Monterey Weekend

Hard to believe 4th of July is already over. 

I haven't even finished posting photos from Memorial Day weekend! 

So, as promised, here are a few.

Carmel was as lovely as I'd been told. 

And Monterey such a treat. 

Among some of the old buildings,

written about in Steinbeck novels,

there is lots of modern beauty as well.
The trip made me realize how little Steinbeck I've actually read. 

We enjoyed walking and perusing the main streets and shops...

As well as the beaches and coastline. 

We had planned to go to Yosemite

but realized the crowds were going to make it miserable

so were able to cancel our hotel room 

and get a place in Pacific Grove 

so we could explore Big Sur

and more of Carmel and Monterey. 

We would barely have had any real time 

in Carmel and Monterey so we made the right choice. 

Back next time with more coastline shots

of the gorgeous Big Sur. 

Hope you're enjoying your summer! 

We've had remarkably mild temps so far 

compared to the things I keep reading in the news.

What's the weather doing where you are? 

(All photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Weekend in Carmel

Well hello! 

It's been a while since I've been here. Thought it was time to share some photos.

We recently spent the long Memorial Day weekend in Northern California in the Carmel/Monterey area. 

I'd been there once years ago and we have friends who go frequently and keep talking about it. So we thought it was time to make our own exploring trip not too far from home since the long weekends are the only vacation time we get this summer (other than weekends in Portland).

And just like they say, 

Carmel is gorgeous. 

Filled with beautiful nooks and crannies,

there are shops and restaurants and flowers everywhere. 

We asked in one of the shops for directions to the best cafe for coffee

and she directed us to the Carmel Bakery

where she exclaimed that they had the best pastries. 

And truly, I had THE BEST COCONUT MACARON

I've ever tasted. It was huge, melt in your mouth

and partially dipped in chocolate.

The Chef took one bite to try it 

and said, and I quote,

'Oh. My. God.' 

Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of it. 

But trust me.

The bakery was established in 1899

and is considered one of the oldest buildings 

and definitely one of the oldest running businesses in the village. 

The town itself was once known as a Bohemian artist colony...

which would explain some of the funky small places along the side streets. 

We wandered about and enjoyed poking our heads in sweet little places

and snapping photos. 

We canceled plans to go to Yosemite (long lines and hotel problems) 

so we went to Big Sur that weekend instead. 

Next time I'll have photos of the coastline and Monterey to share. 

Hope you had a good holiday weekend

and kick-off to summer! 

If you go, don't miss Carmel Bakery!

Ocean Avenue (betwn Delores and Lincoln Streets),

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA. 

831.626.8885

Open 7am daily

***

Concert at St. Julien le Pauvre

One of the churches I ventured into this visit to Paris

was St. Julien le Pauvre.

I hadn't remembered on my last trip here

that it's a Greek church! 

(Melkite Greek Catholic)

Some of you know that I collect photos of

the Annunciation.

And I found this little sweet one below

on one of the panels just underneath the large cross in the first photo. 

This church regularly participates in concerts

and we were able to make this piano and accordion concert

on the first day of the new year. 

St. Julien le Pauvre

is one of the oldest churches in Paris,

 built between 1170-1240. 

But before this building,

from about the 6th century on, 

stood a Merovingian hostel for pilgrims.

It is said that it stood on the Roman road to Spain

and thus for medieval pilgrims 

on the road to St. James shrine at Santiago de Compostela

(though it was too small to be listed in the medieval Pilgrim's Guide.)

A site on St. Julien History 

describes how Bishop Gregory of Tours 

was the first to write about the basilica and hostel

in his History of the Franks.

As he considered St. Julien 

to be one of his patron saints,
he lodged at the Basilica of St. Julien the Martyr

and said a midnight mass there.

Archaeological finds determined that the building originally stood 

in the middle of an ancient cemetery

and unearthed Roman and Merovingian sarcophagi and other artifacts.

One of my favorite things in the church was this angel.

The little church looked even sweeter with this lovely piano in its midst. 

And I positioned myself in the audience

to have a perfect view of the angel. 

When we got home that evening after the concert,

we went online and discovered that the angel is Archangel Gabriel,

the very same angel who appears in the Annunciation

and is often associated with  gifts of knowledge and messages to prophets.

Another of my favorites at St. Julien le Pauvre

 shows Jesus revealing himself to Mary Magdalene. 

Next time I'll share a few photos outside the church. 

It's located across the river from Notre Dame 

and just across from the entrance to the Latin Quarter. 

**************

Have been posting a few of my Paris photos

on Instagram as well.

Follow me there for more travel photos. 

(Photos Copyright: Kirsten Steen)