March 16
On Friday, I trained to Paris to meet up with the Unis family. After wandering the streets of Champs-Élysées (not pronounced how it sounds apparently... according to everyone I asked for directions) for a while, I finally found the Marriott where they were staying- one of the nicest hotels I have ever set foot in. Feeling a little out of place with my hiking backpack and yoga pants, I sat in the giant lobby to wait for the Uniss. When we got up to the room, it was all I could do not to scream in delight! Our rooms (apartment? House?!) overlooked the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe!
Right outside out hotel!
Arc de Triomphe
Although I could have stayed in the hotel all weekend and been happy, we left and were off to Montmarte (a small town that I visited with David as well). The Uniss bought a few paintings (one that was a cute country home that turned out to be the artist’s house!), we ate some crepes, had a glass of wine, and we were off to Notre Dame (a cathedral that I had also seen with David). There was a choir in the cathedral this time which made the giant place even more magical.
Painter in Montmarte
Wine in Montmarte
Then it was time for our boat cruise (I know, I know- I was very spoiled this weekend!). We dressed up for a great dinner boat cruise up and down the canal in Paris. We sat at the table in the very front of the boat (best seats in the "house" I think). We had four courses of deliciousness including wine and champagne!
Whit and I at dinner!
March 17
On Saturday morning, we got to take an elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower. At the second section, the elevator changes and you have to get off. At this level, panic set in and I could not go all the way to the top, but the view was still amazing!
Only one of the views for the Eiffel Tower!
We then visited the Louvre and the Orsay museums- both amazing and so huge! There was so much to see, it was impossible to see it all, but we saw all the major works. We ate a great Parisian lunch near the Orsay museum- it was a short menu, but everything we got was great!
With such a full day, we made our way back to the Marriott to relax for a few hours before dinner. After lounging in our slippers and robes, we got ready and headed to dinner at L’Ecluse. After dinner, we decided it was necessary to celebrate St. Patrick’s day, so we headed to an Irish bar. There were St. Patrick’s Day hats on the tables and green decorations everywhere, but the bar tenders did not respond well to our enthusiasm for the holiday. In fact, I think they may not have been fully aware that it was St. Patrick's day. But we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless!
March 18
We had a GREAT breakfast at the Marriott! All you can eat buffet breakfast… you can’t really go wrong. After breakfast, we were off to Versailles. This town is about 30 minutes outside of Paris and holds the amazingly beautiful palace and gardens. This was probably my favorite part of the weekend. The gardens were beautiful (even when not in bloom!), and the palace was multiple, grandiose rooms, each outshining the next. We also saw Marie Antoinette’s house on the same property as the palace. We rented a golf cart and drove around the palace grounds, which was awesome!
Palace of Versailles
After returning to Champs-Élysées, us girls went shopping, and I finally found a pair of boots! Then we were off to our final dinner in Paris (in my new boots of course). We had a great Italian dinner, and I tried octopus! (Not too bad). I also got crème brulee! I am going to miss these amazing meals…
Outside our restaurant Sunday night
