Category: Travel

Marriage, Travel

Bonjour from North Africa + A Gift from Strangers!

Twilight in Agadir, Morocco, in Northwest Africa. Jean-Marc snaps a photo of le coucher du soleil. Do you want to continue receiving these emails? Each week my overzealous, automated listserver sweeps several subscribers into the "inactive" bin, eventually deleting them! Here are two ways to ensure you receive this journal in your inbox from here on out: 1. Regularly click on the links in my … Continue reading Bonjour from North Africa + A Gift from Strangers!

Kristin Espinasse49 Comments
Jackie, Paris, Travel

Every Francophiles Favorite F Word + 2 Days in Paris!

In the enchanting evening of Paris, the author reflects on the joy of flânerie—strolling without a specific destination. Surrounded by Montmartre’s beauty, particularly the Sacré Coeur Basilica, the author’s journey with her daughter Jackie unfolds as they ponder their limited time in the city. While planning activities like dinner and a cabaret, uncertainty arises about their options. Ultimately, they embrace the idea of wandering, highlighting the allure of exploration in the City of Light. The author contemplates the importance of savoring moments together before Jackie’s departure, expressing a desire to share more stories about their experiences in Paris. Continue reading Every Francophiles Favorite F Word + 2 Days in Paris!

Kristin Espinasse42 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
Travel, Writing

Redémarrer: Bonjour. An update from Kristi

In Denver, I got to meet "Sunny", my sister's 5th chien de berger anglais ancestral, and enjoy a longawaited reunion with family. Read on and bienvenue to new subscribers. Delighted to have you with us!  Today's Word: redémarrer     : to restart, start again, to get moving FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click the following link to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in today's post. … Continue reading Redémarrer: Bonjour. An update from Kristi

Kristin Espinasse62 Comments
French Destinations, Travel

Lunch in Arles, “Séjour” in Camargue, wild horses and a cool rancher’s hut

Les flamants roses–pink flamingos in the Camargue. More photos from our weekend in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer on my Instagram (please follow for upcoming entries), and all our recommended addresses are at the end of this post. Today's Word: un hébergement     : accommodation, lodgingsFrench Audio/Listening: Click the following link to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in the following story. Then scroll down to the vocabulary list … Continue reading Lunch in Arles, “Séjour” in Camargue, wild horses and a cool rancher’s hut

Kristin Espinasse21 Comments
Escapade, Porquerolles, Travel

Demain il fera jour: A reminder not to take work (life, everything) too seriously + Escapade to Porquerolles Island

If today's word is too easy for you, détrompez-vous. Think again. This letter has a lot more to offer when you read to the end. Today's Word: la plage1. beach2. track of music3. time span, range Listen to Jean-Marc read the following in French and English Porquerolles, ses plages de sable fin, ses eaux turquoise et transparentes. C’est un véritable paradis à quelques minutes de … Continue reading Demain il fera jour: A reminder not to take work (life, everything) too seriously + Escapade to Porquerolles Island

Kristin Espinasse34 Comments
Travel

Boui-boui: Jackie and I lick windows in Miami while Jean-Marc gets stuck in immigration

Keeping this French language journal going is a joyous struggle: there is joy in writing it and there is a struggle in maintaining it. Your help is not only appreciated–it keeps me employed. One very helpful way to support this site is to buy a book for a friend, via this link. Or scroll to the end of this post for other options. Now on … Continue reading Boui-boui: Jackie and I lick windows in Miami while Jean-Marc gets stuck in immigration

Kristin Espinasse25 Comments
Dad and Marsha, French Destinations, Travel

Que nenni! A fun, useful new expression + a must-see beach along the French mediterranean!

Stone stairs leading down to the beach in Rayol-Candadel-sur-Mer Que nenni? If you think today's expression has anything to do with the following travelogue…que nenni! (Not at all!) It's just an expression that jumped off the page as I sat reading an article on sardines, recently, chez le coiffeur. Speaking of fish, we ate a lot of this when Dad and Marsha visited. We also discovered magnificent … Continue reading Que nenni! A fun, useful new expression + a must-see beach along the French mediterranean!

Kristin Espinasse29 Comments
Travel

Dépaysement – one of Jean-Marc’s favorite French words!

After a recent dog-walking clash there was no time to linger in the comfort zone of home, dwelling on a negative experience. Une nouvelle expérience awaited just around the corner of North Africa….    LE DÉPAYSEMENT     : change of scene * dépaysement can also have a negative connotation, for it also means "culture shock" or  "disorientation"  AUDIO FILE – hear Jean-Marc read the following sentence … Continue reading Dépaysement – one of Jean-Marc’s favorite French words!

Kristin Espinasse20 Comments