Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Pink wine and estrogen

Last week I told you about our sweet little island in Provence.
Today I'll tell you about the town just across the river, Avignon.
And the beautiful girly travel moment that Avignon gifted me with.

Avignon, Provence France

Avignon, Provence France

Avignon, Provence France

I've mentioned that Avignon was once the papal seat 
and I'll post some more photos of our visit to the palace.
But the Avignon of today is simply gorgeous.

You can tell she is well loved.  I've never seen a city more clean and tidy.
You could seriously eat off of the streets. 
It's cleaner than my kitchen, which I probably shouldn't admit.

Avignon, Provence France

Avignon, Provence France

Avignon, Provence France

I have to be careful when I gush about this trip.
"Ohmagawd! Best trip ever! Such fun!"
Matt just looks at me like "Seriously?"
Then I have to clarify that I mean best trip ever... without him.

Avignon, Provence France

But, it really was close to perfect.  These ladies are just the bomdiggity.
They've each nestled themselves a place deep in my heart.
It was so easy.  We planned one big thing each day and just got on with it.  No drama.
It was all about the rosé and enjoying each other's company.

Avignon, Provence France

Avignon, Provence France

Avignon, Provence France

And the food.  Six days worth of wonderful meals together.
Every once in a while, one of us would close our eyes and sigh with contentment.
Which would set off a contagion of sweet sighs of happiness with our faces lifted up to the sun.

Avignon, Provence France

Avignon, Provence France

Avignon, Provence France

Avignon, Provence France

We quickly fell into a rosé rhythm.
We would order a bottle with four glasses, all in complete agreement.
Funnily, it worked out that each day we had one more bottle than the day before.
We were certainly relaxing into holiday mode.  

Avignon, Provence France

Avignon, Provence France

Avignon, Provence France

Avignon, Provence France

One evening we sat near the carousel.  People watching heaven, Avignon.
Two women walked by arm in arm.  Two ends of a gorgeous feminine spectrum.

One older and slower, but so stylish.  Slow steps and sparkling eyes.
Supported gently by a tall, young woman bending to pay close attention
to words of wisdom or maybe even a scandalous story.

Sensible shoes and dangerous heels.  A tidy cardigan and smooth cleavage.
Cautious steps and a swing of the hips.  Short white curls and long dark locks.

Completely enthralled with one another and oblivious to the world around them.
It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen and brought tears to my eyes.
They could have been the same person.  Just at different places in time.

Grandmother and granddaughter.
The present and the past.

Avignon, Provence France

Maybe I'm a little crazy.  Maybe is was the pink wine.
Maybe it was estrogen overload.  But, it was magic and I'll take it.

Avignon, Provence France

By the way, if you're ever in Avignon you must have dinner at Le Bouillon de Culture.
After being deeply offended by the chef at a foofy french restaurant (asshat!)
we walked out in a huff and luckily ended up at a much better place.

When we requested a taxi at the end of a fabulous meal,
they called nonsense and insisted on giving us a ride back to the hotel.
Now that's service.

Avignon, Provence France

Avignon, Provence France

Best. Trip. Ever. 
Call your girlfriends now and start planning a trip.
Estrogen + pink wine + Provence = magic


What are your requirements for the perfect girls getaway?



10 comments:

  1. Hanh - the girls holiday! We really are the better of the two sexes! Looks just amazing. I would have liked to have seen the two ladies you described. Sounds like quite a moment.

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  2. Selena, I just loved Avignon, and that was with husband and children in tow... how much fun to have a girls' trip there!

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  3. Love the recap, it sounds marvelous :)

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  4. Avignon is one of my favorite places in France, but can you believe that I have never had a glass of Rose'. It sounds like that is a situation a need to rectify quickly !

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  5. looks fab! love the photos! I went years ago but now I want to go back since i barely remember it.

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  6. Selena, I am waiting for one of your posts to NOT make me laugh out loud. Really, you have a gift! Looks sooooo great! Hubs really wants to visit South of France (Buisson is not too far from Avignon), so there is no way I can make this a girls trip and leave him at home :( I'll live vicariously through you though!

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  7. Shikha (whywasteannualleave)July 24, 2014 at 3:34 PM

    I've always wanted to visit Provence - what a lovely location for a girly break! I haven't gone on a girly holiday as a group since I was in my teens, certainly not abroad anyway - high time I correct that!

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  8. I love everything about this post, but the title is the best. :)

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  9. Sounds like utter perfection, also you do not want to be eating from my kitchen floor either!

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