Taken during a crisp February weekend, this photo symbolizes everything that I love about the city of love. Whimsical, dreamy and romantic.
Paris photography holds a special place in my heart. Robert Dosineau’s Hotel Kiss was my first real introduction to portrait and travel photography. I saw it during a poster sale at my university. During that time in my life, I had no idea what love meant but Robert’s photograph gave me something to believe in and hope for. The urgency in their kiss, the way the world seemed to stop for just that instant. It was the first time a photograph affected me in such an experiential way and from then on photography took on a new meaning in my life.
Mom just left after her two week visit here in Europe! It was AMAZING. We didn’t fight! We didn’t even get annoyed with each other! This is great considering the last time we spent some quality time together in Europe, she gave me the silent treatment for two days because I brought us to the wrong airport and we missed our flight to Prague. Ooops! =) This time around, we didn’t lose our passports, we didn’t miss any flights and we didn’t get robbed. Dad must be so proud of us!
We explored London with Auntie Jose and Auntie Beth, who were visiting from Vancouver. They managed to be-friend every possible Filipino in Camden market that day. Discounts discounts! And then we saw Nice, Monaco and the Amalfi Coast. Just beautiful. It was full of laughter, nonsense and inappriopriate chatter. For those of you who think that my Mom is little Miss Innocent – DO NOT BE FOOLED! I am, after-all, my mother’s daughter. And what daughter does, mother did also…
You can see our pictures from France and Italy here.
Things I learned from my mother:
- Always look your best. You never know when you’ll find a potential husband driving nearby (in his Ferrari, Bentley etc etc).
- It’s ok to wear revealing clothing when you’re running around Europe all by yourselves. For some reason, people are so much more friendly and willing to help you out!
- You can be a fashion model, anytime, anywhere. See examples here, and here, and here.
- Eight thousand foot gondola rides aren’t that scary. As long as you scream and freak out the ENTIRE way up!
- It’s OK to marry your daughter off to the first man who asks. Even if he is fifteen years old!
- It’s OK to talk to random people about anything and everything. It doesn’t matter if they speak English, Spanish, French, Italian. Just talk to them.
- It’s also OK to try to crack jokes, in conjunction with the tour guide. Example:
Tour guide: “The winding steep road that goes up to Anacapri can sometimes be considered dangerous. It has a special name. To Americans, it is called ‘Oh-My-Gawwwwd’.” [Insert laughter from the crowd here]
Mother interjects: “And ‘HOLY COW’!” [Insert silence from crowd here]
Next time, I will have to remind her that “Holy Cow” is so 1980′s.
Anyway, that is a short summary of how the last two weeks have been. Needless to say London, and Europe, seem just a little quieter these days. =)
In all seriousness – we had a great time. I am blessed with the most incredible mentor, supporter and friend in my Mom. =)
Yesterday we took the bus to Saint Paul de Vence, a beautiful little
village at the top of a mountain just East of Nice. We walked the
cobblestone streets, browsed the art galleries and bought a pair of
ridiculous fashion accessory cocktail rings. We had lunch at a cute
little cafe on the hill and then made our way back to Nice in the late
afternoon sun.
The Cote D’Azur is so easy to navigate! Buses all along the coast
cost one euro each and they drive right along the coast. All the
museums are free (though we didn’t go to any) and the trams and trains
are equally cheap and easy to access. Food is delicious regardless of
where you go and clothes are also so reasonable! We’ve had a great
weekend walking, eating, browsing. We are in bed by 11pm and up at
9am. Lots of sleep, lots of food, lots of shopping and endless gossip.
So relaxing.
Today we’re going to Cannes before heading back to stormy, rainy London. 
It's warm, the people are gorgeous and the food is magnificent. All
that you would expect from the French
We're in a beautiful flat in Place Garibaldi. The French know
beautiful. The lighting, the decor, the window trimmings, the colour
scheme – all so beautiful.
It's so nice being here with Mum. It reminds me of our summer in
Paris. We eat slowly, walk slowly, talk like we have all the time in
the world. Languid, artsy, sensual, beautiful.
Oh France. Thank you for reminding us that beauty is necessary in our lives.
Cyn and I spent this past weekend in Paris! We decided on a whim last Weds to take the Eurostar over so we could go shopping, eating and drinking. And it was fabulous. =) We took the Saturday morning train and were in central Paris by 11am. I got a recommendation from a friend to stay at Hotel Regent in Rue Dauphine. I had no idea that it was located on my favourite street in Saint Germain! Really great location – central to great cafes and shops and two blocks from the Seine. We did an afternoon of shopping and then met up with friends from London and Dubai (who were also randomly in Paris) for dinner. We had macroons, lots of red wine, moules and French sweets. We had latte at the Ritz on Sunday and tried on gorgeous dresses in the boutique shops in Le Marais. It was a gorgeous, mellow weekend.
There is something really amazing about being here with Cyn. She's my best friend in the whole wide world and the time that we are spending raising hell across Europe is just so special. I feel like we can conquer the world together! This week, we're in the process of looking for two bedroom flats in the Notting Hill area. We're moving in together before we head home for Christmas!!
The agenda is packed. SO SO SO packed!
