Day 18: The Eiffel Tower! Finally! Mission Accomplished!

Paris!

Today is the last day of the trip and their last day in Paris.

They barely arrived and yet they need to do as much as they can in the little time they have left. They will get to the top of the Eiffel Tower (finally, Katie, finally!) and then move over to the Louvre.

Katie says they haven't had any time to shop and didn't get to buy anything in Montmarte today. I guess they are always running late and are behind all the time.

I did get a great text this morning at 5:35 my time that has pretty much made my whole day!

Katie said wherever they went, she could spy the Tower and poor Mariah may need a new arm because Katie smacked her so hard with excitement! We may owe Mariah a dinner or something. Sheesh.

Mona.

The had escargot today and when Katie told me the story, it started like this, "How come I always have to be the spaz when it comes to eating?" (a question long asked and never answered). "Everyone had a strategy for eating their snail. Some people swallowed it with water, some chewed quickly and drank some Coke, so I planned out my strategy," she explained.

The aspiring escargot.

"I got my snail and started chewing. I had my drink ready. It didn't taste that bad. Not at first. But then - it was pretty chewy - the taste started to change. And this juice started coming out. The juice tasted terrible! So I swallowed. And then I choked," she said pausing.

The cooked escargot.

"Not a little a lot!" she exclaimed. "My throat must be small, and well, it's still sore and I still have a really stuffy nose, but anyway, I choked and then it all came back out. On my plate. It was disgusting and the thing really looked like a snail when I coughed it back up. The whole table was grossed out."

That's my girl. All class.
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People to People Itinerary: MONDAY, JULY 16: Paris, France

• Admire a dazzling view of Paris! There's only one place to go: take the elevator up to the top of the Eiffel Tower (899 feet) which was built for the 1889 World's Fair to commemorate the French Revolution.
• Enjoy a guided exploration of one of the most important art collections in the world, the famous Musee du Louvre. You will visit the principal parts of the museum - including a look at Leonardo's masterpiece, Mona Lisa.
• Today is your last evening in Europe! Gather for your farewell meeting! Share the best moments and most memorable experiences of the past weeks. What was YOUR favorite highlight and why?

The Louvre.

Day 17: Paris! Starting with Versailles, Ending with Montemarte!

The Palace of Versailles.

Bonjour!

Katie says today they do not get to see the Eiffel Tower but I think maybe they may get a peek. Her excitement is near a crescendo as the inch closer to The City of Light.

Today they see the Palace of Versailles. Of course I keep hearing Al Stewart singing his song (does that mean I am old?). Now that I read the lyrics, I understand more about what they mean.

The Hall of Mirrors.

I didn't realize the end of King Louis XIV came with the French Revolution (now I hear Les Miserables in my head) and Napoelon rose to power.

Next the itinerary is vague as it speaks of a guide providing an orientation to the city Hemingway called "a movable feast." I found the quote but I have no idea what the kids will be doing!

Ernest Hemingway's posthumously published memoirs of his life in 1920s Paris, called "A Moveable Feast", did much to bring the term to the general language: "If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast."

After touring, the kids will head to Montmartre where they will see the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre and get to shop around an area that similar to The Village in NYC according to websites. It's where you can find the Moulin Rouge which ends my musical tour of greater Paris as I think of Nicole Kidman in that great musical.

When Katie called, she confirmed they didn't get to see one little ounce of Bastille Day (what a stinking shame). They spent more of their time in transit and they weren't really tired enough to go to bed but it was time to be in their rooms to get started nesting. I told her to throw open the windows and listen (it was 9:17pm) and she might her the pop of fireworks somewhere in town.

She's excited about tomorrow and so anxious to see Paris. It looks like the will have a very busy next-two-days. I can't wait to hear all about it!

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People to People Itinerary: SUNDAY, JULY 15: Paris, France

• Explore the magnificent Chateau de Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on your own. Built during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, it was the seat of the royal court from 1682 to 1789, when the French Revolution put an end to the monarchy.
• Voila Paris! A French guide will now join you for an orientation of the city Ernest Hemingway called "a moveable feast."
• Visit the historic Montmartre area, a haven for artists and writers before WWI. Marvel at the white Basilique du Sacre Coeur, which is the second highest point in Paris. Take some time to discover this area's treasures in small groups.

The Basilique du Sacre Coeur.

And, but of course, The Moulin Rouge!