Well...where to start. We did have a great time seeing the sights, so much to see!!! I did have a few disappointments though. One the french are not a nice group of people, They go out of your way to make you feel unwelcome everywhere! And even though the sites are beautiful...Paris is so gross!!! So much trash and urine everywhere! These people have no pride! We had a wonderful time visiting the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre is HUGE!! None of us ate the whole weekend except once when we managed to find a Mcdonalds, lol!! The food was very different! Then there were the woogy boys, LOL!!! these were men from South Africa that stood in groups of hundreds trying to sell you crappy souveniers at outrageous prices if you didn't know how to bargain, which i got very good at! They stand off the bus and just attack you coming off! But once you get good at bargaining it was funny! I got some neat stuff. Paris is very expensive, one cafe had a hot dog that was 9 euros, thats about 13 dollars! AND NO fries or a drink with it!

It was definitely an experience and even with the small disappointments i still managed to have a wonderful relaxing time! I think it was trip better suited for no kids though. But they enjoyed it a good bit. I posted some pics for everyone.
Glad to be back!!! Momsview withdrawl!

By Ladypeacek on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 01:57 pm:

Oh...and i want to tell you that i walked up to that church at the highest point of Paris....about 30 stories, and i WALKED up those stairs, PREGNANT! It took me almost 2 hours to do it though and the worst thing ever happened when i finally made it! I got up there and walked around to the side of the church and there in front of me was a LIFT!!! I was so upset, lol!!!! For 2 bucks i could rode up on a LIFT!!!! But i guess that was good exercise, i can still feel the burn!

By Emily7 on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 02:05 pm:

It sounds like all in all you had a great time. I loved the pictures you posted. Funny about the lift, did you take it down?

By Boxzgrl on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 02:06 pm:

How Fun!!! I've heard the French don't like Americans very well. I took 3 years of French in high school and my teacher made sure we knew how disliked we were there. I guess most places are overexaggerated. Take Hollywood for example. Completely nasty, dirty, a ton of bums, horrible housing, dirty streets and it just makes you feel nasty driving through the residential areas. Yet, it is still so popular. Goes to show every place has their ups and downs. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and glad you are on Momsview and not having anymore withdrawals!!!

By Sunny on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 03:49 pm:

Welcome Back!
I hope seeing the sights made up for the disappointments! I don't think the French people are known for their welcoming personality. LOL
I'm glad you didn't let it ruin your trip, though.

I know the US dollar is weaker than the Euro right now, but $13 for a hot dog? Did it wag it's tail at least?

By Rayanne on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 03:57 pm:

WELCOME BACK!!!!!!

By Amecmom on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 04:46 pm:

It's a shame about the attitude. When we were there 5 years ago, we expected them to be stereotypical French. They were not. Everyone we met was great.
Sorry about the food. We lived from a book called, "Cheap Eats in Paris" and had some delectable things.
Which Cathedral did you climb - Notre Dame or Sacre Coeur? We couldn't climb Notre Dame, as it was being renovated when we were there and we didn't have enough time to go to Sacre Coeur.
But I do remember being amazed at the view from the Arc d'Triumph. How Paris seemed to be centered in that one spot and all the grand avenues radiate from there like spokes on a wheel.

And come to think of it, there's no way we could have had the trip we did if we'd had children with us. I imagine Paris is a very different place when you're there on a family vacation and not a honeymoon.

Glad you are back and glad you had a good time, all considered.

By Tink on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 09:28 pm:

Glad to have you back. I almost e-mailed you to see how you felt because I forget about your trip and wondered why we hadn't heard from you! LOL The French were very rude when I went about 10 years ago. We went the week before Easter and couldn't find meat anywhere (because of Lent??? I'm not Catholic.) and the food was a little hard to acclimate too. Now that you've done it with kids, you'll have to do it with your dh as a second honeymoon. At least, your dd will have some great memories of a beautiful city!

By Pamt on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 11:38 pm:

I had wondered how you would fare in Paris with kids. I went in highschool, so I wasn't very aware of such things then, but I would just guess that Paris isn't very kid-friendly. When we went to London 4 years ago I thought the same thing. So many stairs and then the Tube...none of it could accomodate strollers, no highchairs in restaurants, etc. I did find the French people pretty friendly though, esp. if we even attempted to speak French. And the food...to die for! I could eat my weight in baguettes alone. I'm glad you had a pretty good time in the city of lights

By Ladypeacek on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 01:01 am:

Ame...thanks for reminding me about the church name...the sacre coeur.

Sunny..i saw that you asked in the pics about the Eiffel tower.. Yes we went up to the 3rd level but you can get a ride to the top. I was just nauseated having my son at the 3rd level cuz he likes to look over and so i did not take him up to the top, the 3rd level was plenty!

I did okay eating there becuase even though the food was not good for me the pastries and muffins were to DIE FOR!!!!! i could eat that stuff all day, it was wonderful!

Thanks for the big welcome back everyone!