Paris!

I am finally getting around to our Paris Trip. When we first set the dates for our trip, Mike began to study French. Or I should say, re-study. He has used French phrases our entire marriage. So, what can a good wife do but give him Rosetta Stone! He went through the first level very quickly. Then he decided I needed to know some French, too. So above you see how I learned phrases -- Mike posted them on the bathroom mirror! And I would practice every day. And he would laugh at me every day!

We arrived in Paris on a Sunday. Really early. We took a cab to our hotel, dropped off our bags, and started exploring. (We could not actually check in until 3 p.m.)
The Hotel Alessandra was in a little cul-de-sac. Right next to an Apple Computer dealership! Very close to several street markets. Walking distance to the Arc de Triomphe, good food, bakeries, etc! So guess where we headed first!
As you can tell, it is located in a big circle. No way do you walk across the street! It may not look busy right now, but it really was! Now, we looked like tourists, so as we are standing on the corner trying to figure out how to get there, a police care drove by and shouted and pointed to the underground stairway. In French.
We spent quite a long time there. Looking at the architecture, reading the quotations, looking down the streets. This was the grave of the Unknown Soldier. We spotted a McDonald's and went in for coffee. There was free wifi, so I turned on my itouch and looked at the church address and how to get there. That was to be our next stop. It was within walking distance. Turned out to be a very LONG walk! But fun.
We had to pass by Pizza Hut. Delivery on motor scooters! All these scooters were just lined up and ready to go.

We really enjoyed the Paris church. Everyone spoke English. But of course, the service was in French. The songs were not familiar at all. But I bravely sang on, probably mispronouncing the words! Mike was great. And he actually knew what the preacher was saying. We met lots of French folks, and lots of Americans, too. They do actually have an English service at night.

We had our first really French meal at a little restaurant near the church. An American couple took us out to lunch. Told us what to order, etc. Great meal. Great company! Really great way to start off our stay in Paris! They had a car--so they dropped us off near our hotel.

By this time, we were tired. And it was past three! We checked in, and it did not take us long to fall asleep! We slept quite a while! More on our first night in Paris soon!

"You have given me greater joy
than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe."
Psalm 4:7-8