My family and I stole away for a two-day séjour in Italy. C'était dépaysant, as the French say–or a nice "change of scenery".
un séjour (say-joor)
1. stay
2. living room, family room
bon séjour = have a nice stay
une carte de séjour = a residence permit
le titre de séjour = green card
le séjour linguistic = language study vacation
la salle de séjour = the living room
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
My dad and my belle-mère love the area where we live, here near Bandol. They'd be happy swimming in the sea and working in the garden for the duration of their trip. But it seemed to me that they should take advantage of their séjour by seeing one of our favorite, not-so-far-away places….
"Why don't you two take our car and visit Ventimilli?" I suggested. Only, almost as soon as I said it, I realized that I had the urge to visit Italy, too! "Better yet, why don't we go together?"
So on Friday we left our teenagers to dog sit, and we drove three hours east to Italy, where the Friday farmers' market was underway.
Mr Sacks (lower right corner) came with us, too! And that's Jean-Marc about to buy the pair of olive green moccasins. We tried talking Dad into a pair, but he clung to his well-worn sandals, which he duct-taped back together before this trip.
Me and my belle-mère, Marsha, split with the men and wandered through the crowds, ending up at a peaceful park. I'm wearing the hat Dad bought me, and Marsha is wearing my mom's chapeau. Mom is tickled to share her things with Marsha, and asked me to tell my belle-mère to use her easel (both women paint) and her kayak, too. Quelle chance that my moms like each other so much.
The slow life in Italy. In the park we enjoyed these circular benches which surrounded all the palm trees. Just as charming were the Italian ladies who chatted about tout et rien.
We stopped at a seaside eatery for pasta and when it was time to pay the waiter pointed to the bill and said "This (here) is tax and not the service (or built-in tip). You can leave the tip on the table." It was just an old trick to extract extra cash, Jean-Marc warned my dad. When confronted, the waiter changed his story, indicating that if we wished to leave extra (for the tip is indeed already included in the total price, as a service charge) then we could leave it on the table….
If the woman with a T-shirt on her head finds out I took her photo she might clobber me. But what she doesn't know is that she is a work of art. This is one of my favorite images from our trip–it re-ignites a passion for portrait-taking (only boldness is lacking, and to ask a stranger permission is to destroy the photoworthy moment).
The sea, beyond, was rough and when Jean-Marc and Dad went out for a swim they were carried down the coast by a rip tide! They easily reached the shore (near the little cove you see just beyond).
The next day we visited St. Remo, where another busy market was underway–and there were several antiques shops like this one….
And this vintage boutique with the hand-painted shop sign.
I hope Dad doesn't mind all the photos I snap of him. So sometimes I'm sneaky… and pretend to focus on something else, like a set of door buzzers….
"For my door buzzer collection," I answer, when Dad looks curious about where I'm pointing my lens.
"Dad and Marsha"–whoops, I mean, "a colorful Italian walkway" — yes, that's what I'm focused on here, and not these sweethearts.
We were looking at the night sky when Dad mentioned something about the supermoon–apparently this was the night to see one! This snapshot won't win the "supermoon" photo contests, but this is how the lune appeared on June 23rd in the town of St Remo, Italy.
Forward this edition to a friend, and help spread the French word. Thanks! For more words, buy the book.
French Vocabulary: la belle-mère = step-mother (also mother-in-law); le séjour = stay, vacation; quelle chance = how lucky; tout et rien = everything and nothing; la lune = moon
"The inchworm and the hedgehog" - Another whimsical mailbox to add to the collection.
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My stepmother and I, not Me and my stepmother, and I hope you catch MY typos, too.
There are certainly a lot of them on Loulou.
My stepmother and I, not Me and my stepmother, and I hope you catch MY typos, too.
There are certainly a lot of them on Loulou.
Kristin, what a wonderful excursion you had. What stuck with me from this post is the waiter trying to extract a bit of extra coinage. JM obviously appeared to be a tourist, or the waiter would never have tried that old ploy! Maybe Mr. Espinasse has absorbed a bit of Mrs. Espinasse over the years and a bit of American has slipped into his aura. Aha! 🙂 Just kidding Jean-Marc, but ….. Aloha, Bill
Kristin, what a wonderful excursion you had. What stuck with me from this post is the waiter trying to extract a bit of extra coinage. JM obviously appeared to be a tourist, or the waiter would never have tried that old ploy! Maybe Mr. Espinasse has absorbed a bit of Mrs. Espinasse over the years and a bit of American has slipped into his aura. Aha! 🙂 Just kidding Jean-Marc, but ….. Aloha, Bill
i just wanted to say i only have time to keep up with one blog…and it’s yours! i love your stories:)
p.s. on the above comment: the English Linguists have now accepted “Me and ______” as correct English usage, yay!
i just wanted to say i only have time to keep up with one blog…and it’s yours! i love your stories:)
p.s. on the above comment: the English Linguists have now accepted “Me and ______” as correct English usage, yay!
Thank you so much for taking us along with you on your visit to Italy with your Dad and belle-mère! I was charmed with your photos and writings which made me feel the warm sun and the cool water on my feet—if I had on jeans I probably couldn’t resist floating along with the tide to be deposited in the distant cove seen in your “stolen” photo of the lady sunbathing with her little dog. My thanks, again; you are a treasure.
Thank you so much for taking us along with you on your visit to Italy with your Dad and belle-mère! I was charmed with your photos and writings which made me feel the warm sun and the cool water on my feet—if I had on jeans I probably couldn’t resist floating along with the tide to be deposited in the distant cove seen in your “stolen” photo of the lady sunbathing with her little dog. My thanks, again; you are a treasure.
Wonderful beach photo…the kind I like to ‘sneak,’ (even when my daughter disaproves.) Also liked the Minnesota T-shirt, having grown up in that great state.
The super moon was VERY bright here in L.A. Forgot to take a picture of it. Never miss your blog, though.
Wonderful beach photo…the kind I like to ‘sneak,’ (even when my daughter disaproves.) Also liked the Minnesota T-shirt, having grown up in that great state.
The super moon was VERY bright here in L.A. Forgot to take a picture of it. Never miss your blog, though.
What a delightful weekend–thank you for sharing it with us! Incidentally, you and that hat were made for each other…beautiful!
Is the Mediterranean Sea between Bandol and Italy cleaner than it was in the 70s? It looks so pure in all your photographs.
Best, Leslie
What a delightful weekend–thank you for sharing it with us! Incidentally, you and that hat were made for each other…beautiful!
Is the Mediterranean Sea between Bandol and Italy cleaner than it was in the 70s? It looks so pure in all your photographs.
Best, Leslie
Every picture tells a story today – beautiful photographs – can’t decide between the sunbather and the moon.
Every picture tells a story today – beautiful photographs – can’t decide between the sunbather and the moon.
Dear Kristi,
Such a lovely post, and what splendid photos! Thank you for making my day, and enjoy the precious time with your Dad. xx
Dear Kristi,
Such a lovely post, and what splendid photos! Thank you for making my day, and enjoy the precious time with your Dad. xx
Love this all, and you were born for that hat! 🙂
Love this all, and you were born for that hat! 🙂
The hat is you – tres belle. If I could paint , I would make a painting from the scene of the moon. How magnificent the surroundings and the Lune peeking over the top. San Remo looks like great place to visit. Milles remerciements for the armchair trip.
The hat is you – tres belle. If I could paint , I would make a painting from the scene of the moon. How magnificent the surroundings and the Lune peeking over the top. San Remo looks like great place to visit. Milles remerciements for the armchair trip.
What a fun trip! love all the pictures, especially the woman on the beach and the one with the moon which both remind me of scenes the Impressionists would have painted! I am among the fans of Jean Marc’s Minnesota T-shirt since I lived there the first 21 years of my life. Milles mercis
What a fun trip! love all the pictures, especially the woman on the beach and the one with the moon which both remind me of scenes the Impressionists would have painted! I am among the fans of Jean Marc’s Minnesota T-shirt since I lived there the first 21 years of my life. Milles mercis
Never ceases to amaze me how you can take pictures of the most mundane scenes in France, Italy, or wherever and have them look so lovely… even the scooter! And the scenes are so relaxing to contemplate.
You are collecting a wonderful set of photos of France that is sure to appreciate in value as you continue to add to it. There was someone a few years ago working on a system to display Flickr sets on HDTVs, if that ever works out I’m sure your photos would make fantastic sets for that.
Never ceases to amaze me how you can take pictures of the most mundane scenes in France, Italy, or wherever and have them look so lovely… even the scooter! And the scenes are so relaxing to contemplate.
You are collecting a wonderful set of photos of France that is sure to appreciate in value as you continue to add to it. There was someone a few years ago working on a system to display Flickr sets on HDTVs, if that ever works out I’m sure your photos would make fantastic sets for that.
Kristin,
Not only do you have a way with words, but you are also such a gifted photographer! All of your pictures are just so charming and the one of the Supermoon almost looks like a painting! Thank you for sharing.
Kristin,
Not only do you have a way with words, but you are also such a gifted photographer! All of your pictures are just so charming and the one of the Supermoon almost looks like a painting! Thank you for sharing.
Loved your comment about the “extra tip” the waiter tried to extract in Italy. On one trip there, the first waiter tried to charge extra for the bread sticks (if eaten), the second waiter tried to charge for the napkin (if used). By the third restaurant, I asked about extra charges before sitting or ordering, but sure enough-something was added at the end. We finished our meal, but left only the correct amount of money to pay for the food, and didn’t wait for the change! It is so much more refreshing to eat in France where the restaurant payment system is the most civilized! Loved the photos, and the mini trip…
Loved your comment about the “extra tip” the waiter tried to extract in Italy. On one trip there, the first waiter tried to charge extra for the bread sticks (if eaten), the second waiter tried to charge for the napkin (if used). By the third restaurant, I asked about extra charges before sitting or ordering, but sure enough-something was added at the end. We finished our meal, but left only the correct amount of money to pay for the food, and didn’t wait for the change! It is so much more refreshing to eat in France where the restaurant payment system is the most civilized! Loved the photos, and the mini trip…