Jeff and I had the opportunity to say hello - bonjour - to Paris twice - deux fois - this year. Once with his parents in June and once with our friends, The Anthony's, in September. For me, the first visit was more intimidating than the second. As excited as I was to go and see - just to name a few - the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, the Pantheon, and Notre Dame, I was very nervous to speak French. Back in April, I had a two day temp gig and, one of those days, I had been asked to lunch by one of the employees - who happened to be French. Over lunch, we talked about how life was for us growing up - she in Paris, France and I in Corsicana, Texas. I told her her that in spite of my crazy excitement to visit Paris, that I also was very anxious to speak her language; I didn't want to screw it up! She assured me that as long as I attempted to start a conversation in French rather than English, acceptance from the locals would be easier. Sure my French wasn't perfect - not even close - but such great advice! I will say that I don't know what I would have done if Jeff hadn't been there. There would be times where I'd try to speak, but it would come out as a whisper. Jeff was the main voice during both trips, and I am so grateful that he picked up the slack. Thanks love. :)
The sights were beyond incredible and the food amazing! I sure do like macaroons, tarts, pastries, and - possibly my favorite - ice cream from Berthillon! Talk about food coma - more like a daze for me. Hands down the best ice cream I've ever had. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed both trips to Paris!
Paddington Station decked out for London 2012.
Jeff's parents.
The tired two.
Delicious Quiche Lorraine.
Yikes, tourist trap! Two 1/2 liter Cokes for 21 euros = 16.8 pounds = 26.9 dollars = INSANE.
Arc de Triomphe
View of the Eiffel Tower atop the Arc de Triomphe.
Louvre Pyramid
The Winged Victory of Samothrace or Nike.
Venus de Milo
Popular lady.
We made it to the front. She's well protected.
This was in the same room as the Mona Lisa but wasn't getting near the attention it should. It's incredibly detailed and huge!
Lunch in the Louvre courtyard.
So lovely at night.
Eiffel Tower
This pose is a must.
Incredible.
Jeff and I in front of Notre Dame.
Inside Notre Dame.
Back of Notre Dame.
Best ice cream ever.
Yum!
The Pantheon
Actual burial spot of Louis Braille inside the Pantheon.
Remember Cafe Debussy from Inception?
It's actually a cafe called Da Stuzzi in Paris.
Side view.
The place with amazing tote bags!
Anniversary gift - Longchamp tote bag!
Got a second chance in September to strike this pose.
Our sweet friends - Nicole and Tyler.
Of course we spread the news about the best ice cream on earth.
70 days ago, Jeff, me and the Montgomerys were spending our last night
in Paris. What a wonderful trip that was! 72 - 74 days ago, I had
planned on blogging about this trip since it would be fresh on my mind,
but instead, I put it off. Sigh. At least, I took notes on my phone
while we were away. What would I do without the notes app on my iPhone?
Well, I would probably go back to using a pad of paper and pen and get
along just fine, but I'll take the convenience of the app any day!
Before our 3 day trip to Paris, Jeff and I had been touring around London with his parents. Let me say that when the Montgomerys take a vacation, they get as many sights in as possible. We were always on the go - even the dreary weather that accompanied most of the trip didn't phase us! There was so much that we all wanted to see and do. Sure, we all had our "we are so tired, we want to pass out" moments, but as Clark W. Griswold says every year when we watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, "Ah, it's all part of the experience, honey." And so, I'll leave you with some moments of our London experience with Jeff's parents (Paris photos on next post). We had such a great time with them and are already looking forward to their next trip over - whenever that may be!
Mr. and Mrs. M arriving at Heathrow.
Goodies from the states.
Monk getting his time in with Mr. and Mrs. M.
First bus ride in London.
Jeff and me by the Thames, Palace of Westminster and Westminster Bridge.
Jeff and I again by the Thames and in front of Parliament on a different day.
One of my favorite photos that I've taken in London so far. This will be framed!
A look up Westminster Clock Tower.
Jeff and his parents with the Eye and Westminster Clock Tower.
Westminster Abbey Bell Tower
Westminster Abbey
Jeff and Mr. M buying us some nourishment (steamed buns filled with pork) on Day 1 (aka the Death March).
Abbey Road Studios.
Jeff and I walking in the footsteps of the Beatles.
Jeff's parent's turn.
Ben Franklin's home from 1706 - 1790.
Segment of the Berlin Wall outside the Imperial War Museum in Southwark.
The British Museum
The Rosetta Stone in the British Museum.
We got to see the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic medals on display at the British Museum before the Games.
Jeff and Mr. M standing in the very center of London.
Yep, that's a nose in the Ministry of Defense's Admiralty Arch.
Us taking a nice stroll down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace.
Jeff and I at Buckingham Palace.
Horse Guards Parade
His Majesty the Yoda.
Cute museum next to 221B on Baker Street.
221B Baker Street
Love the wall tiles in Baker Street tube.
Sherlock Holmes in Baker Street tube.
St. Paul's Cathedral, a 17th century church atop Ludgate Hill (City of London's highest point).
Shakespeare's Globe Theater
Listening to the Yeoman Warder (aka Beefeater) during our tour of the Tower of London.
Jeff and I in front of Tower Bridge.
I
was highly anticipating our visit to London Bridge... well, here it is -
disappointing and dull. Even Mr. M was videoing something more
interesting.
The London Eye.
Our view of Parliament from the Eye.
We
were surprised to stumble upon this parade that was in honor of the Queen's
86th birthday. A bit late as her birthday was April 21st. Short video of the parade below.
