Tag Archive: lifeisacelebration


Just One More Croissant

Filed under: Travel, travels — Leave a comment
June 25, 2023

I’m home now. The fond memories of a recent trip still make me smile with gratitude. Happy Hours 24/7 for 3 weeks with my Nieto and Nieta. Obviously I am not yet done writing and posting (on FB and IG) about the trip, especially the last leg in Provence and in Paris. But that is not to say we didn’t enjoy Amsterdam, Brussels and Bruges. Each of the cities visited holds fond memories of the sights and experiences. Forever etched in our memories that even a croissant can easily evoke happy thoughts!

Our first croissant in Joordan, Amsterdam.

Those 3 weeks taught these young adults how to craft their travel itinerary, book walking tours, shop for online museum admissions, register for concerts and cluster/sequence our travel activities. I know this entailed some research including where to find accommodations and timing our train schedules. But way over this trip planning, the young adults learned how to use a laundromat, hand wash some items, press clothes and dealing with hotel front desks for a few demands. Google map has made navigating the areas a cinch, and Uber for transport and food deliveries made life much easier.

A Laundromat Experience

We didn’t scrimp on our meals. Enjoyed our Dutch, Belgian, Provençal and French meals. Even our beers! We spent on food whatever we saved on laundry expenses. I refused to pay €10 for each pair of pants that needed washing. The laundromat was our best friend, at only €6 for wash and €2 for a quick spin/drying per batch. In Provence, we used the hotel’s laundry services for only €15 each machine. Except in Amsterdam and Bruges, we skipped the €18 breakfasts and instead bought our breakfasts off supermarkets (fruits, salads and wraps) and boulangeries. Those fresh pears, peaches, strawberries and white asparagus gave me “highs” and started off my days. Nieto and Nieta ate more veggies (salads) too on this trip. Swell 💕

A new Instagram account (Jolli.belly)
chronicled our dining adventures.

We had a good run. We missed out on a few spots and activities for lack of time or because we didn’t want to exhaust ourselves crazy (we’re on holiday!) but we enjoyed good weather even if the temps rose in Provence. We only encountered 2 “mishaps” but nothing that can’t be remedied. We just ended up feeling very annoyed but a good meal quickly took care of that. There were many pleasant surprises and we are very thankful for all these blessings. We prayed before stepping out of our hotel or apartments and expressed our gratitude every so often. In my heart, I know a good habit was reinforced and our faiths were fortified. “Thank You, Lord” was and is our mantra. 🙏

Thank You, Lord 🙏

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/06/11/back-in-montmartre-paris/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/06/12/elsewhere-in-paris-2023/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/06/12/a-couple-more-musee-in-paris/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/06/09/galerie-dior-in-paris/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/06/08/dining-around-provence/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/06/07/vincent-in-st-remy-de-provence/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/06/05/van-gogh-in-arles/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/06/04/whats-in-senanque-abbey-and-gordes/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/06/04/a-day-excursion-to-menerbes-and-roussillon-provence/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/06/03/tarascon-on-a-whim/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/05/29/a-week-in-avignon/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/05/29/denim-from-nimes/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/05/29/brugge-vibes/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/05/27/oh-yeah-oye/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/05/24/oh-van-gogh-oh-magritte/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/05/20/going-loco-at-the-moco/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/05/18/a-heineken-experience/

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2023/05/18/day-1-started-with-jordaan/

JUST CLICK ON ANY OF THE BLOG LINKS ABOVE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS AND TRIP DETAILS. Life is a celebration!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment

Elsewhere In Paris (2023)

Filed under: Europe, Travel, travels — Leave a comment
June 12, 2023

Who grows tired of Paris? There’s always something else to discover, to explore, to enjoy in this city. I think it’s my 7th time around Paris but this is my 1st time stepping into Eglise Saint Sulpice. It’s the 2nd largest church in Paris next to the Notre Dame Cathedral, but I suspect it became more popular because of the Da Vinci Code, a bestseller by Dan Brown turned into a movie topbilled by Tom Hanks. You remember the book? Or the blockbuster movie? I’m not sure if they still run “Da Vinci Code” tours 20 years after, but it sure was a popular thing to do then. And quite naturally, the tours started with a visit here, notwithstanding that the film company was never allowed to film here. The movie’s starting scene was actually shot in a Hollywood studio. All because Dan Brown sparked controversy with his claims that the Church insists aren’t founded on history and the bible truth.

Eglise Saint Sulpice in the Latin Quarter
On our way to Luxembourg Gardens, we stopped here for lunch. Our last lunch in Paris and on this trip. 🥲

Church visit done; lunch at Cafe Tournon. This being our last full day in Paris, we decided on a proper French lunch. I think we chose well and got lucky with a very accommodating crew. We likewise decided to separate so the young adults can meet up with friends while grandma goes to her favorite chapel. That means the hip Cafe Kitsune for the young ones and the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal at Rue du Bac for Mamu.

Lunch at Cafe Tournon
Meet-ups with Childhood Friends

Every time I visit Paris, I always try to come here. But it was closed when I got there and would reopen at 2:30 pm yet. There was a good hour to waste. I did remember there was a nearby Bon Marché Store with a marvellous gourmet food section. Next block; just across the street. I remember some random food finds here which I brought home for friends and family. Like always, good food excites me as it did while I navigated around the shelves and food sections in Bon Marche’s gourmet area. Some pâté here, fresh strawberries and peaches there, big, fat white asparagus about to go off season, some maché and rocket for my salad, and an assortment of bread and pastries. A happy place! Before I knew it, it was past 2:30 pm so I promptly paid and headed back to the chapel. Before long, I was at the metro station and got off at Liege near Rue du Moscou. Looked around the apartment, packed my bags for next day’s departure, prepared some salad and ate while staring out the window. I can bring these memories home so I want to remember them well. La vie est belle!

Chapel of Miraculous Medal at Rue du Bac
We are only 3 but nieto deserves 2 servings.
View from our Apartment Window
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comment