Family

My weekend in Paris was far too short. I would love to see more of Europe…Amalfi, Italy is calling me…..

My First Transatlantic Flight

In September 2011, I took my first international flight.   My company sent me to France for a meeting in Annecy, France(southern France).   I had no idea what to expect on a 6 hour flight.  My first thoughts: what will I do for all those hours? besides sleep.  Typically,  I can’t sleep on a plane but I was thinking based on the distance I would have to rest a little.    As an amateur international traveler, I purchased a blanket and travel pillow(not needed).  US Airways provided a travel pillow and blanket.    I was lucky enough to sit with a lady from the MidWest who was traveling with a girlfriend(sitting in first class) on a girls trip throughout the French countryside.   It was an evening flight so the airline served dinner and there were movies, tv series and other forms of entertainment during the flight.  My seat mate and I covered everything from marriage, divorce, kids, grandkids, careers and travel.  It was her first trip to France so she was pretty excited as well.  

Hello Paris

When I arrived in Paris, it was early morning so we had a delicious pastry.     I have to admit there was a lot of anxiety with traveling such a long distance but a wonderful opportunity to discover another culture.    In order to experience two cities in France, I flew into Paris and take a train (4-hour train ride) to Annecy.   I figured on my return trip I would be able to spend two nights in Paris which was a great idea.

US Traveler in French Train Station

When I arrived at the train station it was overwhelming with all the people and the languages in the background.    Unfortunately, I wasted time looking for a terminal,  which we call a kiosk to print my tickets so I missed the early train. My tickets were prepaid and waiting for pick-up. I had to wait a few hours for the next train and hoped my taxi at the Annecy station would still be able to pick me up.  

Arriving in Annecy

Annecy, at last, is how I felt, next task was to find someone at the train station who spoke English so I was able to call the taxi driver since I arrived late.  Whew, there was someone after a French passenger helped me find a railway employee who was able to call my driver.

My Annecy Hotel and Jet Lag

The driver arrived with my company sign and I identified myself.   Wow, was I in shock to learn that a French taxi is an S class Mercedes(my Carrie Bradshaw moment).   I finally exhaled on my way over to my hotel, which was the Palace de Menthon.  When I looked at the pictures online I was in awe with anticipation.   The ride to the hotel gave me a beautiful view of Lake Annecy which was the most beautiful body of water I ever witnessed.   The drive up to the entrance of the hotel was like a scene from a movie.  

Palace de Menthon

The hotel was like something in a travel magazine.  I proceeded to take everything in with my Ipad.   The only thing I wanted to do was crash, however, I was advised to stay up to beat the jetlag.    Dinner was scheduled in town so when I arrived it was time to get ready for dinner. One thing to note if traveling to Annecyis its close proximity to the Swiss border. Most of my colleagues flew into Geneva but I opted to fly into Paris for a weekend on my return to the states. The four hour train between Paris and Annecy was well worth the scenery.

Annecy and Paris

This trip was long before I knew how to capture every moment. I missed so many meals and they were divine. This was the first time I tried foie gras and duck. Some of mpicturesos of my Paris weekend are captured below. I have to dig for my pictures of Annecy. The town was so quaint and filled with such character. From the cobblestone streets, architecture, and the view of Swiss Alps from my hotel was breathtaking. I loved the experience and am looking forward to more European travel with all of my equipment to capture each moment.

A Weekend in Paris

It was too short. There were so many things I missed such as The Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Louvre. The weather was beautiful for walking the streets of Paris. A lot to plan for my next trip.

Au revoir Paris until we meet again🇫🇷