Today I traveled from Chamonix to Paris. This is my final destination. After today there are only two days left before I head home. This hurts my soul. I mean, there definitely are things I miss. My cats and my washer/dryer rank pretty high on that list right now. But I'm not at all stoked … Continue reading Day 19: Annecy
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Day 18: L’Aiguille du Midi
I went up to Aiguille du Midi. I joked that it was the pinnacle of this whole adventure, but there was truth behind the jest. Those of you I've spoken with about this trip know I've been looking forward to Chamonix and Aiguille du Midi more than any other destination. It did not disappoint. I … Continue reading Day 18: L’Aiguille du Midi
Day 17: Getting To Chamonix-Mont-Blanc By Train Is Not For The Weak
Getting from Lyon to Chamonix by train was no laughing matter, and today's anxiety attacks proved it. My excitement about getting up into the Alps was sky high (heh), but to get here required four different trains. Two of the transfers were less than 5 minutes each. I was nervous as hell about this, and … Continue reading Day 17: Getting To Chamonix-Mont-Blanc By Train Is Not For The Weak
Day 16: Wishing for Longer in Lyon
I am in Lyon and it is gorgeous. And I'm visiting my old friend, the Rhône, once again. She is just as blue here as she is in Arles, much to my delight and surprise. It's unfortunate that I'm only here for one night. Lyon reminds of parts of Boston. The buildings are beautiful, with … Continue reading Day 16: Wishing for Longer in Lyon
Day 15: Eeeezeeee Does It At Éze Village
Éze Village is about 1400 feet above sea level, and the bus ride was a crazy 15 minute journey up steep hills with intense switchbacks. Next to the road was a drop-off down a cliff and the bus driver took each turn at full speed.
Day 14: The Beauty of Nice
I kept turning away from the water and gazing towards the hills surrounding Nice. The lush greenery beckoned to me.
Day 13: There’s No Cerveza on this French Menu!
I heard her say, "Well, I mean, how am I supposed to know what I want? Everything is in French!" She wanted a beer, but was annoyed she couldn't find cerveza anywhere on the menu...
Day 13: Catcalls and a Lost Reservation in Nice
As I walked the short distance from the train station to the hostel I was struck by the same feelings of unease I experienced in Carcassonne. The streets were empty except for straggling groups of unfriendly looking men. In Carcassonne, the men merely leered. Here, they catcalled and made clicking noises like one might when trying to lure an animal closer.
Day 12: Roman Ruins, Van Gogh, and Body Positivity in Arles
I spent today exploring Roman ruins and Van Gogh sites. And I fell more in love with Arles by the second.
Day 12: Gender Normative Behavior in Arles
The employee at the cafe was aghast when I voiced a desire to sit outside. "C'est tres froid!" I insisted I would be fine, that this weather didn't feel cold to me, and was amused when a dawn of recognition lit up his face. "Ah, tu vas fumer," he said, while miming smoking a cigarette.
Day 11: Arles and Falling in Love
After dark the streets in Arles aren't just well-lit, they're lit cheerily and with lots of color. There is noise around, noise of conversation and fun, noise of safety nearby should it be needed.
Day 10: An Evening of Tears in Carcassonne
Day 10: Carcassonne. There don't seem to be any women here. There are men out on the streets chatting, usually on street corners. When I walk by they stop talking and stare. It's rather disconcerting.
Day 9: Touring Les Plus Beaux Villages de Dordogne
As a writer it's difficult to admit that a location has me so in thrall that I've been rendered speechless. It runs rather counter to one's desire to write about the location. But, alas, here we are.
Solo Travel: Crushing Loneliness
With solo travel comes a type of loneliness that is freeing, but crushing. The need for connection is biological. It's how we're wired. And we wind up lacking it.
Day 8: Dark Alleys and Fear in Sarlat-la-Canéda
Imagine limestone walls, narrow passageways, gas lanterns casting a warm friendly glow and soft laughter coming from restaurants you know are around a corner but can't see yet... That's Sarlat, and dammit if I'm not already in love with it.