A brief August intermission

But first, a few things before I go in search of Alpine views

The last time I loved summer was 1981.

I was at summer camp somewhere in Maryland, surrounded by chunky kids in ill-fitting terrycloth shorts, taming their frizzy hair with Finesse. For the first time in my 11-year-old life I kinda, sorta fit in.

Each night, we’d gather at long wooden tables, drink bottomless jugs of cherry colored “bug juice,” goof around, and eat frozen Snickers bars from the canteen.

I had found my people.

I had several unrequited crushes including a lanky curly-haired camp counselor named Barry who didn’t know I existed.

The highlight of that summer was performing “Tonight” from West Side Story with an equally awkward kid named Spike at the talent show. We looked deep into each other’s eyes and sang our little hearts out. We brought the house down.

Summer has been disappointing ever since.

Still, I’m looking forward to taking a wee holiday next week. It’s Jason’s birthday, and we’re getting out of Paris in search of lake views and Alpine vibes.

I won’t be bringing my laptop, so no new post next week.

But I didn’t want to disappear without leaving you with something to read. I pulled together a few pieces that I hope you’ll enjoy, especially if you’re new around here and wondering what A Good Vintage is all about. (Hint: not wine, although rosé does pop in now and again).

I’ve also taken down the paywall on these for the week, so tuck in.

• On being and belonging in France
  How one’s identity shifts when you can no longer lean on what you did and who you were back home.

• A case of the six-month blues
  What happens after you move to France and the rosé-colored glasses come flying off

• Flâneuring in Saint-Germain
  Come stroll with me through cobblestone passages and quiet pockets of my neighborhood.

• Fat shaming in Paris
  France and its pastries are wonderful. The OFII doctor who decided to offer me some unsolicited commentary on middle-aged, post-meno bod? Less so.

• Bite-sized steps towards a French life
  The strategy we used to get us from the seed of an idea to actually living in France.

There’s plenty more in the archives—moving-to-France intel, GenX angst, strong opinions about apéro spots—but these are a good place to start.

And as always, I love hearing from YOU! Tell me what brought you here and about your favorite French destination or experience.

À bientôt,
Sacha

P.S. Don’t forget that you can get 15% off a yearly subscription until September, which unlocks Things I Meant to Tell You, online salons, The Paris Edit, invites to occasional in-person apéros, and more.