It is Sunday evening of Thanksgiving weekend and I have a glass of eggnog heavily dosed with brandy beside me. My Christmas tree was bought and decorated this weekend. I am admiring it as I type. Oliver the Cat is unimpressed A couple of friends helped me with the tree. We decorated while sipping a … Continue reading Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present
solo female traveler
Day 19: Annecy
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
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 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.
Amboise and Rude Americans
A friend suggested I make more of an effort to talk about my experiences and thoughts on local culture along with posting daily favorite photos. It's something I would like to do, but I struggled with this while in Amboise. Unfortunately, my thoughts on "local culture" in Amboise are somewhat neutral. I didn't have much … Continue reading Amboise and Rude Americans
Day 7: Chateaux of the Loire Valley
Favorite photos day 7/22. Visited the chateaux of Chenonceau (1st) and Chambord (2nd). I... I'm too stunned by beauty to be able to think of much to say. Here are the photos.
Day 6: Being Lazy in Amboise
Enjoyed a lovely breakfast with Travel Buddy before he left for London. The main topic of conversation? Sketching out a trip to Spain and Portugal for next year. Living in the moment is hard! 😂 I'm doing my best here, but it is REALLY hard to wander through Amboise early in the day and not get … Continue reading Day 6: Being Lazy in Amboise
Day 5: Chateau Amboise and Solo Travel Revelations
Good grief, this town is unbelievably gorgeous. Favorite photos from today are below. I'm forcing myself to choose only ten per day. I'm sure I'll appreciate the culling after the trip is over. Plus, knowing I'm restricted in this way is helping me be more selective in the shots I take. Today, Travel Buddy and … Continue reading Day 5: Chateau Amboise and Solo Travel Revelations
Day 4: A Travel Buddy in Amboise
Heeeey so I left Bordeaux this morning and am now in Amboise. My FAVORITE EVER Travel Buddy hopped on a train from London to come hang and drink wine with me for a couple of days. Which we have started on, heavily, this very evening. THINGS I LEARNED TODAY: Yeah it's 2 am,I have no … Continue reading Day 4: A Travel Buddy in Amboise
The Arguing Old Couple. “Il est trés fou!”
I'm at an Italian bistro for dinner. There is an older couple sitting next to me and they are having a heated conversation. I don't know enough French to really know what's going on, but she keeps exclaiming, "Il est trés fou! Il est incroyablement important que tu comprends ça!" (He is very crazy! It … Continue reading The Arguing Old Couple. “Il est trés fou!”