2 Days in Paris

Once in Paris, we decided to stay for a couple of days to do some sightseeing as we really weren’t sure we’d make it back there.  We bought a 2 day pass, hopped on the RER (train) and got off in a touristy area (Rue St. Denis).We made the kids walk all day and they were troopers. We were in a bit of a rush that morning so we both forgot our cameras (whatever, it’s just Paris after all!). It is so beautiful and old and there are cobblestone streets and side walks everywhere. There is something beautiful and historic to see everywhere you look. It’s also stinky and busy and jam packed with so many people (all wearing scarves). We were a little disappointed in the restaurants that day though. That is something we still have to figure out. I think you need to spend 300$ per meal for a good one, or you eat at the panini or Croque Monsieur stands. The Boulangerie/Patisserie’s are awesome though.

The next morning we planned to get up at 7 and be at the eiffel tower by 9. Instead we slept in and woke up at 9. Jet lag is very hard to get over!  We finally arrived  at noon (it’s tricky to get anywhere with 3 kids!) and climbed up to the 2nd level.  We were warned to buy our tickets in advance but as usual we can’t get our act together for such things.  So we waited in line for about 30 min which wasn’t so bad in the end.  From afar, up close, from the bottom or the top or lit up at night, the Eiffel tower really is magnificent.

Back at the hotel, Nico found some loose change on the seat cushions of the chairs in the lobby. Since then, the kids have taken the habit of checking for money in all the vending machines at the train station, the subway or wherever. . They kind of look like homeless kids when they do it and it’s a bit embarrassing but they’ve gotten lucky a few times so it’s hard to make them stop. Anyhow, Nico was excited to use his little euro jackpot to buy his own souvenirs and he even shared with us cause that’s the kind of kid he is (:

The kids even skated up on the Eiffel Tower! There was a rink on the first level with free skate rentals.  I think it’s just there for the holiday season but it was kind of fun to do.

Afterwards we met up with the kid’s previous french babysitter Celine, her husband  and their little boy in front of the Louvre.

Celine bought the kids some crepes and we visited. Then we walked up to les Champs Elysees before they left us. It was really nice to see them again! The Champs Elysees was lit up for Christmas and was beautiful and packed with people.

After walking the Champs Elysees, we were tired, hungry, and I swear the kids walked for 10 kms that day. We were so happy to sit and have pizza and wine but this is when Paris decided to  kick us in the ass. The waiter was very rude, and wouldn’t let me order a pizza for the kids to share.  Shamus and I were going to order a large pizza and a salad at 30 bucks a piece. He said we had to get each kid their own at 15 bucks a piece.  Let me remind you that we are doing this trip on a budget so we walked out, with no food (Shamus was kinda happy because he wanted to eat at a kebab stand anyhow). Luckily I had an old baguette stuffed in my back pack so I fed it to the kids the way the Parisiens feed pigeons in front of the Louvre.

Into the subway we went for the first time. Evi and I got on followed by Nico but the door closed on his foot! What a friggin scene I tell you! Shamus had his superpowers on and pulled the doors enough for me and a lady to pull Nico’s foot out of the door and into the train just before it took off again. It would have severed his foot for sure if we hadn’t gotten it out in time.  So now the twins and I were on the train, and Shamus and Etienne were left behind. Shamus had all the money and metro/bus/train passes. I thought how in the hell will I ever find them?  I decided to get off at the next stop and we stood there hoping Shamus would see us. Luckily that’s what happened. Then we tried to get on another train but this time shamus didn’t make it on on time (the doors are open for like 3 seconds.). So the kids and I got off and waited for him again. Anyway, we did make it home but that incident really shook me up and I couldn’t sleep most of the night, also because I was still jet lagged.

I hope I didn’t sound too negative, because Paris really is a beautiful city. I definitely want to return someday, with more time and warmer weather.  We didn’t even see a fraction of all there is to see!  However we were all very excited to head south the next morning to finally see our new home for the next 5 months.