falling in love with Paris

Our time on the ship had to come to an end, I suppose, but we were sad to say goodbye. There were 4 cruise cards prepared for the Cremin family for the next cruise. You mean we could have stayed??? We said our farewells to Dennis, who headed off to work on the next set of lectures. Then the Grafes and Cremin girls boarded the train for London. The train was packed with cruisers, and our luggage was precariously perched next to a door, which was fine until they needed to open the door on that side at a station. Oops. This prompted the kind conductor to upgrade us to first class, which was empty for the duration of our trip. Not a bad deal.

We parted ways at Waterloo station with the Grafes heading to their hotel and the Cremins heading to St. Pancras station to catch the Eurostar through the Chunnel. Word from the Grafes is that they took at trip on the London Eye and took in Mamma Mia on the stage last night. What else they saw will have to wait until we see them back in Chicago.

The girls and I got checked into the Eurostar waiting area in plenty of time. There was a bit of a delay for the train, but we were able to store our luggage easily and sit back for the fast trip under the channel and into La Belle France. I never knew your ears could pop so much in a train! We all napped, and I think Emma and Julia may have even drooled, although they aren't saying. We emerged from underground about halfway into the 2 1/2 trip and enjoyed views of the French countryside before arriving at Gare du Nord.

From there it was a taxi ride to our apartment. Emma was so happy to be in Paris. She said she might cry at any moment seeing all the monuments and all the architecture. She's in heaven! Our apartment is in the 7th arrondisement, across the street from Invalides. We have a great view of the dome if we lean out our window, and Sacre Coeur sits on top of the hill. The Eiffel tower is a short walk away, and the BEST boulangerie is right down the street. We made that our first sop on neighborhood explore, stopping in to share caffe au laits, a ham and butter sandwich and an apple tart. Yum.

The apartment is a small, one bedroom place that has been recently updated in clean Ikea style. Julia sleeps on the comfy pullout couch, and Emma and I are sharing the bedroom. We have a rain shower showerhead and the world's tiniest kitchen. But it's all functional and clean and delightful. And we figured out the internet. Yea!

After picking up a few supplies at the market, we headed toward the Champs Elysees, stopping on the bridge over the Seine to admire the Eiffel Tower. We were on a mission to find the latest Harry Potter and succeeded in finding it on the Champs Elysees. Since we had some time before it started, we wandered the street, checking out the shops (It is VERY expensive here) and having a bit of melon and prosciutto at a charming cafe where they were very kind to us. Then it was time for the main event. We put on our 3D lunettes and enjoyed the final battle with You Know Who. It was sad to say goodbye to those characters, but a good ending to the series. Then we walked home, with just a small detour. We really should listen to Emma more on those directions! We did get to use the Eiffel Tower as a guide. Fun!

This morning I couldn't bear to wake the girls up too early. They need a vacation from their vacation! So they slept in a little while I picked up the best croissants ever and a baguette, butter and jam for breakfast. THey are almost ready to head out for our first adventures - maybe Notre Damed, Ste. Chapelle and sites in the Latin Quarter. I'm sure we'll throw a museum in there somewhere!

It's a good start! Now if only my fledgling French would kick in we'll be set. But Emma is working her French, too, so we get by