Once I dried off we had breakfast of bread, cheese and surprisingly good coffee (the French aren't known for their coffee), and then we were off to Le Tour Eiffel! Two metro rides later we arrived. The tower is beautiful.
We stood in line for about an hour, making friends with a nearby British family. We chose to climb the 1,665 steps up to the second level of the tower, and then take the elevator up to the very top. Each viewing platform was more breathtaking than the last! Paris is a gorgeous city when viewed from above.
Awkward but necissary tourist selfie from the top
When we finally got all the way back down we flopped onto the lawn in front of the tower and gazed up at it. At that point it was 12:30 and our tummies were growling. We found a little cafe and had lunch. They seemed used to serving tourists.
The hospital of the invalids (L'hopital des Invalides)
Reed and I ended our afternoon by visiting Les Champs-Elysees (while my mom went to the Luxembourg Gardens) which ended up being far too touristy and entirely full of chain stores. Not at all what I was hoping. We found some cute shops along side strets, but no gelatto or macarons which is what I was looking for. I guess I'll have to keep looking.
Reed and I found our way back home on the metro ourselves, and then once mom was back too we were fed a huge dinner buy our wonderful hostess (who speaks no English, and K wasn't here tonight, so I played translator as well as her 13 year old son who is learning English in school). We had omlettes, bread, potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower in cream sauce, a potato salad with corn that was just dressed in a vinegrette and a small pizza split 4 ways. She also put out yogurt for us, with fruit and cheese for dessert. I still don't understand how the French stay so thin!
All in all it was a good day.
Laurel
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