"Let yourself go. Pull out from the depths those thoughts that you do not understand, and spread them out in the sunlight and know the meaning of them."-- Mr. Emerson to Lucy Honeychurch, A Room with a View
The girls and I have started an extraordinary adventure. Now 24 hours into it, we have had few blips -- although Sophie just developed a stye which is uncomfortable for her and we hope it will go away in the next few days.
There are two rules on this trip. First, we all have to look out for each other so that nobody gets lost. Based on this rule, we hold hands almost everywhere. Second, there is absolutely no whining. If you have an urge to whine, then you must ask for a snuggle instead. This rule is working surprisingly well so far.
We had a very nice flight from LAX to Paris (and we watched two movies, says Sophie). We are staying in an apartment in the 6th Arrondisement which was built in 1610! That's even before Marie Antoinette had her head cut off!! We're on the French 5th floor, which is the American 6th floor and it's way, way, way, way, way up at the top of the building. But it is very comfortable and charming in a French sort of way. There is a bidet in the bathroom. Anna thought that it might be a special bathtub for babies. In any event, we are all very clear that it is not a toilet. There also is boiling hot water that comes out of the tap, so you have to remember that "C" stands for "chaud" and not "cold" or else you'll get burned.
The girls are learning some French already. "Chaud," "froid," "merci," "bonjour." Sophie and Anna's favorite word (so far) is "voila." We have just returned from a short walk on the Seine at dusk. We passed le Palais de Justice and le Conciergerie (where Marie Antoinette waited to get her head chopped off -- we are absolutely fascinated by this piece of French history) and we caught a glimpse of Notre Dame. But it really started to downpour on us (very unusual in Paris). "Big bummer," say the girls. So, we ended our walk with a nice dinner. We'll upload more photos when we figure out how to plug in the girls' cameras. Oh, and "bonsoir!"
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Have a very wonderful time. Eat lots of chocolate crepes. And Sophie, put a hot towel on that stye. See if you can get a cup of hot tea water or something, soak a rag, and it should help. Looking forward to more updates. Bijoux, Auntie Gina
ReplyDeletehi nicole, anna and sophie! i was in paris very many years ago with uncle john and we ate croissants with jam and cheese for breakfast every morning and drank cafe au lait. yum. tonight i'll share this link with cameron and mallory so they can talk to you too. you're so lucky to be in paris with your mom. you'll always remember this special time. love, auntie elaine
ReplyDeleteAm trying to figure out a way to make Nicole's rule about snuggling instead of whining work in a professional context...
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous trip, ladies!!!
may have already mentioned that you must take the girls to the puppet theater in luxembourg gardens. the word puppet doesn't do it justice. it's very elaborate and doesn't run everday - you'll need to find out when the shows are. it's the funny little building in them middle of the park. have fun.
ReplyDeleteeric
so glad you are doing this blog! since you are in the 6th make sure you go to the d'orsay and have lunch in the ornate restaurant there. the girls will love the degas ballerina sculptures at the d'orsay. for shopping in the 6th check out sabre + du pareil au meme. outside of the 6th, one of the newer museums is quai branly, amazing inside + outside. for fun foodie perspectives of paris check these out: http://chocolateandzucchini.com + davidlebovitz.com - looking forward to your travel tales! safe journey! natalie
ReplyDeletedidn't know the honeychurch reference before. love, love, love it! natalie
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