Passport to Paris: Days 1-3

July 1st,

Today began for me at 3:35am when we had to wake up to get ready to catch our flights. Mikes shuttle to the airport came to pick him up at 4:20 then mine came at 4:25. I was really sad to say goodbye to him and also really nervous to fly to Paris on my own. The shuttle got me to the airport very early, so early I had to wait 20 minutes to even check in. Once I made it through security I had to wait for over an hour to find out where my gate was. It was an interesting was of doing things, especially since all I wanted to do was sleep but since I wasn't at my gate I didn't want to chance it. Finally I was on the flight headed to Paris. 

Once I landed in Paris I followed the crowd. I was a bit taken aback when I walked past three armed solders carrying riffles in their hands. I got my passport stamped then waited 30 minutes for my luggage to come. I was about to go ask if they lost it, but tried to wait it out as long as I could since I didn't speak French and was nervous about not being understood. I called my Aunt and let them know I was in town safely and to look for me in about 45 min. As I went out into the arrivals area I searched the crowd for the driver holding the sign with my name. When I spotted him and let him know I was Kristin Jenson I was surprised that he didn't say a word to me but took my small car on bag and started walking quickly through the crowd. He reminded me A LOT of Puck from Glee, only the french versions.

As we drove towards Cretiel he was going 90 kilometers an hour (I have no idea what that translates to in miles but it felt fast.) He was also texting with a phone in one hand and dialing a number with the phone in his other hand. Then he was talking while messing with the GPS, while driving fast, weaving in and out of traffic and scaring the crap out of me. I was stating to wonder if I would make it to Cretiel safely and wondered how many tourist die in car accidents while driving with a "car service" driver. Finally we arrived. It was perfect timing as the minute I stepped out of the car I heard my uncle yelling my name through a window near by. I had been the most nervous about finding their apartment building and seeing them when I got there so I was relieved that he had seen me and knew I was there.

My Aunt and 5 year old cousin found me and I was so happy to see them. They took me inside their place and gave me the grand tour. I was surprised that the toilet was in its own room with a small sink and the tub and another sink were in a separate room. After putting my things down we walked to the grocery store to get a few things before they closed (they close at 1pm on Sunday.) We came home and had lunch then we walked over to what they call the Old City. We went to a butcher shop and a bakery to grab more things for dinner. We let Amelie play on a near by playground and chatted for a while. It is amazing that there are so many parks and playgrounds around here. So wonderful for kids!

We took a bus back to the apartment so I had my first experience with that. Once we got back they had another couple arrive that would be staying with them for a little over a week as well. They were pretty jet lagged so we spent the rest of the night visiting and eating some delicious chicken, baguettes and cheese. It was so amazing to have a home cooked meal after eating out for so many days in a row!

July 2nd,

The windows in the apartment all have what they call blast shields. They are like metal blinds that you lower over your whole window. When they are down it makes your whole room pitch black. Needless to say with a pitch black room I slept in pretty late. We lounged around the house for a good while. We went to the mall here in Cretiel. IT IS HUGE. I was so lost and turn around there. They had their sales going on so it was especially crowded. We went to a walmart like store called Carrfore inside the mall and got some more groceries.  We walked home and had lunch then waited for my cousin to get out of school. We went to pick her up at 4:20 then took her to the lake by their apartment and let her feed the birds, ducks, swans and pigions. I have never seen so many birds in one place at a time. They basically attacked her for he bread. She was really cute, when she was crowded by all the birds she ran away from them and her response was "it's sure getting busy down there." After we fed the birds we walked to two and a half miles around the lake. It was a beautiful walk with a lot of great places to picnic and play at. We stopped at one and it was really big for a playground but the equipment was different than what we have in the states, much more climbing toys/building than I would like as a parent. After our walk the other couple made up fajitas for dinner and we spent the rest of the night resting and relaxing. 

June 3rd,

Today we all woke up early and took the metro into Paris. It was only a 25 minute ride to the Notra Dame stop. We got out of the metro at a place called Hotel De Ville. I'm not sure what that is, but I was told it was famous, so I took a picture. :)

Then we headed to the Norta Dame cathedral. It made me think of the Hunchback of Notra Dame. It was fun to see and walk through, but to be honest I have seen a lot of cool churches/cathedrals in the past few weeks so I wasn't blown away by the inside. What I was the most impressed with was the architecture. It was really impressive all the statues that were carved into the archways. So impressive!! 

Joan of Arc statue

After that we walked towards the Louvre. It was a beautiful walk and I really enjoyed all the beautiful buildings, flowers and walking by the river.

I was so happy to walk past this bridge. I have seen it in a lot of pictures and was really wishing I have a lock to add to it. I'm not 100% sure of what the story is with it, but I think Lovers come and put their names on lock then lock them to the bridge then when they come back they try to find their lock? At any rate I think it is pretty awesome!

Then we walked to the Louvre. It was closed which was perfect because it made it less crowded to get pictures. The only bummer was that the sky was so cloudy over it that it looked gray and gloomy when it was really a beautiful day :( 

We walked thought a lovely park before catching the metro to the Arc de Triomphe.

(another statue of ceaser...)

After seeing the Arc we got on the metro and rode it to the Eiffel tower area. On the metro we enjoyed a little live entertainment from so of the other passengers. My aunt told me that was pretty common for people to get on a play then expect money from the other passengers. She was right. I saw this a lot more and usually it was the accordion and another instrument. Good ol' Parisians and their accordions.

I was so happy to see the Eiffel tower but was sad to learn one of the lifts was broken and it would be a long, long wait to ride to the top... maybe next time. 

After that it was time to head back so we could pick Amelie up from school, which was perfect because after doing so much sight seeing and walking I  could only handle it in small doses. I am sooo tired of walking all day long, I was happy to spend the rest of the night relaxing at home.