Yay! Paris! Carolyn, I'm deliriously happy that you're going to two of my favorite museums in Paris. Sit out in the sculpture gardens at Rodin and read a book for a while; you won't be disappointed. I would have suggested Monet's Gardens but didn't know if you had that kind of time. L'Orangerie has Monet's gigantic water lily paintings and is situated in Tuileries...just saying. My entire 2-month trip with then 4-year-old V to Paris and beyond was inspired by the book "Linnea in Monet's Garden." She goes to Marmottan first and then they take a train to Monet's Garden. (The book is how we learned that you are not allowed to picnic inside the museum grounds. ;-p We went about the same time of year in 2010 and it was just stunning with a riot of flowers and plants.
A word of advice about the transportation from Vernon to Giverny, if you are going solo by SNCF from Paris. We misread the shuttle schedule and ended up on an hour-long walk (with two strollers and three whiny kids [and three whiny adults, by the end]!) back to Vernon in the blazing sun. Be sure you note the shuttle schedule BACK to Vernon or arrange for a taxi to pick you up again at a predetermined time. The museum might be able to call for a taxi? I wouldn't rely on it, though. It's a long walk back; I don't recommend it on your knee. This is one of those times that the bus tours from Paris direct to Giverny might be advisable--just ditch the guide while your inside. ;-p Bonne chance!! Je suis si jalouse! Vive la France!
By the way, we are painting rainy days in my watercolor class right now. I'm officially stealing your colorful but empty street photo for educational purposes. :D (If I get it right, you can have the painting.)
Bon voyage!
Missing you So ridiculous that we are missing each other by only a few days as I head to Paris and you leave. I plan to do lots of people watching and visit many pastry shops and only a museum or two. Carolyn
Went afar first The loose plan was always to go to more far afield places first and then do the 'easy' ones as I got creaky. I am very excited about going to France- the art, the food, the lavender fields-what's not to live.
Yes, I still live in Memphis. Linda is now acting Dean of the School of Language and Audiology @ the Univ. of Memphis. Her kids are now in 6th and 9 th grades.
I bookended my trip with Newark so I could visit w PJ and his family. He is teaching German at the high school where his daughter ,Stella, and his step- daughter ,Julia attend. Busy girls.
Are you still doing photography?
A 3 hour lunch Oh, my dear friend Carolyn! I am just so honored to have made it into your travels. Speaking of serendipitous, I specifically chose to wear your lovely infinity scarf to a fancy breakfast conference at the Omni Parker House in Boston on Monday. Another try to get social-emotional learning back into the conversation for young children. This was such a wonderful description of your home field. I enjoyed every word and picture.
Thanks for the memories! What fun to revisit Colrain and its environs again! Brought back many wonderful memories of when we visited you there. I always tell people they won't believe how beautiful western Massachusetts is, until they've taken a rambling drive through it.
The places you love most Back in Massachusetts....glad you made your annual pilgrimage. I could hear your voice as I read the blog and you seemed happy to be on familiar ground rounding those curves. Beautiful fall leaves and loved the cows.
Freedom Traveling alone does provide a freedom and it makes you feel so strong. The storms made for memorable experiences, stories and a great blog. We love Greece and wish we were there with you tasting all those wonderful foods.
Blowin in the wind Oh my gosh the weather has been a challenge. Glad you had your Peruvian clothes with you. So sorry you missed Santorini. Not at all what you had planned but sounds like everyone stayed in good spirits and made the best of it. Makes for a good travel story or lack of travel story. Glad you are safe.
No seasickness? I'm so impressed that everyone seems to have their sea legs or maybe its a testament to your seaworthy ship. I was on a little ferry through Chilean Patagonia, and everyone, including the captain, spent at least half of the time in the bathroom. It could be worse.
Great Photos Glad to see you are off on another exciting trip. I enjoy your blogs and your photos. I'm sure I'll never get to the places you visit, so I enjoy them through your eyes. Have a great trip!
Never too many mosques! I'll take a mosque over a chocolate rabbit any day! How lovely that you got to visit amazing Istanbul again, stay in that charming boutique hotel and be surrounded by beauty and the haunting call to prayer. Enjoy your tour!
Great story! I think this is the best travel blog story you have ever written. It has humor, vivid descriptions and authentic detail. What a great writer you are! You should really publish a book about your travels!
cerulean I thought I 'd be the only TBer who'd use the word cerulean in a blog. 'Twas the colour of my Tuareg wedding outfit. Yet you use it with such other gems as cobalt, and robin's egg blue, various shades of teal, turquoise, malachite and aquamarine. Must be 'cause you are from the home of the blues...Memphis TN of course. Great to hear your knees are holding out...and you can still display attitude. Enjoy your trip.
Fabulous photos! I really enjoyed this blog...so interesting that they still sing in Yoruba (a Nigerian language I was familiar with as a child). Brazil is so fascinating!
Igasasu Falls Beware of scavengers......The falls sound amazing. I can't wait to see them. Hopefully sooner than later. Shoot you live in Memphis you should be used to 95 degrees by now.
Sara La
non-member comment
Yay! Paris!
Carolyn, I'm deliriously happy that you're going to two of my favorite museums in Paris. Sit out in the sculpture gardens at Rodin and read a book for a while; you won't be disappointed. I would have suggested Monet's Gardens but didn't know if you had that kind of time. L'Orangerie has Monet's gigantic water lily paintings and is situated in Tuileries...just saying. My entire 2-month trip with then 4-year-old V to Paris and beyond was inspired by the book "Linnea in Monet's Garden." She goes to Marmottan first and then they take a train to Monet's Garden. (The book is how we learned that you are not allowed to picnic inside the museum grounds. ;-p We went about the same time of year in 2010 and it was just stunning with a riot of flowers and plants. A word of advice about the transportation from Vernon to Giverny, if you are going solo by SNCF from Paris. We misread the shuttle schedule and ended up on an hour-long walk (with two strollers and three whiny kids [and three whiny adults, by the end]!) back to Vernon in the blazing sun. Be sure you note the shuttle schedule BACK to Vernon or arrange for a taxi to pick you up again at a predetermined time. The museum might be able to call for a taxi? I wouldn't rely on it, though. It's a long walk back; I don't recommend it on your knee. This is one of those times that the bus tours from Paris direct to Giverny might be advisable--just ditch the guide while your inside. ;-p Bonne chance!! Je suis si jalouse! Vive la France! By the way, we are painting rainy days in my watercolor class right now. I'm officially stealing your colorful but empty street photo for educational purposes. :D (If I get it right, you can have the painting.) Bon voyage!