September 23, 2023
Our longest trip EVER began as they all do, with our traditional limo pickup (we LOVE to be picked up by limo - it's not that much more than an Uber!). Note it's just two passengers, as Tommy had been in the South of France since September 7 (Rugby World Cup dictates our travel plans every four years!), and had traveled up to Paris on September 22.
Our longest trip EVER began as they all do, with our traditional limo pickup (we LOVE to be picked up by limo - it's not that much more than an Uber!). Note it's just two passengers, as Tommy had been in the South of France since September 7 (Rugby World Cup dictates our travel plans every four years!), and had traveled up to Paris on September 22.
Airport race car tradition continues.
We still take precautions on crowded aircraft!
We had a 2 hour layover in Boston, which was great because the new SkyClub just opened there was REALLY nice, clean, and had great food choices. We were excited when it was time to board, though!
All settled in. We were the last row in Premium Economy, 2 seats to ourselves with a hard wall behind us so we felt safe to unmask so we could get some comfortable rest overnight. Although...it was LESS THAN SIX HOURS FROM WHEELS UP TO WHEELS DOWN so we each just got a few hours of rest.
September 24, 2023
After our very quick and comfortable flight, we were approaching landing in Paris.
After our very quick and comfortable flight, we were approaching landing in Paris.
We landed and got through immigration lightning fast, as not only were we among the first off the plane, but for some reason we got an escort to the front of the line (no idea why?!) and went straight through. Our bags were quickly retreived from the carousel, and we grabbed a taxi to go meet Dad at our Air B&B!
We got settled and cleaned up a bit, then walked over to the Bastille Market just a short walk from our home for the next 2 weeks. We stocked up on wonderful food for the next few days and had some delicious crepes, before heading back for a few hours' rest so we could get through the rest of the day. The views from this place were magnificent, day and night.
We got settled and cleaned up a bit, then walked over to the Bastille Market just a short walk from our home for the next 2 weeks. We stocked up on wonderful food for the next few days and had some delicious crepes, before heading back for a few hours' rest so we could get through the rest of the day. The views from this place were magnificent, day and night.
After our rest, we had some lunch and then went to the nearby Pere-Lachaise cemetary for some exercise and TONS of photos.
After we headed to Place des Vosges for some people watching and ice cream. It was such a gorgeous autumn day.
We then hopped on the Metro to head back to our stop, Richard Lenoir. It was on this route that we had our first encounter with...the man we came to know as Dancing Ahmed. You see, this gentleman took it upon himself to "entertain" Metro-goers with a rolling speaker and his...dance moves. He would announce, randomly between songs, that he liked Usher and Eminem. Or he would just say "Doja Cat" for no reason. Then he would "dance"...wildly and passionately...by the train door. As people would get on and off at stops, he would roll his little speaker around them. The strange thing was, there was no clear place to put money, so it's not clear WHY he was gracing everyone with his dance moves. We could not stop talking about him...and so it became our mission after a few days to find him again.
What a beautiful first sunset in Paris!
What a beautiful first sunset in Paris!
September 25, 2023
After a wonderful night of sleep, we started our day in the Latin Quarter, with the obligatory visit to Place Saint-Michel and picking up some books at Shakespeare and Company. Liz is a better photographer than I will ever be.
After a wonderful night of sleep, we started our day in the Latin Quarter, with the obligatory visit to Place Saint-Michel and picking up some books at Shakespeare and Company. Liz is a better photographer than I will ever be.
We then had a very leisurely, and gorgeous walk over to our booked lunch at Le Relais de L'Entrecote in the 6th arr. For those not in the know, there is really no menu, other than drinks and desserts. For your meal, you get a salad and 2 platefuls of Steak Frites. Your only choice is how you want your steak prepared. IT WAS AMAZING.
After lunch, we went back to our apartment. This was our routine for the 2 weeks we were in Paris: given the time difference we'd do fun, touristy stuff in the morning, have lunch, then had back for work/school on East Coast hours, engaging in our day jobs until dinner time. C'est magnifique!
September 26, 2023
Our destination for this morning was LES CATACOMBES! It was high on Lizzy's list of must-visit sites, and it did not disappoint. We all loved it.
September 26, 2023
Our destination for this morning was LES CATACOMBES! It was high on Lizzy's list of must-visit sites, and it did not disappoint. We all loved it.
After our visit to the Empire of the Dead, we strolled for a bit to find a cafe. Passing the Indiana Restaurant, which featured the Indiana Burger and Nuggets Indiana (?) we decided to enjoy the sunshine at a Cafe Richard location. After, we headed up the Champs Elysee to the Arc de Triomphe, before heading back to the apartment for the afternoon of work and school.
September 27, 2023
Le lieu touristique d'aujourd'hui est Sacre Coeur.
Le lieu touristique d'aujourd'hui est Sacre Coeur.
Afterwards, we wandered around Montmartre where the scam artists kept a respectful distance given my aggressive pre-emptive shouts of "NON!" at them :)
We then found a nice restaurant for lunch, having an amazing charcuterie to share. The bees also wanted to share, but we were uncooperative.
We then found a nice restaurant for lunch, having an amazing charcuterie to share. The bees also wanted to share, but we were uncooperative.
After lunch, we went to Chatelet to visit a multi-story artist collective. 'Twas fun with lots of art styles
We walked back to our apartment via La Marais, stopping to get ice cream outside of the Centre Pompidou, because why not?
September 28, 2023
Today's fun morning was a create your own parfum workshop at Frangonard. We had a lot of fun making our custom blends of their 2023 fragrance of the year, Narcisse. We then learned about the history of scent making, and then of course visited the Frangonard shop, where we chose many scents to take home.
Today's fun morning was a create your own parfum workshop at Frangonard. We had a lot of fun making our custom blends of their 2023 fragrance of the year, Narcisse. We then learned about the history of scent making, and then of course visited the Frangonard shop, where we chose many scents to take home.
Next we went to Galeries Lafayette for lunch in their food court, followed by admiring the dome and then getting waaaaay too many beautiful pastries and treats to take back to the apartment.
September 29, 2023
LOUVRE DAY, featuring your very enthusiastic and very exhaustive (exhausting?) tour guide, Jennifer!
LOUVRE DAY, featuring your very enthusiastic and very exhaustive (exhausting?) tour guide, Jennifer!
Of course we had timed entry tickets for opening time, so after a brief wait in the courtyard, we went in and I expertly guided us directly to the Mona Lisa, so as to avoid the worst of the crowds.
There she is. Onward to the rest of the museum!
After a wonderful few hours at the Louvre, we walked through the Jardin des Tuileries over to Place de la Concorde, as Liz was interested in finding the location of the guillotine during the period after the revolution...where Louis XVI met his end.
Our "home" Metro station...Richard Lenoir, one that still has the art deco entry gate. Our apartment was directly across the street from the entrance, which made everything oh so convenient for us.
September 30, 2023
We had a "free" Saturday, and since no one had an alternative suggestion, we all agreed to make the trek up to Saint Denis to visit the burial places of oh so many French kings, many of whom Liz and I are descended from. It was glorious, and hardly busy at all.
We had a "free" Saturday, and since no one had an alternative suggestion, we all agreed to make the trek up to Saint Denis to visit the burial places of oh so many French kings, many of whom Liz and I are descended from. It was glorious, and hardly busy at all.
Apres returning home, Liz and I procured a baguette from the apartment and walked to the parc across the street to make friends with les pigeons.
While there, we chatted about some of the local history of the area. In between the parc and our apartment was the spot where an officer was murdered in early 2015 by the terrorists who had just committed the slaughter at the Charlie Hebdo offices about a block away, so we walked over to that location to pay our respects. The Charlie Hebdo (former) offices are clearly visible from our balcony. Just down the road the other direction is the Bataclan, the site of the heartbreaking terror attack later in 2015, so we paid a visit to that location as well. Terrorism has no place in our world, or our beloved Paris.
While there, we chatted about some of the local history of the area. In between the parc and our apartment was the spot where an officer was murdered in early 2015 by the terrorists who had just committed the slaughter at the Charlie Hebdo offices about a block away, so we walked over to that location to pay our respects. The Charlie Hebdo (former) offices are clearly visible from our balcony. Just down the road the other direction is the Bataclan, the site of the heartbreaking terror attack later in 2015, so we paid a visit to that location as well. Terrorism has no place in our world, or our beloved Paris.
October 1, 2023
Having now been in Paris for a full week, we started our Sunday much like we had done after our arrival, with a visit to the Bastille Market for the most wonderful crepes again. We did some shopping as well, acquiring the most gorgeous hand-made bound leather journals. Then we went to a cafe at the Bastille to enjoy the beautiful weather. We then went to the Bastille Metro station to see the last remaining foundations of the Bastille itself - so fascinating!
Having now been in Paris for a full week, we started our Sunday much like we had done after our arrival, with a visit to the Bastille Market for the most wonderful crepes again. We did some shopping as well, acquiring the most gorgeous hand-made bound leather journals. Then we went to a cafe at the Bastille to enjoy the beautiful weather. We then went to the Bastille Metro station to see the last remaining foundations of the Bastille itself - so fascinating!
We had just finished taking photos on the opposide side of the Metro station from our platform when we crossed back to the side we needed to take us home.
And there...on the train going the opposite direction, on the platform we were just on...WAS DANCING AHMED.
Liz heard his music blasting before we saw him, spinning and writhing in all his gold sparkly glory.
This time, I had the presence of mind to whip my phone out for posterity.
After a WEEK of talking about him, there he was. If we had just waited about 40 more seconds on the other side...we could've gotten on the train with him again :)
Just look at the concerned exporession of the lady sitting behind him.
And there...on the train going the opposite direction, on the platform we were just on...WAS DANCING AHMED.
Liz heard his music blasting before we saw him, spinning and writhing in all his gold sparkly glory.
This time, I had the presence of mind to whip my phone out for posterity.
After a WEEK of talking about him, there he was. If we had just waited about 40 more seconds on the other side...we could've gotten on the train with him again :)
Just look at the concerned exporession of the lady sitting behind him.
We went back to our apartment for a rest, not believing our luck. Two Sundays in a row, we had found Ahmed - or he had found us, we're not sure.
Later in the afternoon, we decided to go for a walk. We walked through La Marais, across the Seine, to have a lovely late lunch at a Cafe on the Left Bank.
Then everyone was dragged by me over to a nondescript doorway, where John and Paul stayed in 1961, where their friend Jurgen cut their hair into the famous cut.
It was a lovely day.
Later in the afternoon, we decided to go for a walk. We walked through La Marais, across the Seine, to have a lovely late lunch at a Cafe on the Left Bank.
Then everyone was dragged by me over to a nondescript doorway, where John and Paul stayed in 1961, where their friend Jurgen cut their hair into the famous cut.
It was a lovely day.
October 2, 2023
When in Paris...do professional photos at La Tour Eiffel. We took a few ourselves before our photographer Marcus arrived. He was wonderful, and the final shots were even better.
When in Paris...do professional photos at La Tour Eiffel. We took a few ourselves before our photographer Marcus arrived. He was wonderful, and the final shots were even better.
October 3, 2023
We laid low at the apartment all day, apart from going out for some food. Was nice to have a chill day, working on school and work stuff.
October 4, 2023
Another quiet day, although we did go to a somewhat bizarre outer space restaurant nearby for dinner.
We laid low at the apartment all day, apart from going out for some food. Was nice to have a chill day, working on school and work stuff.
October 4, 2023
Another quiet day, although we did go to a somewhat bizarre outer space restaurant nearby for dinner.
October 5, 2023
We were glad we'd had 2 relatively quiet days at home, as today was BUSY.
Our morning and mid-day was spent at Les Invalides, seeing all the artifacts from French Military History, and visiting the tomb of everyone's favorite megalomaniac tiny emperor. The WWI exhibit was really stirring as well, seeing a coat covered in trench mud.
We were glad we'd had 2 relatively quiet days at home, as today was BUSY.
Our morning and mid-day was spent at Les Invalides, seeing all the artifacts from French Military History, and visiting the tomb of everyone's favorite megalomaniac tiny emperor. The WWI exhibit was really stirring as well, seeing a coat covered in trench mud.
After we headed back to the apartment for our afternoon work/school time, before enjoying a beautiful balcony sunset (they really are stunning sunsets in Paris, thanks pollution!) and then heading out for our evening ascent of the Eiffel Tower.
October 6, 2023
Possibly our FAVORITE day in Paris was the fun adventures of this day. We started with a morning visit to Saint Chapelle, to see possibly the most glorious stained glass in the world. While not a large attraction, it was worth the visit. The sun was shining so we got the most incredible experience.
Possibly our FAVORITE day in Paris was the fun adventures of this day. We started with a morning visit to Saint Chapelle, to see possibly the most glorious stained glass in the world. While not a large attraction, it was worth the visit. The sun was shining so we got the most incredible experience.
Next, we walked over to Notre Dame. Since the devestating fire a few years ago, they are still in the process of restoring it. However...in the meantime they offer the BEST virtual reality experience onsite, where you "walk" through Notre Dame through time. All three of us LOVED it!
As you are immersed in the VR space, the other people in the room with you show up as digital mannequin avatars, so you don't crash into one another as you explore the space. For some reason, Liz was glitching and it appeared to both Tommy and me that she was crawling around on the floor. We both started saying "Liz, get off the floor" - which caused her to be quite puzzled because she was most definitely NOT crawling around on the floor. Ha!
As you are immersed in the VR space, the other people in the room with you show up as digital mannequin avatars, so you don't crash into one another as you explore the space. For some reason, Liz was glitching and it appeared to both Tommy and me that she was crawling around on the floor. We both started saying "Liz, get off the floor" - which caused her to be quite puzzled because she was most definitely NOT crawling around on the floor. Ha!
After, we wandered around a bit to find a cafe for lunch. We found a wonderful little corner cafe, the Cafe du Metro. Everything was so quintessentially Parisian. After lunch, we walked across to a patisserie that was recommended to us by the people at the next table over, and grabbed some treats for our last few days in the apartment.
October 7, 2023
Tommy had a Rugby Match up in Lille, so Liz and I spent the WHOLE DAY at Disneyland Paris. I mean...open to close, we did EVERYTHING. We have now visited 10 of the 12 Disney parks in the world, all that remains are Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Tommy had a Rugby Match up in Lille, so Liz and I spent the WHOLE DAY at Disneyland Paris. I mean...open to close, we did EVERYTHING. We have now visited 10 of the 12 Disney parks in the world, all that remains are Shanghai and Hong Kong.
October 8, 2023
Being as it was our last full day in Paris, we spent the day doing laundry, packing up our bags, and then Liz wanted to do one more visit to Pere-Lachaise. What a wonderful way to bookend our 2 weeks in Paris.
Being as it was our last full day in Paris, we spent the day doing laundry, packing up our bags, and then Liz wanted to do one more visit to Pere-Lachaise. What a wonderful way to bookend our 2 weeks in Paris.
October 9, 2023
Farewell to our home for the past 2 weeks. Everything was perfect - the views, the location, the comfortable home conveniences.
Farewell to our home for the past 2 weeks. Everything was perfect - the views, the location, the comfortable home conveniences.
Off to Gare du Nord for our high speed train to Amsterdam. We had secured a private cabin for 4, which came with a nice little continental breakfast service.
Crossing into Belgium marked Liz's 16th country. The Netherlands didn't count as a new country, as she'd previously visited the Dutch side of Saint Maarten, nor did France count as new since she'd previously visited French Polynesia.
The purpose of our 1-night visit to Amsterdam was two fold:
1. To visit the Anne Frank House and
2. To stay in the John and Yoko Honeymoon suite - the site of the first Bed In - on John's 83rd birthday
We arrived at Amsterdam Centraal and were whisked to the Amsterdam Hilton, and checked into room 702...
1. To visit the Anne Frank House and
2. To stay in the John and Yoko Honeymoon suite - the site of the first Bed In - on John's 83rd birthday
We arrived at Amsterdam Centraal and were whisked to the Amsterdam Hilton, and checked into room 702...
After some time in the room, we headed out for our Amsterdam adventures.
First we had some lunch in the main square.
First we had some lunch in the main square.
Then we walked over to get the best Dutch Apple Pie, which had been recommended by a friend.
Then we went over to our visit at the Anne Frank House. Photos are not allowed inside. It was profound.
After, we had dinner at an Indonesian restaurant, then back to the hotel for a good night of rest.
October 10, 2023
It was absolutely necessary to document our stay in this room with a photographer.
October 10, 2023
It was absolutely necessary to document our stay in this room with a photographer.
The finished images were amazing.
Farewell Room 702.
Back to Centraal Station, to catch the Eurostar to London.
We arrived in London, headed to our hotel to check in, had some fish and chips for dinner and went to sleep.
October 11, 2023
Hooray for family time! We headed to Brixton to see Mom and Dad...and then we all went to Westminster Abbey and then had a lovely lunch together in Covent Garden, before they had to head back to the house to start preparing for wedding festivities.
October 11, 2023
Hooray for family time! We headed to Brixton to see Mom and Dad...and then we all went to Westminster Abbey and then had a lovely lunch together in Covent Garden, before they had to head back to the house to start preparing for wedding festivities.
After parting ways, the three of us went book shopping (for the 2nd time this trip!) and then a quick 30 minute stop at the British Museum to see the major highlights in a whirwind fashion, before meeting up with our dear friend Kha for some beverages before retiring to the hotel.
October 12, 2023
I had to visit my local work office today, so Liz and Dad visited Chinatown for lunch. In the evening, we met up with the whole family for a lovely meal together.
I had to visit my local work office today, so Liz and Dad visited Chinatown for lunch. In the evening, we met up with the whole family for a lovely meal together.
October 13, 2023
Liz's first visit to Abbey Road and Paul's house.
Liz's first visit to Abbey Road and Paul's house.
Next we met up with an old school friend of mine for coffee and tea, and then we hopped a bus to Brixton to spend the afternoon and evening with the family - and eat an absolutely delicious dinner!
October 14, 2023
A low key day with the family.
October 15, 2023
Ai Van and Andrew's wedding! Liz was one of the honorary bridesmaids, getting to participate in the traditional greeting of the groom's party. Somehow...she's the tallest one.
A low key day with the family.
October 15, 2023
Ai Van and Andrew's wedding! Liz was one of the honorary bridesmaids, getting to participate in the traditional greeting of the groom's party. Somehow...she's the tallest one.
After the Tea Ceremony had concluded, we all headed over to the restaurant for the receiption. It was a fun, but long, night!
October 16, 2023
After nearly a full month, it was time to head home. We checked out and got our taxi to Heathrow. Until next summer, London.
Because we were in Delta One, we got to utilize the private check-in and security wing at Heathrow which was a really nice, smooth, stress-free experience.
After some brief breakfast service at the Virgin Atlantic lounge, we were on board to begin our journey home.
Delta One was wonderful as always, and Liz slept SIX HOURS on the flight.
After nearly a full month, it was time to head home. We checked out and got our taxi to Heathrow. Until next summer, London.
Because we were in Delta One, we got to utilize the private check-in and security wing at Heathrow which was a really nice, smooth, stress-free experience.
After some brief breakfast service at the Virgin Atlantic lounge, we were on board to begin our journey home.
Delta One was wonderful as always, and Liz slept SIX HOURS on the flight.
We landed in Minneapolis, spend through immigration since we were first off the plane, and headed for the lounge until time to board our quick flight home to Indy.
It was an amazing (almost) month, and we're looking forward to visiting Europe again in July 2024!