However this time around Paris and I had a smashing start with one another (quite literally), when on our way to our hotel I fell up the stairs of the metro and hit my nose on the stairs, starting quite the nose bleed. Falling up stairs is a genetic disorder that I have inherited from my mom's side of the family, that and general klutziness which follows me wherever I go, Paris included. It did not help matters that I had a heavy backpack on that essentially weighed me down, preventing me from catching myself as I fell. Lucky enough there was a pharmacy right by the stairs, where some very kind women helped me get things under control! An embarrassing but memorable moment to say the least.
Paris is a well known city with many tourist "must visit" places and in the eight days that we were there we managed to see the majority of these sights. despite the rather frigid weather that we experienced while we were there (nothing like Canada, but colder weather than we have had all winter & snow!), we walked around a lot, allowing a local perspective on the city. Most of these places need no explanation as to what they are, but they were all highlights, so here is the list:
The Louvre- having been here before I knew it was HUGE, but seriously what a building, you could go 10+ times and still not see everything that is held there.
Notre Dame
Versailles- a chilly day! fantastic gardens and castles:)
Champs Elysees
Arc de Triomphe
Eiffel Tower-we walked up the two first levels approx 600 stairs!
Musee D'orsay
The Pantheon
In between these places we spent a lot of time walking around the Latin Quarter where we stayed, St Michael's, St Germain and various other areas of Paris just exploring the streets, stopping for wine, tasting french pastries and spending time together. The apartment in the Latin Quarter were we stayed was right above the mouffetard market, where there were all kinds of food stalls, cute restaurants and stores to explore. An altogether exciting but relaxing trip.
We are now back at our place in Scheveningen from the next 2 weeks (also our last 2 weeks), before we move out to leave on the last leg of this adventure. This weekend we will be going down south again to Weert, to join our friends in celebrating Carnaval, a crazy festival that includes a parade, everyone dressing up crazy and lots of partying, should be a good time:)
This is what our timeline looks like up until the time we fly home:
March 3-14 Italy trip, we are starting in Rome and hoping travel through the country up to Venice stopping in Florence, Tuscany etc along the way
March 14-April 2 Caravan trip through the UK (London-Edinburgh) we rented a camper van that we will be driving through the UK-very excited for this!
April 2-11 Planning on heading back to Ireland for a few days before heading back to the Netherlands for a few days before we head back to Canada on April 17. We are flying into Calgary for a week to celebrate my mom's birthday and then will fly to Vancouver before we leave for Hawaii on April 28th for two weeks of fun in the sun with the Van Huizen clan! So a lot to look forward to!! Pretty spoiled, we know.
Cheers!
Megan&Joel
