Finis in Paris

Our last day was a makeup day. Hit the places we hadn't gotten to but really wanted. We decided to split up-boys and girls.

There was some unfinished shopping for a small girl that somehow turned into boots for said girl AND new handbag  for said girl's mother.  Also turned into a little red dress for Carlie's New Year's party. The girls also made it to Luxembourg park.

The boys were a bit more ambitious. We never made it to quasimoto's perch at notre dame so we got there early, if 10 minutes before opening is early.  Turns out it was not.  So an hour and a half later we were scaling another notable climb in Paris. It was cold and it was a blessing they pushed us thru.

On to the Subway for a sandwich for the walk to the Musee d'orsay to see the impressions. Turns out they are closed on Monday.  I always felt the impressionist movement was overrated, so we moved  on to...

A return visit to the Army museum. After getting less than we wanted the first time we returned for WWI and WWII.  Much better.  This led to the quote of the day.

JJ - "After we won the war in Europe for France  did they come help us in the Pacific?"  This of course led to A long fatherly explanation of the economic and geopolitical situation in 1944/5. It will result in a followup reading assignment a likely cessation of any such questions in the future.

Then onto the Paris Sewer Musee.  Yes it stunk and yes it was mildly interesting. More of a history and technology lesson of poo.

Our day was done.  Maybe some remaining thoughts and pics tomorrow but now time to board.  Hopefully back in Dublin to ring in the New year.

Day 4

Quotes
Grace - "I like France a lot!!"  After walking by a shoe store.

JJ -"This place is much cooler than St. Peter's."  Sitting in Notre Dame during Mass and comparing to his visit to Rome.

JJ - "So wait minute.  We threw a coin in Trevi Fountain  which meant  our heart was in Rome.  Now we put this lock on in Paris which means our heart is in Paris.  Where is it now?  Switzerland ??"

Few quotes from Rod which is indicative of a 13 year old boy.  I could have put a few grunts in.

We went to Mass at Notre Dame today and toured the island where it sits.  We all placed padlocks on the Ponts des Arts bridge and threw our keys into the Seine.  Then we went to the Eiffel Tower and went to the top.  Got up just before sundown and stayed until the lights went on.  Beautiful sight and thousands of people on a Sunday night.  We then went out for a very nice dinner at Boullion Racine.  Cloth napkins and everything.  One more day and we fly out in the evening.  If all goes as planned we will be back in Dublin when the New Year hits tomorrow .

Day 3 in Paris

Quotes
Grace - "Everything looks good with skinny jeans." While figuring out what she was going to wear on our trip to wear on our day to Pere Lachaise (cemetery where Jim Morrison and a million others rest) and a couple  museums.

The cemetery was very cool.  Jim's grave was underwhelming but saw Chopin, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, and just a lot of beautiful and interesting tombs.

Had a nice lunch and finally got some escargo to the table.  They liked them!  All except Grace who didn't want to try them.

We then split up with Joe and Rod going to the Army museum and Martha and remaining two going to Rodin. 

Finished the night with an adult dinner while Carlie took the kids to a movie.

Sorry not many pictures.  Had most on the real camera.

Tomorrow we go to Mass at Notre Dame and head to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Paris - Day 2

Quotes
JJ - "They're kind of strange."  Mom - "Yeah mine was a bit dry."  JJ- "No.  It's  just that it came from a frog."  JJ and Martha after eating frog legs.

Grace - "I have to go to the bathroom."  Not noteworthy for content but timing is everything.  On the elevator 30 seconds after leaving Carlie's apartment. Her elevator accommodates 3 people so we usually have a couple of stair climbers for the 9 floor ascent / descent.

Off to Montmarte and the Louvre today.

Got portraits of the kids today to match the ones from Rome.  Made it to the Dali  Museum in Montmarte.  Took a long time so our trip to the louvre was a bit shorter.  3.5 hours.

Quotes of the day in Paris

Rod - "This train smells like old people."  None of the old people in our lives smell like the Paris subway just for the record.
Grace - "I feel like I am back in Rome." After walking up the stairs in the Arc de Triomphe
Joe - "You want to go see Avatar!?" Not quite hearing the kids say they wanted to see the "Eiffel Tower".
It was cool and blustery all day but the umbrellas only came out a few times.  We did a bit of a walking tour after the train ride from Carlie's apartment.  Went to the Champs- Eleyss to the Grande Palace to the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower.

American Rames' in Paris

We were blessed with a Christmas visitor.  Our niece, Carlie, came in for a few days and we came back to Paris with her- she lives here.  Today we will walk the city.  Will send an update later.