Bonjour Mes Amis!

See Paris pics here.

So, I always heard that Paris was just a big, dirty city. Well, we completely disagree - we love Paris! As my co-worker from England said in her Brit accent, "There really is something special about it". We went to the City of Lights Nov. 16 - 19 and can't wait to return. We stayed in a studio apartment that we found on a super resourceful website called www.homelidays.com - great deals and full of fun places to stay. Anyways, the apartment was at the top (90 stair hike) of a 17th century building near La Porte Saint-Denis.

There was a metro/bus strike while we were there, a protest of Sarkozy's new plan to reform retirement rules for civil servants, so, we were forced to walk everywhere in the cold, cold Parisian Air. Compared to the warm, blue skies of Madrid, Paris was like Antarctica, seriously cold. However, this gave us the chance to really see the city. We, of course, saw the Louvre, Eiffel Tower all lit up, Musee d'Orsay, Norte Dame and St. Chappelle. The food in France was so great - we loved every minute of it: cafe au lait, patisseries, fromage, et vin - amazing (especially compared to Spanish food, which is not our favorite so far). Tim's life is now complete too after enjoying the beloved, un croque-monsieur, a meal he had a dreamed about since middle school French class.

Paris is lined with quintessential cafes and outdoor flower shops. And the people really do ride around on their bikes with a basket loaded up with bread and a bouquet of flowers! I know - I saw it! If you get the chance to go to Paris - go! But be prepared to spend an arm and a leg. It's incredibly expensive!

See Paris pics here.
P.S. We've commented on the pictures. Click the (i) on the first picture in the slideshow to read them.

Torre Eiffel (en espanol) - it was pretty sweet to see and a lot larger in real life.

In front of The Louvre (remember the scene from DaVinci Code?)

Flower market (they had fresia, berries and kale!)