I’m a sucker for cities on a weekend morning. With nobody rushing off to work, the restless streets are hushed and vacant.
I started a new Saturday morning tradition.
I drag my ass out of bed, then get dressed in mismatched Yoga clothes. I wander over to the boulangerie right when they open, before the line goes out the door.
I grab a fresh chocolate hazelnut croissant and a latte. Their comforting smells warm me.
This morning I felt inspired to capture my awakening city.
I took the kind of photos I could never take during the day, without people thinking I’m Crazy Stalker Lady.
If any of the local businesses in my neighborhood look at their security cameras, they’ll either think I’m planning a heist or just another starry-eyed tourist.
Let them think what they want. I had to share this beautiful secret.
Sleepy bakers are preparing for the pandemonium, not yet cloaked in flour or sweating beneath their aprons. Though that will all change soon enough.
A couple shares a quiet cup of coffee together, enjoying the empty cafe before they begin their day.
The library on the corner awaits the invasion of eager minds. The chairs sit still, watching over the books as they sleep.
Cutlery echoes from the restaurant opening for brunch. The sandwich board sign is set out, directing crowds inside for hot food and cozy conversation.
The tavern is unusually silent and clean. Liquor bottles rest against one another behind the bar. The old fireplace is cool, but you can still catch a hint of wood in the air.
Slowly, darkness succumbs to morning light. A runner flies past me, more cars ease down the street, and doors swing open to welcome the day.
My city is awake.
Britt Skrabanek 
So beautiful and peaceful – this makes me want to live in a city again just to watch it wake up.
I’m spoiled with having both now. I love nature, but I’m a city girl too. Need the variety in my life. 🙂
MY city – that didn’t take long Britt! Yes there is something good about city early mornings. I used to love running around Dublin as it woke up. Great post and observations.
Haha! Oh, come now. You’re not surprised, are you?
Ooh, I bet running around Dublin first thing in the morning was awesome. Jealous.
I love early mornings, too. It’s like extra free time or something.
Yeah, it feels like I’ve been missing out. Nifty, aren’t they?
The chance for a fresh-from-the-oven chocolate croissant would get me moving on a Saturday morning, too. 🙂 I love the photos, and as others have already said, the black-and-white images really set the mood for your words!
LOL! Same here. I’m not sure if anything else would motivate me quite this way.
Thank you! I enjoyed stalking the city while she was sleeping. 🙂
Only with you can I imagine waking up on a Saturday morning instead of sleeping in and go walk along the streets as they’re awakening. you made me want to try!
Haha! Waking up early on a Saturday morning and zipping out of the house is a new development for me. You should totally try it!
That was my introduction to Paris actually. I took a night train there and arrived on a weekend morning. I was a cranky college kid at the time, but it was still magical even then.
I might think of trying one of these days… 😉 if that’s how you discovered Paris, it sure must have been quite fabulous!
I used to walk downtown before it “woke up.” I love being in the middle of a city before the stores are open and traffic is all I can hear. I love your pictures. Makes me want to take an early morning walk tomorrow. Except, we just got dumped with 3 feet of snow, so maybe next week!
Isn’t it the best? Yeah, didn’t do too many early winter walks in Milwaukee. I’m a little spoiled here. 🙂