Paris

First off, I'm a terrible Granddaughter and I didn't wish yet my Grandma a very Happy Birthday!  So Grams I would like to wish you a wonderful Happy Belated Birthday!

Pieces From My Journal

Day One: Okay I must admit I wanted to go home.  We had a wonderful nine hour flight and Finn was absolutely amazing.  However Jenn and I hadn't slept for 24 hours and we were literally zombies.  We saw the Montmartre area and saw Moulin Rouge but I wasn't awake yet.  At this time I was scared Europe was a little too much.

Day Two: We decided after much needed rest it was time to see Paris and the area we were staying in.  We are staying in the 18th district in Montmartre near the Sacred Heart and the Basilique.  With new eyes, the city came alive and I was in love.  The fresh smell coming from the bakery, the artists sketching portraits of tourists, and the Parisians sipping espressos and smoking cigarettes at every corner cafe.  I learned the real Parisians do not drink lattes, those are for the weak!  I went to bed this night excited about what we are about to see and the French culture.

 Basilique at Sacred Heart

Tight squeeze in the French tub!

Day Three:  We took the metro and headed for downtown.  The metro is so efficient and we it was only a 10 minute train ride from our home to downtown.  Our first stop was the Arc de Triomphe.  They say everyone must climb 182 stairs to the top of the Arc, we were determined when we got there with a stroller on my back and the baby being carried by Jenn.  Thankfully the assistant said "Oh no, you get the elevator with a baby!"  Score!  The view showed how big Paris really is and how much there truly is to see.  Our next stop was the Eiffel Tower and that is was on my bucket list!  I fulfilled my bucket list with sipping a 2,60 e latte while taking in the tower.  We were pretty ambitious and continued onwards to the Musee D'Orsay.  On our way we stopped and saw Les Ponts Arts which is where lovers famously sign their names on a lock and throw the key into the Seine.  At the Musee D'Orsay, I was overcome with emotion seeing Van Gogh's paintings.  I couldn't believe I got to see the "real deal,"  the thick paint and the streaks of brush strokes.  His paintings were the highlight of my day.

Finn on the Metro

 Nursing Finn at the Arc!

 Finn taking in the Musee D'Orsay

How we get around on the Metro haha.

Day Four: It started off rainy.  We bought these museum passes that allows access to all the galleries and museums for 4 days.  It cost us 50 euro and unlimited access however the drawback is that we have to be go, go, go (to get our money's worth).  Today we went to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa. It was very crowded and we headed in with the goal of finding Ms. Lisa.  Afterwards, we head to see Notre Dame.  We walked through the church and the architecture was absolutely stunning.  I loved seeing the gargoyles on the outside of the church.  They were so creepy and the best part about the rain was water coming out of the gargoyles mouthes.  Finally our last stop was Pompidou (Modern Art Gallery).  We saw artists Dali, Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, Magritte, Mondrian and the list again goes on and on.  I can't believe how many famous artists we saw and I really fell in love with the artist Francis Picabia, whom before now I didn't know.  My art brain is very full!

^^ Can you find Finn?

Day Five: We headed for Versailles.  The palace of Louis 12 to 14th (I think).  I took us about ten minutes on the train and cost us about 10,20 e for the three of us to get there (around $15 canadian).  There were SO MANY people visiting the palace this day.  The palace was beautiful but it was just too crowded to really enjoy.  The best part was taking breaks in the palace and the amount of attention Finn was receiving from other tourists.  A funny highlight that I am sure Louis is just rolling over in his grave about is, Finn getting his bummed changed on the royal heiness' floor. haha.

^^ More people taking pictures of Finn and obsessing over his cuteness.

Day Six: We are coming to the end of our Paris stay.  We have today left to use up our museum pass.  We went back up the Arc de Triomphe and then headed to see Monet's water lily paintings.  Karen was in love!  We saw Renoit and more Picasso paintings too!  Then walked through the Jardin de Tuileries.  Finally we ended our day by going back to the Pompidou to see more modern art.

Day Seven: Our last day in Paris!  We were so tired from our go, go, go days that Jenn and I stayed around the neighbourhood.  Finn wanted more play and naps and less art!  It was absolutely delightful.  

^^ Finn tried a baguette for the first time!

Au Revoir Paris!  We are off to Amsterdam.