Archive for 'Uncategorized'
The French Love to Strike Posted by Transparent Language on Nov 18, 2008
I remember when I was living in Paris, it seemed like there were always grèves all around the city. We would have to walk every so often in the mornings to class as the metro was not running (the SNCF loves to go on strike). The American Embassy would constantly warn us that we should…
French Holidays – Armistice Day Posted by Transparent Language on Nov 11, 2008
As we arrive at the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I, today is Armistice Day in France. French President Nicolas Sarkozy is hosting an international ceremony at the Fort of Douaumont in Meuse where the battle of Verdun took place, with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Grand Duke Henri…
French Basketball Player Tony Parker and His American Ties Posted by Transparent Language on Nov 6, 2008
For anyone who follows sports, especially basketball, you hear a lot about Tony Parker, the NBA’s two-time All Star from France who is currently playing for the San Antonio Spurs. Now, although Tony grew up in France after moving there when he was just three weeks old and is a member of the French national basketball…
Guillaume Depardieu Died Today Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 13, 2008
After being hospitalized for a few days, French actor Gérard Depardieu’s son Guillaume, also a famous French actor, died suddenly today in Paris at the age of 37 from a bout with pneumonia. His mother is the actress Elisabeth Guignot and his sister Julie is also an actress. Although he was often present on movie…
Frenchman Le Clezio Wins Nobel Prize in Literature Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 9, 2008
It was announced today that a Frenchman will be awarded the 2008 Nobel Prize in Literature. Born in Nice, France on April 13, 1940, Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clezio started writing when he was only 7 years old, has traveled extensively, grew up bilingual in French and English as he lived in various countries and has…
Baggage Thieves! Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 1, 2008
According to an article in Le Monde today, a baggage theft ring has been caught at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport with approximately 450,000 euros worth of stolen goods. The baggage handlers’ finds included computers, iPods, iPhones, cell phones, jewelry, perfume, luxury shoes and travelers checks. Many items were later sold on eBay. In 2007, there…
Chez Maïté Posted by Transparent Language on Sep 24, 2008
When I was living in France for the second time in 2003 there was a Big Brother type show on television (Nice People) which I avidly watched and one of the guest housemates was a French cook named Maïté. Since I wasn’t eating there, I obviously fell in love with her personality as she’s bubbly, fun…