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charming chamonix & l’aiguille du midi

chamonix

A few weeks ago, when the fall colors really started turning and I was finally starting to recover from being sick, we spent the weekend in Chamonix, France. Martin and Reese picked me up from work and after a quick dinner stop we headed south. One of Martin’s acquaintances from the world of rugby was staying in Chamonix for a few more days at a place owned by his sister’s family and we were invited to join. I was a little on the fence about the whole weekend as I still wasn’t feeling amazing and didn’t really know what to expect, but Martin drove and we visited and listened to podcasts and the 3.5 hours went by quite quickly.

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last summer getaway

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Just two weeks ago, I left dark and stormy Zürich on a Thursday morning to join Martin in Nice for our last summer getaway. Martin’s final big meet of the season, Les Jeux de la Francophonie, was the perfect excuse for a long weekend along the French Riviera, and after just 45 minutes in the air I was already looking down on the last summer sun sparkling of the Mediterranean. I was content with nothing more than just a weekend alternating lazing by the pool with lazing by the sea. And so that is what we did. (See instagram for more photos from this spot.) Read more

freitag favorites + celebrations

DSC00473Apparently we like to pack our Augusts with momentous occasions. Last year at this time we were just married and headed off on our honeymoon in Basque Country. And, with my soul left behind somewhere in California for awhile, Martin’s birthday was under-celebrated. This year, I hope I made up for that.  Yesterday our friends Kibwé and Crystal (and baby Brooklyn) arrived for a post-Olympics recovery holiday and, as it was also Martin’s birthday, we celebrated in his honor with a delicious dinner at one of our neighborhood favorites, Restaurant Bürgli. Dinner was followed by a cookie tower (with precariously placed candles) for the birthday boy as that was his most-desired dessert wish this year. Read more

mysteries of paris

We encountered several things on our Paris trip that confused us. This sign was in the middle of the Place Dauphine. Given the question marks penned on the bottom of the sign,  I guess we aren’t the only ones that wondered what this particular sign is prohibiting. No families in this square? Adults may not hold the hands of children? I have no idea. Do you? Read more

spring in paris / part III

Monday and Tuesday were spent exploring shops and bakeries around Paris, as well as several more exhibits. We started Monday with a wonderful breakfast at Angelina near the Louvre. Angelina is well known for delicious signature hot chocolate and the array of pastries, fruit, and eggs warmed us up for the day of exploration. Read more

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spring in paris / part II

Day two (Sunday) of our Paris weekend started off fairly early. Martin got up and was off to the metro to head to the outskirts of Paris for one of two training sessions throughout the weekend. In the meantime, I stayed in and planned our itinerary for the day — the Auguste Rodin Museum, Hotel des Invalides, and La Tour Eiffel. I enjoyed the beauty of the gardens outside Rodin’s chateau. Afterwards we joined the crowds of Paris marathoners on the Champs Elysees to climb the narrow stairs of the Arc d’Triomphe and see the streets of Paris spoke out into the city. Read more

spring in paris / part I

Since our move I have been hoping and planning for a long weekend in Paris. I’ve saved the names and locations of restaurants, shops, bakeries (and more bakeries), and planned returns to some of the landmarks for years. Given the sheer volume of places on my list I would need to move there in order to see all the sights. Read more