aswimmy

[aswimmy]

Paris, France :: August 1, 2022

Made me smile: The air conditioning in our hotel room in Paris. We said our goodbyes in Boulbon and rode the TGV straight to Paris. We found our hotel, went to lunch and then spent the rest of the day relaxing in the AC. We had dinner delivered, watched a bunch of Seinfeld and went to bed early.

[aswimmy]

Boulbon, France :: July 31, 2022

Made me smile: The daughter of our Airbnb hosts stayed the night with her partner and their 10 month old baby. So we pretty much spent the whole day with them eating breakfast and lunch outside on the patio. The daughter’s partner spoke English so that was really helpful for the day. Also, our hosts’s other daughter also came over for lunch. It was really fun and we definitely had the authentic experience of a big French family Sunday lunch. We feel like we’re family now! Also I gifted the hosts a painting I did of their house and there are lots of cats in the village.

[aswimmy]

Boulbon, France :: July 30, 2022

Made me smile: Meeting this potter at her studio in Gordes and sharing our love of clay!

Something beautiful: The streets of Roussillon. This village is on the biggest ochre deposit in France. As a result, all the houses were painted using ochre based paints in various shades. It’s gorgeous! I took so many photos of homes to draw and paint later.

Something interesting: One thing I learned today is that these Mary and baby Jesus sculptures on the corner of the buildings in St. Rémy de Provence were the original zoom church. During the plague (or any communicable disease time) people could stay home, open their window and still have Mary and bebe Jesus to pray to.

[aswimmy]

Boulbon, France :: July 29, 2022

Made me smile: Having lunch with Thomas in Avignon. We got seated outside and then it started drizzling and they put up a big umbrella and then it really started pouring! The patio was full of diners and it was fun to all wait out the rainstorm by ordering dessert (pictured here are chocolate nuns) and coffee.

Something beautiful: The roof tops in Avignon.

Something interesting: The old city part of Avignon still has the wall around it. And here is a part with a mini-bridge and a set of stairs!

[aswimmy]

Boulbon, France :: July 28, 2022

Made me smile: This sweet mangy orange boy kitty! He desperately needs a bath.

Something beautiful: The sunset after dinner (again)!

Something interesting: Our lunch at L’Oranger today was probably the best meal I’ve had this whole trip - and it was only 15€!

[aswimmy]

Boulbon, France :: July 27, 2022

Made me smile: Walking the streets of Boulbon after dinner. So many winding streets to explore.

Something beautiful: Provençal sunset!

Something interesting: Our Airbnb hosts are very nice! We have a room with an attached bathroom on their ground floor. The only issue is the madame doesn’t speak English and the monsieur parle un peu anglais. It was awkward at first but thank goodness for translation apps!

[aswimmy]

Chamonix, France :: July 26, 2022

Made me smile: This sign on our hike telling me the buvette (snack bar) is 20 minutes away. Nothing to get me moving my butt up a steep hill like the promise of food!

Something beautiful: The view from Chalet de la Floria (the buvette we hiked to).

Something interesting: Turns out bees don’t bother you when you’re eating if they have a smorgasbord of flowers right by your table!

[aswimmy]

Chamonix, France :: July 25, 2022

Made me smile: Poppy the dog hopping over the low fence to visit us!

Something beautiful: Today was a rest day from hiking so I walked to this little lake and hung out for a while.

Something interesting (sort of): I also spent a big chunk of the day working on this storefront painting for my friend Jenn!

[aswimmy]

Chamonix, France :: July 24, 2022

Made me smile: This little food truck and the blueberry tarts we had!

Something beautiful: We did a hike in Berard Valley where we saw a waterfall, a cat and cows. It was a nice hike!

Something interesting: This weird alien Buddha thing in this weird hut on our hike.

[aswimmy]

Chamonix, France :: July 23, 2022

Made me smile: Seeing Thomas up ahead stopping to take pictures.

Something beautiful: This hike!!! Our place was to hike to Lac Blanc from the cable car life (different from yesterday’s cable car), but I’m pretty out of shape right now and my knee started hurting. So I didn’t make it to Lac Blanc but still really enjoyed the hike!

Something interesting: Maybe not the most interesting thing ever, but here is a picture of a street in Chamonix proper. Our Airbnb is actually in Les Bossons - just a 15 minute bus ride away. It’s nice to be out of the busyness!

[aswimmy]

Chamonix, France :: July, 22, 2022

Made me smile: Going to Italy via long cable car with Thomas!

Something beautiful: The mountains, duh.

Something interesting: When took cables cars to and from Italy today. The picture below shows our route. We started in Chamonix, France, went to Helbronne and back.

[aswimmy]

Chamonix, France :: July 21, 2022

Made me smile: Here’s a picture of when we got to Gare de Lyon where our whole adventure started today. We arrived to learn that the train was going to be 40 minutes late. Not a big deal, but it made us miss all our connections to our other trains. Luckily, once you buy tickets to your final destination the train system has to get you there no matter what if there are things like delays. So we arrived in Bellgrade 40 minutes late. After getting our bearings, we figured out they were putting us on a bus, but there weren’t enough seats! Luckily there was a really nice young French guy traveling by himself to Chamonix that noticed our distress (mainly at not having enough French to communicate clearly with the train people). He initiated talking to us and helping us understand what was going on. And because he was going to the same place as us he let us tag along for the rest of the journey. That included two more separate trains, a bus and another train. We had a really nice time talking to him and even had time at one stop to get drinks at a cafe with him. He took time to hand draw us a map of his favorite hikes in the Chamonix Valley (which he knows because his grandparents have a house here). Merci beaucoup, homme très gentil!!

Something beautiful: The French Alps of course! The first picture is the view from our Airbnb patio!

Something interesting: The train stations had these raised lines to help people who are vision impaired get to where they are going! Très cool!

[aswimmy]

Paris, France :: July 20, 2022

LAST DAY IN PARIS!

Made me smile: SUSHI! It was actually really good even though sushi in France can be hit or miss. The server/manager was really nice and spoke French to me to help me with my French. I would definitely go back! Too bad it is our last day.

Something beautiful: The Seine from Île Saint Louis and construction on Notre-Dam.

Something interesting: My name is spelled differently in French! Yes, I bought these.

[aswimmy]

Paris, France :: July 19, 2022

It was hot again today. Very hot. 105 degrees hot.

I finished my painting. Then we went to the movie theater again. We hung out in the cafe/lounge in the afternoon (our apartment was too hot) and then saw a movie at 5pm. Another cold shower before bed. Tomorrow is out last full day in Paris. I’m ready for the Alps!

[aswimmy]

Paris, France :: July 18, 2022

Made me smile: Its way to hot in Paris to be out doing things, so I brought Paris to me by working on this store front.

Something beautiful: An air-conditioned movie theater!

Something interesting: Historical heatwave in Europe. 🫠🫠🫠🫠

[aswimmy]

Paris, France :: July 17, 2022

Made me smile: Tonight we had dinner with some friends and their kids that are also in Paris. It was really fun to eat crepes and have a conversation in English!

Something beautiful: The flowers at Luxembourg Gardens!

[aswimmy]

Paris, France :: July 16, 2022

After 20k steps yesterday we were pretty exhausted. I had a very easy “stay at home and rest” day with just a trip to the art store for a ruler and a paint brush. I took a nap and did some chores around our apartment and spent some time drawing and painting. Just a relaxing day with no photos!