My heart is so sad to say goodbye to Paris

I am so ready to go home see all of my family and friends and sleep in my bed and take a shower in my bathroom but that does not make the finale of this trip any easier. The past two days have been really great. We FINALLY went to the top of the Eiffel Tower and that was just down right intoxicating. We have tried several times to go but we were either too tired or the top was closed because of it being late and there being too many people. We walked up the first level which doesn't look too difficult but it is. You think you are almost there only to see that you aren't even halfway. The first level is really neat. There is a restaurant and some glass viewing spots to look down on. You are high of the ground but you aren't too high in comparison to the rest of the tower. After having fun walking around and finding a bathroom, we climbed up (yes we took the stairs again) to the second level. That was astonishing! There were several little shops and even a small sandwich shop! We didn't spend much time there because there were far too many people up there. We found the line for tickets to the top and waited. Luckily there was an interesting family behind us who had some fun kids. The kids ran around and made lots of noise. We found out as we progressed in line that the boy had turned 5 that day. He apparently woke up that morning and announced to his parents "I am fully charged!" Let me tell you, he absolutely was! He was like a little energizer bunny just running and talking and playing nonstop with his sister. They were great amusement as we waited. The best part had to be the ride to the top. It is exhilarating to watch the ground get smaller and smaller as you shoot up to the top. For me, it was incredibly emotional. I have waited 13 years to make that ascent and I finally got it! At the top you get the grandest view or the grandest city! You can see for miles and miles! The city just never ends! It goes on and on and on until you can't see anything anymore. We bought some champagne (YOU CAN BUY CHAMPAGNE AT THE TOP) and took more pictures than we needed. It is truly a spectacular feeling to be that high up in the sky on such a strong structure. You feel so powerful on top and I am sure that is what Eiffel wanted for his tower. There are two sections to the top. There is in lower inside deck that contains directions towards world monuments and buildings and Gustav Eiffel's office and then a short set of stairs takes you to the top viewing deck outside! You can see everything up there! Every museum, every building, every cathedral! It is simply mind blowing! I could not have asked for a better day.

We closed that day up with a visit to Sacre Coeur and the Moulin Rouge (very interesting area) and a night out at some bars. Today was fairly relaxing. We attempted to go to the catacombs but it was a 2 hour wait and he have waited enough for things. We didn't want to waste more time waiting. Instead we hopped over to an old graveyard and saw all the beautifully ornate graves. Some of them looked like little houses, not resting places for the dead. Out of respect we didn't stay long. Instead we wandered aimlessly and shopped. Scott bought a very nice sketch book and some pens and I finished up my clothes shopping and souvenir shopping. Walking around aimlessly through Paris is an experience everyone should have. You get the pleasure of finding things you never would see otherwise. We stumbled into countless little cafés and boutiques and even some incredible cathedrals. Today we walked into a cathedral that is over 1500 years old. It was the first cathedral in Paris and still holds a lot of it's Roman and medieval decoration to it. Bring in those cathedrals is just phenomenal. The ceilings are so high and the art work is so advanced. You just do not see structures like that anymore and they did it all without our modern conveniences and technology! Those are places I will never forget.

To end the day we went back to Les Deux Magots for a dinner in honor of Ernest Hemingway's birthday. The thing I think I will miss the most is the food. The food here is moutwateringly spectacular! It is perfectly made, perfectly seasoned and just perfectly presented! Food will just never be the same for me! And the macaroons! You have not lived until you have had real Parisian macaroons! Our trip may be over but this trip starts a new adventure for the Fennell family and I cannot wait for it all to begin. Thank you all for reading about our adventures through Paris! I will have all the pictures and more details over the next week. I am off to bed so we can fly off to home!

He is so handsome!

View from the top!

A wax figure of Gustav Eiffel in his recreated office which was actually there at the top!

Our anniversary!

I broke my flip flop and even wore through two other sets of shoes. I had to use string until we could find new shoes.

Oldest cathedral in Paris

On more for good measure

My little window sill!

20 July 2014

Summertime In Paris

Hot and muggy, the days are long in the city. The sun rises around 5 am and sets closer to 11 pm. The people take their time to wake up and get going. As the shops open their shutters, the tourists are already clambering to get a peak at their first attraction. Most Parisians have left the city, opting for the cooler southern beaches and lack of tourists. The humidity is on high an the wind is totally MIA as people snap their photos and go on with their day. In the parks, numerous lovers go to kiss each other and eat fresh baguettes. It feels as if the heat will never cease but the metro rolls on and the crowds still smile. Paris is the city of lights, the city of love, the city to visit and the heat doesn't stop it. The summer only makes the city grow. The pigeons and sparrows fly around enjoying the influx of life and at every turn is a street performer looking for a euro here or there. Laissez-faire is the way of life, not a choice, so the masses slowly walk on down the streets and window shop for the new it styles. Summertime in Paris has a magical presence, the city is at it's brightest and the culture is at it's peak. Shine bright lovely Paris, many love you and many can't wait to experience you.

21 July 2014

Eiffel's Tower

He wanted to build something to represent Paris and an iron tower was just what he had in mind. The city's metro lines and the Iron age inspired his design. “How ugly, how garish, how awful” they said as construction began on the enormous structure. Hundreds of men worked tirelessly to erect the tower and new cranes had to be built to add the top. People still hated it. They didn't understand why a man of his abilities would make something so far from Parisian style. Lucky for the people, Gustav Eiffel was ahead of his time. He knew what a success this monument would be and he knew it would strive to be the greatest representation of Paris anyone could build. He ignored all his critics and let the World's Fair do his bidding. Travelers came from far and wide, all of them astonished at what they were greeted to. An iron beauty towering in the sky opened the fair to them. They gasped and clapped as the French flag was given it's coveted place, high a top the tower, higher than any flag could possibly wave. Eiffel meant for it to be temporary and ignored all the negative, little did he know that Paris would make his structure permanent. A symbol of the nation, a symbol of the land, Eiffel dreamt up a creation that would forever symbolize an entire nation. Eiffel was known for many things in his life but his tower wold make him immortal.