To some it’s the sporting event of the year. To others it’s a metaphorical sensation of discomfort in exactly the same place where the riders experience literal discomfort by the end of the tour. The Tour de France is many … Read More
By glancing at this photo, you have now seen more fireworks than I ever did on Bastille Day. I did, however, see two memorable characters in action… Photo © R.L. Wolverton | Dreamstime.com To celebrate France’s biggest national holiday, in … Read More
This was the first thing in the parade − and the last thing of interest. I’d like to begin this report with two recommendations. First, if you would like to have the disconcertingly novel experience of seeing a whole lot … Read More
After Paris, Provence is probably the most famous part of France, known for its stunning landscapes, its quaint villages, its fragrant plants, its chirpy cicadas and its year. By the latter I refer, of course, to a certain blockbuster book … Read More
I must begin with a confession: for many years I have been an occasional, and sometimes not so occasional, user of a strong substance. It never mattered how much it cost — I had to have it. Today I am … Read More
Like Mohawk high-steel construction workers, Paris sewer men pride themselves on being able to walk on top of the guardrails. I wish. This is Part II of a two-part article. Read Part I here. Under Napoleon Bonaparte, the Parisian water … Read More
Every day Parisians flush away 1.2 million cubic meters of wastewater. It’s gotta go somewhere… Yes, it stinks. On the opposite sides of both the Seine and the curatorial value spectrum from the Louvre is the Musée des Egouts de … Read More
Yes, it stinks. On the opposite sides of both the Seine and the curatorial value spectrum from the Louvre is the Musée des Egouts de Paris – the Paris Sewer Museum. The display space is part of the city’s actual … Read More
It’s all right now. It’s over. I have to admit, it wasn’t quite as horrifying as I had feared. Still, it’s a relief to have it behind us. We won’t have to think about it for another whole year. I … Read More
In France, a fascination with the paranormal is perfectly normal. Image © Marco Coppola Dreamstime.com I sincerely hope that my medical laboratory’s Web site has been the victim of a hacker attack. If it hasn’t, I’m kind of worried. … Read More
