Au Revoir, Paris!

Right now I am sitting on a high-speed train sipping white wine on my way from Paris to Brussels, and then tomorrow... home. The last 3 days in Paris have been amazing and I'll try to fill you in on the highlights of the past two days. Pictures will have to come later...

Thursday night we took a Bike Tour from the South foot of the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame, through the Louvre courtyard, stopped for ice cream, stopped a dozen other places, rode down to a boat ramp... took a boat tour of the Seine while sipping red wine... and then biked back past the Eiffel Tower during it's light show at 11 o'clock.

I would recommend this tour to everyone and would definitely suggest the evening time slot. You truly see why Paris is known as the City of Lights. More information and pictures will be posted soon. Promise. The tour agency is called Fat Tire Bike Tours and they also have tours in Barcelona, Berlin, and London. The best part is that they only hire Americans so there are no communication issues or hard to understand accents on the tour. It may not seem like a big deal, but I have come to appreciate it after having a car driver for three days in India that was "fluent in English" but did not know one word!

Friday was spent shopping! We bought souvenirs and went window shopping in all the expensive Parisian stores. Eating crepes and drinking Coca-cola light as we walked through all the tiny european streets. Then, at 8 o'clock we took a train to the Opera theatre in the theatre district of Paris. It was the closest thing I have seen in Europe to home. There we were surrounded by American's and people from the U.K. as we watched Jimmy Buffet live. It is sure to be the best Jimmy Buffet show any of us will see in our lives. It was a tiny tiny venue for Jimmy and we all assumed he only plays there to pay for his trips to Paris... he must love the town as much as all the expats that filled up the joint.

The floor was literally bouncing as everyone jumped up and down to Margaritaville and all his other hits. I was definitely screaming the loudest when he played a cover of Zac Brown Band's "Where the Boat leaves from." It was like a little piece of Georgia played just for me in Paris. After the show, we went to O'Sullivan's Irish pub with some other Americans for a Jimmy Buffet after party. It was the last thing you would expect... definitely not the dive bar you would expect for the JB crowd.. or anything irish, It was more like a disco blaring old Destiny's Child songs and Jump around. I can only wonder what the Parisians thought of all the Americans wearing Tommy Bahama shirts, grass skirts, and mardi gras beads. Each outfit probably incorporated more color than entire European wardrobes!

It was a blast and so much fun these past 3 days, but I am happy that there is so much left to see. It gives me an excuse to come back!

Why Have I never been to Paris?

Paris: Day 1

My goal is to eat and shop my way through Paris. So far it has been mostly sight seeing. Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and Champs-Elysees... We haven't been in a hurry to get anywhere, still jet-lagged from the long flight. But this truly is a beautiful city. Also, I never expected to see so many huge churches... I am hoping we will make it inside one for church on Sunday instead of just another stop sight seeing. The Notre Dame was gorgeous...

We learned that the people of France were using the building for storage and considering burning it down until Victor Hugo wrote the book "Our Lady Paris" (a.k.a. The Hunchback of Notre Dame... a name he hated, because the main character was meant to be the cathedral and not the Hunchback) and the people of Paris loved the book and fell back in love with the Notre Dame refusing to let it be destroyed! Also, the stain glass windows were gorgeous and the first of their time. The gothic style was the first time they were able to house stain glass windows in such large buildings. The gardens between the Notre Dame and the seine are also a must see!

Loved the Gargoyles! When I come back, I plan on going to the top and seeing them up close!

Gardens next to Notre Dame

My Papa next to the Seine.

We also learned they cleaned the outside of the cathedral using LASERS to keep from harming the original stone.

This little shop has been one of my favorite places... okay, most definitely my favorite place in France so far. Unfortunately, it is not French... it's English. This bookstore specializes in selling really really old books, but even more fun than that... it sells reprints of original hard to find books. Maybe the two best things you could ask for in a bookstore. From the floor to the ceiling, it is just books stacked on books. It makes you wonder whether there is a method to their madness or if they are just book hoarders like me. I hope my future library is stocked with as many books as they fit in a tiny corner. My favorite... all the old cookbooks and the children's nook!

Took a picture of this pup while he was putting on a show chasing birds in this fancy fountain in front of the tower.

We have been to the Eiffel tower 3 times now. Once in the day time, once in the evening, and once during the strobe show at night. Such a different experience every time! Now we just need to buy some baguettes and wine and sit on the lawn and experience it like a true Parisian.

Still haven't seen this and it's already out in Europe. Someone go see it with me?

It's going to be a beautiful September...

Why I love Jekyll Island...

Beach laws can be so annoying. Especially when it comes to bringing along my 12-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, Wishbone. As a firm believer that dogs are a part of the family, I try to bring her along on as many family outings as possible. In case you were interested, here are some of the beach laws in South GA....

Tybee Island--> No dogs, anytime. Fines and community service apply.

St. Simons --> No dogs between Memorial day and labor day at anytime. In the off season, no dogs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

However, the folks at Jekyll Island understand that dogs should be allowed to enjoy the prime time of day any season. So here is Wishbone... enjoying the beach at 3 o'clock on Labor Day!!!

Even though it took 'til she was 12 1/2, this will not be her last beach vacation. She loved it too much... wading in the water and chasing sea gulls (chasing them down the beach towards two very annoyed sunbathers). She was even thrilled just to catch some rays on her towel while Zach and I went for a swim! However, it almost ended in disaster when we went for a walk on the beach and came back to a high tide, soaked towels, soaked clothes, and a wet iphone!

Side note: This weekend I also found some good news for those like me who are mourning the loss of PR's bbq... There is a bbq place on the way to Tybee that could even give PR's a run for their money. It's called Wiley's and their pulled pork and Brunswick stew are to die for. I also recommend their sweet potato casserole and an Arnold Palmer made with their homemade lemonade! We will definitely be heading back soon.