A Day at the Louvre

This morning we woke up around 7:30 and Grandma had already gone to the bakery to buy breakfast. We left the apartment at 8:30 in order to make our way to the Louvre. Brynn was feeling a lot better so she came with us. 

Grandpa waited at the apartment for Dad because his flight got in around 8 and was expected to be at the apartment around 10. Grandpa had to let Dad into the apartment so he could drop his luggage. Anyways, Mom, Brynn, I, and Grandma tried to find a taxi to take us to the Louvre- we didn't want to walk because it was raining. For some reason, there were no taxis to be found so we decided to try our luck with the metro again. We had to change trains but everything worked out great in the end- we didn't even have to walk outside! Once in the Louvre we bought tickets and went straight to the paintings. I loved the huge paintings and long halls lined with statues. We also saw the Mona Lisa- it was hard to see with all the people crowded around it but it looked pretty much just like pictures. Next, we went to the Egyptian section. It had lots of awesome tombs, statues, heiroglyphics, and even a mummy! This was one of my favorite sections. After the Egyptian part, we went to the food court where we met Dad and Grandpa. I ate some asian pork at the world food market. Everyone found something to eat then we decided we wanted to see Napolean's apartments. This was my other favorite part of the museum. It was so ornate and beautiful- I felt royal standing there. His crowns were also there. 

After that we decided to let Grandma and Grandpa have more time in the apartments. So, we explored some of the renaissance area items. After that we met up with Grandma and Grandpa- they had explored more sculptures. Everybody was tired- especially Dad so we took the metro back to the apartment- luckily we are very close to the Centre Pompidou so we easily find our way back. Now, Dad is finishing napping and Grandpa is also sleeping. This our last night in Paris... Sad but I am excited to move on to Normandy!

A Half Day in Montmartre

Today Brynn woke up sick so Mom let her and I sleep untill 11. Then, Grandpa and Brynn decided to stay at the apartment so Brynn could rest. Mom, I, and Grandma decided we wanted to go to Sacré Cœur (the huge church on a hill in the Montmartre district). 

Instead of dealing with the metro again we took a taxi. On the way to get a taxi, we walked by a poor old man feeding pigeons. He had obviously spent the whole morning collecing food for the birds. We watched for a while- it was very humbling to see him take better care of the birds than himself.

Once we found a taxi the ride itself was a scary experince! The driver drove really sporadically and fast. He also honked and had road rage. Oh well, he got us to the right place. I have decided that if I ever lived in Paris I wouldn't want to drive:) Anyways, Sacré Cœur was absolutely beautiful! We couldn't take photos inside but we did take them outside. 

I also found a person dressed as a statue that I took a picture with. After looking at the inside of the church (which had paintings and stained glass) we went in the crypt/basement of the church where they bury famous or important people to the church. It was kind of creepy (there were bones of saints) for me but pretty cool. After that, we had another interesting incident with the restroom. We finally found a place marked "WC" and went in. Immediately, a woman kicked us out and explained she needed a minute to clean the restroom. We were kind of annoued but finally she started letting people go in. She directed us to a stall and then proceded to holler "aller, aller, aller!"(go, go, go) at us. Apparently she wanted us to hurry. On the way out she also asked for a tip but no one gave her any money. Once we finished with the bathroom nazi woman, we decided to walk and find some lunch to eat. First though, we found a shop called "le petit museé de chocolat" (the little museum of chocolate). It was so awesome! We bought some caramels and macaroons. The best thing in the shop was the statues made out of chocolate. There was a Notre Dame and a pirate ship made of chocolate!

We finally found a Parisian hot dog and crèpe for lunch. We sat at the base of the hill that Sacré Cœur was on. There was a carousel that kids hopped on and off of freely. Next, we walked the streets and found a really cute shop that all it sold was buttons. There was also a little dog that sat in the corner of the shop! Also we looked inside a few fabric shops because they had so many unique colors and styles. After that we found a cute little cookie shop but we didn't buy anything. Then we found a taxi to take us back to the apartment. He didn't drive as crazy but I was still a little scared! We hung out at the apartment for a little while and Brynn said she was feeling better. So, we went to find a place for dinner. We found a café and ate french onion soup. I also had a croque monsieur, salad, and a few fries. I also had a limonade which was very tasty! After dinner we found a different gelato shop and I ate chocolate and caramel gelato. We are planning to go to the Louvre tomorrow so we have to get up earlier. Dad should also be arriving tomorrow. Bon soir tout le monde:)

A Great First Day in La Ville-Lumiére

What a great start to our trip! We started the day by grabbing some awesome pastries at the boulangerie.

Brynn also got a 'chocolat chaud.' Then, we took a bridge across the Seine. We walked around Notre Dame and the gardens- it was beautiful! We decided not to go inside because therre was a long line and we had other things we wanted to do. 

We crossed another bridge to get off of the island that Notre Dame is on. There were locks that visitors had placed all along it and I thought it was very cool.

After Notre Dame we walked to a Metro stop and rode it to the Eiffel Tower.

We planned on going up the tower but when we got there, there were signs that said the tower was closed due to a social movement.

We were a little bit disappointed but we moved on to have some lunch close to the Champs-Élysées. It was pretty good. I had a caesar salad as did Brynn. Grandma and Mom had a delicious sandwich and Grandpa had a hamburger. Next, we walked to the Arc de Triomphe.

We had to go under the street because it is too busy to cross the roundabout. Mom, I, and Brynn went to the top of the arch. The stairs to the top were entirely spiral- I got dizzy.

Once at the top it was a beautiful view of the entire city including the many streets that meet at the arc. 

(It's a panorama photo... The streets actually are diagonal but it doesn't appear so in the picture)

We went to the bottom of the arc and saw the eternal flame commemorating the french WWI soldiers. Our feet were tired so we decided to take the Metro to the Louvre. This Metro trip didn't go so smooth. Grandma was trying to board the train when the doors started closing. she got her head and torso most of the way in but got a little bit stuck! Luckily Grandpa and another man pried open the doors just in time before the train started moving. I will never forget the look on Grandma's face as she got crushed by the Metro door. Thankfully she came away with just a few scratches:) Mom and I walked around the Jardin de Tuilleries while Brynn and our Grandparents rested in the garden.

There were many sculptures and fountains. One funny thing was that all of the trees were cut off square like a bush! After the gardens, we went inside the Louvre Carousel where there were shops and a food court. Since the museum itself was closed (its closed every Tuesday) there were not many people there. We drank smoothies and rested a bit.  Brynn tried a rasperry macaroon.

Then, I tried to find a restroom. What I found was the strangest thing I have ever witnessed. I finally found a place that was supposed to be the restroom. Instead, it looked like a shop for all things pertaining to the bathroom. Apparently you were supposed to walk up to the counter and pay either 1€ for a regular bathroom or 1.50€ for a spa bathroom(??). Anyways, I was too weirded out so I waited to find a more normal bathroom.

A wall of colored TP... I'm not joking!!

After looking around at the outside of the Louvre, we decided to make the trek back to our appartment. After a little confusion we made it back. Grandma and Grandpa are quite worn out. As a matter of fact, Grandma remarked "I am not walking more than 2 blocks for dinner!" I guess we will be finding a nearby café soon:)

Gelato!

We went to dinner at a small café tonight. It was very delicious! I had some roasted chicken and salad and french fries. Everyone enjoyed their meal and we also enjoyed strolling around the streets. We found some great gelato too! I had banana and chocolate, Brynn had strawberry and chocolate. It is now almost 11 here so we will head to bed soon.

Loving the Parisian Architecture!

PARIS!

We are finally here! It doesn't seem real yet. We are currently resting in our apartment that we checked into at 1pm. It is a very french apartment with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. When we first arrived there was a nice young man that greeted us. We were touring the rooms when we noticed there were no toilets in any of the bathrooms. I felt like an idiot but yes, we had to ask if there was a toilet:) "Of course," he replied and showed us a separate room.

However, before we got to our apartment, we had quite a long day. The plane ride was okay and Grandma and Grandpa got moved to first class... Lucky them! Surprisingly, the food served on the plane was decent (except for a gross breakfast sandwich right before we landed). After arriving at the Charles Degaulle airport (which was very modern and had the coolest restrooms) we breezed through customs and found our driver, François, who drove us through Paris to get an overview of the city. I was awestruck at the picturesque cobblestone streets and cafés at every corner. Most exciting though was getting my fist glance at the Eiffel Tower! We got to briefly see lots of famous landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Notre Dame, etc. I also already got to sample some of the street food; my banana and nutella crèpe was divine!

I am very tired so I will take a nap now for a few hours. What a great start to our adventure!!

On the plane!!

8 long hours ahead of us! Ready for some sister bonding time;) 

At the Airport

Ahhhh!!! We are at the airport waiting to board. Security was a breeze and now we have a few hours to wait. The excitement is building! Hopefully the plane ride will be okay...

The final zip!

Brynn sat on my suitcase to zip it! Can't wait to depart.

1 day!

Wow! Only one day left to wait... Grandma and Grandpa arrive today in Minneapolis. We are all excited out of our minds! Well, except Brynn who is currently dancing too much to be excited:)

Only 1 Week!

The whole family is getting extremely excited for the trip! One more busy week and our adventure begins. 

Countdown!

COUNTDOWN CLOCK WIDGET