A (New) Beginning....

So! I have been thinking about cutting my hair short for a little while now. Just to have some variety in my life - I was tiring of my long hair becuse no matter what I did it always seemed to look the same. Then, when we came to France the heat and humdity have been so unbearable that most of the time I was wearing my hair up. When I did take the time to straighten it, the ends would be curly within the hour.

I decided that I needed a change, so I spent some time looking up a salon in Lyon where they spoke English. I went in yesterday and took the plunge. The women were so nice, older ladies -- and sisters who have been in buisness for 40 years together. They were so pleased with the cut and with my decision to cut it so it was good to have some positivity. I probably took off approximately 10 inches. I am starting to really like the cut, it's a different look but a pretty one. These are some pictures -- they're not great it looks much better in person, but I'll post more later. (The back is actually shorter than it looks in the picture, it hits just at the bottom of my neck)

We are headed to Geneva (in Switzerland) tomorrow morning at 6am! So I'll have more pictures after the weekend.

Love al

The Beginning...of European Life

To all my readers who are bitter that they aren't with me on this trip...I know all my other posts have shown such glamourous landscapes and trips but just remember - we're in Europe which means no A/C for our hundred degree apartment and no clothing dryer! lol!

I miss the luxuries of North America

Al

The Beginning...of Our Travels: Villefranche& Cap D'Ail

With so many little towns on the coast, it was hard to choose which to visit. We went off the recommendation of hostel staff and visited Villefranche and Cap D'Ail, fully accessible by train. We had hoped to make ti so St. Tropez as well but the ferry ride was 60 Euro, and the bus, which was a bit cheaper, could take up to 3 hours in traffic. It's a shame -- but at the end of the day I'm still so happy with all the things we were able to do with our time in Nice and Cap D'Ail was probably my favorite place yet because of it's untouched beauty and unique landscape so I can't very well be upset. Villefranche is a town built into a mountain, fairly similar to something you have probably visited in Italy. The market was supposed to be fantastic, but we saw it and overall the city is not something to write home about. That's not to say it isn't beautiful, or interesting, but it is small and there isn't much to do. While there, we visited a war museum that housed some of the uniforms, pictures, and guns from the Second World War. To get into the museum we had to cross a stone drawbridge - so that was kind of cool.

This is taken standing on the sand looking across the mouth of the opening where the water flows into the sandy cove. Rock formations are on both sides. We watched the sunset behind the rocks- then headed home,

Next, we went to Cap D'ail to experience the beach there. The landscape is all rocky cliffs and rocks coming out of the water. They slat down directly to the water from the side of the road, so many locals spread their towels there and were jumping into the water from there. (Of course, we tried too!) There is also a sandy cove beach. A little difficult to access, with stone stairs carved into the edge of a rock formation that are small and steep but it's totally worth the trek. No words, nor pictures can really do the beauty of this place justice. It was simply amazing. Very secluded, it felt private. And there was shallow water for miles, plus little caves you could swim into in the base of the rock. All in all my favorite trip of all!

After all our excursions we spent the last 2 days enjoying Nice - some shopping and one last beach day before heading home to Lyon.

We are here now, but I'm not feeling well I've caught a cold and we started school orientation today - so back to a schedule and being responsible. Pff.

Bisous!
Ale

The Beginning...of Our Travels: Cannes&Antibes

Just leaving on our yacht, no big deal...

After our visit to Monte Carlo, we headed next to Cannes to see the film festival paraphernalia and the beach. The beach in Nice is rocks, so it was nice to have sand for a change. We were told that Cannes actually used to be a rock beach, but on account of all the tourists, they brought sand out of the ocean and created a sand beach because it's more appealing. The water was so nice and clear right to the bottom. And jutting out into the water from the beach were long piers, which you had to pay a fee to sit on. Usually, they were decorated with luxury sun loungers, and little couches and coffee tables. After seeing the beach we also visited a Picasso Museum. We were pleased to find out that it was free! At home, the AGO charges like $20 for admission, but here many cultural artifacts and museums are free and open to the public. My favorite photo was Picasso's painting of the Bay of Cannes - no photos were allowed but I bought a postcard of the image to remind me, and to signify my visit to Cannes. I've been trying to get a postcard from each place I visit as a memory.  

Cannes was a really nice stop, but on the way home we got off the train and visited a town called Antibes. For me, this was the real gem. It is a town that is surrounded by a stone wall that was built around the 16th century. Inside the walls is an old town with narrow streets and picturesque buildings. This was what I pictured Europe to look like. The beach was marvellous but we arrived to the city later in the day so we couldn't enjoy it. There is one long strip of beach and more city outside the medieval walls -- but the beach that stands just outside the walls is in a private cove and seemed more local than the strip. We also mulled around the market they had there. I really liked these Senegalese woven baskets -- I didn't end up coming home with one but I took a picture instead.

This is a sculpture that was in Antibes - inspired by a Picasso design -- if I understood the sign correctly. I climbed it and pointed to my letter "A"

Apparently, Picasso spent a lot of time in Antibes, they also have a museum here dedicated to his work

The Beginning...of Our Travels: Monte Carlo

The train to Monte Carlo takes only about 15 minutes from Nice station. Imagine, can you get anywhere in Woodbridge in 15 minutes? Let alone another city. Monte Carlo is in the Principality of Monaco, so it's got a special status kind of like how weirdos from Quebec do too. Unfortunately, the latest train left Monte Carlo on route to Nice fairly early so we only had a few hours there -- enough time to dine, see the marina and check out the Casino and the ostentatious buildings that surround it. It really is very beautiful but it's beauty comes from all the grandness that surrounds it. There were Ferrari's, Rolls Royce, Porsche, Mercedes, and a number of other expensive cars valet-parked all around the sqaure where the casino lies. You have to be invited to play in any of the private gambling rooms -- it's very exclusive. And the bar is completely decorated with Swarovski crystal. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the Casino, they make you check your electronics at the door. But suffice it so say it's like Vegas but wayyyyy more posh society. The boats parked in the dock were equally luxurious.

Good thing we dressed to impress ;)

The Beginning...of Lyon

The first four nights in Lyon weren't that exciting, we just tried to find our way around the city, got ourselves practical things like a few groceries, garbage bags, etc. Our landlord Brigitte is really nice and helped us find what we needed. The first evening in Lyon we went out for dinner -- we stumbled upon this amazing street along the water, closed to cars, and completely lined with bistros and restaurants. It's food heaven. Notre premier dîner Lyonnais a été moules et des frites.

The second day, we ventured to another part of the city, and took the winding staircases and uphill climb to the top of Vieux Lyon, the medieval quarter of the city to check out the castle that stands on the edge of it. The trek was long but worth it - we couldn't go in because it's not open to public, but there was a church in the basement which was open and we went in and lit a candle each. It's actually a Basillica and not a castle - but either way it's stunning at night. Very impressive looking over the city...

Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

The Beginning...

These last two weeks I have found myself needing some kind of outlet of expression. I have been seeing so many wonderful things and I wanted to create something so that the people close to me can share in my expereince. I hope that you all feel nearer to me through this blog, even though I'm far away. I will try and post photos every few days of what we have been up to and what we've been seeing.

The name of the blog: I chose enchanté because everything I am experiencing feels so surreal. The word has many meanings, primarily to describe something that leaves you delighted, enchanted, or enamoured. But it is also used to express pleasure at meeting someone new. So that's what I am, je suis enchantée! Excited to see and absorb all the new things and new people around me and ready to meet any challenges that come my way.

à demain...