Paris, Part Deux

Not too much more to add about Paris, but figured I would throw out a few more pictures to show the fun we have had and to also introduce my career change.... Ha.

Looking up the Eiffel Tower as we go to the sommet.  Luckily my recent bridge inspections have "cured" me of my previous nervousness of heights.

John and I enjoying a glass of champagne at the top.  While not cheap, definitely fun.

Ladies and Gentlemen... My new career?  I can't even begin to IMAGINE how someone could suspend themselves off the side of the Eiffel Tower.. but it's nice to know that someone has a strong enough stomach to do it and that they are making sure the tower is safe.

Just another sculpture at the Louvre, but one of my favorite ones.

And the obligatory bridge pictures of Paris.  Their bridges are so beautiful, so this is just a taste.

There is a memorial at the end of the Ile de la Cite.  It remembers the 200,000 French citizens that were deported and killed in the concentration camps during World War II.  Unfortunately it was closed when we were here, and I had been really wanting to see it ever since reading about it.  It seems as though it would be very powerful, and very beautiful.  It was also a very odd coincidence because I had just started reading Sarah's Key on our trip, which turns out is about the deportation of Paris Jews in 1942.  Next time we are in Paris I plan on making a trip over there to check out the memorial.

That pretty much sums up Paris.  I didn't accurately portray the delicious pastries, breads, and wines that we devoured, but I can tell you that they were all amazing!  And crepes... so many crepes... I finally was able to get my hands on a crepe with banana and nutella the night before we left.  It completed my Paris expectations.

And I am also happy to report that Pat and Martha both made it successfully through the Paris Metro system from the train station to the apartment we rented.... and from the train station to the airport.  It was a little touch and go (you need to retrieve your ticket from the machine for the doors to open - you do not need to push your bag against the closed gate frantically).... but they made it safely and soundly and I think not too scarred.

Next up - Italy!!

Paris.... Oh la la! (Part I)

How do I feel about Paris??  Like this --

A (cracked out) picture to reflect my inner excitement about beautiful Paris.... I felt like this for the entire 3 nights we were there.  

If you have a limited time in Paris, I highly recommend the popular attractions, they truly don't disappoint.  And walking between them is great too, as you get to see a bit of the city and taste some delicious crepes (nutella and banana being my personal favorite).  We did all the obligatory things in Paris, we saw the Louvre... which means we saw the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, the glass pyramids, Ancient Egyptian art (borrowed) from the Egyptians... 

Here is the entrance to the Louvre.  We were lucky that although the line wrapped through the courtyard a little bit, it moved very quickly and we had our tickets within 40 minutes of entering the line.  

This might be one of my favorites...

We didn't spend too much time in the Louvre.  We saw many of the pieces that are called out on the map (aka the touristy ones) and made our way back out.  We were doing essentially the cliff notes version of the Louvre.  I believe I will try to make it to another wing the next time I go back.  We saw what we thought to be important within a couple of hours or maybe it was less.

Walking to the attractions is most of the fun.  You get to see the city from so many different angles.  This was in the Jardin des Tuileries, between the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre.  We stayed right off the Champs Elysees, so we did some window shopping for sure.

I didn't realize that Notre Dame was an ASU fan.

It always looks beautiful.  You can climb the bell tower (haven't done it) and I've heard the views are beautiful.  I prefer the pictures from the gothic flying buttresses along the back.  It makes it look so much more intriguing. 

The bridge I took this picture from is actually famous for being covered in locks.  Apparently if you take a lock and put it on this bridge, it will "lock your love forever" or something along those lines.  It turns out, that seems to be a very common theme in Europe, and if you don't have a lock, then anything you have on hand will do.... a bandana, a plastic bag, a napkin, literally anything that you have in your pocket.

Arc de Triomphe from the Eiffel Tower.  

You can buy your tickets in advance online and then the line isn't as long.  However, we found out that if you just don't go for a night view the lines go through pretty quickly.  You can buy a cheaper ticket to the 2nd level, for those scared of heights, or continue up to the sommet (top) for the same view, just higher.  But, you can buy a flute of champagne to sip at the top.  Fantastic!

We didn't make it to the Sacre Coeur on this trip, but it stands out on the skyline and is worth it if you aren't packing all of Paris into 3 days/3 nights.  

This is how I imagine I would spend my days if I were to be living in Paris.  This is right near the monument for where Princess Diana was killed.  I sat back and chilled on the wall while Katie took pictures, and tried to look as French as possible...

There is so much more to share and so much more that we did, but I wanted to send out a taste of what we saw and what we did.  I am already waiting for the moment where I can go back!!!  

I love (Cheese and) Paris in the Fall

I love Cheese.... Parisians love cheese..... Therefore I am a Parisian.  That's the way logic works, right?  Otherwise, I am sad because I want to be a Parisian very much.  This is just a start to why I love Paris.... 

Our cheese plate from the store... something brie, something in a tub, and something borrowed I'm sure.

Not to mention salamis.... breads.... oh my goodness.  We also had a cheese plate at a restaurant and I forgot to take a picture.. Silly me.

I could actually use some cheese right now...

I'm going to think about it, then look at pictures and blog some more about Paris.... I have some fun pictures... I think I need to live there... That's all I'm saying.  I love it in Paris - and my French wasn't terrible.... not too bad after 3 years of not visiting, and 5 years after getting my French Minor in college.