’m ashamed to admit that during that time I have barely gone outside of Western Europe, and have missed some truly amazing countries and cities. Here is what I hope to see during the next nine months… bring on the Easyjet!
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