Paris ~ this is for you Em

Sometimes it’s hard to focus on the task at hand.  I sat down to write about the wonderful visits we had with family and friends this summer, but today my thoughts are elsewhere.  My niece is on her way to college, as she embarks on the next chapter of her life: adulthood.  I can’t help but think about her and wonder how she is feeling – unsure, nervous, and tentative?  But also excited, self-assured, and hopeful for what lies ahead.  Actually, I think it’s harder for the rest of us left who are left behind.  Our daily lives go on as usual but without Em. 

So I’ve decided to turn my thoughts elsewhere and write about Paris.  It is her favorite place, after all, and she's learning French.  So, this one’s for you Em!

Paris.  We have been there before but it felt like it was the fist time.  There are so many new and exciting things to see.  My friends came with us, which was such a treat.  We were together in Paris, seeing it through their eyes.  We went to the Arc de Triomphe, but this time climbed to the top.  The views were spectacular, especially of the Eiffel Tower.  

 We spent all day at Chateau de Versailles, which was epic.  Just the ride there was impressive as I rode with a car full of foreigners and the driver narrated in three different languages.  I truly felt like I was abroad and venturing out into the world.  When we arrived at Versailles, I was immediately reminded of when we visited the Vatican – it was jammed packed with tourists.  It is estimated approximately 20,000 people visit Versailles each day compared with 17,000 who visit the Vatican.  Either way, it’s a lot of people.  But our guide pulled a little camera stunt and pushed us right to the front of the line (and saved us a 3 hour wait).  Brilliant.

A painting of Versailles

The real deal (Versailles)

Versailles was grand and picturesque, just as you would imagine.  The thing that is amazing is it was a public palace so anybody could visit.  With that said, Queen Marie Antoinette wanted a quiet, more private place so King Louis the XIV built the Queen’s Hamlet, Petit Trianon.  The Queen’s hamlet consisted of a mini Versailles, a farm house and a beautiful garden.  The house was just as exquisite as Versailles but it was the size of a dollhouse, in comparison, and located just a stone's throw away from Chateau de Versailles.  We walked through the Hamlet and couldn’t help but fall in love with it.  It was so cozy and quaint – the perfect place for a Queen to stow away.

The last day we did what every tourist does (in Paris anyway).  We climbed the Eiffel Tower.  We have done this before, but this time we went to the tippy top and shared a glass of champagne.  What else is there to do at the top of the Eiffel Tower?  It was spectacular – the climb, the views, the champagne.  Just being at the top was a treat.  It’s not the fanciest place on earth.  Actually, you’re surrounded by a lot of steel.  But I know people get engaged up there all the time.  You just get caught up in the excitement, and drinking champagne and popping the question is all part of the moment.

It was a great trip followed by a great visit.  We got to spend time with our friends, and Em and Miss.  How fun to have family and friends over at the same time!  This was Em's big trip before she went off to college.  They did what every teenage girl likes to do.  They went into London as many times as possible and shopped!  They arrived in the midst of the riots so we stayed away from London for a few days.  However, once order was restored we ventured in and the fun began.  They shopped, went sight seeing, shopped, went sight seeing, and shopped some more.  They definitely had the most fun shopping.  They went home with bags full of clothes and gifts for everyone. 

However, I think the highlight for them was seeing a Fulham Football match.  Once we realized there was a game scheduled, we bought tickets and took everyone to the game.  It was great to have us all there together.  Em is passionate about football so she watched intently.  Miss, on the other hand, couldn't care less but it was great fun watching her come to life as she followed the plays and learned the game.  They are converted and will always love football now.  For that it was worth it!

So that was our trip, abroad and home.  We had so much fun in London and Paris.  I will always remember our friends and the smiles on their faces when we toured Paris.  I will also remember Em and Miss, and how happy they were just to be here.  May life always bring you to new places filled with adventure and fun!