Did Annette Say - Eating and Drinking our way through Paris?

Ok - I preface this with an apology about the spacing for the images...also some of my images wouldn't load, so I'm sorry if i say there is a picture and then there isn't...

Yes, I'm sure that is what she said!

I'm sorry I've been tardy in posting to the blog, it wasn't intentional but I tell you we've had some long days and by the time we got home it was late, we were tired and needed sleep before we had to get up for the next day's adventures.

I am really enjoying my vacation in France. I think that although I have quite a language barrier even though I can understand what is said to me, I sometimes have a LOT of trouble replying or I reply in English before my brains says WAIT, say it en francais s'il vous plait!
So Monday, Matt, Sam and I were up and anxious to get started. We had our day planned, the catacombs, revisit the bread store, Pont Neuf walking tour, and a visit to Pere LaChaise cemetary so Matt could find Jim Morrison's plot.

We didn't realize the catacombs were closed so we enjoyed a cafe creme at a paris cafe and then had a nice pastry from the bakery next door (Paul's - really like Paul's cheese bread...she did say eating and drinking...) we walked all over Paris and it was wonderful! The sites, the sounds, the SMELLS...just ask Sam how much she enjoys the smells and she'll likely gag!

Anyway, we made it to the bread place, saw the bread chandelier, and then walked through a few nice streets with shops and Sam spent her graduation and birthday money on some lovely trinkets = Satellite is her new favourite store...so I'm warning any future boys that she LOVES baubles and jewels, bangles and pretty shiny things...here is her purchase of a lovely bracelet.
We also found a neat little clothing store with prices marked down by 40%. Sam picked out a lovely dress which amazing as this sounds, goes perfectly with her bracelet. You would think the two were made for each other!

We strolled along the streets making our way to the ile de Paris to meet up with Eric and Annette, and while we walked we found some great stalls selling some cool pictures, paintings, and some more baubles for Sam...Matt and I picked up a couple of paintings to remember our trip by. ( I think he's really enjoyed being here too even though he hasn't really said much.)

We met up with Eric and Annette just outside the park, and we continued on our walking tour while they did all the neat things in her post...

Matt treated us to some scrumptious ham and cheese crepes (the biggest fullest cheesiest crepes I've ever had) and we ate them in a park behind Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris. we continued our journey and met up with Annette and Eric for Vietnamese and then came home for an early night as we planned to get up early for the Bastille Day Parade.

The Parade

India was a special guest to the Parade, and we were lucky that where we were sitting we got to see the Indian Army and band perform. They started their parade near the ending position of the parade, not sure why but there wasn't a lot of rhyme or reason to what happened at the parade. I don't understand it to be honest with you ... all the pushing and jockeying for two or three inches more room was enough to drive me to drink. I just don't get how my personal space could be so violated by the people at the parade...and as Annette has said, I am glad I did it, saw it and particpated in it but I also have NO desire to do it again. Matt however did enjoy being groped and touched and man-handled by the Italians, and I'm sure I heard Annette comment on the size of the breasts on the lady jumping up and down behind her... she was leaning on Annette and jumping up and down with her breasts pounding on Annette's back...the Italian's girlfriend (directly behind Matt)looks very ummm....enthusiastic about the parade eh? We couldn't believe that the guy didn't let her stand in front so she could see... can you say JERK???

The firemen got the best cheers - of course what you aren't told is that they host a number of parties the night before so most of them are all hung over...

Dude, is that a Camera or are you Happy to see me???

The Italians pissed all of us off. It started when one of them was behind me for a VERY long time. His camera bag was pushing into the small of my back - and the camera itself - I'm sure it was to make up for the lack of a size of his penis - I'm guessing, but I'd put money on it...anyway, most of you know I have a bad back to begin with, so standing for several hours with NO space to stretch, and with a nasty sized camera lens in my back, I finally got so fed up that I turned to him and said, Dude, PLEASE! in hopes he would back off...instead he moved on to groping Matt, which was better for me and secretly I think Matt enjoyed the attention (wink wink). here are some pictures of BEFORE it got busy, and then AFTER when there were so many people we couldn't move.

Fireworks and La Tour Eiffel in all its spendor

Yes, we made it to fireworks - we had yet another picnic in the park with lovely sandwiches and cheese, crackers, fruit and of course another bottle of wine...when in Paris, Right Annette?

the fireworks were amazing and Annette and Matt had scoped out a FANTASTIC place for us with an excellent view of the tower and a couple of light standards, but we'll photoshop those out later...here are a few pictures of the fireworks. Matt and I agreed, best fireworks we've ever been priviledged to see! So glad we did it (and made some new friends too!)

All in all it was a great day - loved the nap and even though I've had enough of crowds, we were going to do it all over again today for Verseilles...but I'm going to leave the Verseilles day for Annette to tell - she'll do it more justice than I.

(long story short for me - Vaux le Vicomte was MUCH more entertaining and beautiful and worth my time and money then Verseilles, but if I had not gone to the palais I would have regretted it for sure...just take my word for it, if you are going to do Verseilles yourself - spend the 8 euros and go on the weekend to ONLY the gardens, enjoy the gardens and the fountains (which we missed).

That's all for me, except Dad, if you are reading this, Sam would like you to buy some beans and take a cottage roll out of the freezer for Saturday's dinner... hope you can do that, she's asked for only one thing...Ham and beans with mashed potatoes when we get home. Don't forget to pick us up on saturday - I think around 5:30.