Come summer in Europe, you'll find locals out and about celebrating the end the winter. Lovely picnics in the now flowering and verdant parks, hiking in the nearby mountains - which after the snow melts convert to lush green landscapes, swimming in the cool waters of beautiful blue lakes and even delicious community barbeques are just some of the many options you too can be a part of if you find yourself here in spring/summer.
It was during one such week in July when I was wondering how to spend the upcoming weekend, that I suddenly remembered this charming Alpine village called Chamonix which my friend had visited just a year ago and suggested that I must visit. Some quick google search later, I found cheap return tickets from Milan and the deal was sealed (solely based on the cheap bus fare! :p)
On a crisp saturday morning, me and my fav travel buddy left for this charming village in France bordering Italy and Switzerland. We managed to get a confirmed booking from a couchsurfer (if you don't know what couchsurfing is, check this out!) and were really looking forward to spending a relaxed weekend.
Brilliant blue skies and majestic mountains greeted us from the bus. The walk from the bus stop to the village square was filled with tourists and locals alike soaking in the untainted beauty of this spectacular village. The sky was adorned with specks of people paragliding while enjoying the scenic views from above. Charming houses and balconies adorned with flowers were a sight to behold and I'm guilty of having clicked at least two dozen photos of that view alone!
On the way to our hosts house, we passed a buzzing farmers market with produce so fresh I wanted to buy it all! From plump red raspberries to speciality strawberries for jam making, from dozens of delicious cheeses to jars of glistening golden honey sourced from nearby honey farms, from succulent meat stands to bread vendors selling freshly baked goodies, this market had it all. I was pleasantly surprised to find a spice stall with a wide selection of staple Indian spices as well, including (very expensive) pan masala!
It was a surprise to find our host shopping there as well and after buying some fresh figs, cherries and berries from vendors he recommended, we headed towards his house. It was a beautiful walk from the market and we even spotted wild raspberries on the way! (I was already making mental notes on ways to settle down in Chamonix!)
The weekend just flew by amidst all the wandering, exploring food in the many many restaurants and cafes and a short visit to the nearby Lac de Passy, a pristine blue lake with a stunning mountain backdrop, just a half hour drive away from our hosts house. There was no public transport to reach there and our gracious host came to our rescue by offering us a lift as he had some work in the nearby town. Swimming in the still cold waters with the sun playing hide and seek was an experience I'll never forget!
It was Sunday evening already, and we decided to grab a bite from our now favourite place known for their delicious artisanal hot dogs before boarding our bus for Milan. We were spoilt for choice when it came to vegetarian options throughout our stay and I couldn't have been happier!
The walk to the bus stop now felt a little heavy and I wished I could spend more time just eating and wandering in the mountains. Adding that thought to my wish list, I stopped a pastry shop along the way and picked up a delicious looking tropical dessert as a cheer-me-up treat. Little did I know it would be a source of inspiration for a workshop I created using similar flavours this year! :)
And that's how, with sweet memories (literally), we bid our farewell to marvellous Chamonix!
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