on our way home

So, this will be my last post for a bit. We visited Versaille, and went to Rock on Seine, and i'll post about both, but right now we are packing and getting ready to go to Aquaboulevard.

It's an Indoor water park. I told Gwen that on this last day in paris, if she is good and helps me pack, we can do whatever she likes.

so, a third visit to Aquaboulevard was her choice. haha.

check back in a week or so, and i'll have the rest of our trip up.

Love you all and miss you,
Denise and Gwendolyn

Sacre Coeur and Montmartre

Today we went to the Sacred Coeur Basilica. It's kinda tacky from the outside really, but the inside decor is amazing. But the true reason to climb all those stairs is the view of Paris. Outstanding. Not a lot of pictures today, since cameras are forbidden inside.

After the Basilica, we wandered back down the stairs, Gwen chased pigeons, and played a bit in the park. Then we wandered through the streets of Montmartre.

I have to say, Montmartre is a nightmare. Gone is the fabled charm of the twisted streets. Instead, it's a seething stew of humanity, and every other person you run into is trying to beg money, sell you something, or just plain harrass you. For every kindly man who advises you to carry your bag on your front, for fear of pickpockets, there are 5 people standing in your path, touching your arm, taking your hand. Selling you junk, telling you they are pregnant Bosnians who need money, trying to scam a metro ticket, trying to put bracelet on your wrist. It's maddening, We simply couldn't wait to get out of there.

Beggers are very common in Paris, much more common than I would have expected. We are tourists, so we go to tourist sites, and so we run into our fair share of beggars.

But today took the cake, It was madness. I was, Frankly, going to punch the next person who stepped into our path and begged/tried to sell me something. ARGH!

So we escaped to home, had a picnic, went for a walk. So, the day turned out well.

Paris is most charming simply strolling around our neighbourhood, browsing the local stores, eating crepes in the park.

Notre Dame and the Tuileries - AGAIN

We went to the Notre Dame today, which turned out to be a bit of a pain, because Mr. President was making a speech this evening at L'Hotel de ville, so the Metro stops we needed were closed, which was ok, because today was a day meant for walking. 23 degrees and sunny. After Notre Dame we went for a walk, and ended up in the Tuileries, Gwen's favorite Garden. Again. She bounced on the Trampolines, spun on the Carousel, and played with the statues.

And she made another friend. Notice she has linked arms with a girl in the flowered shirt.

The play area is great here, It's simple, but amazing how a big half circle is enough to keep kids busy. It took Gwen about 20 tries to climb it.


haha, after that, it was all about the other girls. And "helping" each other up the spere and "rescuing" each other if they fall.

Quiet day, we were beat after Disneyland!

Disneyland!

We went to Euro Disney. And I don't really have much to say... It's loud, it's busy, It's a small world plays non stop... and Gwen was in HEAVEN!

And Gwen made a little friend named Leah, so cute!


The rides are mostly of the get on and tour around an indoor thingy, be it boat, flying thing or simple train, these rides are designed to move lots of people quickly. The best ride, hands down, is Big Thunder Mountain, a roller coaster. Star Tours and Buzz Lightyear are also good. Gwen really enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean.

But, let's be honest, Disneyland is not about the rides. It's about the environment, and for Gwen, about meeting the characters and getting their autographs. She loved meeting Mickey, and thought Goofy was funny.


But the princesses were her favorites. Sleeping Beauty and Belle, Gwen was completely charmed.


And she also met Captain Jack Sparrow


The treat for me was Mary Poppins.


It rained for most of the afternoon, complete with crazy lightning. So the fireworks were cancelled, but we did get to see the night parade, it was great. Getting Gwen home was a challenge. It was raining HARD, and she was super sleepy.

We had a blast, Disneyland was super great!

Le Jardin D'Acclimatation

This is three days ago, but we have been very busy! So, three days ago, on Sunday, we went to the Jardin D'acclimatation. It was a very lovely day! The garden has low key rides, a great splash pad, good food, a petting zoo, peacocks to chase around the park, a hall of mirrors, a corner with musical instruments, a herb garden, I could go on and on. This place is amazing.


Our favorite ride was a roller coaster called the Butterflies. You sit in a car for two, and it spins as it goes around the track. It's low key, but very exciting! We rode 6 times. Gwen also got to try those flying swings for the first time, she loved them.

Then it was a nice garden lunch, there was a birthday party for a 7 year old, and all the little girls wore white dresses. Gwen joined them in chasing the peacocks around the fountain and paths.

Then it was to the Splash pad, it's a clever one, with rainbows and flowers that spurt water. Then to the playground, where there was another very innovative climbing structure. Paris has lots of very clever kids play areas. This was a very good one.


Then she made friends with a pony and went for a ride.


Musical instruments to play and gardens to wander completed the day. Before we knew it, it was 8pm.


So, one last turn on the merry go round, and away we went! The Merry go rounds in Paris are also clever, they have horses, of course, but also little sections you can spin at will, like the teacups, but on a Carousel. Gwen loves them!


And I would like to welcome AMELIA to the world, she was born on Sunday! We can't wait to meet you! Congratulations to all the Bulman's and a special hello to Christin... Good Job Mommy, can't wait to meet the new addition and give you a big hug!

XO

The Marais, and bubbles

We had a very low key day today, we did some shopping. Mostly for John, another visit to the Camper store for shoes for him, and a walk in the Marais to buy lovely french cut dress shirts.

We ate at a cool trendy cafe and watched the world go by.



Then we found a playground to goof off in, and splashed in the Artsy fountain outside the Centre Pompidou. It was a fun day.

The highlight was a street performer who was making massive bubbles, Gwen made a friend, and they chased these huge bubbles for about a half hour. Lots of fun!

Then we went to the movies to see Numero 9, Tim Burton is the producer. It's called Number 9 in Canada. People with children beware, Gwen loved it, but Gwen tends to like dark subject matter like her Mom. It's a DARK film, completely lovely animation and score, but the story, visuals and ending are dark. So, i wouldn't recommend it to the 5 year old set.

Parc Asterix

Asterix is a series of french comic books. They have been translated into a hundred languages, including English. Kids like the sight gags, adults love the punny humour. They are much much funnier in French, something is just lost in the translation. Well, I read them and loved them as a child. I have also been reading them to Gwendolyn, and own the live action movies, which were never released in the US or Canada. So, she knows and apreciates who they are.

The park is similar to Canada's Wonderland, but with quite a few medium intensity rides, and only a couple of big thrill rides. Since Gwen and I are medium intensity girls, this suited us perfectly.



We started with the most boring carousel ride EVER. Seriously. But it went uphill fast from there. The rides here focus on smooth, quick and WET. We got plenty wet, and we had a blast! The picture above of her with the big shoes on will make John smile. We have photos of both of us in the same pose from when we were at the park some 9 or 10 years ago!



And we met Obelix... Gwen is a big fan of Ideefixe, the dog. Which is a funny name, in every frame he is drawn in, his thought bubble is a bone. his name means Fixed Idea.... Ideefix. Punny, huh?

Centre Pompidou

Today we went to the Centre Pompidou. It's the Modern Art Museam here. It was interesting, the major exhibit was called Elle, all women artists. Which was very interesting. Before we got there though, we got lost and wandered to the top, and were rewarded with an awesome view of the rooftops of Paris and the Notre Dame.

As for the exhibits, well, I was excited for Gwen to see some modern art, especially from a female POV. Well, I learned pretty quickly that some of it was simply not appropriate for Gwen. We left after we walked into an exhibit with a movie playing on a wall of a naked woman hoola hooping with a hoola hoop made of barbed wire. Close up of her waist as it hit and marked her. I am sure there was a point being made, but, I got Gwen out of there before I could read what that point might be, precisely. It was disturbing to say the least. Some exhibits are marked not appropriate for children, this one was not, so it makes me wonder what could possibly be worse. I'm not sure I want to know.

But there were some fun interactive ones too....


Then we played in the fountain. I must admit that we play in a lot of fountains in Paris. First of all, there are lots to play in. And second of all, it's freaking hot here!



We wandered around the area, and found a CAMPER store! I love Camper shoes more than any other brand on earth! (Ben Sherman is pretty close.... ) Camper shoes are much cheaper in Paris than in Toronto, MUCH cheaper. I bought 4 pairs for the price of 1.5 pairs back home. And since I will be collecting a 40 euro rebate at the airport on the way home, I'm laughing. Gwen picked out two, and I also got two. If you spent more than 175 euros in any store, you are entitled to 12% of your VAT back cash on the way home, which is how I'm entitled to the rebate.

Then we went to the Musee des Poupees. the Doll Museam. It should have been called, The Shrine to Barbie. But Gwen liked it, so ok. Gwen was allowed to chose anything from the gift shop, she chose a jump rope.



We had to lug all those shoes home, and took a nap. Then we went to Aquaboulevard. This was super fun! it's an indoor water park with slides and a life sizes replica whale that kids can climb around in, and slide out of a fast and gentle slide. Exciting enough for bigger kids, and this mommy, yet gentle enough to for the toddler set. I had to buy a swimming suit, since I forgot mine, and there is a big sporting goods store next door. I got a great suit cheap, and Gwen got Roller Blades, complete with matching helmet, and pads. She insisted on wearing them home. I let her wear them the two blocks to the Metro, and it was a very slow two blocks, since it is a new thing for her, then she had to carry them from there.