The calmer day began at 8:00 for Mr. Mynatt (or Mr. Tim as some call me). I'll admit 8:00 is a bit later than the normal 6:30. We had storms and rain last night and awoke to an overcast and COLD morning...not entirely a bad thing. First order of the day was a brisk walk (is there another kind?) down from our Latin Quarter hotel across the Seine past Notre Dame Cathedral over to the Hotel de Ville to get our boat cruise tickets for later this morning. Halfway there the Boat People call me and tell me there's a delay so back UP the hill to our hotel I go. Almost to the hotel Mrs. Mynatt calls to tell me the Boat people have called HER and now everything is OK - back DOWN the hill to get the tickets. Got 'em! Finally back up the hill to the hotel for the last time before breakfast.
Yes, it's a calmer start today with only a brisk 2 mile uphill and downhill hike x 2 in a cold blustery North Gale Force wind before breakfast ;-) I think the travelers were just awaking when I finally returned. Seriously - I AM glad they got to sleep in a bit this morning. They really deserved it after yesterday's marathon.
After breakfast our first order of the day was...you guessed it, back DOWN the hill to Notre Dame to climb the medieval cathedral's bell tower to the very top to view all those gargoyles up close and personal. If Quasi Moto really DID live in the bell towers here I doubt he had any of those famous French Pastries and Ice Creams like we've been having because if he did there's no way he could have EVER fit into those tiny spiraling staircases!
After descending down spiraling staircase #2 and being weak-kneed at the bottom we entered into Notre Dame during Sunday morning mass. The grand organ and choir music was beautiful and the sunlight was streaming through the many stained glass windows illuminated the church for your travelers to experience something few of their fellow classmates have probably ever seen or heard. Personally as I stood to the side and took it all in I found myself conversing with God that even though I didn't know the spoken language, because of Jesus, I could worship Him in this place (or any place) and how thankful I was to be able to do this and with your sons and daughters no less!
After our inspiring look inside this most famous cathedral we headed over for our Seine River Boat Cruise that took us by the most important sights of built along the banks. It was mostly a relaxing and fun cruise rather than a learning time...I think we've reached information saturation for a while :-) Time to take a few breathers and have some fun, don't you think?
Speaking of fun - I think it's time to have even MORE fun! The last Europe 2010 Group had a fabulous bike tour of Munich, and so Europe 2012 Group's bike tour had been planned for PARIS! From experience we knew this point of information saturation would be hitting about now so the best way to overcome that is to plan a fun activity experience like Bike About Tours in Paris and have a few facts and a few snacks thrown in along the way. On our way to pick up our bikes we made a stop at the Hotel de Ville for a group picture in front of this famous place. There was even an enormous outdoor screen erected in front with hundreds of people sitting outside to watch the French Open from Roland Garros.
Good news, WE ALL MADE IT UNSCATHED! It was hard for the Mynatt's to imagine a bike ride in hectic Paris, but our guide managed to find DESSERTED streets - as many times as we've been here we've never seen these places before today.
What we learned today is that it's not important if one of us doesn't appreciate art, or music, or bike riding or city life. What IS important is that we tried it, experienced it, and finished to the end. Bravo to your travelers for doing this cheerfully!
The next planned activity for the day, and probably THE most important activity (especially for the boys) was DINNER! Tonight's selection was Italian and Pizza Roma very near our hotel. They cheerfully welcomed us, and we did have a feast of some excellent pizza, pasta, soup and green salads...some even being a little out of our zone of "normalcy". Just ask Ms. Armstrong how she liked her pizza with a sunny side up egg on top or Mr. and Mrs. Mynatt with sauted tomatoes and arugula on theirs! I think the kids stuck to mostly Pizza Margheritas (cheese pizza).
Our last "official" site of Paris for this trip was the Luxembourg Gardens just across the street from our little hotel. It's a beautiful park where we took a stroll and a last group shot of Paris before we head to Rome tomorrow. It's going to be one of our Travel Days and travel days are never a fun way to spend a day - but it's just something we have to do. Here are our last minutes of the day today - I think we finished well, don't you?
While uploading these finals photos I hear rain outside my window. Yes, the rain that has threatened all day long is finally here. I know we're all thankful that God saw fit to hold back the rains until tonight :-)
Goodnight and talk to you tomorrow from Rome.
Yes, it's a calmer start today with only a brisk 2 mile uphill and downhill hike x 2 in a cold blustery North Gale Force wind before breakfast ;-) I think the travelers were just awaking when I finally returned. Seriously - I AM glad they got to sleep in a bit this morning. They really deserved it after yesterday's marathon.
After breakfast our first order of the day was...you guessed it, back DOWN the hill to Notre Dame to climb the medieval cathedral's bell tower to the very top to view all those gargoyles up close and personal. If Quasi Moto really DID live in the bell towers here I doubt he had any of those famous French Pastries and Ice Creams like we've been having because if he did there's no way he could have EVER fit into those tiny spiraling staircases!
After descending down spiraling staircase #2 and being weak-kneed at the bottom we entered into Notre Dame during Sunday morning mass. The grand organ and choir music was beautiful and the sunlight was streaming through the many stained glass windows illuminated the church for your travelers to experience something few of their fellow classmates have probably ever seen or heard. Personally as I stood to the side and took it all in I found myself conversing with God that even though I didn't know the spoken language, because of Jesus, I could worship Him in this place (or any place) and how thankful I was to be able to do this and with your sons and daughters no less!
After our inspiring look inside this most famous cathedral we headed over for our Seine River Boat Cruise that took us by the most important sights of built along the banks. It was mostly a relaxing and fun cruise rather than a learning time...I think we've reached information saturation for a while :-) Time to take a few breathers and have some fun, don't you think?
Speaking of fun - I think it's time to have even MORE fun! The last Europe 2010 Group had a fabulous bike tour of Munich, and so Europe 2012 Group's bike tour had been planned for PARIS! From experience we knew this point of information saturation would be hitting about now so the best way to overcome that is to plan a fun activity experience like Bike About Tours in Paris and have a few facts and a few snacks thrown in along the way. On our way to pick up our bikes we made a stop at the Hotel de Ville for a group picture in front of this famous place. There was even an enormous outdoor screen erected in front with hundreds of people sitting outside to watch the French Open from Roland Garros.
Good news, WE ALL MADE IT UNSCATHED! It was hard for the Mynatt's to imagine a bike ride in hectic Paris, but our guide managed to find DESSERTED streets - as many times as we've been here we've never seen these places before today.
The next planned activity for the day, and probably THE most important activity (especially for the boys) was DINNER! Tonight's selection was Italian and Pizza Roma very near our hotel. They cheerfully welcomed us, and we did have a feast of some excellent pizza, pasta, soup and green salads...some even being a little out of our zone of "normalcy". Just ask Ms. Armstrong how she liked her pizza with a sunny side up egg on top or Mr. and Mrs. Mynatt with sauted tomatoes and arugula on theirs! I think the kids stuck to mostly Pizza Margheritas (cheese pizza).
Our last "official" site of Paris for this trip was the Luxembourg Gardens just across the street from our little hotel. It's a beautiful park where we took a stroll and a last group shot of Paris before we head to Rome tomorrow. It's going to be one of our Travel Days and travel days are never a fun way to spend a day - but it's just something we have to do. Here are our last minutes of the day today - I think we finished well, don't you?
While uploading these finals photos I hear rain outside my window. Yes, the rain that has threatened all day long is finally here. I know we're all thankful that God saw fit to hold back the rains until tonight :-)
Goodnight and talk to you tomorrow from Rome.
Looks and sounds like a fabulous day! How much fun! We are praying for your safe travels tomorrow. Can't wait to read all about it. Thank you for taking the time to update the blog.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written---thanks for sharing. I am sure I speak for all the parents when I say that we miss you but are so proud of you all and excited for you and your new experiences.
ReplyDeleteChristie Mullins
Angie, looks like your gonna survive Paris for a third time! Looks like you all are having a good time. I'm jealous I can't be there. Glad you guys got to sleep in a bit!
ReplyDelete