Paris Day Trip

On Wednesday, we took a day trip over to Paris. We saw so many AMAZING things. It's hard to filter to keep the blog readable. Because I always get personal with my blog, I'll probably cross the line here. But, one of the funniest things happened on the train ride over. Let's just say I'm not much of an "always prepared" girlscout. I needed a toiletry item upon arrival at the train station and I can't tell you if I've ever had such a hard time trying to communicate in a foreign language before. Plus, I'm trying to be all "discrete" and the lady at the convenience store in the station is treating me all "dumb American - learn the language". Like they even teach you these words in French class... sheez. I'll spare you the details of how things are so much different and how once I finally got things under control, I had to PAY to use the restrooms! I'm glad the rest of the day was so beautiful. My first impressions of the French were, well, not very nice! But, the monuments, museums, and cathedrals would bring me back again.

We began at Notre Dame. One word. AMAZING. I can see why people pilgrimidge here. (Disclaimer - I'm not sure of the spelling of a lot of these places and have limeted time of internet access to be double checking....)

A closer view of the glass above the main alter.
This is the largest known stained glass window. It's beyond explanation of how huge it is. Rob and I are trying to remember.. at least 40 feet, maybe? Like the size of my house huge.
Mary is in the center with stories of the New Testament radiating out. I loved this photo.
The Aposles are below.
One of the side chapels.
I probaby took ten different mother - child scenes. I'm trying to be consise with this post. In summary, I was missing my kids. :)
On the side of the main alter are these amazing carvings of Christ's entire life on one side and the laws on the other. Again, think massive. Like 150 feet long.
The begining is May pregnant and then the Wise Men.
We also did a few hours in the Louve. We could have spent all day there. LOVED it!

Ahem... more mommies and babies....
The oldest record of law, the Code of Hamurabi.
The Louve and everything in it is huge.
Does this give you perspective? This used to hold up a palace roof in ancient days. Talk about impressive! How'd you like to come upon this as a commoner? I'd be super intimidated.

These guarded palace entrances.
I took over 600 pictures in Paris alone. It's so hard to chose just a few to represent!
Here Rob is overlooking the river.
Pashimas, pashimas. EVERYONE was wearing these. Old people, young people, cool people, people like me, women, and even a few men....
So, I bought me one too. :) How Pari am me?
Again, loving this wide angle lens. Even if it does make me look a little funky. But I'm PARIS FUNKY! - with a Pashima. :)
Here we are at the tippy top of the Eiffel Tower. We climbed up to the second platform via "MORE STAIRS!" and then took the "lift" the rest of the way up.
No zoom here. This is seriously how close we were to the very top. Fun!
The Arche de Triumph. (Napolean's big statue).
Food pics to come, but in a special post. ;)