Conversations from Paris
Paris, a long awaited destination for the boys. First to spot the Eiffel Tower, to get a prize!!
A slight nip in the air and cooler nights heralded the beginning of Autumn. We had a gorgeous little apartment in the centre of Paris, so were able to walk nearly everywhere, which helped to wear off the yummy pastries consumed each morning. Loved walking out of our place each morning with the boys to get a fresh baguette, Almond croissants, and fruit, from the quietness behind the large wooden doors to the bustling of the streets.
We braved driving around the Arc de Triomphe and up and down the Champs de Elysee. Orren has done an amazing job driving while I have tightly closed my eyes on many occasions.
Walked along the Seine to Notre Dame, stopping to observe all the locks on the bridges and artists by the river. Our end mission, the Eiffel Tower after the Louvre and the obligatory Mona Lisa. It is always interesting the particular things the boys want to see or have heard about. Fantastic views from the always inspiring Eiffel Tower. It is still an amazing metal construction.
Great people watching on our walks. Workmen with their baguettes under their arms, ripping pieces off for lunch and a military presence patrolling the streets. French men, like the Italians, carry themselves in a certain way. Their scarfs ever so casually thrown around their neck, the gorgeous worn old leather satchel they carry, their chinos, just slightly rolled up, and when they speak! A very different world indeed.
We took the boys to Sacre Coeur, one of my special memories from previous trips and enjoyed all the artists creating works at Montmartre. Enjoyed a fun afternoon being secret sleuths at the Luxemburg Palace, as friends had left us a treasure hunt to decipher and follow a few weeks beforehand when they were in Paris. Amazing how versatile a band-aid (sticky plaster) can be at holding clues! Fantastic meal at a tiny local French tapas bar.
