Day 7 - Paris

Not only were we in Paris and about to go the Eiffel Tower, but I was about to see one of my best friends in the world!  Suzanne and I taught together in Tennessee and she is one of the kindest, smartest, dearest people in the world.  I adore her.  She married a wonderful British man named Daniel and they took the Chunnel over to visit us in Paris for the day!  Sadly their three boys stayed home, but we were so excited to see them!  It was a very cold Sunday morning, but the skies were blue and we were going to see the Eiffel Tower.  I am fortunate enough that this was my 7th visit to the Eiffel Tower.  I don't care how many times I see it.  It is one of the most magnificent sights in the world.  The plan was to get there early, take the trip up to the top, come down and meet Suzanne and Daniel for lunch.  We hopped on the Metro and Jemma promptly fell asleep!

We woke her up and took her around to the Eiffel Tower.  She was in awe!!  She kept saying, "It's humongous!!"  She was precious.

We waited in line FOREVER!!!   I would have never guessed that on a Sunday morning in the frigid cold, there would be that many people!  Jemma was so patient.  She chased pigeons, chewed gum and wanted to talk about Gustave Eiffel (thanks Magic Tree House books!)!

We finally made it up after waiting in line for about an hour and a half!  The top level was closed so we only got to go to the second and first floors.  We had so much fun and she was so excited to see it all!  She really wanted to look through the telescope so of course, we obliged!  Here are a few shots from the second level.

We didn't go on the first level.  Tom didn't really get that there was the first level so we skipped it and headed down to meet Suzanne and Daniel!  I was so excited when I saw her green coat come dancing through the crowds!!  We all walked down the allee and took pictures with the Eiffel Tower in the background.  The first picture is my darling friend and her husband!

Notice, I am holding a paper doll named Flat Zachary!  He was a school project from our friends in Michigan.  Flat Zachary was a world traveler!

Photos by Jemma below!

We then headed off to Sacre Coeur.  I had never been there and wanted to go so everyone was kind enough to oblige!  It was a trek up the hill to the church, but worth it.  It is a byzantine style church that took 35 years to build.  There were mosaic tiles that covered the walls and ceilings that were astounding. Jemma was fascinated and had many questions.  She loves to hear stories from the Bible.  She is so inquisitive and I love it!

 After walking through the church and watching the entertainers in front, we went into a warm shop and bought some souvenirs.  We then headed back towards the Eiffel Tower to eat dinner.  We went to a wonderful little restaurant and had a nice warm dinner.   I had my usual in France...quiche lorraine and creme brulee!  The food was really good and the service was excellent.  I have been to France many times and I can say that as far as service goes this was by far the best experience we had ever had!  Everyone was so friendly.  It sure beat the time that Tom and I were there and went out to a restaurant.  We sat down at the table, the server walked over and took the table cloth right off the table, then proceeded to ignore us!  This trip was definitely better!!!  Check out the cold red cheeks on everyone!

Why does Jemma look so mad???   Is that a glare or what?!?  I am doomed when she is a teenager!  Suzanne and Daniel gave her a sweet little Barbie (with a bad haircut!) which we carried all over the rest of Paris!  Jemma would "talk" to her in French!  She is now officially the Paris Barbie!

After dinner we knew we had to go back and see the Eiffel Tower at night.  If you think it is beautiful by day, then you have to understand that it is SPECTACULAR at night!  Tom and I have our own "spot" on a bench right below it that we love to sit on and just stare.  What is even better is every hour on the hour, the whole tower sparkles.  It takes your breath away!

We bid au revoir to the Suzanne and Daniel as they headed back to the Eurostar.  I was so happy that they came to see us!  We took Jemma to the carousel that is right on the Seine river by the Eiffel Tower. She was in heaven!  I wanted to have a portrait done of her by a local artist, but we had used all our cash up.  They were out that night and we should have done it, but didn't!  That is my only regret!  Her expression though on the carousel is priceless.  I will never forget seeing her smile as we went around and the Eiffel Tower was in the background.  What a perfect ending for a perfect day.  Talk about taking your breath away...