After 16 hours of travel, 13 hours of which were spent flying with a screaming infant nearby, we arrived in Paris.
For our final few days, we decided that we would avoid all the museums and tourist sites, choosing instead to explore other interesting neighborhoods off the beaten track
. Fortunately, mother nature was very cooperative and we hit a spell of sunny warm days. And to paraphrase the old chestnut: Ya gotta love Paris in the springtime. Trees were in full bloom, the daffs, pansies, and other spring flowers gloriously welcomed us back. Each day, we wandered, enjoying the street life, the local shops, the mix of classic and modern architecture, and the 20 degree (C) weather. Best of all was the people-watching.
On our first day back, we walked the entire length of an elevated park cutting through the city. Long ago, this had been a railroad route but it has been converted to a 5K promenade with gardens, fountains, and sculpture. We walked past apartment blocks, office buildings, churches, and stores, but being elevated well above street level in this garden-like setting. We had the sense that we had escaped from it all. The promenade ended at a historic building now an aquarium. Though smaller than others we've been to, it was interesting and our time there capped what had been a really pleasant afternoon
.
Another day, based upon the recommendation of a local resident, we walked alongside a canal, complete with locks, in northeast Paris. What a treat that was. We found a delightful neighborhood full of mothers with strollers, dog walkers, joggers, officeworkers enjoying a break, and people, young and old, sitting at the water's edge, soaking up the sun, alone or with friends. This is the real Paris we were seeking.
Although I wrote that we were avoiding tourist sites, there was one exception-- one huge exception! Though we have been to Paris several times over a 40-year period, for one reason or another, we never made it up to the top of the Eiffel Tower. One major problem: the 3-hour waiting line. We skirted this by reserving tickets on the Internet, a service not available on our previous trips. As is sometimes the case for hyped tourist attractions, we were prepared to be underwhelmed.
Boy, were we wrong! It simply was an awesome experience and we were giddy afterward
. Timing our visit for dusk, we were able to see both daytime and evening views, and they were just spectacular. You get a real appreciation of the size and layout of the city, not to mention the bird's eye views of landmarks we've only seen from the street level. We clung to each other, just basking in the joy we were feeling. Definitely a trip highlight for us.
On our third and final day, a Saturday, we thought that a Parisian flea market would be fun. Of the three main flea markets, we chose the smallest, thinking it would be the most manageable. With only a few hundred vendors (!) offering new and used clothes, household items, hardware, antiques, etc.,we did lots of looking but little buying.
However, it was adjacent to a nearby mall, and there, we had another one of those experiences that you just can't anticipate. Turns out that they were having a cooking competition, so guess who entered? If you answered "Bonnie", you would be correct! I would be our official photographer.
Suitably attired in her chef's hat and apron, she and the other contestants were given the assignment of preparing a scallop appetizer within a 10-minute period. She put her all into the task, and busily created a pretty dish. All entries were judged by professional chefs, and while she didn't win first place, she had a lot of fun and still won a t-shirt and cap
. A Parisian cooking contest. Could there have been a more perfect way to end our stay in Paris?
Sadly, our trip will soon be over. I am planning to write one final blog entry from Toronto, once we've had a chance to unpack and catch our breath.
FONDLY, WE SAY "AU REVOIR, PARIS"
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Paris, Île-de-France, France
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Comments

2025-02-08
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Joseph
2014-04-02
Welcome home guys - thanks so much for all the exciting detalis you have so fondly shared with us.
Vicki Novak
2014-04-02
Welcome home. A screaming baby,yikes. Hope you had Tylenol with you.