I Want To Live In Paris....Please!

The Bennett's (Donna and Kent, aka, Nana and Grandpa) came to Germany for a 10 day excursion to see the grand-babies and to bring us our wonderful doggie, Cali. As a Weimaraner, she is back in her homeland. As their travels fell over our US Holiday of Thanksgiving, Hubby and I were determined to have a getaway with our family and the Overfelts (our fabulous family friends).

So, first Turkey Day away from the States....destination, Paris.

We decided to drive the 5.5 hours (make that at least 6 with kids and the fact that I consumed way too many cokes) so that we could see Alsace and the other regions of France. Very beautiful, but between the additional car we had to rent to transport everyone, the tolls and the gas, I would recommend flying. Way cheaper and more time efficient. However, the trip did go smoothly. What wonderful kiddos!

We stayed in the Latin Quarter, right next to the Luxembourg Gardens. Our goal was to get the basic, hard core tourist sites viewed for the Grandparents. The plan consisted of the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees, Tour Eiffel, Notre Dame and the Louvre - with only two full days to "get'er done." Let me be honest with you, Paris is at least a 10 day visit. No one, and I mean no one, can get the real feel for the City with anything less. But, we had a time crunch and we were not going to leave empty handed.

As I woke up on the morning of Day 1, I was adamant about scoring my two most favorite things in Paris. First, Pain au Chocolat and the second, Crepe. Off we charged to a local bakery. Coffee and Pain au Chocolat for me and a Chocolate Crepe for Kattalin (in order for me to steal bites and not look like a total Pig). That my friends is my official welcome to the City!

After the power breakfast, we were off to the Metro to head to the Arc de Triomphe. Many, many, many thanks to Luke for getting us there! The map we had was not entirely user friendly and then the Metro had several stops closed due to construction. Alas, all his wonderful training became very helpful to us. Yay!

As we circled the Are de Triomphe, around the Place Charles de Galle, I searched out Avenue Foch. This highly affluent street was the home of my mother for 15 years. Her neighbors consisted of the rich, famous and royals. If you're going to live in Paris with an endless bank account, this street should be on your list. Next street, the Champs-Elysees, for viewing only. Sad, but a must as Christmas is around the corner!

After a stop into the Disney store to score some much deserved presents for our little ones, we marched on to the Tour Eiffel (I just can not call it the Eiffel Tower, sorry). We walked down Avenue Montaigne. This street is for the serious shoppers. You name the designer, he's waiting for you, with open arms. I have to say, my heart loves Paris for the food first, wine second, but the fashion is definitely third. I'm sure reverse order is probably more effective. After I realized that with two kids and two mortgages I had no business with my crass wishes and we headed over the river and toward our destination.

Like so much in Paris, you can rely on the consistent amazement of the beauty of Tour Eiffel. So simple, but such a visual reward. Kattalin has been utterly desiring to see this. My guess is that she is genetically configured to love this City. We let the kids play around the base and decided against the 1+ plus line to ride to the second level of the Tower. I've been there done that....and really what you want to do is go all the way to the top. However, you have to get an additional ticket and there is only 1 elevator that takes you. So, you might as well add another hour to the wait.

Once everyone was rounded up we headed back to the hotel. Hehe....walking....hehe...the whole way...hehe. Tour Eiffel to Latin Quarter is an hour walk and we had been walking all day. Only one way to reward one's self after such a day. Dinner, yummy, dinner with wine, yummy, wine. Such a treat and with no children! Many thanks to Grandpa and Nana.

The Bennett's dispersed on Day 2. The Grandparents and Hubby traveled to Notre Dame and the Louvre. The children and I spent the day with our very close family friends the Colas. We scored a really delicious lunch, which of course included wine. The best part of the day was our double date with Luke and Stephanie. We had one of the best meals I have ever had....rabbit. Well, after a bottle of wine at lunch, by dinner I was game to try anything. And yes, dinner had wine too! The dessert though deserves its own attention. I have nothing to compare it to. It was the most amazing, delicious, decedent creme brulee ever in the history of the world. So much so, that Stephanie made her hubby switch desserts. This was solid proof that there is a god, well, at least a god of food. I'm sure he is sweet and golden and this dessert was created in his honor/image.

So, final thoughts....if I can score a way to live in Paris, I'm never coming home. And why should I? How wonderful would it be to have a friend who lives in Paris!!!

Liebe Zu Allen!