Paris day 5, June 26

Today was a day of blunders, just trying to figure things out, but a fabulous day as well. Did I mention that we have not figured out how to use the stove, or the washing machine? We gave up on the stove but we really wanted to do laundry while we were here. Even the English directions were really bad. We finally figured it out ( you know, the one machine for both wash and dry- in the kitchen cabinets). The dry cycle was 3 hours! The clothes get really hot even when it is time to remove them and the feel kind of damp like they use steam to dry...kind of weird, then they come out wrinkly.

Today we went to Versailles. Gorgeous! Our first problem was leaving late. Then we had about a 30 min walk to the train station. The figuring out what train and where it was. But finally we made it. We had about 5 hours to visit. We took a tram out to Marie Antoinette's hamlet..but we didn't get off at the right stop so we got back on and ended up at the beginning. We bought round trip tickets so they were not going to let us go again. But, Monte convinced them in his best French! So off we went. It was a long walk and too difficult for the wheelchair, but also too difficult for Paige. Somehow, she made it!

We also visited Marie Antoinette's house, like a retreat from Versailles. Paige loved it. We had about 2 hours left to make it to Versailles, but we did it. We have been before but wanted to see it again. Turns out they had only one elevator that held barely 3 people. We saw what we could in that time, especially the "hall of mirrors". When we were done they took us back to the elevator to go down. Here is the cool part...each time they took us to the elevator we walked in other rooms away from where the tourists go. One lady named things for us while we walked/ wheeled  through rooms. Only problem was she spoke no English and we couldn't understand a word she said, but we saw incredible things behind the scenes, like a chaise that looked like it was pulled, AMAZING! Unfortunately, we couldn't take pictures of that.

We returned home, hoping we got on the right train since we couldn't figure it out, then had a fabulous dinner- our seating time was 9:30 and we got home at 11:30. For Monte....it was a miracle he was awake through it!

Goodbye Paris, we'll miss you!

Paris day 4, June 25

Today we had an experience few tourists ever get. We had a private tour from a local who wanted to show us "his city" and "his neighborhood". We met him at 10:15 at a mertro stop in the 15th arrondissement which is south of the Eiffel Tower, a place where few to no tourists go. 

First he took us to a bakery where they bake bread and other treats ( no baguette or croissants). They use a wood burning oven and only make 115 loaves a day, baking 24 hours a day. We went downstairs into the kitchen basement, we were not allowed to take pictures, and we had to be cleared as to our profession since they don't want any trade secrets exposed. There was only one baker and he showed us the whole process. He makes a mark on his bread and each baker ( there are three) does it a bit different so they know who made what.  We were told that Steven Spielberg gets bread shipped to him daily from this bakery. Our baker didn't speak any English but our tour guide Alain interpreted for us. It was amazing!

We then did the same with a cheese shop, again talking with the expert cheese professional. This time down to the basement refrigerator where they age the cheese. Again, what an experience!

Next to the wine shop where the wine professional asked to see what cheese we bought and then he chose a wine for us.

Next we went to a market where they sell everything from underwear to chickens with their heads to pigs feet and cow tongue. We bought some peaches and pate.

We also stopped at an escargot shop to see all the different choices of snails.

After that we continued walking up to a park, Alain pulled out a blanket, plates etc. and we had a picnic together. He answered all our questions about food, culture and what life is like to live in Paris.

We didn't leave him until 3:00 and that was when we realized we needed to jam to get to the D'Orsay museum since they closed at 5:30. We saw Monet, Renoir and many others. Amazing!

After a nice stroll around Paris and a nice dinner out we headed for home about 10:00. These long days are really messing up our sleep since it was just dark about 10:50. Since it is so light we don't realize the time.

Another fabulous day in Paris !

Paris day 3, June 24

What a day! The weather is warm and beautiful, we walked to Notre Dame and stopped at a bakery on the way. 

We also passed a market and saw a lot of interesting things being sold. It is like their supermarket, all outside, selling everything from fish, meat, vegetables, jewelry, books, scarves and roasted chicken!

Notre Dame was beautiful and Sainte Chapelle was even more stunning, to me at least. We walked and walked all over Paris visiting different neighborhoods. It is a gorgeous city with huge ornate buildings everywhere you look. I think my favorite is Hotel de Ville.

We then caught a river boat down to the Eiffel Tower and used our pre purchased tickets to go up the tower. Paige originally wanted to go to the top but it turns out that was high enough for her! It was a beautiful view, and perfect clear weather to see really far.

We were exhausted after walking so far today, but we were not about to make it a pizza night again, so we headed to our new favorite neighborhood restaurant. The food was amazing once again.

As we rode down the Seine River today Monte was taking pictures...I thought he was getting all the historical buildings....but when I looked what he had taken.....yep, I shouldn't have been surprised...

But, he does take good shots..here he is after he took our picture at Notre Dame..

He had to get the right angle!

We're Off

Yep, it is finally here. Our much anticipated trip we've been planning for the last year and saving for many years.

After a false start sitting on the tarmac for 1 1/2 hours, we were off. Smooth sailing the whole way. We even enjoyed our first Frenchman, Pierre, who told us he was no longer serving "coffee" after we left the US airspace. Paige asked him what it was called if it wasn't coffee. He told her she had 10 hours to figure that out!

The airplane food....well, it is airplane food. But for breakfast they served fruit and croissants. OMG! That croissant was awesome! Pierre says it isn't real or fresh and if we like that just wait for Paris!

The downside is that we ended up bringing a wheelchair for Paige. The upside is that we boarded before 1st class and then after our flight we were whisked off by our second Frenchman who took us on a fast road race though the airport. He pushed Paige and we followed. We went though "crew only" areas, he took care of our customs at a private window and had us picking up Paige's luggage before anyone else could come close to getting there! First class treatment! 

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Arrival day June, 22, 2014

Here I am, up at 3:00 am, writing my blog for yesterday and all I can think right now is, "COME ON YOU GUYS, GET OUT OF BED, WE'RE IN PARIS"!

I'm super tired but my sleep pattern is off, plus I'm excited to go out for the day.

We had a fabulous first day- arrival day. Our apartment is cute, clean and in a fantastic little neighborhood. It has a small park like center that really is more like a neighborhood cul de sac but with roads intersecting it full of shops and restaurants, people all sitting around and there was an old guy singing French songs.

We wandered around and then decided on a nice little restaurant for dinner called Lassiette aux Fromages. They were famous for their fondue. It was FABULOUS! Yum! 

Paige has really picked up French very well and is able to speak enough to keep us all going easily. After dinner we walked around and then got gelato...yum, yum! 

It was a wonderful first day in our little Latin quarter neighborhood. Before we headed back Monte and I stopped at a market to buy a few things for breakfast. Everything is so small in Europe, even the paper towels and toilet paper. We bought eggs ( they only come by 6- at least at this store) cheese, we have no idea what kind, yogurt and milk. We though we'd get fresh bread from the boulangerie in the morning. As we checked out the owner pointed to our milk and said something in French. We had no idea what he was talking about. He repeated it twice more pointing to the label and finally I picked up a sound that sounded like goat! Yep, almost had coffee with goats milk for breakfast!

Just a little church we came across I our neighborhood!

We have only been here for a day, but all the French people we have come across so far from the airport, taxi, restaurant, stores etc. have all been over the top nice, outgoing and happy people. I'm not sure why some Americans get the idea that the French hate us or that they are rude. So far, we LOVE France! 

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