We’re coming up on our 4th anniversary here in Guadeloupe, and this is the first year that we’ve really been affected by a hurricane. Continue reading
Visiting Dominican Republic
My husband and I recently visited Dominican Republic for 5 days, and it was an experience – good and bad – I won’t soon forget. Continue reading
Guadeloupe or Guadalupe?
When I tell people I live in Guadeloupe, they often think that means Mexico. Interestingly, there are a number of towns and an island named Guadalupe (pronounced “gwa da loo pay”) in Mexico (and other Spanish-speaking countries), and I’m not sure which one they’re thinking of.
In any case, I don’t live in Mexico: I live in France. Continue reading
Going to Guadeloupe
With the launch of cheap, direct flights from the US in 2015 and expanded dates and airports in 2016 – not to mention the full-page spread in NY Times Travel in 2017 – Guadeloupe is becoming a popular destination for Americans. Here’s a bit of advice on getting here.
If you live on the East Coast, you’re in luck, because extremely cheap flights can be found from New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), and Baltimore/Washington (BWI), as well as from Fort Lauderdale/Miami (FLL). If you’re not near one of these airports, you still might be better off flying to one of them to take advantage of this much cheaper second leg, courtesy of Norwegian Air.
Note: Guadeloupe is an overseas French department, and up until 2015, 90% of its tourists were from mainland France. This means that French is the official language and English is not yet widely spoken. To make the most of your trip, I recommend that you learn French.
Buying property in Guadeloupe
In early January 2014, our offer was accepted – and the insanity began in earnest. Continue reading
Revival attempt
Wow, it’s been ages since I posted here. I mainly post personal stuff to Facebook now, but even there I go through periods of feast or famine. I’m trying to do better. Continue reading
The Caribbean Butterfly
For more about Guadeloupe including some great photos, check out the guest post I wrote for the Lou Messugo Blog.
Guadeloupe: The Caribbean Butterfly.
Note: Guadeloupe is an overseas French department, and up until 2015, 90% of its tourists were from mainland France. This means that French is the official language and English is not widely spoken. To make the most of your trip, I recommend that you learn some French.
Finding Property in Guadeloupe
Though we looked at a few different properties, the one we eventually bought was one we’d seen while we were still planning to buy a house. We were initially attracted to it because the photo on the realtors’ site showed the Îlets de Pigeon – quite simply the best view from this part of Guadeloupe. Continue reading
Understanding Charlie Hebdo
On 7 January 2015, two men stormed the offices of the satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo. They murdered 12 people, including the five most famous and beloved cartoonists (one of whom was the editor) and two police officers, and injured 11 others, 5 seriously. Those are the basic facts of the tragedy, which you undoubtedly already know. But what you may not understand is why – beyond the horror of murder and mayhem – this event has touched every French person so deeply. As one internet meme says: “12 dead. 66 million wounded.” Why is Charlie Hebdo so important and iconic? Continue reading
Happy New Year!
May 2015 be full of joy and laughter and only the best of times. Happy New Year to one and all!
Here’s some reading material and ideas for you: Continue reading