Sea Shells, C'est Gratuit takes place during the time span of 1996 to 2002. It is a collection and recollection of travel stories, with a dash of humor, and involving culinary tidbits for the reader to devour. The stories usually take place during summer on the way to see family and relatives in Germany and France. Cultural observations are duly noted and expanded upon on these trips. Further travel stories take place in the USA, exploring California, Oregon and Arizona. A brief visit to the East Coast is included too. In the last story, written in 2012, some domestic observations about my Oakland neighborhood are brought to life. Numerous watercolors and drawings enhance what has not been left to the reader's imagination.