Day 16 - a place you enjoyed visiting
The prompt feels like a weak start to one of the more magical places I've been on this small blue-green orb. In June of 2015 I visited Giverny, France, the town where Monet's home still stands. It is everything a provincial French town ought to be: white washed buildings, rough stone walls, fields dotted with blood red poppies, and the cutest little cafes and galleries you've ever seen. Josh and I went with my parents during our year living abroad and it just so happened that there was an art festival at the time. There were literally painters in the fields, children painting, art absolutely everywhere, and just a feeling of magic in the air.
We did, of course, visit Monet's home and gardens which were breathtakingly lovely. I've only been a few places where the physical beauty and atmosphere of the location moved me to tears, but this was definitely one of them. I walked through the gardens in a bit of a daze, thinking, "Of course he was one of the greatest artists; how could you not paint when surrounded by all of this?!" Besides the sweetness of experiencing such a magnificent locale with the people I love, I also had an enchanting encounter with a very young French girl, probably about three, who chattered to me happily in French and offered me a few of the little stray petals she had collected. She seemed a bit confused by why I couldn't answer in her language, but was undaunted and continued chatting away as if I understood every word.
Both of the times I've had the joy of visiting France I have been enraptured by their beautiful places, rich history, love for the arts and food, and just the aura. I am eager to return and continue exploring the villages, hills, burroughs, fields, and beaches of that fair land.
The prompt feels like a weak start to one of the more magical places I've been on this small blue-green orb. In June of 2015 I visited Giverny, France, the town where Monet's home still stands. It is everything a provincial French town ought to be: white washed buildings, rough stone walls, fields dotted with blood red poppies, and the cutest little cafes and galleries you've ever seen. Josh and I went with my parents during our year living abroad and it just so happened that there was an art festival at the time. There were literally painters in the fields, children painting, art absolutely everywhere, and just a feeling of magic in the air.
We did, of course, visit Monet's home and gardens which were breathtakingly lovely. I've only been a few places where the physical beauty and atmosphere of the location moved me to tears, but this was definitely one of them. I walked through the gardens in a bit of a daze, thinking, "Of course he was one of the greatest artists; how could you not paint when surrounded by all of this?!" Besides the sweetness of experiencing such a magnificent locale with the people I love, I also had an enchanting encounter with a very young French girl, probably about three, who chattered to me happily in French and offered me a few of the little stray petals she had collected. She seemed a bit confused by why I couldn't answer in her language, but was undaunted and continued chatting away as if I understood every word.
Both of the times I've had the joy of visiting France I have been enraptured by their beautiful places, rich history, love for the arts and food, and just the aura. I am eager to return and continue exploring the villages, hills, burroughs, fields, and beaches of that fair land.
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