Just like that, an unfamiliar routine became a comfortable norm. But with that being said, it doesn't mean I wasn't giddy with excitement knowing I was getting ready to meet my parents in the City of Lights. We spent the first weekend in Paris before returned to Aix en Provence for the week where I booked my parents on several tours throughout Provence before traveling back to Paris for one last hoorah!
It was such a joy to exchange those first hugs and catch up (or for my parents, wake up) over lunch and a glass of peach tea (a favorite around here). The 2 weekends in Paris were filled with sightseeing, metro-ing, umbrella toting, picture taking, hot chocolate drinking, and macaroon eating.
Because I took only 300 hundred pictures in just one day, it's taken quite some time to sift through them and pick out my favorites.
For my sake of remembrance, let me break down 2 unforgettable weekends that in this cold and rainy city can be best described as cold hands, warm hearts.
WEEKEND ONE
Day 1: Friday, 01/11/13
My parents took the overnight flight from the States to France so it appeared they were in a zombie-like trance as they slept walked their way up the grand staircase that lead to the lobby of our Champs-Élysées hotel. It was one of those relaxing afternoons where no one was in a big hurry to get anywhere...perfection! After finishing up lunch, we took off for a walk across 1 of the Seine River's 37 bridges in just Paris alone to see Notre-Dame Cathedral. Thus commenced the 1st of 094852420 no 094852421 (I lost count) hot chocolate breaks throughout both weekends.
...Staying Warm One Hot Chocolate at a Time...
Day 2: Saturday 02/11/13
You can't be a tourist in Paris and not see the Louvre. A little art and culture never hurt anyone, right? An early start put us near the front of the line where we purchased tickets for an English guided 'Masterpieces' tour. This included stops at the Mona Lisa along with the rest of the Louvre's Saturday visitors and sculptures by Michel-Angelo himself to name a couple. By noon, the rain had stopped which presented us the perfect opportunity to ride the entire route of a double-decker bus to rest our feet and get a feel for this expansive city. Following our corner cafe, hot chocolate break, we stopped by the picture perfect Laduree to check out those world famous macaroons...scrumptious!
My dad will comment that I cut off the top of his head...oops!
My parents stopped at Paul every. single. day.
There she is, my new friend Mona Lisa.
My favorite picture of my parents from the weekend
Day three: 03/11/13
The Eiffel Tower - 1
The wind - 9994894854979823875+++
Gregg, Sidney & Maggie - 0
It's a good thing we can sometimes find humor in miserable situations because waiting for that trip to the 'sommet' was the most dreadful hour of my life. I'm glad that we can now say we've been to the very tip top of such an iconic symbol in Paris, but it was a short lived stay that could only be followed up with...hot chocolate. We stopped for just a few more pictures before we had to go pack up for our flight to Aix.
Finally.
Weekend two
Day 1: Friday, 08/11/13
After a quick day at work and a tour for my parents, the 3 of us headed back to Paris for one final weekend together in France. My dad and I secretly made dinner reservations at a place called Le Grand Colbert, which is the restaurant from the movie Something's Gotta Give (one of my mom's favorites) where Jack Nicholson shows up to meet Dianne Keaton. After our memorable daytime experience at the Eiffel Tower, I thought we should see it at night before calling it a wrap.
This is THE table in the movie.
Two times I made them do this.
And what a couple, y'all.
Day 2: Saturday, 09/11/13
Pictures weren't allowed, but we drove about an hour outside Paris to tour General Marquis de Lafayette's Castle, Château de la Grange-Bléneau. For 2 of the biggest history buffs and old book collectors, it was better than hot chocolate birthdays.
Day 3:10/11/13
We decided that we wanted to at least see Versailles and it really was something. I think I could have spent hours strolling through the gardens of perfectly trimmed hedges and sculpted trees.
My dad is going to start trimming our hedges like this.
The weekend came to an end all to quickly and on Monday morning, in two different taxis, my parents headed for one airport while I headed to another.
After a change of plans, I decided to come home for Christmas and will have about 2 weeks in Mississippi before flying back to finish up my internship here in France. Until then, I'll be looking forward to making my dad watch sappy Hallmark movies, driving to chic-fil-a with my brother, last minute Christmas shopping with my mom, and baking unnecessary amounts of sweet treats.
Yes, yes I did.
