Day 1 - Wandering

What a crazy day, this city is beyond massive!

It took us about two hours, as expected, to get from CDG airport to Hotel Cactus where we met up with Adrian & Fabio.

We got a bit turned around trying to find the meeting point for a free tour near Notre Dame and walked forever, but we did make it, eventually. Even though we were late we were able to join the tour group but the guide wasn't really telling us anything we didn't know so we broke off on our own after seeing the Ponte Nufh (below). Best thing we learned? Oddly it means 'new bridge' even though it's now the oldest.

We had lunch in Monemarte near Moulin Rouge (pic below). Adrian ordered steak tar tar which looked ansolutley distgusting, he basically had raw meatloaf for lunch :-/ but he liked it. Gross.

From here we found our way to the Sacre Couer - the Sacred Heart Church. It's one of the larger churches I've ever been in and was pretty amazing. The stained glass was more modern and had a gradient to it and was so vivid! There were a ton if mosaics one was massive, a half dome mire than 8 stories tall and almost as deep. 'No Photos' though :( the outside is below though. There was an amazing view from the steps but you'll have to wait for the camera pics to see it.

We planned to go inside of Nitre Dame at this point but realized we should pick up our prepaid Liucre tickets. We then spent an hour hunting fir the illusive (and massive) Virgin Megastore, which we eventually found underneath the Louvre. Tickets in hand we sat by the pond surrounding the glass pyramid (see below) to relax.

From here it was back to the hotel where we managed the energy to find Chinese food to eat in the room and crash. Chris and I were going on a few hours if sleep from two days ago with only a four hour nap on the plane so we are done. Chris is already asleep, he literally couldn't keep his eyes open. :)

Tomorrow. The Louvre!!! We can't wait to follow the tour notes provided by my new sister in law, Laura.

Sara

10:30pm - Paris