Lottie's Wedding, London, and Giverny

In mid-July we were invited to David's cousin Lottie's wedding in Maidstone. We took a few days off and crossed the channel on the Eurostar to meet the family in England. David's parents came from the US, and his Aunt Rosemary and cousin Rachel came all the way from Vancouver.

David and I spent the first two days in London, walking around the city and taking photographs. We trekked to the Houses of Parliment and Big Ben, past Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, and Picadilly Circus. We visited the British Museum, which was so massive and amazing, we could have spent days there.

We were surprised to appreciate the food in London. Even in dark, quiet, unassuming pubs we had some great meals. With all the great food, and much of quite greasy (i.e. fish and chips), I can see how it would be difficult to keep a trim waistline in London.

Furthermore, it was cheaper then Paris, especially considering that the pound and euro are almost equal these days. On my last visit to London I was earning US dollars, and the city had seemed madly expensive. This time, however, I found it to be a relative bargain. I know I've said it before, but after living in Paris, I don't think I'll ever find another city expensive. Unless life manages to take me to Tokyo, perhaps.

Lottie and Matt's wedding was on the 11th. The small ceremony was held in a beautiful stone manor in the countryside, followed by a fun reception at Old Timbers - Lottie's parents' home. David, Rachel, and I were seated at The Cousins table, where we chatted with the other side of Lottie's family. I relished in the small talk, fully taking advantage of the mental vacation of not speaking French. I could actually hold an intelligent, philosophical conversation with a person without being limited by a grade-school level of vocabulary and grammar.

On Sunday after breakfast we parted for Paris again and had a few hours to unpack and tidy the apartment before David's parents followed across the Channel. They stayed with us for a night, then rented a car and drove out to a village outside of Vernon, where they were meeting David's aunts and renting rooms for a few nights.

The next day - July 14 - David and I spent our Bastille Day with the English. We met early to beat the crowds in Giverny to tour Monet's gardens, then off on a driving tour of the charming neighboring towns. We finished the evening at the restaurant of the chateau, sharing a big family-sized table and appreciating the rare opportunity to see everyone together at the same time.

David and I had to return to work the following day, but that evening we met the family at a quiet country restaurant on their way out of town. We lent a hand by transporting a few bags to the airport for them, then said our goodbyes beneath the roar of planes passing overhead.