France in Frames

Love uplifts the mood, and here was a perfect representation of love framed against history! At the Popes’ Palace in Avignon, the stone walls were impressive; the interiors of the palace spoke of years of planning and labour in creating a structure that has withstood the ravages of time and war and political skirmishes. History lives within these walls. But it was a sudden encounter with this couple looking through the windows that brought a thought to mind that it was the people dwelling within the walls of any place that make it come alive. Travel soothes the soul; it de-stresses the mind that has been wrinkled by routine, smoothing out the furrows with new sights and experiences. Travelling in Dijon and Avignon, where the vistas are wonderful, the air is cool and fresh, where every small town and village has a story to tell that fascinates and enthrals is a sure-fire way to feel the ultimate joys of travelling. And travelling with friends has its own special happiness quotient. Colour plays such a vital role in mood. The freshly washed by rain leaves, their colours challenging any designer’s imagination, were a reminder that Nature is hard to beat when it comes to creating the most amazing visuals. And Nature does it quietly, with little fanfare. A scene from the Bourgogne Gold Tour, as we drove through the wonderful Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune vineyards on the Route des Grands Crus... We stopped for an impromptu picnic of wine and some cheesy bread bites, and realised that we were sampling a way of life in this part of Borgogne. Watching this man walking up the hill with his dog added just the right touch to the mood... making us believe for one moment that we too, belonged to this lovely scene. Stones can speak too, if one listens... their gossipy attitude, so reminiscent of two women chatting about trivia made us laugh. It was a feel-good moment to capture for posterity. The streets of the small towns in Provence are beehives of activity. Here a street musician, in bright, happy colours, makes sweet music for those who care to listen. Her dog, asleep in its cosy basket knows that when her song is done it will be time to jump up and play, and enjoy a meal together. We stopped to listen and capture the joy of her absorption in her passion. The bridge over the calm waters of Avignon is a symbol of quiet strength, which was almost destroyed by the force of the river that flows under it. Yet it stands on, in all its majesty, reminding us of the latent strength that lies within each one of us. Pont d’Avignon, as the bridge is known, inspired a song that made the city famous. Joie de vivre! The French celebrate life, and celebrating themselves is a part of it. A lady finds a quiet spot of me-time in the busy market square... something we as Indians have forgotten in the race to reach someplace. Three is company. Posing to capture the sheer joy of being in a beautiful environment, sharing a moment in the sun! This was first published in the Feb 2013 issue of Complete Wellbeing.

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