Americans love to take a “year off,” live in foreign countries and write blogs/ books about their experiences. Maybe Hemmingway was the first to do Paris (along with the rest of the Lost Generation), but Paris is a popular location for this year of soul searching, picture taking, and artistic musing. I guess I am no exception. But I do love Paris, and I can’t help it if I love it so much that I want to share with anyone who will listen a year of perfect (or often not so perfect and thus much more amusing) Parisian moments, images, stories, and reflections.
These are my stories about being an American in Paris, about teaching in the projects while living in the Latin Quarter. These are my observations about the differences that make the French who they are, the differences that both make me want to live here forever, and make me understand cultural animosity between my homeland and my current home. These are my pictures, because I love capturing images of this most beautiful of cities. (If you want to take a photo, please just shoot me an email/ leave a comment, and I can give you permission and a better resolution copy.)
Enjoy!
I love reading your blog and soon (4yrs) plan on living in Italy. If you think your just putting words out there let me assure you thats not the case. Besides relocating from California to Chicago 7 months ago, I have been busy with work, opening my new company (www.chekie.com) and school (getting a degree in English/Latin) but when I come home I enjoy a cup of tea while reading blogs I follow. And since stumbling onto yours it has become a favorite!! You take beautiful pictures and have inspired me in that area as well.
I’m enjoying your journey!
Ciao!
Thank you so much! That makes my day!!
Hi Hannah,
I have a project that I wanted to share with you and since if you are interested in participating? I adore your blog and am vicariously re-living my French life through you. My email address is included in the comment form, please let me know how I can contact you.
Best, Andi
You are doing what I plan on doing, except in Germany. I’m running away from home in about 2 months! I have marked your blog and will keep checking in. BTW, found you through Andi Fisher. Keep having fun in Paris.
I just came across your blog from someone’s tweet, and I’m planning on moving to Paris next spring, so I’ll be interested to read about some of your journey. I can see from just a few of your posts that I will eventually want to read approximately everything. How long are you staying there? And what church do you go to? (Saw that in a comment). Feel free to email me. Looking forward to reading!
Hannah,
I was a freshman at Hillsdale the year that you graduated and I knew who you were through the HCF ministry. Anyways, I am living in the south of France for two months this summer practicing my French. I fly home on July 29th out of Paris Charles De Gaulle. Because the trains in France have been striking lately, I was hoping to arrive in Paris a day or two early to make sure that I would make my flight. I was wondering if you had any suggestions for any youth hostels or cheap places for me to stay. Also, it would be great to meet up with you to talk about your experiences in France with the French language.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Johnny
john.burtka@gmail.com