This is my journal from our trip to Paris. It is

This is my journal from our trip to Paris. It is rather long...so you can skip if you'd like and look at pictures instead.

Paris France Oct 2 - 10, 2014

Matt needed to be in Paris on business this week. Luckily with the help of Grandpa Felix, Grandma Erma, Grandma Carol, Auntie Shirley, Uncle John, Kelly, soccor coach Dave, and a 10 page manual Matt and I were able to escape our Stoughton life for a bit to enjoy the trip. The best part...no phone access for Jill!!

Our trip started from O'hare. We were lucky to find a direct flight from Chicago. The flight was 7 hours. It was 7 hours of zzzz's for Matt and 7 hours of tossing and turning mixed in with repeated reruns of the TV show "Friends" for Jill.

Once to Paris we hopped on the RER (train) to our Best Western Royal Premier St. Michael near Notre Dam. The hotel was nothing like what I imaged it to be. The entry was hidden in a busy alleyway next to a cafe / brasserie. Each time we passed the food display at the brasserie Matt's eyes would focus on the yummy looking French baguettes loaded with cheese and you name it!

Inside our hotel the lobby, as you may call it, was no bigger than our kitchen. Right off the lobby was a circular staircase (no elevator). Our room was on the 3rd floor. Level 2 had the free shoe shining station and the room serving our amazing breakfasts.

After a quick shower it was time to start our exploring. We started with a late lunch in an outdoor setting right near Place St. Michel. This was our first experience of true people watching. It was a sunny 75 degree day so just chilling in the sun was quite alright with me. Matt on the other hand was a bit out of his comfort zone. The tables in our cafe were incredibly close to one another. You literally could stretch out you arm and touch your neighbors cup of coffee. I think we left that place smelling like our neighbors cologne. And Europeans wear a lot of it!!!

We set out by foot headed toward the Jardin Des Tuileries. This is a mile long courtyard filed with fountains, tourists, families picnicking. We were able to catch a glimpse of a model shoot. Two attractive Young French women were posing in the latest French clothing line on while passing by tourists stared away.

By the way I think Matt and I are sticking out like blue thumbs when it comes to fashion. We tend to opt for running shoes, comfy athletic skirts or shorts and plain Jane t shirts. Maybe by the time we leave we will be wearing the skinny jeans, suede boots, see through blouse, with a sweater over the shoulder.... :)

Our walk next brought us to champs-élysées. This is the famous boulevard the that Tour de France ends on. This area of Paris reminds me of Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. It is lined with classy people and expensive shops. We found ourselves hitting every high end athletic store....our favorite was the Adidas store. At the end of champs-élysées we saw the arc de triomphe---165 foot tall arch that Napoleon built to commemorate his victory at the battle of Austerlitz.

After several miles of walking we were ready for dinner. We found ourselves a cafe in an alley. I had an amazing omelet filled with smoked salmon. Matt had spaghetti with French bread. Our dinner was rather quiet....Matt and I were pretty beat. We got back to the hotel and crashed by 9pm.

Saturday:
We couldn't believe it...we slept from 9pm until 10:45AM. We had to rush to catch the breakfast in our hotel. I had my first crepe...so yummy!!! Next we threw on our running shoes and ran the cobblestone pathway paralleling the Seine River. Our 1/2 way point was the Eiffel Tower. We stopped to take some photos. We took one look at the long lines to go up and turned around to back to our hotel. Maybe we will go back on a weekday... Once back to the hotel we showered up and packed up our bags for a day trip to Versailles. We had a 1/2 hour before our train was to depart so we sat at a corner brassiere for a cup of coffee and people watching...our favorite chilling hobby. We played the game of if you could look like anyone passing us who would you look like....that was kind of fun....so many unique styles.

We boarded our train for Versailles. Versailles is known for the famous palace and gardens that once were habited by the French kings in the 1600s. I can't even explain in words how amazing the palace is. The cost of building this place was half the GNP of France in one year. The gardens were spectacular....beautifully landscaped with fountains and statues. A center area of water had rowing...too bad it was getting dark..I would have tried that.

We had dinner in Versailles.....another outdoor corner cafe. The waitress here knew very little English. I had ordered water and she asks me, "gas?" I guess that meant carbonated. :)

Our evening ended at a Crepe restaurant. I ordered a buckwheat crepe topped with butter. Matt got the same with sugar coating. Mmmmm!!!

We caught the 10:15pm train back to our hotel. We walked through the Latin quarter....it is a narrow alleyway loaded with all sorts of awesome restaurants. Nightlife in Paris is a new scene. Most restaurants here don't start serving till 9 or 10pm.

We headed back to the hotel to watch some Rugby on TV and hit the sack. I didn't sleep so well...I think I'm still in the different time zone.

Sunday:
We woke up this morning with plenty of time to hit our hotel's breakfast. Next we threw on running shoes and ran 5 miles east along the seine river. A water rescue crew was completing a swimming test in the river (or shall I say back floating)....wow...bet that was cold! This morning was a chilly one...windy and 50 degrees. After our morning run we washed up and decided to rent bikes. Now these bikes aren't the typical bike we are used to. They are the wizard of Oz...Dorothy kind of bike. After 20 minutes of biking the city streets of Paris we parked our bikes and decided to hike the Jardin du Luxembourg. We toured the gardens and found an open aired cafe to have coffee and a croissant.
Next we strolled along city streets until we found a cozy looking lunch spot....German pub...in France. I had a salad with kiwi, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh cut ham. Matt ordered French fries with amazing horseradish and mustard sauces.

Matt's friend Doug arrived to Paris and wanted to meet up. We moved to the next brassiere around the block...Doug had not eaten all day. Doug is Matt's coworker who lives in Kansas City. After a couple hours of chatting we were ready to walk around again. Our walk led us by the left bank. The street we found awesome food on was called Rue Mouffetard. We did our final food stop for the day at a Mexican restaurant. I loved my naked chicken burrito!! Now we are back at the hotel. Matt is doing some prep work for the workweek and I'm planning out my days to come. I know one thing for sure...I'm going to put a lot of miles on these feet!!

Matt surprised me...he finished his work and wants to go explore the night life. We walked to Notre Dam. An amazing musician was signing and playing guitar...awesome music...Matt bought his CD. We strolled along the Latin quarter again and got ice cream at Haagen Daas. We watched breakdancing performances outside our hotel until we were ready to crash.

Monday:
This morning we ran into Matt's President Gilles. He is originally from France and now lives in St. Louis. He is here with his wife. His son and daughter reside here as chefs. There certainly is no shortage of jobs in this town with that profession!!

I went for a 5 mile run to the Eiffel Tower this morning while Matt finished up some work. Once 10 AM hit Matt took off for the convention center and I set out by foot for my first day of solo adventuring. I first walked through the Louvre courtyard. I'm going to save touring the museum for a rainy day. Next I did some shopping for the kids at the local touristy shops and now I'm drinking a steamed milk at the Starbucks. Funny that I am sitting across from the musician we watched last night at Notre Dam. He is catching some zzzz's on the comfy couches in here. Makes me wonder if he is homeless?? I next walked through the the Jardin Des Tuileries leading to the champs-élysées. My lunch today was the best yet...French baguette made with calamata olives, fresh motz chesse, tomatoes, and fresh basil. I was plenty fueled for the 3 mile up hill hike to the Sacre coeur (Catholic Church at one the highest points in Paris). Half way to the top I walked through Parc de Monceau (beautiful park and school courtyard). I witnessed a French elementary school recess...all the little boys and girls were dressed in gray with blue jackets. They were running around like ants high on sugar. It was so noisy....they were playing tag...no playground equipment in sight . Another site I passed on the way up was the cimetiere Montmartre (OLD cemetery). Once to the top there were awesome views of the city!!! In my walk back I browsed many of the local corner groceries stores in awe of the inexpensive fruits and vegetables. Now I'm back to champs-élysées. I found a Marriott lobby and am enjoying some people watching. At least the bathroom in here I didn't have to pay 1 euro.

Of course it starts poring as I am walking back. Found a 7 euro umbrella at a corner magazine stand and a 10 euro kids winter hat at gap to stay warm. With the winds I bet it was only 40 degrees!!!

Once back near my hotel I decided to eat at La Paradis de Fruit. What an awesome menu!!! A veggie and fruit lovers dream come true. Everything in the menu incorporates fruit or veggies in it. Very modern atmosphere. It feels like a restaurant you'd find in New York City. Lots of flashing bright lights filled with French women sipping fruity alcoholic drinks. Behind the bar the shelves are lined with fruits and what looks like fruit infused liquors.

Matt rolls in tonight at 11pm after company dinner. I'm sound asleep...6 miles running and 12 miles walking can do that to you ...

Tuesday:
Up at 7am this morning to have breakfast with Matt before he heads to the convention center. I went to Jardin du Luxembourg for my run. The park is about 3/4 mile in perimeter. Couldn't help but chase down the fast runners. Once back to the hotel I showered up and headed to Musee de Orsey. Now I'm not much of a museum person but I do have to have to say it was pretty awesome! It housed French art from 1848-1914. Some artists include Manet, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh...I liked the realist painters.

Next I had lunch at a shop a lot like a whole foods but with a French kick. I had several more hours of daylight ahead so I headed for The Montparnasse tower. It has 59 floors and an awesome 690 foot view of the city from above...with the wind in your hair. Unfortunately the general public has to do the elevator...I was hoping I could do the stairs. In a way this tower beats the top of the Eiffel Tower cuz here I can view the Eiffel Tower. Next I walked by the hotel des invalides---a former veterans hospital topped by a golden dome that houses Napoleon's ornate tomb and Europe's greatest military museum. Just viewed it from the outside. Following this I did a 3 mile walk along the river leading me back to my hotel. No pole dancers today along the river like Matt and I saw on day one. Passed the rock climbing wall and ballet station with disco ball along the river. :)

I did dinner at the same place as last night. Matt has a company dinner. I'm thinking I ran 6 and walked 10 miles today.

My final couple hours before bed I toured the Latin quarter gift shops. It was a happening place tonight....I was tempted to go in the piano bar....not so much the bar with bras hanging from the ceiling.

Weds:
This morning Matt and I decided to go down the road for a different breakfast. I had my first awesome croissant. why had I been eating French banquettes when I could have been eating buttery croissants? Anyway....After Matt took off for the day I went for a run in the rain. Today's run was with purpose. I ran to a store near the Arc to restock my Powerbar supply. I've only found one place that has these AWESOME chocolate coconut power bars. The man at the counter knew I was a runner and was very interested in who I was. He told me all about his upcoming Paris half marathon this next Sunday. He was trying to convince me to run it. He shared with me he runs with a local club here in Paris filled with runners from many countries. I was a bit afraid what he was about to ask next so I thanked him, quickly took my change and proceeded to run along champs-élysées to the hotel.

Speaking of what is in.....fashion here....I concluded there is no need to match...take as many different colors, prints, fabrics, styles and put them together and you fit in...European style. :)

Maybe I should call the style laid back....they certainly don't move fast here by any means. To go sit in a restaurant you better make sure you have 2 hours at least.

And if you want to go to the Louvre (largest museum in the western world)....you need that much time just to stand in line to get in!!

Once I made it in the museum I spent the majority of my time in the Ancient Greek sculptures, Italian Renaissance paintings and French Neoclassical and Romantic paintings. Some famous ones were the Mona Lisa, Venus de Millo, winged victory, Michelangelo.

I found the Mona Lisa to be very interesting....I didn't really remember the story behind it...the mystery behind it...what is her mood...happy or sad? And is this painting actually Leonardo...the husband of Mona....or is it Mama Lisa? Does she have a veil over her dress indicating she just had a baby??

After 5 hours and at least 4 miles of walking In the museum I needed fresh air. The sun was out....perfect to stroll along the Paris streets north of the Seine River. I made my way to Notre Dame and toured the inside. My mom would have loved for me to do confession...but I passed.

Once outside I watched, with all the other tourists, the model shoot going on. Two gals dressed in black evening downs were posing together with the most serious faces. Tourists were snapping away at their cameras. Once finished the crowd followed them and their photographers and security guards.

Once again I'm in my favorite restaurant...same one I did the last 2 nights.

Next I'm going to walk St. Martin....maybe I'll go try on some dress boots :)

6 miles running and 8 miles walking today.

Thursday:
This morning Matt and I hit our hotel breakfast. Next Matt took off for convention center via taxi....Trains are protesting today. I ran my 6 mile loop to the Arc and back. Now I'm doing some shopping along St. Martin. I wasn't successful at finding a pair of boots last night.

I've just finished lunch...Caesar salad, soft pretzal, tea... I think I'll go walk the Jardin du Luxembourg to work up an appetite for the best ice cream in Paris...on the island. Matt will hopefully be done at 2:30 today to enjoy it with me.

I guessed right...once Matt returned from the convention center he wanted to go for a run. Oh well that I already ran 6 and walked 5....we ran another 4. It was such a gorgeous sunny day...why not?

After our run we got ice cream on the island (Ile St. Loius). We found a corner outdoor restaurant to have dinner and people watch. Matt looks at me and says...it is so nice not to have to be social....I completely understood given his last week. I guess when you've been married as long as we have you don't have to worry about silence. :)

Afterwards we walked the Marais neighborhood. It has some higher end shopping, fancy hotels, and mansions. No purchases tonight. I didn't end up buying boots...once we were back to the shop I figured I'd get them from the store clerk puts out his hand and says sorry we are closed. Shoot!!! After hours of browsing i'm coming home without boots...oh well...at least I got gifts for everyone else.

We are now back at the hotel and all packed up. Our taxi brings us to the airport at 7am tomorrow morning. Matt is already fast sleep and I will be soon.

All and all it was a great trip. I haven't felt this refreshed in awhile. Good to bond with Matt....for at least the beginning and end of the trip. Maybe Madrid with Matt next year this time??? :)