Articles by Juliette Giannesini
French woman in English Canada. Occasionally: speaks Mandarin or Spanish, bitches about the Canadian weather, writes left-wing rants, gives test to her students so that she can read the paper and have breakfast, speaks of cultural difference or goes backpacking across the world. And enjoys Canada as her new home.
Foodie Review: Planet Coffee (Ottawa)
Most places in the Byward Market are overpriced and cater to tourists. Planet Coffee is one of the exceptions. The courtyard is quiet and the atmosphere very relaxed. While there seems to be a big turn-over of staff (that or I really don’t have a good memory for faces!) it still feels like a neighbourhood coffee shop.
Picture of the Week: Lonely Dog
Canadians like pets, and in residential neighbourhoods it’s common to see people walking their dogs after an early diner, no matter the weather.
However, unlike French, Canadians are well-behaved and they pick up after their dogs—streets here are not dotted with dog poop.
The Same… Just Different
Thanks to globalization, no matter where you go these days, you will probably experience a lesser culture shock than the great explorers did a few centuries ago. Familiar brands and franchises took over the planet and local customs and lifestyles were exported well beyond their original boundaries. But it’s not always the same. Or rather, it’s the same… just different. Here are a few examples between France and North America.
5 Best Cities to Find a Job in Canada
Statistics Canada reported in October of 2011 that a surprising 61,000 Canada jobs had been added during the previous month, far beyond anyone’s expectations. Although many of these new jobs Canada were the result of Canadians going into business for themselves, the economy did see an increase in the number of traditional full time jobs.
After The Rain
The other day was one of these blah days. I was soaked by the time I got home. I ditched my bag on the floor and grabbed the camera with my favourite prime lens for a quick photo shoot—I wasn’t going to get any wetter.
The Pumpkin Massacre
I’m very ashamed to say that, for the past…er, 8 years, the pumpkin carving duty was often performed by my Chinese in-laws.
But this year, we decided to tackle the chore.
Cut me some slack, okay? Back in the days, October 31st was just a regular day in France—no pumpkin, no sugar-high kids, no candies.
Picture of the Week: Halloween
North Americans take Halloween seriously. As soon as the back-to-school displays are gone, they are replaced by gooey candies and a wide range of merchandises sporting skulls, bats, pumpkins, skeletons and the like. Be afraid, be very afraid…
Canadians Behind The Camera
My story with Canadian cinema didn’t start very well. When I first came here, Feng dragged me to see Men with Brooms. Keeping in mind I barely spoke English and didn’t know much about Canada, I automatically assumed it was a comedy about… guys doing housekeeping, a bit like Mrs. Doubtfire. Well, turned out it was a movie about curling. I didn’t even know curling was a sport.
