free public art

The Eiffel Tower was stunning and the Louvre inspiring but equally as impressive to me was a beautifully edited and printed set of pictures on display at Luxembourg Garden, home of the French Senate. As a photographer, I love checking out galleries and art shows, but often they cost an arm and a leg to attend. Here in Paris was an outdoor gallery. Free of charge, and photos as stunning as those you pay to see. Big photos. Dozens of photos. Good photos.

My friend Sophie says the exhibit changes frequently. I think every city ought to have a place like this. Photos have such power. Sometimes they are just beautiful. Other times they stop us dead in our tracks, make us laugh, cry or even challenge our perceptions. Thank you Luxembourg Garden for dedicating space (and a cleaning crew!) to such a lovely form of art.

sibling love

Kate


Johnny

Paris? Probably the last place I would expect to travel with my sister and brother, so of course, it's where we ended up! One of the best Paris memories I have is waking up under the Eiffel Tower. After walking through what seemed like the entire city, we crashed in the grass near the base of the Eiffel Tower. I actually fell asleep and woke to this site. Magical.

sun and fun

Menaggio, Italy


Tremezzo, Italy

After a day in the sun, my mom and sister play the part of Italians while we wait for dinner.

in between

Paris

We spend our lives in between, on platforms and planes, rails and roads. Always ready to get where we are going, never wanting to leave where we're at.


TGV Paris to Lausanne

the louvre

ancient love

Etched into the stone of moats from the 12th to 14th century, love lives on in Paris.

dinner for 4 or 44?

Napoleon considered both viable options. I would kill to host a dinner party at that table.

wine

Paris without wine? Unthinkable.

balance

An important skill for break dancing and life in general.

no flash

Loved the signs at the Louvre. The great artists and I agree on the "no flash" concept : ) Rock on.

mona pandemonium

As interesting as the Mona Lisa itself is the mass of people elbowing, photographing and neck-craning to see the famous work of art. The tiny painting on a massive wall.

french hospitality

Sophie

I'm not sure where the French get their bad rap. The two French women I know are bright, gracious and fun. Many thanks to Sophie (AKA Sophine!) who introduced me to Nespresso, the hidden corners of Paris, French Basque food and the Claire's of Paris. Who knew you could have a backyard in Paris or that napping under the Eiffel Tower could be so sweet.




Nespresso

my favorite chefs

Kate and Kyle

Italy is a country that has become synonymous with good food. Ironically, some of my favorite meals in Italy (and Switzerland) weren't restaurant-made. They were made by the hands of two Americans, my sister and her husband. In Switzerland they wooed the family with a delicious cheese fondue chased by pear liquor. My sister gave all the gastronomic rules to follow (which included drinking lots of white wine!) to avoid an upset stomach from the mass amounts of cheese.

In Italy we hit a few good restaurants on Lago di Como, but Kate and Kyle gave even those Italians a run for their money with two of their meals. The first was a beautifully prepared apricot and sage pork chop, the second an eggplant Parmesan. As good chefs, they let the available produce inspire the meals. On the drive to Italy, Kyle spotted apricot stand after apricot stand, so we weren't surprised to see the apricot a top our pork chops. Thanks for the good memories and full bellies, you two!


Eggplant parmesean


Swiss fondue

sleep on the seine

La Seine, Paris

Perhaps not the picture you'd expect of the famous river that flows throw the heart of Paris.

exhale

TGV, Paris to Lausanne

On May 27 I hit play, I jumped on the train. I didn't get off until today. New York City, Vermont, Switzerland, Italy, Paris, Madrid, Bar Harbor, Lima, Ecuador, the Galápagos. Family, fondue, missed planes, pinchos, love, exhaustion, exploded bottles of balsamic vinaigrette, students, nerves, cosas inesperadas, pictures, thin air, chocolate. Very little processing time in between, no pause button. I sit here now, idle. No students to take to the hospital. No embassies to call. No appointments. I exhale.

I hope to sort through my pictures and share pieces of my trips with you all over the next few weeks. Can't wait.

lago di como

Falcon in flight


Varenna, Italy

madrid

A Sunday at Retiro Park


Palacio Real



If you make traveling about the journey and not the destination, you get Madrid. Or at least I did. I guess you could also call it making the most of a missed flight. Trying to catch up to this blog in the next 24 hours, before I head to South America for a month.

jura hike

From Baulmes to Sainte Croix through the Covatannaz Gorges. The hike starts in a small Swiss village then cuts through beautiful gorges. The sound of water at the bottom of the gorges, nature's music. Cows in pastures. The sound of their bells picks up when rushing water leaves you. The hills are green and soft. Dandelions and wildflowers grow densely where the cows don't graze. The hills are alive.

rolex learning center

Amazing place...check it out. My bro Kyle works @ EPFL. If you ever visit, Satellite is a must-visit. Can you say cheap Belgium beer?

swiss sofa

Rue de l'Ale, Lausanne

Inspired by Bill Keaggy and his book 50 Sad Chairs.