Please don't rain on my "Paree"
Well. What a couple of days it's been!
Sunday we began with a boat ride along the Seine and saw many of the bridges, as well as our first glance of such iconic places as the Louvre and Notre Dame. We also walked through the streets through an old part of town called Le Marais and ferreted out some of the oldest bits and corners of the city, including the last remaining part of the very first city wall, some 14th century houses still standing, and my official nerdiest thing of the day (which I meant to post on Twitter and forgot), the house of Nicholas Flamel. We also visited the History of Paris museum, which had lots of relics and perspectives on the city. In one of the replica ballrooms, Kathryn and I waltzed together. Quite fun!
Yesterday we slept in and then did a brief walk through the Jardin de Fleurs before going to lunch. In the afternoon it was another museum-- the Medieval museum.
Today was, I hope (no, I'm determined) the low point. First off, I got a terrible night's sleep, which made me very pouty and irrational. Secondly, it was pouring cold, wet, rain all day long. Guess what was slotted for today? Notre Dame. Let me tell you, there is very little magical or inspiring about climbing 382 stairs and seeing the panorama of Paris shrouded in fog while trying not to get dripped on, and learning to recognize your companions by the color of their umbrella. It was disappointing.
We didn't even end up going inside the church. There was another wet line to wait in, and over half the group, myself included, was to deject to be willing to wait and shiver anymore. So Dominique and Ruth decided to take a chance on going to visit the catacombs, and the rest of us headed back to our houseboat for some rest and recuperation.
I have rediscovered the stresses of trying to coordinate and maintain a high-level vacation with a diverse group of people. I'm not quite sure how I had forgotten, except perhaps that the string of vacations I've had in the past three years have all been with Mom or Tirzah, two traveling companions with whom I share almost perfect preference, or going to visit Laura and just hang out with her and/or Kate and Emma, which is about as low stress as you can get. Truth be told, I have really been the least well-adjusted in this group to the fluctuations and disappointments in our plans. I think this is a combination of: jet lag, Bob, and an undue pressure I have put on myself to make sure everyone has a good time, since the trip was my idea.
In any case, I think I've determined to keep all future traveling parties to no bigger than four, with the possible exception of conventions, because those kind of lend themselves to everyone following their own custom itinerary anyway.
After a proper nap (and some investment in measures to ensure I sleep tonight), I am feeling much better. The rain looks to be letting up. It's still cloudy, but for now, dry will be an acceptable up-turn in our prospects. Right now everyone is getting ready for our most high-brow dinner of the trip-- an evening cruise of the river.
Tomorrow, we are spending all day at the Louvre. This is a relief because the weather cannot damper (dampen?) our plans, no matter what it does.
Thursday is the Eiffell Tower, the Arc de Triumph and whatever miscellany we can squeeze in.
Friday we will try to redeem Notre Dame (since the weather forecast is good) and do some shopping and maybe go to the Opéra.
So, things are looking up!
Sunday we began with a boat ride along the Seine and saw many of the bridges, as well as our first glance of such iconic places as the Louvre and Notre Dame. We also walked through the streets through an old part of town called Le Marais and ferreted out some of the oldest bits and corners of the city, including the last remaining part of the very first city wall, some 14th century houses still standing, and my official nerdiest thing of the day (which I meant to post on Twitter and forgot), the house of Nicholas Flamel. We also visited the History of Paris museum, which had lots of relics and perspectives on the city. In one of the replica ballrooms, Kathryn and I waltzed together. Quite fun!
Yesterday we slept in and then did a brief walk through the Jardin de Fleurs before going to lunch. In the afternoon it was another museum-- the Medieval museum.
Today was, I hope (no, I'm determined) the low point. First off, I got a terrible night's sleep, which made me very pouty and irrational. Secondly, it was pouring cold, wet, rain all day long. Guess what was slotted for today? Notre Dame. Let me tell you, there is very little magical or inspiring about climbing 382 stairs and seeing the panorama of Paris shrouded in fog while trying not to get dripped on, and learning to recognize your companions by the color of their umbrella. It was disappointing.
We didn't even end up going inside the church. There was another wet line to wait in, and over half the group, myself included, was to deject to be willing to wait and shiver anymore. So Dominique and Ruth decided to take a chance on going to visit the catacombs, and the rest of us headed back to our houseboat for some rest and recuperation.
I have rediscovered the stresses of trying to coordinate and maintain a high-level vacation with a diverse group of people. I'm not quite sure how I had forgotten, except perhaps that the string of vacations I've had in the past three years have all been with Mom or Tirzah, two traveling companions with whom I share almost perfect preference, or going to visit Laura and just hang out with her and/or Kate and Emma, which is about as low stress as you can get. Truth be told, I have really been the least well-adjusted in this group to the fluctuations and disappointments in our plans. I think this is a combination of: jet lag, Bob, and an undue pressure I have put on myself to make sure everyone has a good time, since the trip was my idea.
In any case, I think I've determined to keep all future traveling parties to no bigger than four, with the possible exception of conventions, because those kind of lend themselves to everyone following their own custom itinerary anyway.
After a proper nap (and some investment in measures to ensure I sleep tonight), I am feeling much better. The rain looks to be letting up. It's still cloudy, but for now, dry will be an acceptable up-turn in our prospects. Right now everyone is getting ready for our most high-brow dinner of the trip-- an evening cruise of the river.
Tomorrow, we are spending all day at the Louvre. This is a relief because the weather cannot damper (dampen?) our plans, no matter what it does.
Thursday is the Eiffell Tower, the Arc de Triumph and whatever miscellany we can squeeze in.
Friday we will try to redeem Notre Dame (since the weather forecast is good) and do some shopping and maybe go to the Opéra.
So, things are looking up!