A Wedding Party

Have you ever watched the movie Chocolat with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp?  Remember the riverboat party?  That was the kind of wedding party we attended.


The road leading to the party was, at times, a little treacherous.

Of course the locals seemed perfectly at ease, zipping around the mountain deftly avoiding the many cyclists biking around the lac.

The property was set on the mountainside giving all of us guests a spectacular view.

The festivities started at noon when we all gathered in the reception tents. Many of the guests were seasoned cyclists, experienced campers and adept at extreme sports. Paragliding off Mont Blanc anyone? (That would be the bride and groom). The ambiance was jovial, the dress code casual. Every woman seemed to be holding a child of no more than six months old. There were Moby wraps, Ergo carriers and 6ft. tall dads doing "tiger in the tree" holds.

After lunch the babies napped, the parents rested, and the rest of us went swimming.

As the sun set, we all headed back, a little more dressed up. The party had begun.

The guests were also the musicians. Four groups played, including the bride's band. There was dancing and jumping and all you could eat ice cream. There were fireworks and champagne. There were smiles all around.

A Lake

Le Lac du Bourget - the largest natural lake in France.


It all started with a tent . . . and an idea to join the other experienced campers trekking east to a family wedding. We were going to do.this.right.

Then we looked at the weather report. Riiiiiiight. Better get on the phone and book one of the few rooms left in the city.

So, instead, it all started with dinner--at a local restaurant serving des specialités Savoyardes which roughly translates to any combination of butter, cream, cheese and potatoes. Remember, this is the area that gave the world this.

I think this is the first super-sized serving of anything I've ever had here.

These little guys reportedly came from the lake across the street . . . 

After dinner we took a walk in the park and came across a dîner dansant which took place, oddly enough, on a stage in an otherwise empty open-air theater. The Little Sisters danced, jumped and twirled their hearts out to ye olde favorites. 

The next morning, it was time for le marché.

Nothing beats a market, it doesn't matter which country you are in. The colors, the smells, and the global cheeriness to be found are sure to bring a smile to your face!

Have an excellent Tuesday!