Day 14

Day 14 of our 14 day blog...I can hardly believe it!

Here is the view of the sunset last night, taken out of our apartment window.  Wow!

We had a picnic today at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

It was a beautiful day for a picnic!

After lunch, I took a little snooze while Rob and Meg played cards.

On Rob's "to do list" was to see the Arc de Triomphe built by Napoleon Bonaparte

Then we took a stroll down one of the most famous streets in the world, Champs-Elysees.  We were looking for an awesome place to eat our last dinner.  Rob really wanted a hamburger and french fries :)  

Mission Accomplished!

This is Jana and Rob signing off....see you on the other side of the pond!

Day 13

We had cereal and milk in our little apartment this morning, then headed out for another day of sightseeing in Paris.  Our first stop was at the Sacre Coeur, a church very close to where we're staying.  No, I don't need to use the bathroom, apparently this is how I stand when my leg muscles are so sore I can hardly stand it.

Oh my goodness!  A lady was making crepes out in front of a restaurant.  I asked for chocolate melted in mine :)

When we made our way over to the Louvre,  Starbucks was the first thing we saw.  When we walked inside, Megan teared up, saying, "Oh, it smells like home!"

Meg said this photo should be entitled "Where's Waldo".  Can you find me?  This is the large group of people looking at the Mona Lisa.  It's on the back wall, hanging behind glass.  

Here she is!

Venus del Milo

Do you notice any one missing in this subway shot?  Megan.  She is on the opposite side of the tracks.  As we were getting on our train, she was the last one trying to get in, and the doors closed on her.  Clay yelled through the glass at her stricken face, "Stay right there, we will come back to you."  So, as soon as our train stopped at the next stop, off we jumped off and started running upstairs, downstairs...hopped on a train back, and there she was sitting forlornly on the other side of the track.  More up and down stairs, and we were reunited.  Sheesh, glad it wasn't me, I would have freaked!

Next stop, Notre Dame.  Mass was just beginning when we arrived.  The organ was being played and it was amazing!  The priest started the service, all in Latin, of course!  It was great.

Megan and Clay in front of Notre Dame.  

Day 12

My Birthday! Just after midnight here Belgium we were ichatting with Chip, Quinn and Grandma.  They lit candles on a cake and sang Happy Birthday to me.  They then proceeded to eat cake and ice cream!  Pretty creative, Guys! 

 

We slept for a few hours, and were then up and packed for our trip to Paris.  Poor Rob.  We lost one of my suitcase wheels in London, and he has to roll the suitcase upright....a long way :)

The train station in Huy.  I am glad we have Paris to look forward to, or this would be a really sad picture.

We had a bit of a ticket snafu, so we had to ride "standing room only" to Paris.  It wasn't bad, it's only 1 1/2 hours.  Meg figured out a way to sit :)

We made a reservation for an apartment in the Montmartre area of Paris near the Sacre Couer.

Are you surprised at the hill we have to climb to reach the apt?  I'm not.

Again, poor Rob, having to roll mine upright :)

 

Our apartment building has the teeniest elevator I have ever seen.  My suitcase and I barely fit, if we both stand sideways!

The description online said it would sleep 4.  One bedroom (Clay and Megan's)

One rollaway (Rob)

One bed suited for a small child (Jana)

Here is Rob lying on my little bed.

Oh, how we laughed!  

We have a wonderful view of Paris!

Rob sets up his rollaway bed.  Pretty thin looking...good thing he is a good sport and can sleep about anywhere :)

Our first view of the Eiffel Tower.  It's amazing.

Some Aggies started a bike tour in Paris.  They call it "Fat Tire Bike Tours"  We registered for the Night Tour.  Here is our tour guide Andrew.  Our group met under the Eiffel Tower.

Andrew realized pretty quickly that we had 3 Aggies in our group.  He gave us an important job.  He asked us to ride in the back of our group of 24, and ride wide, to block any cars, taxis, or buses from trying to cut into our group of bikers.   He said to expect a lot of honking horns, that meant we were doing our job :)  One of us needed to wear an orange reflective vest...I gave up trying to look cool a long time ago :)  Besides, I figured it offered me extra protection :)

Here we are receiving instruction, feeling a little nervous.  It's been quite awhile since I have ridden a bike :)  

We're off!

A picture of me when I heard there was an ice cream stop on the tour!

Rob bought me a cone for my birthday!

This is surreal!

Here we are in front of the Louvre.  We saw so many things....Champs Elysees, Notre Dame...the list goes on and on.  The bike tour was great to give us an overview of what we want to see more of tomorrow.

Near the end of the tour, as it got dark, we parked our bikes and got on a boat ride down the River Seine to watch all the lights come on in Paris.  Wine was served as we cruised.  (This is all included on the bike tour)  These are my girl's and my feet :)  

One happy group of bikers!

A little birdie told the group it was my birthday, so I had Happy Birthday sang to me as I floated down the Seine.  Ridiculous, right?

Gorgeous!

After the cruise, we hopped back on our bikes, some more eager than others!  This tour was 4 hours long, People!  We rode back across Paris, in the dark, headed back to the tour office.  Us four, in the back, shielding the group from the traffic.  I had a small misshap with street barrier that racked me pretty good! (sorry to be so crass, but there is no other way to say it :)  I was glad to see the office.  But look what I got, free, because I wore the vest!!  The kids were given peanut m&ms :)

This picture was taken waiting for the subway at about 12:30am.  It's not my birthday anymore, and I am TIRED!!!

Day 11

This morning we caught a train to Bouillon to see a castle.  Meg and Clay taught us a new card game, Hole.  Playing cards makes the time fly.

After arriving in Bouillon the first thing we did was eat.  This picture was taken when Rob had just finished the dinkiest little salami sandwich and said, "I need SOME food, people!"  

Here is Bouillon Castle.  The first recorded reference to this castle is in 900 A.D.  Rob was pretty pumped!

Clay is an awesome tour guide.  Believe me, we've needed one :)

My sweet girl and an awesome view.

A man and his castle.

Four birds on a wire... waiting for our train back to Huy.

Day 10

Every Wednesday is Market Day right outside Megan's door.  I have never seen such beautiful fruits and vegetables.

Look at the size of those artichokes.

 

There was even an Organ Grinder, but unfortunately, no monkey.

Apparently, everyone dresses up and turns out for Market Day.

Rob has been waiting for this sandwich.  The Mitriaette.

It is a baguette with a sausage on it....covered in french fries, covered in a sauce.  Every man's dream.

After lunch, the kids decided they wanted to climb up to the fort that overlooks Huy.  I said, "Why don't I stay here and take a picture of you once you get up there?"  (I'm learning :)

If you click on this photo, you can see all three of them.

Here is a photo they took of their view of Huy.

God has really blessed these two with a beautiful place to live.

Breath taking, isn't it?