Last Tango in Paris

For our last day in Paris, we literally criss crossed the City.  It was cold and rainy and miserable when we were there.  We started the day with coffee and pastries - as you do when you are in Paris. 

start 'em young :D

We talked about buying the hop on bus passes and on our last day we did.  It was faster to get around on the bus than walking.  Although we did walk a lot!  We did one loop on the bus before getting off and really 'seeing' the sights.  

We have a pretty equal way to decide what gets done every day during a family vacation.  We all put out of "must see/do" and then we go from there - making sure that everyone gets to cross off at least one item on their list.  Everyone had something they wanted to do - I needed to get a Paris Starbucks mug, Jessica wanted to go to the HardRock Cafe and Krystle also needed a starbucks mug.  

We spent the early part of the day wandering around, thanks to the bus.  We went to the Eiffel Tower - but none of us wanted to climb it - I was game, but a coffee and looking at the structure was really enough for me.  

We saw Notre Dame from the bus and now after the recent news in Paris, I'm sad we didn't go in.  But 2 days isn't really enough to see all the sights of Paris.  Sadly the love locks bridge is no more - the locks were cut off because they were actually damaging the bridge.

We found the HardRock Cafe and had a late lunch there.  After finishing - Jessica was tired and she headed back solo to our hotel.  She only got lost a little bit, but she made safely back.  Even when your children are adults, you worry about them travelling alone at night - especially in a strange (to you) city.   

The rest of us, carried on in the drizzle.  See, Krystle had seen some beautiful photos of babies in Paris with the Eiffel Tower in the background that she wanted to recreate.  See Eleanor's first birthday was 2 days after we got back home.  The little peanut will never remember this trip.  Thanks to the Hard Rock, we now had a red balloon.  We hopped on the bus again and did another loop, listening to the narrator all the while learning. 

This super blurry photo was clearly taken in the rain and while you can't really see anyone's face other than Pat's - I really kinda like it! 

By now, we're 10 days into a family vacation with no real time away from each other - I think we were all about done.  And 15 months after the fact, my memory of the vacation is about gone too.

My take away - it was a wonderful vacation and I'd go back again.  I'd allow more time in Paris and then do some day trips around the area - explore more out of the City, but there was so much to see and do and I feel like we just barely glimpsed the tip of the ice berg.  

What's next for Sunday posts?  Well, there are a few more vacations that have been taken.  However, once those are done it'll be all sewing and knitting around here!  Where's your favorite place to vacation?  And do you prefer hot sunny weather for vacation or are you okay with a cold drizzle?  Do you like to relax on the beach or by a pool or are you okay with go - go - go all the time?  Looking forward to hearing from you!

Louve

We spent our last Saturday of vacation at the Louvre.  After really having a leisurely morning in our condo and a very French breakfast of fruit and pastries we headed out.  It took us a minute to figure out which train tickets we needed to purchase and thankfully a very nice local helped us out!

The girls bought crepes from a street vendor outside the Louvre and they were amazing!  Making crepes that taste like that is totally on my list! 

First - let me say I was in awe of the structure.  The details and the history of the building.  Most of the photos I took were of fireplaces, stairwells, the fine trim.  I wanted to see more of the actual building - I'm that person the one who says Yea, the art is okay, but show me the fireplace. 

That deer?  Carved into a ceiling.  It's about 12" square - can you even imagine?  It's so detailed, realistic and delicate all at the same time. 

More plaster work around a fireplace.  It was just incredible.  The texture and dimension that is in plaster work. 

Just an interesting grouping of photos! 

Proof that the entire family was on this vacation.  From the left:  JB wearing one of his bowling shirts, Pat, Krystle wearing Eleanor and Jessica - I was taking the photo :) 

We barely got through one wing of the museum and literally raced to see the Mona Lisa before closing. 

Jay and I at the Mona Lisa.  I'm wearing a blue ponte Ottobre Dress #4 from May 2013.  As I tend to do whenever we go on vacation, I was busy sewing up into the wee hours of the morning every night for the week before we left.  Jay got a shirt, Krystle got a birthday outfit, Eleanor got a birthday wardrobe and I got 3 new dresses!  2 Ottobre #4s and a swing dress.  (they are the catch up blogging queue.)

My favorite quote from vacation was this.  We had all gone to see the Mona Lisa.  Pat stood there for a minute and then walked over to Krystle and said, "I don't get it."  to which Krystle replied:  "Then you need to go look at her again!"  

One more day of Paris left.  A day in which we cover the entire city!