Also in no particular order:

Smokers everywhere
Un-air-conditioned buses (and everything else)
People not cleaning up after their dogs
Expensive everything
Not having enough hot water to fill the bath tub
Bureaucracy
Driving: tiny car, tiny garage, tiny roads--and the cost of gas!

In no particular order:

Good public transit
Being able to walk places
Baguettes
Crêpes
Fromage frais
Patisseries
Gothic cathedrals
Castles
Beautiful public parks, especially on the river banks
Amazing electric blinds
Swans on the river
Speaking French
Proximity to other countries
1- and 2-Euro coins (so convenient!)
Long history

Not far from Metz, the town of Laquenexy has a beautiful botanical garden. They were holding an Easter egg hunt this weekend ( Read more... )

Roundup of two grueling days of fun ( Read more... )

Since Z is All Minecraft All the Time! and we're living in what used to be iron mine central, I took him out to Hayenge today to visit a real mine. My goodness, this kid likes ore. We got to wear hardhats and take a guided tour through the mine tunnels, where we saw every kind of rock drilling rig known to man. The tour was entirely in French, ( Read more... )

And after 12 hours of flying with no fewer than three layovers (JFK, Reykjavik, and London!), I wasn't about to make her endure a city bus ride, and then a 40 minute train ride--not to mention having to buy train tickets in a foreign language. So I had my first long-distance driving adventure in France. And in Luxembourg. And, for about 10 ( Read more... )

While I was languishing in misery at the hotel yesterday (strep on vacation sucks, did I mention), Aaron took Z back up to Montmartre to visit the Salvadore Dali museum. Z is familiar with the work of the "floppy watch guy" from prints we have at home, so he enjoyed seeing more of it. In fact, he told Aaron, "I am inspired by Salvidor Dali's art ( Read more... )

Sillegny is, quite literally, a wide place in the road. The D5 auto-route runs through the middle of what must generously be called "town;" there are two side streets and a cross-street. Population, according to the 2011 census, is less than 500 ( Read more... )

Z started school yesterday. He was VERY excited, and seemed completely unfazed by the idea that everyone would speak French. He ran right up to the classroom assistant and introduced himself in French. Then when she answered, he turned back and gave me a rather clingy hug, as if he'd finally realized what he's gotten himself into. But the other ( Read more... )

After more hours and modes of travel than any human being should have to endure, we have finally landed in our apartment in Metz. For a city apartment in France, it's downright spacious. In fact, we even have an extra bedroom, so visitors are welcome ( Read more... )