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<strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/27/photo-du-jour-begins-on-sunday/" target="_blank">21 days ago I trotted off to France for a week.</a></strong>

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I'm sure it all sounds very glamorous (not to mention obnoxious).  <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/04/day-354-what-a-difference-a-year-makes/" target="_blank"><strong>A few months ago, I was in Italy.</strong></a>  A few months later, I am in France.

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It has been quite the whirlwind.  Previously, I had yet to visit Europe.  Suddenly, I am a jet-setting fool living a fairy tale life.

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I certainly enjoyed the ride, but I have to be honest with you, dear reader.  I have procrastinated writing this post because I have <em>dreaded</em> writing this post.

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Fairy tales always have happy endings.  In real life, there's often a heartbreaking denouement.

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In real life, you can be whisked away to a picturesque Storybook Land.  But remember:  Storybook Lands are always home to a dark forest.  And dark forests can be scary.  Especially when there is a wolf lurking about.

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In lieu of a blog post travelogue, please accept this photo gallery as my visual representation of Playdate #5:  A Week in France.

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[gallery columns="4"]

Pictured left to right, top to bottom:

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(If you would like to enlarge the photos, click once to open the photo in a new page and then click again.)

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Annecy, France

Cafe in Annecy, France

Cheese display at the outdoor market in Annecy, France

Annecy aka "The Venice of France"

Pastry case in Annecy France

Lake Annecy

Cappuccino at CARPE DIEM!!!  Torino, Italy

My new favorite coffee delight:  Marocchino in Torino, Italy

A piazza in Torino, Italy

Another piazza in Torino, Italy

Another marocchino in Torino, Italy

Les Trois Vallées, France

Site of an Albertville 1992 Winter Olympics ski event:  Courchevel, France

Crepes at Courchevel Ski Resort

French basement.  God Bless America!

Méribel, France

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