Bright Greens: Postcard from Paris-in-a-day!

Over Labor Day weekend, we took our first excursion to Paris. We decided to rent a car instead of taking the train, as the prices from the train go up significantly close to the travel date and we waited too long. Not the best of ideas as the train takes 3 hours and our car ride took a total of 7 due to car accidents and traffic. Now we know!

We arrived at our hotel in time to check in and grab some dinner. We used our best "bonjours" and "mercis" but let's be honest, we didn't try too hard to use French. We're pretty spoiled by the fact that 95% of Europeans speak English. So we had our first real french fries with our meal and then did a quick walk around the beautiful Arc de Triomphe (a memorial for soldiers who fought in french revolutionary and napoleonic wars) and down the Champs Elysees (famous shopping street) before retiring for the night.

The next day, we walked straight to the Eiffel Tower (dubbed the Beautiful Tower by Bateman). It's amazing to emerge from behind some random buildings to see the grandeur of the tower and everything around it. Everything in Paris is just so grand. The courtyards, fountains, sculptures, and bridges along the way all have such design and craftsmanship. It's such an artistic display. The boys totally appreciated the art as they tried sliding face first down the wide banisters. Boys! Then we took the boys to ride the carousel at the base of the tower. They loved that! We then found a beignet stand that satisfied us all! Next we hopped on a water taxi which took us down the Seine River under some amazing bridges, including one "lock bridge" filled with tons of padlocks with lovers names on them. The idea there is that you lock your love together or something. There are so many layers of locks. It's pretty neat. Next we went inside of the grand Notre Dame Cathedral. I don't even know how many side chapels it has, but it is absolutely stunning. The details everywhere. I don't even know what to say about it except that it is a work of art well fit for a place of worship. After the cathedral, the boys were displaying signs of fatigue, if you know what I mean, so we started walking back toward the hotel. This seemed like it was going to be a short trip back so we decided to walk. Walking allowed us to pass several street vendors, go through the courtyard of the Louvre, take in more beautiful sculptures and buildings, and traverse the Champs Elysees again, but we had some pretty exhausted campers by the time we got back.

That night we hired a babysitter to stay with the boys while we had a dinner out in Paris. After our lovely dinner, we walked up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and were able to see the Eiffel Tower in the distance which "sparkled" on the hour. It was spectacular.

The next morning, we found Mass at an English speaking parish- the priest was from Baltimore! Europe is way too easy for Americans. :) After Mass, we packed up the rental car and headed back home. I must add that on the way back, we were really hungry but had trouble finding a side-of-the-highway eating establishment that looked appetizing. Give me a break though, I was having lots of early pregnancy food aversions. So all I wanted to find was something familiar, like those golden arches. Sometimes McDonald's is just what you need. Unfortunately, there are no billboards counting down to the next one. When we did spy some golden arches, Richard had to cross three lanes to exit, but it was all for the cause! We had our fill and the boys enjoyed stretching their legs in the playground. So that's it... Paris in a day (and a half).