One year ago today ...

39, really

... my best friend and I landed in Paris to begin the celebration of my 40th birthday.  It was the perfect time of the year to go (fewer tourists, cooler temperatures).  I can't wait to go back again with my husband someday to explore all the parts of the city that I missed.  Thought I'd share my journal entry that I wrote after the completion of our very first day, along with a few pictures, to add a little color. 


    September 3, 2009 at 1:57 a.m.:

"Gracias" has turned into "merci" and I have comfortably found my way around Paris -- The City of Light -- on this our first day.  

The Deportation Memorial

    A whirlwind day of which I won't soon will forget.  I have survived on four hours of sleep in the past 36 hours.  I have taken an hour run thru the streets of Paris and seen the Eiffel Tower for the very first time in my life and it brought an incredible child-like smile to my face.  We toured Notre Dame and I was touched by the panels depicting Jesus' appearance to the disciples after His resurrection.  The memorial to victims of the French Deportation during the Holocaust great moved me and brought tears to my eyes.

Carved wood panels inside Notre Dame

    Janice and I ended the night at an Irish pub on the River Seine where we finished in 2nd place as "Chicago Style" in a trivia challenge.  We were awarded free shots of some concoction that looked like the Irish flag.  We represented the "Second City" well.  It was a great night.

    We're slowly figuring out the Metro and learning the neighborhood where our hotel is located.  There are so many restaurants around.  We even have an Afghanistani restaurant around the corner from us.

    Tired, excited, blown away -- can't believe that I'm finally here!  Tomorrow's the Louvre.  

    Bonswa!"
 

 

Street musician performing along the Seine River across from Notre Dame.