Vacation Part 1--Paris

We are now home, safe and sound, and we've had a full night's sleep. It seems like so long ago that I was in Paris, but that's what I'll start with in my brief travelogue about my trip. When I was a kid, my mother and I used to go to the Rotary Club travelogues on Sunday afternoons, and I slept through every single one of them. I hope my presentation doesn't have the same effect on you.

OK, so...Paris. We stayed at the Paris Hilton. Seriously. It isn't much to speak of on the outside and is actually kind of ugly. It's greatest asset is that it's only a couple of blocks from the Eiffel Tower. We could see it from our hotel windows, and at night, when its lights flip out, it's mesmerizing. Fond memory: sitting outside the hotel lounge with a gin martini at midnight or so, looking at the Tower lit brightly against the night sky.


On our first full day in France, we took a train to Dijon (about 1 hour, 45 minutes), and we met Daughter No. 1 there. She is studying French in a university there. We had a lovely day just ambling--this is Dive's word for strolling, and I like it so much I will use it throughout my Vacation Explanation.

Dijon is a delightful city with a great deal of history to display. It has its own Notre Dame, with its own magnificent stained glass. On the outside of the building is an owl molded into the brick. Legend says that if you touch the owl with your left hand and make a wish, your wish will come true. Clearly, it has been wished upon quite a few times over the years.

Back in Paris, we did all of the usual things a visitor to Paris should do. We ambled up and down the Champs Elysees. We toured the Louvre. We walked through Notre Dame, marveling at how much history is built into the very streets and bricks and towers that we touched and walked near.

We visited a chapel about two blocks from Notre Dame that was built inside castle walls with the purpose of housing relics from Christ's crucifixion. I have to smirk at that because really, how can you possibly believe that the actual crown of thorns was set aside as anything of significance at that time? And how can you possibly believe that anyone would have saved the actual cross and broke it up into pieces so that individual churches around Europe could each have a piece? Regardless of the relic issue, the chapel was an amazing room--narrow and long with floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows that lead your eye directly toward the extremely high ceiling. Had there been more seats, I would have enjoyed sitting silently in that room.

Us in front of the Louvre. Husband is taking the photo.

Our concierge was always helpful in pointing out restaurants that were off the main streets, places not very touristy. So, we had quite a few great meals in small brasseries filled with locals. Why is it that while on vacation, dessert seems to be necessary after every meal? You start out thinking you'll just indulge once, but then after a week, you're still eating creme brulee and chocolate sorbet and raspberry tart? Fond memory: enjoying a double espresso with a lemon tart at a small restaurant on a cool evening...no worries, no time clocks, no reason to walk too quickly.

So, that's my brief description of our trip to Paris. After several days, we took the Eurostar to London, where we stayed until this past Sunday. I'll write about that and about meeting Dive and Mum in my next post.