Paris Day 2

The next day we awoke to snow (yes, snow, which we were also sadly unprepared for), ate breakfast (including much Nutella), and headed into Paris. (Even though it was April, the weather was pretty darn cold the whole time we were in France, and we were glad to have the jackets and sweatshirts we did think to bring.) This day we did the ultra-touristy open-top bus tour. It was a great way to park and simply ride to all of the places we wanted to see. The highlights of the day were, of course, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, but we also really enjoyed the audio commentary on the bus and simply seeing the beautiful, intriguing city. And, yes, we did ride on the open top of the bus, cold and all!

We found at the Eiffel Tower that you are able to buy less expensive tickets than what we were expecting. AFTER we bought them, however, we found out that there is a reason they are less expensive--they are for the uber-adventurous souls who want to climb the whole way up and not ruin their genuine Eiffel Tower experience with pesky little details like elevator rides. Once you've purchased your ticket, you're locked in, however, so up we climbed...and climbed...and climbed...and climbed (hmmm, reminds me of a children's pioneer song) until we reached the observation level. This level allows you a comprehensive view of Paris and is spectacular. For those foolish, er, I mean adventurous enough to want to do it, you can then climb to a second observation level several stories even higher, where you get the same phenomenal view from a slightly higher and more thigh-straining height. And, yes, of course we did it. For the ultimate experience, you can then pay more to take an elevator to the very very top, but we decided that we had gone nosebleedingly high enough already and had fulfilled our life long Eiffel Tower-climbing need. Though it is textbook cliche, this truly was a once-in-a-lifetime, incredible experience that I oohed and aahed (and occasionally groaned) all the way through.

Eiffel Tower coolometer rating: 10 (yep, it is what it is, and what it is was dang cool)

Then it was on to Notre Dame. This incredible church is over 1000 years old and oozes history. Beyond impressive in all its grandeur, the throngs of tourists mill about in awed reverence for what it represents. After taking our requisite pictures outside, we got in line with the horde or other tourists to make our way inside, watching an interesting gypsy lady who was asking everyone in the crowd whether or not they spoke English and then asking them for money (American tourists are apparently the most generous). The inside of the cathedral was spectacular, with breathtaking stained glass, intricate wood carvings, and beautiful paintings. We were even there during mass, with the tourists milling about around the outside of the roped-off worshipping area and the priests performing mass as if no one was gawking at them. It was an interesting juxtaposition. When we went back outside and continued around the exterior to the opposite side of the building, we were surprised to find a small park in the courtyard. An unexpected find, the kids played for quite a while, shouting and laughing in the shadow of the massive structure. My only disappointments were that I didn't catch a single glimpse of Quasimoto (maybe he had the day off) and not one person shouted "Sanctuary!" Maybe next time. Kyle did tell a very funny joke about about Quasimoto's cousins, though. You should have him tell it to you. (The picture is Derik being Quasimoto, by the way.)

Notre Dame coolometer score: perfect 10 (the cathedral was incredible, and the children getting to play equipment was icing on the cake)This one goes on my most memorable life moments list.

Other notable things we saw on the open-top bus tour: The Champs de Elysses, Grand Boulevard & Arch de Triumph, Palace, Bastille, Opera house, and a whole bunch of other things I can't pronounce



To top off the day, we were able to find a restaurant for dinner (complete with a great waiter who actually spoke English and was great with the kids) and then successfully made it back to our B & B for the second night in a row! You go, Kyle!

After everything we had heard about Paris and the warnings we received from former travelers, we were pleasantly impressed. We had expected people to not be friendly, but the only person we dealt with the two days we were there who was even unpleasant was the parking garage attendant at the Louvre.

What a great experience!