Danny was addicted to the ocean. The kid seriously could not get enough.
Danny, Maddison, and Siena
Rach has always been a water baby, but this time around she preferred the sand.
The Girls!
Ellie, Rachel, Emeri, Maddison, and Siena
The second trip was to Paris. Matt had a business trip and I decided to tag along. Our friends, Rach and Tony, were kind enough to keep our kids for four days.
It was so much fun to go back to Paris alone with Matt. We have been there once together a couple of years before we moved to Europe. It was nice to have most of the major sight seeing out of the way so we could spend more time relaxing and enjoying the city. I LOVE Paris!
Day One: We visited the Rodin Museum, which is actually in Rodin's home. We were able to see some of his most famous works, The Thinker, Cathedrale, The Kiss, and The Gates of Hell.
Day two & three: Matt had to work and I was on my own. I spent one day shopping on the Champs Elysee. I found some great new jeans at Le Gap:) Now, if I was an American visiting Paris from the States, then yes, this would be pathetic. However, I have lived in another country for the past five years without anything remotely like a Gap, which makes this completely acceptable.
I planned to spend my second day alone exploring the Louvre. I totally missed that opportunity since it happens to be closed on Tuesdays. Fortunately, I had been there before. I decided instead, to get lost in the city. I jumped on the metro and got off at random stops and explored. I spent a couple of hours admiring the Eiffel Tower, visited an amazing bookstore/library, smelled the beautiful flowers at the street markets, and devoured crepes in the Latin quarter. That evening, Matt and I met up and went to our favorite Parisian restaurant, L' Abrach. Their steaks, cheesy and oh so creamy potatoes, and creme brulee were as delicious as we remembered them being 6 years ago.
Day Four: The final day also happened to be Matt's birthday. We slept in and then headed to Angelina's. This cafe is know for their rich pudding like hot chocolate and pastries. It is seriously amazing, but half way through our "meal," Matt and I looked at each other with the same 'I think I might throw up' look on our faces. So good, so rich, and SO worth it!
After seeing the sights, it was time to head to the airport. If it wasn't for the fact that my kids were back in Switzerland, I probably wouldn't have come back. I'm in love with Paris. My wish almost came true when we got stuck in traffic on the way to the airport and almost missed our plane. Fortunately the man working the SwissAir desk took pity on my pathetic pleading self and allowed us to run to the gate. I knew Matt's birthday would be ruined if he had to use his birthday money to buy us two new tickets home since the others were non transferrable. (Ladies, sometimes it pays to whine and complain) And so, relieved, but still quite reluctantly we boarded the plane and departed back to Zurich. I did, however, leave part of my heart (and one of my favorite earrings) in beautiful Paris. Au revoir Paris. Until we meet again...
