Philly pride here in Aix-en-Provence too! - He mentions Ishkabible's on South Street. I miss Reading Terminal and Talluto's in the Italian market for big fat cheese ravioli!
Reading the questionnaires has been fascinating, and each person profiled has really provided a lot of insight into the expat experience. Thanks to each one for sharing their life story so candidly, and to you for initiating this series.
I love this and it really stayed with me — especially the way Jim describes never deciding so much as staying open long enough for a life to assemble itself. That “one-year mindset” as a way of paying attention feels like a quiet superpower.
The honesty around safety, survivor’s guilt, and privilege — without flattening any of it — is what makes this land. And the reminder not to leave in reaction but in pursuit of exposure, learning, and quality of life feels both generous and grounding.
Also: the vinegar story will live rent-free in my head forever.
Thank you for continuing to hold space for these nuanced, lived-in stories ! — Kelly
Love reading these-your work consistently brings me glimpses of real personal stories and glimpses of places and culture well beyond anything we see in common travel guides.
Philly 🦅 pride! So cool to hear how his career changed from following what he loved and getting out and talking to people.
Sometimes the journey is totally unexpected and works out!
Philly pride here in Aix-en-Provence too! - He mentions Ishkabible's on South Street. I miss Reading Terminal and Talluto's in the Italian market for big fat cheese ravioli!
Reading the questionnaires has been fascinating, and each person profiled has really provided a lot of insight into the expat experience. Thanks to each one for sharing their life story so candidly, and to you for initiating this series.
This is a delightful read. Thank you for highlighting him! What a cool life he is creating for himself.
I love this and it really stayed with me — especially the way Jim describes never deciding so much as staying open long enough for a life to assemble itself. That “one-year mindset” as a way of paying attention feels like a quiet superpower.
The honesty around safety, survivor’s guilt, and privilege — without flattening any of it — is what makes this land. And the reminder not to leave in reaction but in pursuit of exposure, learning, and quality of life feels both generous and grounding.
Also: the vinegar story will live rent-free in my head forever.
Thank you for continuing to hold space for these nuanced, lived-in stories ! — Kelly
Love reading these-your work consistently brings me glimpses of real personal stories and glimpses of places and culture well beyond anything we see in common travel guides.
Thank you, that is absolutely the goal of my work. I’m so happy to read this!
Well—you are definitely hitting your goal. Glad you feel happy about the feedback! It’s well deserved.
He looks so familiar, did he ever work at Lockwood on rue d’Aboukir ?
Update: he did ! He often worked *from* there, too, when he was getting into photography! How funny.
Very good question! I’ll ask ;)