A European summer (Part 1)

A Sunday in the country, somewhere outside of Paris...
(two French ladies, charmed by a young man in a hat...) 

Greetings from the land of snooty waiters!

It has been a few weeks since I last wrote on the blog.

Pardonnez-moi. My apologies.

The first half of our trip, and two full weeks, have just gone by.

Paris. London. Two fascinating European cities.

Blending the old and the new; traditions and quirkiness; 

... effortlessly.

They embrace stereotypes; they defy them.

London. Paris. Two favorite ladies of mine. 

I miss you already.

Paris... I once called you home. 
 and have visited you once a year for the last 17 years.
You have changed... un peu, 
but I still know you.

From my hotel window on Place Dauphine,
Ile de la Cité

Paris... How I love watching your people...
People say they are morose.
Peut-être. Maybe.
But some things will never change.
They still walk; bike; enjoy their city.
In the evening, they still go home carrying a warm baguette.
In short, they still have their priorities straight.

Seen by the Promenade Plantée (Paris' High Line walk:)
"This space is reserved for walking.
Joggers are tolerated as long as they do not disturb walkers..."

London... You have changed a lot. 
Queen Victoria may not recognize you.
So modern, yet so traditional. 
So predictable, yet so eccentric.
You keep surprising us.
London, you rule!

The hip and lively Southbank 

Europe's tallest building, the Shard, dominates the London skyline

Elegant Chelsea...

The crazy world of Camden Markets, North London 

Watching the world go by through the window of an ice cream parlor,
Notting Hill

In London and in Paris,
There have been precious moments,
spent with relatives and friends.
I did my best, 
but I still could not see everyone on my list.
L'année prochaine, c'est promis. Next year, it's a promise. 

A grandmother, and her grandsons
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

For the next two weeks, 
our most excellent European adventure continues.
For now, Junior and I have relocated to the French Riviera.
La Côte d'Azur, and its ruling queen, Nice.
My family's roots are firmly planted by la Grande Bleue (the Big Blue.) 

We have to climb six flights of old, steep stairs, 
to reach the "Crow's Nest,"
our apartment in the heart of the Old Town.
But the view and small terrace are worth it.

Getting acquainted with la Baie des Anges (the Bay of Angels...) 

A home with a view... 

I will be back in a few days with more stories...

In the meantime, 
keep visiting the French Girl in Seattle's page on Facebook,
for daily photos and updates.
Thank you for all your comments, and emails over the last few weeks.

Have a fun, warm, and safe rest of July!

Off to pour another glass of chilled rosé wine... Santé! 


A bientôt,
-- French Girl in Seattle --

All photos by French Girl in Seattle.

Please do not use, reprint,  or Pin without permission.