Il y a longtemps que notre pays est beau mais rude.
--Newspaper editor Olivier Séguret, 25 January 2012
The USA are entirely the creation of the accursed race, the French.
--Evelyn Waugh (1903-1966), writing to Nancy Mitford, 22 May 1957
The mayor of Calais is suing Marine Le Pen of the Front National for saying "repeatedly" that citizens in Calais need a pass issued by the mayor to get to their own homes (because of the number of migrants in the town). In fact, the passes are issued by the police prefecture.
"À nous de vous faire préférer le train!"
"Voyager autrement"
"Avec le SNCF, tout est possible"
--Former ad slogans of the SNCF (French national trains), each in turn quickly dropped
(literally: marmoset)
Etymology: onomatopoeia from the sound a marmoset makes. Actual meaning: this is what you say in France when you want people to smile for the camera.
Selon une étude réalisée par le fabricant d’appareils photo Nikon, le « ouistiti » utilisé en France au moment de se faire prendre en photo est le petit mot le plus efficace pour s’assurer un joli sourire.
Private sector
First strike in 43 years at an aeronautics company in Toulouse, Latécoère
Public sector
The SNCF (toujours eux), regional train employees in the Lyons area guaranteeing unpleasant travel from the 17th-21st December
Also yet another strike by Sud-Rail, a particularly truculent SNCF union in the south of France, this time five days in January: 6,7, 21, 22 and 23. "We have no choice." Right.
Marseilles trams on strike until February
« Admiring the "mirrored wardrobes" (armoires à glace) | Main | Des fleurs qui s'ouvrent en mars, on n'en a que le regard »
It's time to say goodbye to Rue Rude for a while. I am leaving my Paris home, a bit unexpectedly, for a long sojourn in my native land.
If you like, you can come with me to California.
It's going to be weird.
"The emigrant's destiny: The foreign country has not become home, but home has become foreign."
--Alfred Polger (d. 1955), Der Emigrant und die Heimat
Emigranten-Schicksal: Die Fremde ist nicht Heimat geworden. Aber die Heimat Fremde.
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In Paris, the purest virtue is the object of the filthiest slander.
–Honoré Balzac (1799-1850), in Scènes de la vie privée
À Paris, la vertu la plus pure est l'objet des plus sales calomnies.
Annual Geminids meteor shower (shooting stars!) coming this weekend, if it's not too cloudy out at night.
Keith Eckstein also has a new book review site, Books About France
Best wishes to you in your life in LA! I will certainly follow your writings there in the States.
Posted by: Pat | 29 January 2007 at 10:47
Good luck!
Posted by: Stuart Mudie | 29 January 2007 at 12:07
le 29 janvier 2007
Hello Sedulia !
Amerloque's first reaction was to check the date. No, it's not April 1st. A year or two ? ! ?
Travel safely. Keep in touch. C'est ici en France, la vraie vie.
Best,
L'Amerloque
Posted by: L'Amerloque | 29 January 2007 at 14:21
I will miss your France stories, will you tell us about your life in LA? It's going to be weird is just too much of a cliffhanger!
Posted by: Zuleme | 29 January 2007 at 14:40
mais non! ce n'est pas possible!
The Paris blogging world loses a real jewel. I hope the Californians appreciate their gain.
Incidentally I wanted to point out how very, very classy I think it was that you were not pimping yourself around the blogosphere trying to get nominated for a Bloggie-- you're so much better than that. Especially when you've perfected the Paris blog as a genre. Well done, and good luck in Cali.
Lauren
Posted by: maitresse | 29 January 2007 at 15:11
Oh, no! Your blog is one of the five that I check every day--I love your takes on French and American culture, and will be happy to follow you to L.A. (my old home). Be well, and thank you for all the enjoyable reading and photos so far. --Chrissoup in California
Posted by: | 29 January 2007 at 16:47
SOOOO SORRY you are leaving France.I live vicariously thru your words every morning.....but I will happily follow you to sunny California...I know you can relate as I live in rural northwest Louisiana(more magical than people would know or believe)...bye cher...
Posted by: missy | 29 January 2007 at 17:47
Rue Rude will be missed.
Best of luck in, and welcom to Californie.
Posted by: buzzgirl | 29 January 2007 at 18:40
Thanks for all the kind words! I may need them !
Posted by: Sedulia | 29 January 2007 at 19:08
Safe travels to you. I look forward to reading your anecdotes and observations on LA (is it LA or are we all assuming?) and hope that the occasion for the move is a positive one.
One of my favorite places there is in Topanga Canyon, called the...Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum...it's magic.
Best Wishes to you.
Posted by: philippa | 29 January 2007 at 19:12
so sad to see you go... but will definitely keep reading. i read you every day and always refer my friends and family to your site. have fun in the sun!
Posted by: nikki c | 29 January 2007 at 19:57
ooh. I was looking forward to commenting with "Happy Mardis Gras Sedulia" on Feb 20th. I will miss you, you often made my day with glimpse of my native City, and with your contribution to the Franco-American links
Posted by: Laurence | 29 January 2007 at 20:01
I will miss your writing style and your wit. Hopefully we will get your take on California- I'm sure you will find a few things to discuss.
Thanks.
Posted by: Misplaced | 29 January 2007 at 22:10
Can't believe you are leaving! I've been enjoying 'your side' of Paris for a few months, from the comfort of 'my side' of Paris. You've taught me so much and given me a real window into another person's life in this city. Look forward to the new blog, and then the one after (back here!).
Posted by: sophie | 29 January 2007 at 22:10
Wow! What a change! I will dearly miss your take on life in Paris as a fellow American in Paris -- yet I'll be making my move in July. Your blog was my top French blog to read every single day! Yet as a California Girl, I look forward to your take on SoCal life!
Posted by: Cathy | 29 January 2007 at 22:13
I will miss your sharp "coups-d'oeil" at my hometown, but welcome to LA!
Posted by: LA Frog | 29 January 2007 at 23:23
OH no! I can't believe you're going! You'll be missed. I enjoy your blog very much!
Bon Voyage. Will you be stating a new blog once you're settlted?
Posted by: Aimee | 29 January 2007 at 23:53
Best of luck - I have enjoyed your blog in the nearly two years it took me to get to Paris.
Posted by: The Bold Soul | 30 January 2007 at 00:34
ruerude has been one of my favorite blogs. i am sad to see you leave, but i will follow you to cali.
Posted by: m | 30 January 2007 at 01:12
Bienvenue a Californie!!
Je suis tres contente qui vous seriez ici maintenant!
Posted by: Victoria | 30 January 2007 at 03:24