The great advantage of visiting an iconic city for the second time is that the pressure is off - there's no longer that urgent impulse to tick off the major must-see tourist attractions within a short time frame. A few years ago I had the privilege of a romantic trip to Venice, where we made… Continue reading Exploring Dorsoduro
Category: Travelling
I Miss Getting Lost
There was a time when I would frequently get lost. I could turn from my desk to my bookshelves to look something up, and find myself an hour later lost in the opening pages of a dozen well-loved novels. I could stay at my desk, having sat down to do half an hour of preparation,… Continue reading I Miss Getting Lost
How Congo is More French than France (and one way it’s a bit like the Big Apple)
Before arriving in Congo we had high expectations. We were not coming to Africa for the first time - our year in Uganda had dispelled many of the apprehensions most people would have about life in the sub-Saharan continent. There was much to enjoy and appreciate there; we’d had a good lifestyle (although that is easier… Continue reading How Congo is More French than France (and one way it’s a bit like the Big Apple)
Breaking Out of the Bubble
‘Tu as peur? C’est ça?’ No, I wasn’t scared to visit our housekeeper (ménagère) in her quartier, not in the way he meant anyway. But it had been two months since she’d had her baby, and he was right to wonder. I had plenty of reasons I could offer: I’ve been too busy; it’s difficult… Continue reading Breaking Out of the Bubble
So you’ve learned French? Now here’s how to actually speak it…
You've learned some French at school, maybe at university, or perhaps you've lived long enough in France or a francophone country to learn the language. You can buy bread, order lunch, arrange a delivery, even sort things out over the phone with the electric company or the mairie. But when it comes to having an… Continue reading So you’ve learned French? Now here’s how to actually speak it…
Congo Sketch – Balls to the Wall
Another Sunday, another trip up the coast for some beach time. After a couple of years of African living I don't always stare out of the window on every road trip, like I did at the beginning. But I still do it often. There are moments where the thought presents itself - I'm living in… Continue reading Congo Sketch – Balls to the Wall
Getting Out Of Town
I was recently emailing a friend who's on her way to live here. I described Pointe-Noire as a 'grey, flat shabby town'. I stopped to ask myself if I was being ungenerous. Well, no. Sometimes it seems like half the sites in town are either in the process of being built (a very positive thing)… Continue reading Getting Out Of Town
I’m in the wrong country today…
...because it's Shakespeare's birthday, and the 400th anniversary of his death. This year all sorts of events are taking place across the UK, not just in Stratford-upon-Avon or in London, where President Obama was welcomed today at the Globe Theatre. And not even just in the UK - tonight, in cinemas in Europe and other… Continue reading I’m in the wrong country today…
Congo Sketch – Departure Lounge
Barely an African-looking face amongst them, cheeks bump in constant cheery bisous. Every couple of minutes another healthily glowing French family emerges at the top of the stairs, smiling in anticipation, and so begins the procession of politesse as they saluer each family they know. They fan out in formation to greet colleagues and fellow school-gate… Continue reading Congo Sketch – Departure Lounge
My Northern Soul
This morning's rainy-season school run was under overcast skies, and the big drops started falling just in time for clambering out of the car. But I was having a happy moment. The heavy daylight gloom made it easy to see into lit shops, offices and apartments. The usual bright skies mean that interiors become dark… Continue reading My Northern Soul
