Paris

I am currently sitting in the all-too-toasty "Cybermedia Cafe" in Avignon to post a few more photos of our time in Paris, as internet and telephone are still days away at our apartment (Wednesday at the earliest). It will be a treat to be able to more regularly stay in touch with you all when we are connected at home.

Our days in Paris passed quickly, starting with a trip to a nearby market where we enjoyed observing the market culture (Lily learned to say "touche pas!"). Barry did an excellent job of following proper etiquette and buying the ingredients to make a birthday dinner for my Mom that evening. After lunch, we spent a leisurely Sunday afternoon at the Luxmbourg Gardens with many other Parisien families enjoying the vintage carousel, le theatre des marionnettes (the girls weren't so sure about the puppet show, but Barry didn't give them an option, telling them it was a cultural experience that they couldn't veto!), a pay-by-the-five-minutes swing set, and ponies to ride. We had a great end to the day celebrating my Mom's birthday eating, we all agreed, the tastiest pork chops ever that had been purchased at the morning market, and cutting up a box full of different pastries to share.

On Monday I had a very special day with my parents visiting the Louvre (unbelievably huge, crowded and interesting, even though our tour guide had a good dose of that Paris "the paying customer is never right" attitude we had read about!), and later Notre Dame Cathedral (breathtaking), while Barry took the girls to another garden with rides; a big hit.

On our last day we set out early to ride up the Eiffel Tower; a must on Grace's list. Although not great with heights, (I have to pump my courage up for a child sized ferris wheel), I thought I would be fine having made it up the CN tower (huddled against the back wall of the elevator still counts, right?) which is considerably higher. But, the elevator going to the second level of the Paris Tower was much scarier as you feel you are rising almost unsupported with only open metal all around you. (I don't know how they found anyone willing to build it). Of course, I felt better when there was a solid floor to step out on at the top and didn't feel the need to go right back down, as I was vowing to do on the way up. Views spectacular. Paris spectacular.

Our last stop was the Champs Elysees (the girls kept humming this 1969 French folk song about this street we had heard on the boat cruise, so we thought we should check it out) and lunch in full view of the Arc de Triomphe.

Wednesday we returned by train to Avignon to begin our lives as students, and my parents began the long journey back to Vancouver Island. We thank them for everything, and sure will miss them!