Sunday - We've Arrived!

The excitement of arriving in Paris did not ooze off of my zombies. We bought a carnet (discount on 10) of RER tickets and hopped on to the suburban metro train into Paris. Nothing grand about entering Paris on the RER, which Kate was quick to point out... Nothing to see but old buildings covered in graffiti. We were headed straight to Notre Dame - our 1st landmark - as it is the metro stop closest to our apartment. We are staying on Saint-Louis en I'lle, the small island behind Notre Dame, the center of Paris. It was much more economical to rent an apartment than 2 hotel rooms - with the added bonus of space, laundry and kitchen but best of all central location!

After dropping off our bags, we went to nearby Marche Bastille (the storming of which started the French revolution), one of the largest street markets in Paris. We grabbed our 1st delicious baguette, some scrumptious churros (chichis), and other lunch foods.

Next we had an appointment for a tour on a tuk tuk - a motorized rickshaw, or rickety golf cart. It was at this moment that "we are in Paris!" finally pulsed through our veins! We went down the Champs Elysees, around the Arc de Triomphe (normally quite the harrowing feat on a day other than Sunday), over to the Eiffel Tower - stopping for family photos at each site. It was cool!

Next we tried to do a bunch of casual walking so we wouldn't succumb to the jet lag. As a pick me up we got Angelina's famous hot chocolate and mont blanc - mmmm! The hot chocolate was like drinking a melted Hershey's bar. Our stomachs could only handle a few sips and a bite of mont blanc before being overwhelmed by their richness. It was just what we needed to re-energize us for our "10-minute" walk home! (Chris, the trooper of the bunch, says it was more like an hour-long walk).

I am quite happy with the beautiful weather we had today. It was sunny, dry and ~low 40s which is substantially warmer than last week!