Emily in France Isn't in France
Hello from America!
For years, my summers have been split: a month away, a month at home. It started when I was eleven with a month at summer camp; it continued when I moved to France full-time, in 2007, with a month in Paziols. Each time, the month at home was spent, not in Manhattan, but on Long Island, where my mother had been spending her summers since long before the four of us kids were ever in the picture.
But things have changed, since then. I've spent more summers in France than I have in the U.S. since our childhood home was sold; spent less time in Paziols since we stopped running our immersion summer program there. But this summer, a series of events has led me back: back to Long Island, back to New York, and, also, back to the second home of my mother's childhood, a cabin on the shores of Jenny Lake, in the Adirondacks that I've recently grown to love.
It's strange to be a tourist in my own childhood, strange to bring new habits – getting up and immediately checking my email inbox instead of hopping on a bike to pedal to the beach, riding into town, not with my mother, but with my little brother – to what once felt like the most normal, natural routine I'd ever have. There was a time I would have begrudged the present tainting the past; now I'm just grateful my eyes are being drawn to it again.
Where I'm Eating
I'm not currently in Paris, but before I left, I returned to Clown Bar to try a few dishes from this trendy spot – including the famous calf's brain. Did I like it? Find out on the blog!
And, as always, you can find my list of top Parisian restaurants here.
Where I'm Going
Long Island, NYC, and Princeton!
What I'm Writing
1. Overfishing has led to a host of problems; I take a look at the companies trying to solve them for Organic Authority.
2. It's not always easy to drink good coffee in Paris, but I did the hours of grueling research (:-p) to find the places you can for Fodor's.
3. Climate change may be killing the Champagne industry. I took a deeper look into the problem (and possible solutions) for Organic Authority.
What I'm Reading
I tore through this funny, endearing book of letters from a librarian to the books that shaped her (and a few that didn't). Read my review on the blog.
A bientôt !
Emily in France