As the country faces struggles over the government shutdown and the uncertainty of whether those we elected can ever agree, I think it is time to get another post up about our wonderful trip we took this summer to Europe. It could be I just wish we were back on vacation, and not worrying what services will be closing and whether or not we will have money come pay day...I know military members will get paid come this pay day, but it is just a band aid for a much larger looming problem. So lets have some fun happy pictures and experiences from this summer.
So early in the morning we headed out of London leaving from Kings Crossing via the EuroStar (aka the Chunnel). It really wasn't a long trip, a little ear popping from time to time, and we were out of the Chunnel and cruising through the French countryside. Once arriving in Paris we swapped out our money, bought the Paris Museum Pass, and jumped onto the metro and quickly found our hotel (Hotel Bastille Speria, once again picked out of the Rick Steves' Travel Guide "Paris") in the Marais District. After dropping off our belongings at the very comfortable and ideally located hotel we ate lunch at one of the many cafes in the neighborhood. We tried risotto for the first time before heading for the metro once again for some time at the Louvre. Buckle your seat belt for another overload of pictures...almost all of it artwork.
The Louvre had been home for centuries to the French royalty. Louis the XIV moved to Versailles, although the Louvre was still considered the formal home for the royals. After 1789, it has been home to the Louvre museum and also offices of various government departments.
It is amazing to think of all the royals and dignitaries that have walked though the same doors, congregated in the same hallways and danced away the night in the same rooms with some of the same artwork we were able travel through and see for ourselves.
From the Louvre we headed off to the Notre-Dame Cathedral.
It is truly amazing. The tall towers, huge statues of the saints and gargoyles, and the kaleidoscope of colors coming through the huge pains of stain glass. The 700 year old place of worship is a buzzing place with people and energy.
After spending a good time walking around the courtyard of Norte-Dame we decided to do one of the walking tours suggested in the Rick Steves' Paris guide book. We took in the sights and listened to the podcast that he also has available as an app.
We ended up back the at our Hotel, freshened up, and then headed out to supper at an unplanned small cafe that had some live street music that we enjoyed while sitting outside. We tried escargot for the first time, which isn't something I would order again, but we both enjoyed our main course and desserts. After supper (which by the way most European countries don't eat until after 730 or later) we headed back to our hotel, stopping at a little market that only opens at night. We grabbed some bottled water for the upcoming days and a bottle of wine.
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