While Georges is down in sub-Saharan Africa (and can I just send a big shout-out and thanks to the folks over at Apple for freaking inventing the iPhone and Facetime, because my husband was able to video-chat with me from his hotel in Yaoundé), I have decided to take care of some long-overdue spring cleaning projects around the house. I want to purge a lot of clothing from my closet and that is packed away in storage, à la "What Not to Wear". And I have documents to sort through because the piles are getting too out of control, and this is the year when I will be applying for my 10-year Carte de Séjour so it will pay to be organized early.
I also decided to get serious about planning my 50th birthday trip to... VENICE. Starting with going through some of the photos I took back in 2007 when I was there on my own. Last night I watched "Summertime" with Katherine Hepburn, about a woman of a certain age who goes on the trip of a lifetime, to Venice, and of course falls in love with Rossano Brazzi (can we blame her) even though he's married. Seeing all these images of Venice makes me positive I've chosen the right place in which to turn 50.
My first gondola ride. "Oh, just you?" "Yes, just me." It was still magical.
Colonna di San Marco
Colorful Burano, home of Venetian lace-making
The Rialto
Gondolas, lined up and ready for business
I mean, how could you have a care in the world in such an amazing place? I can't wait to go back, but this time to rediscover it with the person I love most in all the world.
If you've been to Venice and want to share your favorite things to do and see, your special restaurants or a romantic little hotel along a quiet canal somewhere, leave a note in the comments!
