SAINT EMILION

Wine tasting

Pizza eating

Jazz listening

Architect appreciating

Stone walking

Hill hiking

Market visiting

Cheese eating

People watching

Art exploring

It was a wonderful day!

Xx,

Chey

DAY WITH KLAUDIA AND NIGHT WITH THE GUYS

I was wide awake.

Lena was taking her second nap of the day.

It was sunny out and I need to escape- so, I went to find Klaudia. In case I haven't clarified this yet. Klaudia is the one in the photos with dark brown hair, and she is a Polish exchange student staying with Lena's family.

The two of us set out for downtown Bordeaux to drink coffee, try pastries, and most importantly visit my favorite store- Pull and Bear. I have fallen head-over-heels for the shop throughout my time here in Europe.

At night we went to play drinking games with the friends of Lena's elder brother. They are an incredibly sweet group of guys, and a lot of fun as well- at times they remind me of my friends at home. Communications often turned into laughter due to lack of understanding.

I also spent a portion of the night chasing a cat that had a drooling problem.

With love- xx,

Chey

TAKE A DAY TO BE A LADY

Lena and I just needed a day to relax after the trip to the beach. My hair had progressed, and by morning was beyond unmanageable. The beach wind and salty sea tossed and tangled my hair- until eventually, it looked like the burrow of a wild animal. After conditioning it past the required time and attacking the matted mess with a brush I decided it was time for a haircut.

The girls by my side to translate the interactions, I went to chop off my locks.

I'm am an avid baker- cakes, cupcakes, pastries, breads, cookies- I love it. Once home there was a thirst in my gut to create something and pop it in the oven. Within the hour Lena's family had enough M&M yogurt cookies to snack on for days.

After cookies it was time for face masks- as I said, it was a girls day.

Bisou xxx,

Chey

BORDEAUX AND THE BEACH

Lena's hometown is incredibly beautiful, in a unique way from Belgium- it shone a whole new light on France that I didn't see in Paris.

Living nearly downtown (just across a stone bridge) her house is vintage and constructed of old stone. Complete with a darling garden in the back and a spiral staircase greeting you at the entrance, it is easy to see why many people adore the French lifestyle.

I'm not kidding when I say that I've probably eaten half a baguette a day- my mouth is salivating just thinking about it. Over the course of this trip I have developed a bread belly...

The only thing that I'm truly missing is coffee. The US, and especially the Pacific Northwest have the best coffee I've ever had. I would do unforgivable things for a cup of Starbucks, Brewed Awakenings, Dutch Brothers, Tully's, or Stumptown.

One afternoon we ventured to the beach for some dune hiking and sun bathing. The beaches are packed with people who are escaping to the salty air for a breather. After a day of watching topless old ladies, children, and couples enjoy the ocean tides, and joining in myself- we hiked a monster dune. At the top you could turn in circles and see as far over the flat surface as one could ever hope to see.

Sitting down at the top I looked out over the ocean and wondered if I could find the direction of America- I got it wrong.

Ah, we went to the library and mailed out some post cards. Mine and Lena's reading levels are a little different..

Xoxo

Chey- the French beach bum

PARIS

The city of romance often smells like pee. Il pue (it stinks). That aside- after leaving a country constructed of bricks, I entered a nation of stone. The stone buildings tower over the streets, above which one might see a chapel tower. The iron work on the balconies is fantastic.

Traveling underground via subway- we reached the Eiffle tower. Awestruck I stood under its majesty in a trance- until some wired guy pushed me. It's amazing the distance one must walk if they wish for a photo with the tower.

Eating much in a small cafe I turkey felt like I was in France. After finishing the lasagna we embarked on a hunt after monuments and chapels. Around dinner time I developed a severe headache. My favorite foods being crepes, sushi, and fruit- I was brought to a creperie. Due to my developing migraine the lights, chatter, and smell made me nauseous. only able to eat a few bites I wasted nearly my whole lunch. However that was nothing compared to wasting all my meals of the day when I thee up allover the outside of the car. Classy huh ;)

PARIS ROUND 2

The second day in Paris was much better. I learned how the subway system works- meaning I actually knew where we were instead of trailing behind like a lost puppy. Lena and me met many nice old couples whom were more than happy to take photos of two "belles". The Notre Dame cannot be put into words. I was originally worried that the he of the hunch back would be nothing like the splendor that Disney made it- but I was pleasantly surprised by reality. Oh, this next part is very important- I finally got my crepe!

Much love and well wishes

xx

Chey