France

Well, let me tell you, making a video for a two-week trip is quite a task… But I was determined to continue to develop this new-found hobby and have spliced together some of the best moments (ie. the moments I remembered to capture as moving pictures) of the trip. As we are our own worst critics, I always feel like there’s room for improvement, editing choices that could always fit a little bit better, but it is amazing how a quick little video does bring an entire vacation to life.

My father has said he’d like to see more of me in the video; however, I’m holding to the claim that it is hard to video oneself (on a train, walking in a strange city, drinking Belgian beers) while traveling without a tripod. So for now, please enjoy the lovely sites (my favorites are from the air) and wait patiently in anticipation of my next travel video, where I may or may not be making an appearance…

[vimeo https://vimeo.com/52669746 w=700&h=500]

song: RJD2 – Ghostwriter

Paris, how I love you… The very first place I ever went in Europe was Paris. My parents took my sister and I on a two-week European vacation back in 1994? 1996? No matter… We spent a week in Paris staying in an apartment on the Îls Saint-Louis, and a week in London. In Paris, it was amazing being able to walk to the bakery every morning for fresh croissants, get fresh gelato at one of the best shops and walk all over this amazing quintessential European city. I have since returned once, during my nanny year, and was just as thrilled with this place.

On this visit, I just wanted to live. My friend Kendra flew out and met me for a few days and we stayed in an apartment near the Notre Dame (touristy, but central) – we ate well and walked around soaking it all in. Her friend Judith came towards the end of my stay and together we treated ourselves to lunch at the restaurant of the Top Chef France 2012 winner. There was nothing super elaborate about this visit. No wild nights, no long lines for museums, but it was everything I wanted. When I told people I was going to Paris it was solely with the purpose of walking around and eating croissants & baguettes all day long, which is exactly what we did. Highlights included: