Leaving Paris and onto Germany

The last day in Paris was a short half day. We had our normal leisurely breakfast and then split up to explore the city a bit more. We tried to go to a few museums but they were all closed. I guess I am destined to go back to Paris because I have now been their twice and not made it to Musee d'Orsay.  The train ride was so much fun.  I love traveling by train and Terri had never been on one (that fast). It was a bullet train we hit 308 km/hr at one point! It was great to be able to see the scenery. We got in late and expected to take the S-Bahn to Winnenden where Leonie would pick us up.  But she surprised us!!! I was so happy to see her- we had only been apart a few days but in the month she stayed with us we became inseparable.  We crammed all 4 of us and our luggage into her tiny Ford fiesta (we should have gotten a picture!) Then settled in and got a nice long sleep. That next morning we went to go have second breakfast with Opa.  The first breakfast was AMAZING so much food! And Leonie prepared it all! Then we packed up and took a walk to Oma's grave to say hi and give her new roses.

Of course I found a cute calf on the way!

Doesn't he look so great?

That night we headed down to Stuttgart for Dinner and a bit of shopping we were a bit rushed but had a great Swabian meal at a restaurant sitting outside. 

Paris Day 2

You always know your vacation is not of the "relaxing" kind if you get out of bed and stand on your feet and they almost don't support you because they ACHE!
We started day 2 with yet another amazing breakfast- I had baguette and jelly again :)

 All smiles even though we hurt and where HOT 

We took the Metro to to go Sacre Cure and Momontre. They are very romantic and my favorite part of the city. 

Momontre is an artists corner. There is a wonderful square in the city where artists have their easels set up and paint directly in the street with their finished products available to buy.  You could have set me out and left me there. Of course it is a bit toursity- there were portrait artists and caracaturists but there were many great original artitsts and their amazing work.   We also stopped to find more delicious food - mussels because it was Emily's favorite!

We then walked over to the area around the Moulin Rouge and on the walk found this beautiful terrace with these amazing flowers! 

The Moulin Rouge is just another iconic place to see and the street leading up to it has a pretty amazing array of adult stores which we just glanced at from the outside....which was enough for us! 

On the way to the last stop of the day we went to Notre Dame.  Very cool- very intimidating. What a gorgeous church- the pictures speak for themselves...

That night we got tickets to see the very top of the Eiffel Tower.  I of course had to find a bathroom because the line was super long. I waited at a public bathroom (like our portajohns but hey have automatic doors which opened and closed when people went in. It was taking forever so I just ran to the nearest cafe. By the time I was done I had made my whole family wait and wait at the entrance because they couldn't buy tickets without me. We ended up being the last few people they allowed to buy tickets for that night (whoops). 

I am very afraid of heights so the elevator ride was terrifying. First you go at an  angle across to get up the "feet" Then you start going STRAIGHT UP! The view was very worth it and I'm glad I can say I have been to the top!