La Vie en France #33: Concrete Steps to Overcoming Fears of Traveling Abroad

  The Webmaster has travelled to France so often that it is second nature to him.  Yet to many readers, who have never left the United States and who do not speak a second language, the thought of travelling overseas can be quite daunting.  Consider this recent email exchange with the Webmaster: “One thing that helped make a trip by me to France more possible…  Two years ago, my oldest son, who is at the U.S. Naval Academy now, did a three month Rotary exchange Continue reading →

La Vie en France #32: The Big Adventure Began One Year Ago Today

One year ago today Webmaster Randy Gaulke left his New Jersey home to begin his six-month stay in France as a freelance tour guide to the battlefields of World War 1.  For those considering stepping out of “real life” to pursue their passions his message continues to be:  “Take a chance; Step out in faith; Don’t let fear control your life; and if you fail, you can always pick up the pieces.”  The message is similar for those who would like to visit the American Continue reading →

La Vie en France #31: Staying Focused on Goals

    Regular readers know that the “La Vie en France” blog posts talks about the Webmaster’s cultural experiences in France and/or the process that led to his sabbatical pursue his passion as a freelance tour guide for the AEF battlefields on the Western Front.  This post covers the latter topic.  specifically, it talks about staying focused on one’s goals–whatever they are. It is all too easy to lose track of one’s goals or to lose momentum in reaching for those goals.  Sometimes life gets Continue reading →

La Vie en France #30: How to Have a Wonderful Trip in France–or Anywhere Else Overseas

    The Webmaster enjoys people watching at airports–especially watching Americans at CDG who are returning home from a trip to France.  Broadly speaking, they fall into two categories:  Those who adapted to a different culture and tried to fit in; and those who thought everything in Europe should be done as it is in the U.S.  The former group had a wonderful vacation.  The latter group had a horrible vacation; complaining about the lights going off in the hotel hallway, the small size of Continue reading →

La Vie en France #29: What Does not Work in France

    In 2017 the Webmaster had a tremendous experience:  He spent six months living in France and working as a freelance battlefield tour guide.  Travel abroad can produce both positive and negative experiences.  In spite of an overall wonderful experience there are cultural differences that drove him crazy from time to time.  In this “La Vie en France” he highlights some of the more negative memories of that six month period.  They are in no particular order.   12h00 – 14h00–Almost Everything Closes Just Continue reading →

La Vie en France #28: What Works in France

  In 2017 this Webmaster had a tremendous experience:  He spent six months living in France and working as a freelance battlefield tour guide.  Travel abroad can produce both positive and negative experiences.  In this “La Vie en France” he highlights some of the positive memories of that six month period.  They are in no particular order.   Food–Especially Bread, Wine, Cheese and Mirabelles It is not a cliché:  The French do food very well.  One of the things the Webmaster misses most since returning Continue reading →

La Vie en France #27: Inspiration can be Found Anywhere–Even in a Christmas Cartoon Movie

  The Webmaster’s “La Vie en France” posts can be used to highlight cultural differences or to encourage others to pursue their passions.  Today’s post is about encouraging readers to pursue their passions.  Inspiration to do that can be found anywhere–even in a Christmas cartoon movie.   Most Americans are familiar with the scene from the Christmas cartoon movie “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” shown above, and most American readers (of age) can sing along with the chorus:  “Put One Foot in Front of Continue reading →

La Vie en France #26: Stuff

  Happy Thanksgiving 2017 readers!  In a few hours the Black Friday sales start and Americans begin their tradition of collecting more stuff to place in already over-crowded houses.  Sound familiar?   Living in another culture helps one to better understand the plusses and minuses of one’s own culture.  During his six months in France the Webmaster noticed that Europeans tend to have less “stuff” than their American counterparts; whether looking at clothing, dishes and china, collections, etc.  In general, they seem to be less Continue reading →

La Vie en France #25: Additional Thoughts on Exercise

In La Vie en France #15 the Webmaster spoke of differences in diet and exercise in Europe and the U.S.  This post is a brief continuation of the discussion; with a focus on exercise.  The discussion resumed when reenactor friends of the Webmaster’s 18 year-old son were extolling the virtues of joining a gym for getting in shape.  “Why not just go outside and do something?” was more or less the son’s reply.   Indeed, it seems that Americans go to great lengths to do Continue reading →

La Vie in France #24: Goodbye Doulcon (France), Hello Gillette (New Jersey)

  Today is 15 November, 2017.  The Webmaster’s six-month stay on the American battlefields in France has come to an end.  In a few hours he will be on a plane headed back to the United States; contemplating what comes next.   Thanks to a wonderful wife and an army of supportive people–on both sides of the Atlantic–he was able to live out his dream of spending significant time on the American battlefields–mostly the Meuse-Argonne.  During that time he led about fifteen small group tours Continue reading →