WEE WEE Fun in Parieeee!

How many years ago were these pavers laid?
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We left London on the EuroStar to Paris - 2 1/2 hour trip under the English Channel.  Since Kevin flew all night from Dallas to London, I was afraid he would be tired, but a shower and cab ride to the train station refreshed him.  We ate a small snack at the station (wine, bread, cheeses and olives) admiring the architechture of the station and people watching the whole time.  We intended to go visit the champange bar (longest in Europe), but it was up another story and posed a challenge with our luggage.

Welcome to Paris!
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Business class on the Eurostar is great.  Reclining seats with a hot meal and wine - what more could you want.

We finally made it back to the hotel realizing that we had walked several miles. It was not hard to sleep, even on the little, short bed.

We started the first day in Paris with an early breakfast,10:30 am, at the corner bistro.We took a cab to Louvre, which is huge, takes up several blocks, streets run through it, that kind of huge. The architecture was unbeleivable, the detail of embedded stonework (sculpters,etc.). It is amazing that it has lasted all these years with minimum repairs;withstanding fires, revelotions,etc.. The Louvre opens up into a courtyard with a fountain with an archway that leads to another courtyard. This is where you come upon the glass pyramids and the opening to the actual museum. The lines where long, like 200 people long, all day, everyday; no they don't make any money there!

It is the city of lights at Christmas
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There is a garden just past the main street that cuts through the Louvre complex. There is an Arch de Triumph ( not the Arch ), in honor of one of many Roman conquerers,that leads into the garden. The garden is divided by several pathways with tulip beds. Statues are placed throughout the garden and around the fountains.

We had some warm wine and onion soup at one of the two little stands at the park. They have waiters and full service.

We headed to the main sqaure, where a huge merry go round was set up with a carasol for the children. The city is set up with pedestrian crosswalks and bike lanes to help everyone get around. There are just as many pedestrians as cars, probably more. Beware of drivers though, that little green man may say walk,but they will run you down. Since I was about the same size of most cars, LaMon made sure I went first. While crossing the main square, we realized we were back at our main street,Avenue E'lysee' de Champs.

Decorations on the Elysee De La Champs
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The Holiday Fair was set up with booths on each side selling food and christmas items. The creppe with chocolate and Grand Marnier inside was a favorite with the warm wine. Beyond the Holiday Fair was all the main shopping in Paris, Luis Vitton,etc. Both sides of the 6 lane avenue were covered with shops,malls and eateries. Lights decorated the avenue leading down to the Giant Carosol which was lit on the main square.

We made it to the Arch de Triumph which is gigantic. Again the detail is unbeleivable. It is surrounded by a roundabout from which the cars can go off in several directions. We started back and ate at a small bistro. You are getting wine and bread with every meal. If you are nice, cheese. The food was excellant, most of it is homestyle.

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We finally made it back to the hotel realizing that we had walked several miles. It was not hard to sleep, even on the little, short bed.

We took a bus tour the next day, imagine that! We made it to the Eiffel Tower to be greated by a Bosnian women with a note in English stating that her husband had left her for another women and she needed money. It tore at my heartstrings until I took 7 steps only to be greeted by another Bosnian woman with a copy of the same note. As I continued my No/Sorry campaign, I realized that there were probably 15 deserted Bosnian women, with the same note, wrapped in plastic if you will. Poor girls, maybe some couples counseling would help. If only they had Oprah there, I know she had a show on it!

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Anyhow, we marveled at the tower and the people paying to go up to the observation deck. Some even paying to walk the staircase up and down. All four lines were 150 - 200 people deep. Needless to say it looked great from ground level. There was another great garden/park that lead to the tower.

We got back on the tour bus as the police rounded up the Bosnian crew. We then headed past several churches and castles. The flower district was neat,but what was amazing was the shopping. It is on every street, stacked high. I thought we didn't miss a chance in the states, but we ain't got nothing on the French. The tour ended at Notre Dame Cathedral just as the rain started. Again the line was 200 people or more in the rain.

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We ate at another Brassiere near the hotel. A brassiere is a bistro that serves grilled meat and of course wine and bread. They make sure to point out that the beef is not from the UK (mad cow). The veal loin was of course excellant.

We spent the third day around the Holiday Fair before heading to the airport and on to Munich.