Jardin du Luxembourg

There is something about traveling to another country and integrating into their lifestyle that changes you forever. I especially felt this way after visiting Paris.

While in Paris I learned to slow down and be present. Mornings were spent waking up slow as I stood in line at the bakery on our street picking up fresh pastries and coffee. Afternoons were combined with sight seeing and a picnic as there was fresh food and markets in every neighborhood. Dinners were easily a three hour event involving a nice bottle of wine and dreaming up plans to live this way. Everywhere we went it seemed like people just slowed down; something I wasn’t used to but easily grew to adopt and love over time. 

We had so much on our list of things to see and with our new way of living in slowness we ran out of time. However there was one thing I just had to see: Luxembourg Garden. On our very last day I mustered up all my willpower (obviously I am not a morning person) and woke up extra early to catch the sunrise.  Thankfully it was a short 10 minute walk from our hotel.

I was in complete happiness sitting there in solitude watching the sunrise while chase down my pastry with a cup of coffee.  The light was even more beautiful than I had remember...

“I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.”
― Mary Anne Radmacher

Paris by Day, Paris by Night

Paris, the city of light.

Like most American girls, I’ve always wanted to visit Paris. For me the yearning for Paris grew as I fell in love with photography. I heard the light was simply divine so I wanted to see it for myself.

On this day, as I sat at the Trocadero watching the sunset I was having one of those 'pinch me' moments. In my left hand I held my beau's hand and in my right I held my Pentax. We were surrounded by so many people but no tourist, street artist or pick pocketer could have put a dent in my mood. With my two loves in my little hands and this view I was in utter bliss!

Paris, you have my heart!

The Palace of Versailles

Digging through my photos from Europe made me so happy especially after finding these scans of my little self-portrait project I did while at the Palace of Versailles. Oh man, that place is so so beautiful!!! (That extra so is no typo).

My beau and I had brunch in Paris prior to hopping on a train to Versailles. It was super easy to do and from the train station, it was an easy walk to Versailles. We arrived around noon and felt like we were already late given there were a ton of people everywhere. Getting inside required standing in two lines: a ticket line and an entry line. I’d have to say my beau and I make the best traveling partners; while he waited in line to buy tickets I waited in the entry line and once he got our tickets we were steps away from the entrance killing two birds with one stone and making the couple behind us very jealous of our strategic planning. High five babe!

The palace and garden of Versailles is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Being there felt like a dream. Inside the palace there were gold covered trimmings almost on everything, meticulous paintings on the ceilings and the chandeliers inside the Hall of Mirrors are astonishing! Like so many others, the Hall of Mirrors was my favorite room and is significant to history. In this room is where the Treaty of Versailles was signed to end World War I. Yes, I am a nerd and love to learn the history behind things when I travel. I think it brings more life and meaning into the place.

With my traveling companion, my Pentax I walked around the Palace of Versailles lost in my thoughts, absorbing the information I was learning as I roamed through each room and sneaking photos of my own reflection…

Palace of Versailles // September 2014 

Kodak Porta 400. Developed and scanned at RPL.

Diana in London

It was fate that she and I would meet someday. my pretty Diana F+ that is. One Sunday afternoon I found her at the museum shop. There she was beautifully boxed up and on clearance! I was instantly in love with her and felt it was serendipity! That was almost two years ago. I don't bring her out enough to play but I did bring her to London with me. How appropriate right? Diana in London. She's light, travels easily, fun to shoot and always conversation starter for strangers and how can she not be? She's a Diana.

iPhone snapshots of London

A picture heavy post of iPhone photos captured while exploring London... 

  

           

More on London: 

Tea in London | A mini-guide to London