A stop in Paris and then on to Annecy!

Hello all!

So after a few amazing days in Paris and in Maisons Lafitte outside of Paris, I've arrived in Annecy safely and happily.  My host family is amazing and I can say with much confidence that they are the perfect fit for me for during the next month.  My host mother's name is Francine and she works very close to the enormous lake here in Annecy and she lives with her seventeen year old daughter Marie.  They are both very very nice and friendly and are working hard to make sure that I'm comfortable in my new home.

Today Francine, her boyfriend Hervé, and his 7 year old daughter Manon took me on an incredible hike on the mountain ridge that

overlooks the lake (Lac d’Annecy).  We had a picnic of salade nicoise and a baguette at the top.  Afterwards we wandered around and were actually able to get lost.  They were amused when I knew how to ask, are we lost?  "Sommes-nous perdu?"  Eventually we made it back to the car and we headed to the lake beach where many people were gather to take advantage of the warm weather.  It is so beautiful here and I am so happy to have chosen such a place to study french!  Enjoy the pictures!  xoxo,

Kate

Florence suggested I venture to the Marais district behind Notre Dame because it is full of much smaller and more artisanal boutiques and cafes.  I love it of course.

Below is more for my mama than anyone else because this little guy was too cute to not include in the photo.  He is the sleepy old man chihuahua who wears a soccer jersey.

 Okay, I apologize because these few are sort of like Paris 101.

Notre Dame

Do I need to say what this is?  Somehow I ended up here on my self-guided tour of Paris last friday.  :)

L'Arc de Triumph

It seems this would be a typical Saturday morning at Chez Petits.  Thank you Frederic, Nathalie, and Alice pour votre hospitalite!  xoxo

Below are pictures from the hike today!  

Behind me is the lake, so blue.

The mountains here are so beautiful, as you can see.  

That is Annecy at the tip of the lake.  

Francine (la vrai marcheuse!), Herve, and Manon.  

She was very very ready to go on a hike, this one!!

Thanks for checking up on me and I'll update soon.  Hugs and Kisses!