Paris Parfait

In the shade

Shaded area in Barrio Santa Cruz, Sevilla.

When it's 39 degrees (that's 102 degrees Fahrenheit), the only way to survive the heat is to stay in the shade. Carrying a bottle of water everywhere you go - along with a senorita fan - is essential. Also necessary: frequent breaks in air-conditioned spaces, especially between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m., when temperatures soar.

 

Photo shot through the decorative iron-grillwork window of Starbucks, Avenida de la Constitucion. The air-conditioned interior and slushy mango frappuchino here helps make the heat bearable.

 

Convent's private patio at Plaza del Cabildo, Sevilla. Images shot with the Leica M9.

If you haven't yet entered to win a prize celebrating 2000 posts at Paris Parfait, go here. Bon chance! (And stay cool!)

Two thousand posts.

A moment of reflection, Alcázares Reales de Sevilla, Spain. Image captured with the Sony A900 and Carl Zeiss 16-35mm f/2.8 lens.

Two thousand posts. Quite the accomplishment, I think. Through Paris Parfait, I've been fortunate to meet and befriend many wonderful people. I've also had several professional opportunities come my way. Thank you for continuing to read and support my writing and photography.

To mark this little milestone, I'm giving away special brocante finds to two readers. Leave a comment about your dream travel destination.  Names will be drawn from a hat on Monday, July 26th.

Thank you again for being such loyal devotees of Paris Parfait! Merci bien. Muchas gracias.

Smitten with Sevilla

The Patio de los Doncellas in the stunning Alcázares Reales de Sevilla, Spain. Image shot with the new Sony Nex-5, a little camera with interchangeable lenses and big impact.

Despite the sultry summer heat, I am seriously smitten with this gorgeous city. It's my fourth time here and with each visit, I fall a little more in love. More photos and tales from Sevilla soon. I'll be celebrating my 2000th post and you'll have a chance to win a prize!

Sizzling in Sevilla

Trying to stay cool amidst sizzling summer temperatures, Barrio Santa Cruz, Sevilla.

Hola de Sevilla!

The view from my third-floor balcony at 2 a.m.: the magnificent La Giralda, Sevilla.

So far, it's been quite the eventful trip, beginning Wednesday morning with the scariest flight of my life. About 40 minutes outside Sevilla, we hit extreme turbulence; seems we were flying directly in the path of a tornado! The sky went dark and the plane bucked and fell hundreds of feet.  Passengers screamed as though it were a roller coaster ride (it felt like one, only much more frightening) and I tried to comfort two little boys sitting next to me.  Meanwhile, I was praying it wouldn't be our last flight. Safely on the ground - thanks to the pilots' heroic efforts - we saw the giant black funnel cloud, spiraling away from the city. Whew; that was close! After arriving at the apartment and having a quick tapas lunch with a friend, I went to church!

Other than sweltering in mind-numbingly high temperatures, all is well. Back soon with more news and photos. Hope all is well in your corner of the world!