Posts tagged france
simply jess
keepin it real since 1985
Back in the USA
Our trip was absolutely fantastic. Basically a two and a half week unforgettable dream of seeing amazing things, eating incredible food, meeting cool people, learning more about history, art, different cultures, ourselves, our relationship… really just an awesome experience that I will cherish forever.
Now it’s back to reality… lots of laundry, prepping for our move in 10 days and loads to catch up on at work. It’s ok, though. It was worth it.
A few notables:
- Favorite Overall: Florence
- Most Romantic: Everywhere in Paris at dusk
- Most Fun: French wedding that went until 6 IN THE MORNING
- Most Beautiful: The Loire Valley
- Most Overrated City: Pisa
- Most Underrated City: Siena
- Best Restaurant Experience: Vini e Vecchi Sapori in Florence
- Strangest Restaurant Experience: L’Entrecote in Bordeaux
- Most Authentic Experience: Watching Italy v. Croatia at I 5 Tavoli in Florence
- Sketchiest Experience: Tie between the 64 bus in Rome and bargaining with the Senegalese salesmen all over Italy
- Best Pasta: Tagliatelle al ragu at Trattoria Tony in Bologna
- Best Main Dish: Meatloaf at Gusta Osteria in Florence
- Best Gelato: Ciuri Ciuri in Rome
- Best Street Food: Tie between Au P’tit Grec and L’as du Falafel in Paris
- Best Cheese: Sainte-Maure de Touraine
- Best Macaron: Salted Caramel at Pierre Hermé in Saint Germain des Prés
- Best Sight: David at the Accademia Gallery
- Best Church: Cathedral in Siena
- Best Resource: Tie between Rick Steves (guide books and podcasts) and Tripadvisor
If you’re going to any of these places and want some fun ideas, feel free to shoot me an email. I tried to write down as much of what we did as possible, the good and the bad, and I’d be more than happy to share!
I miss you, Rennes
Today I am very much missing my life in the small and charming town of Rennes, France. Maybe it’s the crisp and breezy air outside that reminds of Thabor garden picnics, or the French radio I’ve been listening to online, or how much I miss Claire and the rest of the gang, or looking at photos of Paris Fashion Week, or starting to wear things from my Paris-bought Fall wardrobe… I don’t know. But will someone please take me to France? Now?
A Few Things I Miss About France (part 1)
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been particularly nostalgic for my days in France. I spent my junior year of high school living in Rennes and a part of my junior year of college in Paris, so the French way of life is something I’ve experienced and always loved. But what I’ve really been missing lately are the people, the memories and the care-free lifestyle (no job, school was a joke, traveling all the time, partying, etc). Here are a few of the MANY things I’ve been thinking about, some more serious than others, in no order:
Rennes & Paris host families 
all-night crazy art festivals 
long chats over wine au Louvre 
my Parisian family’s 15th century chateau 
Rodrigo and Olivier 
being the only girls in costume for Halloween 
turning 21 in Paris alongside amazing friends 
traveling sans adults, just best friends at 16 
crepes, all kinds, all the time, everywhere 
more to come… because these things just makes me so so happy
Je t’adore, Claire
Do you have a best friend that inspires you? I do.
Claire and I lived and studied together in Rennes, France for a year when we were just 16. We have remained close despite the tests of time and distance. Not only is she gorgeous, smart and perfectly Southern, she is the kind of genuine friend that I know will be part of my life forever.
Claire has been living in Nantes, France leading a fabulous life of which I am very jealous. She has a beautiful blog filled with her fascinating stories and photographs. 
Just recently, Claire organized and facilitated a workshop on ‘American High School Life’ for a group of students at a small French high school in Les Herbiers. The local press even covered her achievement!
Claire, I am so proud of you!
