"I love Paris in the fall" - Part IIC: Dinner with Borden

Thursday, November 19

Right after our bike tour, we took the metro to the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and rushed into the closest movie theatre to see New Moon - the latest film in the Twilight Series. Luckily for us, movies come out on Wednesday in Paris and so we were able to see the movie before people in the United States. After the movie we met up with my future roomie at Wake, Borden! She took us to the Cafe du Marche, where we had a wonderful French dinner. After dinner, we went to another place and shared a nutella crepe. After that, Suzi and I went to visit the flat that Borden is living in for the semester - she has view of the Eiffel Tower! Little bit jealous.

Picture 1 - roomie picture take 1

Picture 2 - Suzi and Borden (who are both from Chicago) planning what to do for their photo, which in itself made for a really good picture

Picture 3 - Sorora Squat. Roomie picture take 2.

Picture 4 - and again . . . Borden and I on the patio of her Madame's flat - yes. that would be the Eiffel Tower sparkling behind us!

French lyrics from a great song:

"Des yeux qui font baiser les miens, Un rire qui se perd sur sa bouche, Voila le portrait sans retouche De l'homme auquel j'appartiens Quand il me prend dans ses bras Il me parle tout bas, Je vois la vie en rose."

- La Vie en Rose

"I love Paris in the fall" - Part IIB: The Return of FTBT

Thursday, November 19

After having such an amazing time with our Fat Tire Bike Tour in London, Suzi and I knew for sure that we wanted to tour with Fat Tire again in Paris. We met our guide under the Eiffel Tower at 11AM. After that, he walked us to their offices and we picked up our bikes. The tour was so much fun, although a little scarier than London because we spent a lot more time on the actual Paris roads. At one point we all had to bike through Place de la Concorde - his advice to us - "never look back." Also (true story), I got separated from the group at one point and had to maneuver around some parisian cars - rough. Overall, it was an amazing tour and I hope to someday do more Fat Tire Bike Tours!

Picture 1 - early in the day - just after meeting up with our guide under the Eiffel Tower.

Picture 2 - taking a stop and learning a little bit in front of the Ecole Militaire.

Picture 3 - Crossing my favorite bridge in Paris - Pont Alexandre III.

Picture 4 - enjoying the view and a rest from biking in the Jardin des Tuileries.

Picture 5 - Suzi and me with our bikes and the Eiffel Tower.

"Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind." - Seneca

"I love Paris in the fall" - Part IIA: The Eiffel Tower

Thursday, November 19

While waiting for our bike tour to start, Suzi and I took an excessive number of pictures with the Eiffel Tower. The following are some of my favorites . . .

Picture 1 - its a little blurry, but I still love this one - throwing leaves into the air.

Picture 2 - photo shoot with the leaves take 2.

Picture 3 - So, we made some Italian friends who gave us their e-mail addresses so that we can contact them the next time we visit Italy. Yeah, ok.

Picture 4 - By itself.

Picture 5 - This was taken separately, but I still love it - on the metro on our way into the city.

"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." - Jawaharial Nehru

"I love Paris in the fall" - Part I: The Arrival

Wednesday, November 18

Suzi and I woke up bright and early to catch our flight out of Cork. We landed in CDG around lunchtime, so we grabbed a baguette and some pain au chocolate and hopped on the next RER to le vesinet le centre. Once there, Nathalie picked us up and we went back to the house where we played with Capucine and Arthur for a few hours. After the kids went to sleep, Nathalie took Suzi and I out to dinner at La Crepiere (my favorite crepe restaurant).

Picture 1 - Nathalie and me after a delicious dinner at La Crepiere.

Picture 2 - Soon after landing in CDG - happy to be in Paris!

Picture 3 - Suzi waiting in the Cork airport - excited for our trip.

"Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life." - Jack Kerouac

So, we went to London . . . Part III: Harrods

Saturday, November 7

***HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD***

Today, our last full day in London, we all decided to visit none other than the famous department store, Harrods. It was within walking distance from our hostel, so spent the morning finding our way. Along our walk, we stopped for brunch at a nice French restaurant. Harrods more than lived up to its name. We especially loved it because the entire seven floors were decorated for Christmas, which was pretty incredible to see. We especially enjoyed rediscovering our childhoods on toy floor as well as seeing what spoiled British children get for Christmas - a 15,000 pound miniature Hummer. After Harrods, we grabbed a quick lunch across the street at a nice restaurant and then headed back to the Hostel for a nap before grabbing dinner at a really good Chinese place - Kym's. After dinner it was back to our Hostel to pack and go to sleep. We were up the next morning and sadly in a taxi headed for Heathrow. We all agree 100% that our visit to London was quite incredible and I especially cannot wait to go back!

Picture 1 - Beautiful homes on the way to Harrods.

Picture 2 - Oriel - cute French restaurant where we had brunch.

Picture 3 - cutest Harrods teddy bear!

Picture 4 - some musicians providing Christmas cheer outside the store.

Picture 5 - #1 Hans Street - just for Em!

“You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of Life; for there is in London all that life can afford." - Samuel Johnson

So, we went to London . . . Part II:Fat Tire Bike Tour

Friday, November 6

Another amazing day in London. First, we had breakfast at our hostel where we had to wash our own dishes. After breakfast, we hopped on a bus to find the meeting place for "Fat Tire Bike Tours." For those of you who have never heard of this company, I highly recommend it. For about 20 pounds (18 for students), you have two tour guides who take you around the city on really comfy bicycles. It is hands down the best way to see a city. You stop about an hour and a half in and have a break for lunch. The tours are also offered in four cities so far, including London, Paris, Barcelona, and Berlin. In London at least almost all of the tour is flat and not too hard for anyone. Also, the tour in London took also through most of the major parks in the city, which in early November were gorgeous. After the tour, we grabbed Starbucks and headed back to our hostel. We got dinner and a really cool restaurant, Giraffe, which had edamame! After dinner, we walked the town some more and then headed back for a great night's sleep.

Picture 1 - All of us at the beginning of our Fat Bike Tour of London.

Picture 2 - Lindsay and me - rather excited to bike.

Picture 3 - One of our two tour guides, David, getting into his story about the infamous Wellington.

Picture 4 - Westminster Abbey - along the route.

Picture 5 - What to do after a three hour bike ride? Starbucks!

For more information on Fat Bike Tours, visit this website:

http://fattirebiketours.com/london

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." - St. Augustine

So, we went to London . . . Part IB

Still Thursday, November 5

After buying the tickets, we headed back to the hostel to freshen up before our show. We had dinner at a really fun Mexican place that was recommended to us by one of the receptionists in our hostel. It was a great atmosphere and they had us all wearing sombreros by the end of the meal. After dinner, it was off to the theatre - the London theatre! Wicked was incredible. I had seen it twice before, but London made it special. All of the dialogue was in the British dialect, which was cool. It made me remember just how much I love that show! After Wicked, we headed back to our hostel ready for sleep after a long and wonderful first day in London!

Picture 1 - Sombreros and Mexican food!

Picture 2 - Outside of the Apollo Victoria where Wicked was playing.

Picture 3 - Pretending to be Galinda.

Picture 4 - Doing our best to be Wicked.

Picture 5 - All of us after an amazing show in front of the stage.

"So if you care to find me

Look to the western sky!

As someone told me lately:

'Everyone deserves the chance to fly!'

And if I'm flying solo

At least I'm flying free

To those who ground me

Take a message back from me

Tell them how I am

Defying gravity

I'm flying high

Defying gravity

And soon I'll match them in renown

And Nobody in all of Oz

No Wizard that there is or was

Is ever gonna bring me down!"

- Elphaba, Wicked