The Coxs: Day 1 - Intro to Paris

It's been about 3 weeks since we got back from our amazing trip to Europe...and, given that we took pictures with two cameras and two cell phones, I have not even finished uploading them all. I think I have put off going through these pictures, not only due to the effort, but it is also makes me long to be back too badly! Because every day of our 14 day trip was an adventure, every day will require it's own post...so if you are following along, I hope you enjoy our slide show from our summer vacation! (ha) So, here we go...

We left on the evening of Memorial Day so we got to enjoy the day with the boys and have a cookout at Mom's house before they took us to the airport late that afternoon...but the anticipation levels (mine) were pretty high. The boys didn't seem to bat an eye at us leaving, but I don't think they really comprehended how long we would be gone.

We flew Air France to Paris and with all of the flight attendants greeting us with "Bonjour!"'s it felt like we had already begun our European journey. We had a pretty decent dinner and a glass of wine and got some sleep. And when we woke, it was time for breakfast and landing in the City of Lights. Finally!!

Everything upon arrival went smoothly...and we hopped on the Train to get to what was going to be our Parisian neighborhood for the next 5 days. So here is where things got a little bumpy...we had rented a flat in Paris - partially to save a little money (hotels in Paris are NOT cheap), but also because a co-worker of mine who has done a lot of traveling had told me that it was a neat experience to stay in a neighborhood away from the toursity sections and also to have more space than the tiny hotel rooms of Paris. So, I had done DAYS and HOURS of research, found the perfect flat, and even became pen pals with the owner (who was in her 30's with two young kids as well). We emerge from the metro station, luggage in hand, on our bustling cafe and shop-lined street - walk up to our door - and the code doesn't work. After some interaction in broken English with some other tenants of the building and a run in with a lady outside of her door as I am rummaging around her doorstep for a key, panic set in and we were debating whether or not we had been the victim of the worst and most pointless scam in history on the first day of our vacation. Fast forward about an hour or so and we finally hear back from the owner who informed me that we had the wrong address. THANK GOD! The one good thing that came of that experience is that, while we were waiting and plotting our Plan B, I had the best Croque Madame and cup of Cafe that I had the whole time we were in Paris!

The drama died down and our stuff was settled in to our new Parisian home. It wasn't the Ritz but it was a perfect little resting spot (we truly were only there for the 8 or 9 hours we were sleeping) on Rue Saint Placide in the 6th. It was what I had imagined a flat in Paris to be - charming old building with tall open windows that opened up to the street.

Then we headed out to explore Paris...and to meet The Smiths and The Pavloffs at Notre Dame. On our way, we passed a bar named Tennessee...

I would say that it was so beautiful, but I realize I will probably say that about everything. We even unknowingly got caught inside as mass was beginning which was interesting.

Then we made our way towards our first bottle of French wine...

We were all tired after our travels so we all called it an early night...Michael and I decided to make our way home by foot. Paris is a great walking city - however we did ultimately realize how easy the metro was and how much faster we could get places on it! But walking the streets allows you to see so much more of the city. On this particular night, we strolled past Luxembourg Garden which was, unfortunately, already closed so we only got a teaser view. And this is why I need to get back to Paris...so many places I didn't get to explore...