Saturday 15 June 2013

I'm a bit excited

I'm going to Europe.

Amsterdam. London. Paris. My holiday is like a t-shirt!

I've been to Paris before, twice, and am giddy with excitement about returning once again. I love Paris. The first visit we were there for a week. We spent a glorious two weeks last time. This visit we'll have about four weeks in Paris. I just can't get enough.

Why wouldn't I be excited? When churches look like this?

Sainte Chapelle
When a hospital courtyard looks like this?

Hotel Dieu
Where department stores look like this?

Galleries Lafayette
And the Opera looks like this?

Opera Garnier
Where fun can be had in so many ways 

Air Swing at Fete des Tuileries

Metro Palais Royale 



Where cliches abound

but are wonderful

 And that beautiful Parisian light suffuses every vista



I'm looking forward to Amsterdam and London too of course. But I've never been to those cities before, so it's a different sort of excitement and anticipation as I don't quite know what to expect.


Saturday Snapshot is a wonderful weekly meme now hosted by Melinda at West Metro Mommy

18 comments:

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

You will have such a lovely time! Enjoy and don't think for one minute about those of us sitting at home this summer because we had to buy a new roof instead of traveling abroad. Really. Enjoy.

Brona said...

Take me with you! Take me with you! Take me with you!
No?

Oh well, I will just have to live vicariously through your photos and posts.

Have the very best of times Louise. I look forward to hearing what you think about London and Amsterdam (I hope you're going to Anne Frank's house/museum - it's a pretty amazing exhibition space now - or was back in 1991!)

Bon voyage xo

Martha Eskuchen said...

Oh! Those are beautiful photos. No wonder you are excited. Have a wonderful time.

skiourophile said...

Have a wonderful trip! (Incidentally, I have stayed in the Hotel Dieu, not as a patient - there is a section where they rent rooms within the hospital. I thought it was a good spot for first-timers, but if one knows Paris it would not be my first choice as the rooms were fairly soulless and only at a very odd angle could one see out the attic-style windows to Notre-Dame. But very clean and safe and protected if that was one's priority. The gardens are magnificent.)

Anonymous said...

Good to hear you are branching out Louise! Enjoy it all ... are you getting into the countrysides as well?

Anonymous said...

Marvelous photos! Everyone of them, and I love your line of thinking... leading us to see what's 'ordinary' in Paris is actually extraordinary for us. I'm sure you'll have a great trip and I look forward to more amazing photos!

Joy said...

Woohoo! Have a great trip!

BTW, Sainte-Chapelle doesn't look like that, just at the moment. They are working on the windows and have three or four of them covered up while they do the repair work.

Louise said...

Deb it's such a shame to be getting a new roof instead of travelling. I hope my photos will bring you some happiness, and vicarious joy.

I'm sure we'd have a fabulous time Brona! We are planning to go to Anne Frank house. I just finished the book yesterday.

Thanks Martha.

Vicki- I had no idea you could stay at Hotel Dieu- what an amazing location, it would be great.

Sue- lots of new experiences this trip, but then I think every day in Paris is a new experience. We'll hopefully get some day trips into or through countryside in several countries, but we're mainly staying put this trip.

Paris is extraordinary in her ordinary details Arti, one of the reasons I love her so very much.

Christine Harding said...

Glad you are having such a wonderful time. I love Paris, but doubt I'll be able to viait this year. My Snapshot is http://goo.gl/9IGEs

Jackie McGuinness said...

I was in Paris and Amsterdam last year. It was my first time in Amsterdam and I really enjoyed it.
London remains one of my very favourite cities to visit no matter how many times I go!

Ginx Craft said...

Great photos. I love the first one of the chapel, and in the others you have completely captured the feel of Paris. Looking forward to seeing what you make of London.

Irene said...

Have a wonderful time, it looks like you are set too.

Anonymous said...

great photos! I love Paris, too. :)
I've never been to Amsterdam but I've been to London several times and I love it, especially for its history.

I think my favorite place to visit, though, is Florence, Italy.

reading your post makes me want to travel this summer!!!
Beth - -beth's book-nook blog

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip! Thanks for the anticipation-tour. The Opera Garnier is SO beautiful--and I notice it in the background of the bicycle picture too. :)

I've never been to Amsterdam, but London is *wonderful.*

Susan said...

Have a great time! I look forward to your wonderful photos!

bermudaonion said...

I'm green with envy. I hope you have a wonderful time!

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I'm very jealous....this looks like a place I'd like to spend some time.

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful photos. Enjoy yourself.

I have to been to many places in Europe, but have never made it to Paris.

Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Saturday Snapshot