Versailles

I was super excited for Sunday. This was the day we made our way to Versailles. I had read about it, watched "Marie Antoinette" (terrible movie but amazing costumes and filmed on location), and was ready to see the pomp and circumstance that sparked the French Revolution.  It was amazing. Probably my favorite day of the trip. The castle, the gardens- the whole experience was pretty amazing.

The castle was everything fancy and more. The Petite Trianon was exquisite and the Hamlet was more of an amusement park than a place to live. My favorite part, was riding the bikes through the gardens. It was the perfect day. We sat, took off our shoes and just took in the scenery- Parisians running, canoes on the Grand Canal, the perfectly manicured acres upon acres of trees- I loved it.



As you can see, the place is massive. This is us making our way early in the morning to get in line before the crowds.

This picture was cool because we got there so early, rushed through and were able to take pictures without the usual crowds of people.



Mark and I in the hall of mirrors.

A "special treat" as we were there while the fountains were going. Us in front of the Apollo.



Marie's Hamlet where she went to be a "peasant". It was gorgeous and probably where I would have spent most of my time as well.



 

We ate lunch in the gardens (had my first French omelette- sans egg shells unlike Aish's) and while we were there we decided to use the closest bathrooms. The line, like always was men one side, women the other and no real space in between.  The boys went in their side and there were no urinals. They waited and weren't sure what to do until a man from Spain showed them the art of European wall urination. The boys thought it was great and quite the experience- which had to be documented. 



 

Us on the bikes. Pretty sure I haven't ridden a bike since Jr High.

We headed back, Dave and Aish let us take a snooze and then went out to the Luxembourg Gardens. It was pretty crowded and seemed like a hot spot for local families to play and hang out. And we were in no rush so that was great.

 

We did pick up some bad habits from the Parisians. Aish tempted us with the bubble gum smokes and we caved. It was pretty funny and all got a good laugh from the sugar "puff" of the cigs. Let it be known, smoking is bad and something a YW President would NEVER, ever, ever do. Ever.

 

 

We hit a hole in the wall spot that opened in 1845. Mark had the gigots (Lamb or "Lame" as our waitress said) and I sampled the best beef borguignon of my life. The crusty bread, the communal tables and the old Parisian woman across from us made for a memorable evening.

 



 

 

 Mark and a tiny car.

 

3 Paris 3

Another morning in Paris and another day filled with things to do and see. Our trusty museum pass & the guru Rick Steves suggested that we hit the Cluney museum which wasn't far from the hotel. Full of tapestries, ancient Roman artifacts and more things intricately designed by the likes of human hands.

Rodin was next on the tour- a lovely and inspiring place filled again with art that I had only seen in textbooks.



The Thinker


Next was Napoleon's Tomb housed in this spacious and elaborate building.

 

 

 

And here Napoleon rests beneath ten layers of tin, mahogany & lead. The French loved him and spared no expense to pay him tribute.

Mark at the War Museum next to the original "pocket bike".

 

Now, even an amazing Parisian vacation has to have a downside and today, was the day

we found it. Sacre-Coeur was listed as a "must see" by our up-to-this-point-trustworthy Rick Steves. The Basilica was beautiful and had it not been a pick pocket paradise, we may have ventured inside. It was crowded, scary and really a place I would try to avoid all together.

 

 

We did take the time to  see the OUTSIDE only of the Moulin Rouge. Kids menu aside, this was a PG-13 tour.

The Eiffel Tower awaited us this evening and we made the trip up the 700 stairs to see Paris from the top. Aside from my coughing fit on level one, it was an amazing view of the sunset over Paris. I don't think Europe can handle this cuteness.

 

 Mark saw a cool car on the way back to the hotel that he had to pose by. Take note, I am pretty sure Mark was one of five men we saw the whole time wearing a baseball cap- classic American.

 

Next post- Sunday. Versailles.

Paris part duex

Friday started our first full day in Paris. After a 12 hour sleep (Mark and I bailed while Dave and Aish sampled the night life), we headed out early to get in line for the Catacombs. We were ever grateful for Dave busting out his French to ask for a "patisserie" which lead us to French Pastry heaven (Paul) or what we called the remainder of the trip "our friend Paul". The one on the right is the chocolate croissant that pretty much changed my life.

 

We got in the queue for the catacombs and patiently waited. While we waited, a couple of dudes decided that they didn't really want to wait in the line like everyone else and were just going to stand off to the side until someone would let them in. They spoke English, so Aish kindly encouraged them to "get in line, it's only getting longer" to which they replied, "classic Americans". Little did they know we were on a mission, straight from the U S of A to bring justice to all those waiting in line behind us. As we started filing in, our little Parisian security guard took matters into his own hands and escorted them off the premises. We were sure they would be waiting for us at the end waiting to punch our lights out. Lady Liberty would be proud.

 

Anywhoo- the catacombs were top 5 of the trip for sure. Apparently one of the largest catacombs in Europe which was made so as the cemeteries in Paris became overcrowded. It was meticulously outlined and after a while, it became more and more apparent that we were in fact surrounded by thousands and thousands of human remains packed miles high and deep.

 

While inside we chatted with other Americans. A retired couple from Alaska and a retired Photography teacher who used "damn" and "hell" as a standard of vocabulary. I was quite amazed at the instant connection we had by being Americans. We seemed to stand out (as was evident by the stink eye from the Parisians) and we always were able to find each other in crowds and when we needed someone reliable to take a picture.

 

"Attention. This is the empire of death."

Off to Saint Sulpice. Made famous by The Da Vinci Code. It felt way more church like than the Notre Dame.

 

Next on the vaca agenda was the Arch de Triumph. It was massive. Our handy museum pass got us in and we scaled to the top for a view of Paris from the sky.

We were told that the Champs Elysse was a must see and to be honest, we weren't all that impressed. I think once McDonald's moved in the Cartier lost it's lustre. We did however hit LaDuree and sampled some tasty macaroons. And these were not your Kneaders macaroons. The French can rock the salted caramel.  

 

The highlight of the day was lunch in the gardens of the Tuilleries. We had seen people every where with baguette sandwiches. A little fromage, a little jambon and some "salad" which all lettuce was called. Quite pleasant being in the gardens, eating outside and enjoying the company of friends.

 

We made the mecca to the Louvre. Everyone says "you will just not believe how big the Louvre is". There is nothing to describe it. The size of this place will blow your mind. We thank the Blackhursts and Rick Steves for getting us out in two hours and satisfying my desire to see the most famous of art.



The Mona Lisa. Dainty and small behind bullet proof glass.


We hit the Lover's Bridge to forever seal our love in adding a lock to the rail and tossing the key into the sewery Seine with about 10,000 other people.

 

A river cruise of the Seine was next. It was chilly and we eventually headed to the inner quarters but it was a good view of the city. I got some of the best pictures of the Eiffel tower from that angle.

 

This was the night we had our first sampling of Amarino gelato. My life will never be the same. Speculoos and chocolate. Speculoos and Caramel. Speculoos and chocolate and caramel. We hit this spot every night the rest of the trip.

 

We got back to the hotel late, cultured and ready to fill Saturday with more of the exciting sights of Paris.  

I'd be lonely without you here, like a bird without a song

Ten years. It seemed like an eternity away as we started our life together, today, a decade ago. I remember waking up early. I remember what I wore. I remember Mark showing up to pick me up at my parent's house to drive me to the Timpanogas Temple- the last night sleeping at my parents house. I remember our Sealer saying to "love each other more every day" and I am pretty sure that is what we have done. The rest of the day seemed like a blur and before we knew it, we were making our way to Arizona. Leaving home and our families and "cleaving" unto the unknown. It has been a trip. Moving, raising two babies, remodeling (which I am convinced if you can survive that, your marriage is made in heaven), vacationing, making grown up decisions, and planning for our lives 50 years from now.

I can think of no one I would rather be making life plans with. No one that understands me better. No better father or companion. No one that is more important to my happiness and stability. And, even though I might be the whiner in the relationship, I feel that what we have is truly "delightful and enduring". Nothing compares to you! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Paris- the intro

Paris. We went to Paris. Even though it has happened, it was real, it seems still almost like a dream. Mark said that most of the time he felt like he was on a movie set- like we were just walking around Universal Studios. It was amazing and something we will never forget.

The trip undoubtedly started on a the best foot as we ran into Stephanie Nielson at the airport (nieniedialogues.blogspot.com). After all, seeing a celebrity ensures that your trip will be that much more amazing. She was super sweet and real. It was awesome. Felt like a slight creeper since I knew ALL about her life and she knew nothing about me. The flight there, not so awesome, all 10 hours 40 minutes of it. We watched a lot of movies, had a delicious airplane "chicken" dinner and tried to sleep.

We landed in Paris, hopped on the RER and headed for the hotel. The hotel was super small with lovely black and maroon stripped carpet and a lovely view of the apartments nestled right next door and the Eiffel tower from the roof. I was lucky enough to open the drapes one morning to see an old man across the way, red undies and all, having a smoke on his porch.

 

 

Notre Dame was first on the list of sights. It was a short walk from the hotel so once we had dropped our luggage we were off. It was massive, packed full of people and breathtaking. The detail, flying buttresses and we also saw the Crypt.

 

 Sampled our first Parisian crepes- Jambon/fromage & Nutella/Banana- delish. Indeed everything they are cracked up to be.

 

 

Saint Chapelle- with all her stained glass windows is a must see. Although we were all rather taken back by how dirty it was. There was no real attempt at cleaning the windows, or the floors, or anything for that matter. That became a common theme in Paris. Most things were dirty.  

 

The Concergerie- where Marie Antoinette was held before her beheading & the Orsay were next. No pictures were allowed in the Orsay so this is the best you get. The art was amazing. Just full of pieces that you have been reading about since grade school.

 

We got back to the hotel that night exhausted! We had been up a full 24 hours but that was the best way to reset the internal clock to survive the rest of the trip. Next post, day two (Friday).