I have a great affinity for street markets. I have since the first trip abroad we made to Europe in 2005. If I know there’s a market on a given day, I go, and I examine every booth and table. I’m not a great photographer but the subjects are always colorful and inviting. Market photos …
Author Archives: janie.weeks
Bordeaux Wine Country
We have rain! And cooler temperatures! But it is not going to last long. In just a few days the heat will return for one last hooray. I did not get to wear my boots and jump in puddles. Most of the rain came at night – very noisily! But on several excursions, we were …
Rain and Cooler Temps are Coming
Today is said to be the last day of extreme heat here. The sky today was clear and a scorching 102 degrees but rain is coming. It’s on the radar inching our way. I cannot wait. I’m going to put on my boots and my raincoat and walk in the rain! I’m going to jump …
The Grand-Theatre, Bordeaux
If given the chance, do take the guided tour of the Opera National de Bordeaux. Purchase tickets at the Bordeaux Tourist Information Office. Unless attending an opera, ballet, or other performance, it is the only way to see the inside of the theatre. July and August are vacation months. Sadly there are no performances of …
Some days . . .
Buzzkill. I woke up happy and in a lively mood but spent far too much time on the computer today (the blog). At our late breakfast that Stan prepared, I tried to save some burning toast and got yelled at. Most of the time Stan is not as irritated as he sounds. It’s just what he …
A Touch of Bordeaux
The transportation system here is widespread, modern, and reliable, and unlike other things in France, it is inexpensive. Trams traverse the city in several directions and buses fill in the rest. If that doesn’t work, electric scooters and bicycles are available everywhere. Cars are not necessary. We are not walking as much here as we …
Getting to Know Bordeaux
Bordeaux is so very French! The city center is about 1.5 miles from our apartment, about a 40-minute walk, and I can’t say it enough, it’s so very French! There is so much to see, stupendous monuments and fountains, bell towers, ancient city gates, the largest reflecting pool in the world where kids love to …
One Last Fling in Portugal
By tomorrow afternoon, France will be our new home. Bonjour! We’ve rented a townhouse in Bordeaux for the next month. The weather there is hot so we will be able to empathize with our friends and family. Summer in the USA this year seems especially brutal. During our two weeks in Porto, we ventured out …
Making Good Use of Last Days in Porto
All the important spots and some not-so-significant spots have been seen and toured. As finishing touches, we revisited the little fishing town on the beach, San Pedro da Aflurada, to enjoy a bit of peasant sun on the beach reading books, and snoozing As we made our way back to Gaia stopped at the little …
A Train, A Boat and Dancing
Post 25 – A Train and A Boat I love trains! Both cargo and passenger trains. They seem to be the key to easily sustainable transportation. Done well, as they are in Portugal and in most places around the world except the USA, they are fast, on-time, efficient, and pass on tracks that sought the …