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Reflections of a new Manhattanite (part 1)

I just celebrated my first year living in Manhattan. People often ask me how easy/difficult it was for me to adjust to life in the US, New York, a new city...and I usually reply in a rather cocky way (or so perceived because I am French): Oh you know, I have made it through Korea, … Continue reading Reflections of a new Manhattanite (part 1)

How I failed that Polar Bear

Tonight I feel angry and sad. A polar bear was killed after attacking a cruise ship guard, in Svalbard, Norway. It was an act of "self-defense", said the German cruise-ship operator in a statement. Self-defense, eh? So a bunch of tourists go to the Arctic, in the hope of seeing polar bears in their natural … Continue reading How I failed that Polar Bear

Summer in the Arctic (yes, really)

What a weird idea! said my friend Marie. Why go somewhere cold and wet in the summer? Good point (I just saw on Facebook that Marie is on a beach in France, which to me is a weird idea too) but the purpose of this trip being to see polar bears in their natural habitat, … Continue reading Summer in the Arctic (yes, really)

Reflections on polar bears…and life.

As I am sitting at Oslo Airport, sipping Barolo wine (yes, there is a bit of Ingrid in me, see my first novel, The Polar Bear and the Palm Tree) with my hubby and partner-in-adventure Tom, I can't help but thinking that life ~and traveling~ is a wonderful thing. In less than two hours we … Continue reading Reflections on polar bears…and life.

Packing tips for the global traveler

Please take a good look at this photo, taken in February 2017 at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. What do you see? Two people, my husband and me, and two back packs. Starting a three-month trip around the world. I repeat: two backpacks, one backpack each. A lot of my (lady) friends commented more on the … Continue reading Packing tips for the global traveler