Dear readers, My annual subscription is coming to an end and I’ve decided not to renew – not because I’m unhappy with the services of WordPress – to the contrary – but because I’ll be leaving France next year and the title of this blog: Juliet in Paris, will no longer be relevant. I’ll be moving to Spain sometime in 2024, not sure when exactly, to begin a new chapter in my life, discover a new country and culture, and learn Spanish. It was never my intention to live in Paris for so long. But life got in the way, unexpected circumstances arose, and the rest is history. To sum up, I recall a fav ..read more

The sunshine, especially, was sublime (and energizing). I’m aware though that it’s too hot in the summer months. Last August, temps were over 40°C for weeks; along the coast and even hotter inland. Above, a square in Valencia. Below, I love the texture of the old stone walls. “Un espresso doble con leche, por favor.” A double espresso with milk, please. Hot chocolate, thick and not too sweet, that you dip deep-fried fritters, called churros, into. No wonder I gained weight while there. This ice cream, horchata and hot chocolate emporium in Valencia is called Daniel. tables outside … As I ..read more

The article that appeared in The New York Times is agonizing, appalling and sickening. It recounts how Hamas militia members savagely raped, mutilated and murdered Israeli women on October 7th. They also slaughtered men, children and babies. To say that they behaved like animals is an insult to the entire animal kingdom: animals have more dignity and worthiness than these utterly depraved monsters. It’s a hard read, but necessary; the world needs to know. The article describes scenes of dead women found strewn on roads and in ditches, legs spread open, no underwear and genital area exposed. Si ..read more

I didn’t want to leave that abundant sunshine, but I had social engagements back in Paris. From Valencia, I took the 3-hour train ride to Barcelona and stayed two nights. What a great city! I stayed at The Park Hotel. Here’s the view from the rooftop (there’s a small pool) – I literally walked ALL DAY Saturday. The weather was perfect: cool and sunny. At some point, I stumbled across probably one of the most beautiful bookstores I’ve ever encountered. I spent two hours in the place. At the back, there’s a private garden with long tables where you can sit with a book and drink espresso. I was ..read more

I bought myself a new Pepe Moll handbag and phone pouch for my birthday at the big department store here, El Costes. “Is it a gift?”, the saleswoman asked. “Yes,” I replied, “A gift to myself.” Then back to the hotel where I stayed last year and highly recommend, the Helen Berger hotel. In the restaurant, I awaited my glass of rioja but the waiter brought a bucket with chilled champagne and a glass. “I think you’ve made a mistake,” I said, “I ordered a glass of red wine.” “No mistake, compliments from the hotel on the occasion of your birthday.” I was surprised, baffled and embarrassed all at ..read more

I have every intention of continuing that earlier blog post entitled “protection”, but will do so when I’m in a solemn state of mind. Right now I’m feeling giddy. In a good way, because I’m off to Spain tomorrow … by train. And I’m on vacation until January 2nd. Sitting in the office yesterday, a colleague from across the hall came over and asked what I was doing over Xmas break. “Je vais en Espagne” (I’m going to Spain), I replied. “Oh, nice,” he replied, “Where, exactly?” But before I could answer, my other colleague who shares my workspace, replied “Elle va chez elle” (She’s going to her h ..read more

He was one of my favorite French actors, also a singer and musician. I first saw him in a wonderful film entitled Coup de Foudre with Isabelle Huppert and Miou-Miou, directed by Diane Kurys. Here he is singing “La Passionata” –   ..read more

Human beings need protection … from other human beings. Until protection is taken away from us, we don’t realize its importance. One thing is sure: it’s not something we can take for granted. Every year – based on my worldview, my observations and my own personal musings – I choose a word. At the end of this year, that word is ‘protection’. Keeping something or someone safe from harm. What I see in the world around me is a lot of unprotected humans. Those approximately 1,200 Israelis savagely murdered, raped and mutilated by Hamas militia members on October 7? They were unprotected. Gazan civi ..read more

This was my reaction at the end of the film: my mouth literally dropped open and I shouted at the TV screen, “Tu te fous de nos gueules??” Translation: are you kidding/mocking us?? It’s a good thing it’s a Netflix film because its dismal plot – and especially the ending – might provoke a riot in movie theaters with people asking for their money back. It’s awful. Who do the producers and publicists take us for? Idiots? Do they think we’ll easily be seduced by big actor names and images of a beautiful house on Long Island? We want a good story with a good ending. Cohesive and credible. We want t ..read more

This movie looks really good, I haven’t seen it yet. It won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes film festival this year. Justine Triet is the director. I’ll buy the DVD when it comes out. SYNOPSIS – For a year, Sandra, a German writer, and Samuel, her French husband, have lived together with their son Daniel, 11, in a small isolated town in the Alps. When Samuel is found dead, the police begin treating the case as a suspected homicide and Sandra becomes the prime suspect ..read more