LaST bUt NOt LEasT.....PaRIs!

Remember how all the train rides and tube stations and dragging luggage around, well....this is finally where we learn our lesson. We arrived in Paris by train at an early, rainy and cold 8am, got off the high speed train and off to find the local metro train to bring us to our stop where we were staying. We quickly realized unlike the other cities, Paris had no elevators or escalators and LOTS of stairs. We tried so hard to be organized and carry our luggage and bags the smartest way possible but after a set of very large stairs there was just no point. We got the local metro hoping when we got to the city it would be better but nope, there was lots of little sets of stairs so every time we got up 10 steps and turned the corner, there were 10 more. People weren't as helpful and our luggage weighed as much as we did. At some points we would just stand next to our luggage and pant like dogs that just ran 10 miles. Finally getting up to the street we knew this was the shortest walk out of all the cities to our "flat". Shortly finding out the distance doesn't matter when it's raining, your umbrella is packed somewhere and if you had it out you probably couldn't carry it in your hand anyways. Bumps on the sidewalks and curbs crossing streets and having your bag flip around several times in the rain is very stressful. We had 2 blocks to walk and after 1, I was willing to pay $100 just for a 2 min taxi ride. Sadly none passed as we kept walking. We got to our place and there was so much relief knowing that was the last time we'd ever do this....Laura and I had the same look on our face once we got settled, we will NOT take trains to the airport, no matter what the cost, we're catching a cab. 

We unpacked, re organized a little, cleaned up and headed out because we had 2 days on a pass to get a start on. First place was the Louve. Our flat was so so close to the center of the city so it was perfect to walk almost anywhere. If you've never been to the Louve do you ever ask about it or what it is? I did, and the only answer I got was "that's where the Mona Lisa is". I never understood why this glass triangle that people stood in line for was so amazing, I mean, it's just a glass triangle in the middle of nothing. What NOBODY ever told me was it went down inside and with like 7 tunnels and 3 floors and so much art and history expanding underground to the buildings surrounding the "glass triangle". This place is HUGE!!!! It would honestly take days to see everything in this place, it's un real! Since Laura nor I are museum type people we headed straight to see the Mona Lisa, stoping for a few things on the way. After the Louve, we headed to the Notre Dame Cathedral then St. Chapelle. I think Cathedrals are one of the most beautiful things i've ever seen, all the detail on the building, all the stained glass windows, every little thing was thought about and hand crafted so perfectly.....why can stuff today be done with that kind of perfection? I guess America is to young of a country and here in Barbados, I don't think they had the resources back then. We grabbed lunch and headed back for a nap before going out for dinner and wine....ohhh the wine, it's so good, everywhere, no matter what you get it's all fabulous! The next day we headed to the O'rsay Museum where we walked though an exhibit and saw the Starry Night Over the Rhone painting by Van Gogh. This museum is much smaller than the Louve so we got to thoroughly enjoy some people watching and had some really good laughs! Since the sky was a little clearer today, we could see the entire Eiffel Tower!! Got some great photos in front of that but knew we were coming back the next night for our dinner reservation, so this was a quick stop. We walked around a bit down the Champs Elysees...one of the most famous and expensive strip of real estate in the world (also where we stopped at McDonalds, haha, french fries...so authentic!) and it's headed right into the Arc de Triumph. The Arc de Triumph has the craziest round about ever, I think it's like 6 lanes and 12 roads that connect to it. When Laura and I reached the round about we weren't quite sure how to get across hahaha, we sure we'ren't crossing it there. After a debating what to do realizing nobody was crossing the street but there were people over there the next thing was to look for a crowd crossing a bridge but there was no bridge....we saw a crowd so headed over to find out there's a tunnel!! How clever! We climbed all 284 steps to the top which was really cool to see all the streets headed towards us and watching the craziness of the round about below. We took a few pictures of the Eiffel Tower and some of the city before headed back down all those stairs which makes you dizzy very easy! We had spare time so we went back for a nap and a little reading the out for Sushi and then another place to share dessert and a bottle of wine. I love wine in Paris, I love that everyone sits out front of the restaurant and face towards the street with their wine and food so when you walk by all you want to do is stop to sit and join in. Our last day in Paris we went out to find some shops and grab some souvenirs before headed home to get ready for a very special dinner reservation at the restaurant in the Eiffel Tower!!! It was so amazing! We got there for 6pm and watched the sun go down and all the city lights go on, dinner was so good and so was the wine (of course), this was also one of my favorite things we did on our trip and it was the most perfect way to end our Europe adventure!! The next morning we had to be at the airport by 9am, we packed the night before so the morning wasn't rushed, walked our stuff to the street and waited for a cab with out taking one more step....I think we finally learned our lesson :) The flight home was great, although we almost had to sleep in Cleveland....making it home to Florida was a great feeling. 

I'm so glad I have a best friend in my sister and even though we had a few disagreements a full argument never happened :) I'd say we did pretty good for 2 weeks in other countries with so many differences together. I am so grateful for getting to spend that time together doing something so amazing and once in a lifetime. I have to thank my parents for raising us to love each other and wanting to share experiences together. We only wished Craig was there too :)