Annecy

A week ago Sunday, after church of course, my Lyon Host Parents (aka: Joel and Melissa) drove me into the French Alps--though here they just say "the Alps." :)  My LHPs were eager to see their new niece and I was eager to do what I do best these days--support the French tourism economy through my purchase of postcards. 

You see, in recent weeks, in case you have not yet heard, I have developed the unexpected, though not unwelcome, habit of being dropped into a new city square "forced" to spend my hours taking pictures of old doors, 11th century churches, quaint streets, and only stopping to sip a coffee, rest my weary strapped-in-comfort Birkenstock-sandaled feet, and write a few of those previously mentioned postcards.

Before heading off on my own, my LHPs and I enjoyed a beautiful picnic at the Lac d'Annecy. I much prefer swimming in a pool (where I can see my feet) than in a lake, but this lake may be the one exception. 

The view is simply stunning.

We actually only had about 15 minutes to swim after eating, so I let my LHPs do the swimming and I snapped the pictures. Good relationships are all about compromise. 

(Super great photo-bomb by Joel!)

Once abandoned left independent, I took my time enjoying views vastly different from what you find in the Midwest. 

Canals flow throughout the old part of town and are escorted by boxes of flowers on either side. They leave you with breathtaking sights. 

Cobblestone streets, pastel houses, and cafés. Always, everywhere, a plethora of cafés. 

(The only thing that surprised me were the swarms of gnats as numerous as the cafés. I'm not exaggerating. I have never walked through so many clouds of gnats in my life. I was afraid to breathe lest they go up my nose or get stuck in my teeth.)

I did manage to find a spot to rest where there were no gnats. Once I ordered my coffee, the postcard writing began.  

(I sat at the table directly behind the man in the picture.)

(Can we just take a minute to appreciate the manner in which she is enjoying her ice-cream?!)

Since this was the farthest East I had been in France, I decided to try une gaufre. They taste quite unlike American waffles, but that did not surprise me in the least. 

Near the end of my far-too-short time in this beautiful city, it started raining. Thankfully, my LHPs drove to the rescue just in time. 

One day, I hope I get to go back.

And yes, Maria, all the pics were taken with my iPhone. :)