Category: Italy

Italy, Travel

Louche: A Shady, Sketchy, and Suspicious Encounter at the Airport

Beautiful, innocent Italy, where seemingly nothing could go wrong. Do you ever let down your guard when traveling to charming places? Read about our iffy airport transfer after midnight in today's update… Stay connected with me on Instagram or Facebook or LinkedIn. It’s a great way to keep in touch, especially when this blog takes a break or faces technical hiccups. I’d hate to lose … Continue reading Louche: A Shady, Sketchy, and Suspicious Encounter at the Airport

Kristin Espinasse17 Comments
Communication, Italy, Jules, St. Maximin

Polyglotte: Is learning a second language risky? (A French woman’s warning)

"Salvataggio"–looking at the foreign word in this picture, can you grasp its meaning? It reminds me of "salvation" and, though I don't speak Italian, my guess is this is a rescue craft. Read on for more thoughts about words and language learning. (Photo of Jean-Marc on the shore of Lake Garda, in Northern Italy.) A LITTLE FAVOR FOR THOSE CURRENTLY READING…If you are able to, … Continue reading Polyglotte: Is learning a second language risky? (A French woman’s warning)

Kristin Espinasse22 Comments
Italy, Jules

Baroudeur: A hair-raising adventure in the Italian Alps

That’s Jean-Marc on his way up to the Dolomites. More colorful photos at the end of this post! A LITTLE FAVOR FOR THOSE CURRENTLY READING…When you support this site by sending your donation via Zelle, there are absolutely no fees. Zelle is offered within most US bank apps. Thank you for considering Zelle as a means to send in a fee-free contribution to this journal. … Continue reading Baroudeur: A hair-raising adventure in the Italian Alps

Kristin Espinasse35 Comments
Italy, Travel

“La Douloureuse”: A funny way to say “the check” + A Tourist Trap, Beware!

Handwoven fishing baskets on La Maddalena Island, off Sardinia. Read about how we got trapped in a tourist net in today’s missive, and learn another meaning for la douloureuse. Speaking of pain, my eye surgery went well. Thank you for your kind notes. Today’s (Slang) Word: la douloureuse   : the check, the bill, “the painful” AUDIO: Click the link below to hear the example sentence … Continue reading “La Douloureuse”: A funny way to say “the check” + A Tourist Trap, Beware!

Kristin Espinasse26 Comments
Italy, Travel

Vadrouiller: 7 updates while we roam around La Maddalena

A serene island cove off the Mediterranean sea coast of Sardinia Her Own Legacy by Debra Borchert: A Woman Fights for Her Legacy as the French Revolution Erupts. Available in paperback or read it on Kindle    TODAY’S WORD: vadrouiller  : wander, meander, roam around    FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce vadrouiller and all the French words in this edition. Then … Continue reading Vadrouiller: 7 updates while we roam around La Maddalena

Kristin Espinasse50 Comments
Italy, Marriage

tenir la route

I still can't believe this hunka hunka burning love (as one of my endearing readers calls Jean-Marc), yes I couldn't believe it then and now, 23-years later… I still can't believe he loves me. Happy anniversary, Baby. We celebrated our 19-year- wedding anniversary (the date we exchanged religious vows), on Sept 24th. Jean-Marc is reading "Mastering the Art of French Eating," by Ann Mah. Highly … Continue reading tenir la route

Kristin Espinasse126 Comments
Dad and Marsha, Italy, Travel

What is a “nappe” in French?

The family hat. John bought it for Mom, in Mexico. Mom left it to me, in France. Marsha borrowed it in San Remo, and yesterday, while sitting out in the morning sun enjoying our coffee together, Dad asked: may I use your hat? une nappe (nap)     : tablecloth, sheet (layer) la nappe phréatique = ground water, water tablela nappe de mazout = oil slickla … Continue reading What is a “nappe” in French?

Kristin Espinasse74 Comments
Dad and Marsha, Italy

sejour + how to say “a nice change of scenery” in French

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 stayune carte de séjour = a residence permitle titre de séjour = green cardle séjour linguistic = language study vacationla salle de séjour = … Continue reading sejour + how to say “a nice change of scenery” in French

Kristin Espinasse78 Comments
heebeegeebees, Italy, Sicily

epingle a cheveux

 Jean-Marc and the Ionian sea in Sicily… where the saline breeze draws you to the salty waters, pleadingly.  épingle à cheveux (ay pehngl ah sheuh veuh) n.f.     hairpin bend (road, path); switchback Audio: Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce these French words: Download MP3 file Le chemin de terre qui mène vers la mer descend en épingle à cheveux.The dirt path that leads to the sea descends (in … Continue reading epingle a cheveux

23 Comments
heebeegeebees, hope, Italy, Sicily

peur bleue

The French have a colorful word for what we scaredy cats feel. Read on. Photo of Italian door taken in Aciereale, Sicily. Get out and take some photos or keep a point and shoot camera on hand, at all times, and never miss a shot! une peur bleue (per bleuh)     : a morbid fear  (also, in French expressions including color, see "l'heure bleu")       .Audio … Continue reading peur bleue

26 Comments