Notre Dame

Heidi and I decided to visit Notre Dame on Sunday at 8 a.m. We were to participate in a mass that morning. Sadly as this was one of our first days to travel the metro, we ended up being 20 minutes late. When one enters the Notre Dame, there is simply no more talking. No one tells you this, you simply feel it. As we silently made our way around the cathedral, we listened to the priest give mass. Some people were joining the group, but we felt since it was marked off and closed we should not go it. I watched from a respectful distance. Heidi walked around to a candle lighting area and spent some time in quiet. As I watched the mass, a man who seemed to be in charge came over to me and in a very heavy French accent said "It is for you too." and invited me inside the central area to finish the mass with the others. I quietly tried for Heidi's attention and then we were both able to go inside. I was deeply touched by this show of Agape love. He had no idea who I was or if I even knew Jesus, but he wanted me to feel welcome. Later, he and the priest personally helped us to find the French Holocaust Memorial, little known and well hidden behind the Notre Dame.

Toillettes of Paris

I just wanted to say that in Paris there seem to be NO TOILETTES. In fact on one occassion I had to go so badly that I had to leave a clothes shop to go find one. I saw a McDonalds and knew they'd have one. They did. The line was long. Apparently everyone else had the same ideas. At times the metros of Paris smelled, now I know why. On our trip to the Eiffel tower, surprisingly there were restrooms at the top!! I couldn't believe it.

Arc de Triomphe and a sandwhich

We ended our last day by eating a sandwich in a park near the Arc de Triomphe. The sandwich was from a near by bakery in our hotel area that we had passed many times on our days there. The bread was soft and the meat and cheese were fresh. I spread topanade on mine that added another rich flavor and our dessert was surgared, dried strawberries. As we ate, a father walked with his daughter in his arms. He softly sang a song to her while she took tiny bites from a large sandwich. I wondered what could be possibly be singing about? Was he singing to help along his daughter's digestive system? Who knows. It was a poignant moment. That was the last memory I have of Paris-- it's people.

Les Invalidas

Napoleon is buried in a chapel made to only be seen by Louis the 14th. The inside is beautiful to a fault. Nevertheless, Napoleon's tomb is quite a site to behold. More than seeing the tomb itself is the process of walking down to the tomb--very grand. It would be fun to sit and journal here, sketch here.

Square du Vert Galant, the pretty park at the tip of the Île de la Cité

A friend in Canon City had been quite persistent that I go to this park and go to the fartherest tip of the Ile. When we arrived a young man was playing his bass, and it was such beautiful music. They were filming, so we tried to stay out of the way. An Asian man was having lunch under the willow tree at the tip. We sat at the edge for awhile enjoying the view, then left the man to have his lunch in peace.

Brassieries and Cafes

This is the fresh crepe that Bethany and I ate at the Eiffel Tower, the night we all met for the celebration. It was warmed on a hot castiron and smeared with yummy Nutella. Delicious.


This was the bassierie we found a few block from more expensive cafes. It was wonderful and the service was far better than others.


Duck confit-- widely made across France.The confit is prepared in a centuries-old process of preservation that consists of salt curing a piece of meat (generally goose, duck, or pork) and then poaching it in its own fat. I confused this dish with Foie gras. It is a food product made of the liver of a duck or goose that has been specially fattened. This fattening is typically achieved through gavage (force-feeding) corn, according to French law. How terrible.


This is a picture of the food we had a the jazz club.




These are pictures of the first meal we had at a corner cafe near out hotel. It was a beautiful Paris setting to eat a meal.

Eiffel Tower

Do yourself a favor and purchase tickets online to view the Eiffel Tower. It saved us much stress and wasted time. The Eiffel Tower, Paris's famous landmark, is a breath-taking sight to behold. It's iron beauty can be enjoyed both inside and along the lawn. Heidi and I were about 10 minutes late in getting to the gates, however, we were still admitted in. On Bastille Day @ 9 a.m. in the morning we were part of the first group to begin celebrating France's revolution with a view from the tower.

Parks of Paris

The English love their wildflower, wild-looking gardens, while the French prefer geometrically balanced and manicured gardens. The gardens were a beautiful and inspiring part of Paris that cannot be left out of my journey tellings. Heidi particularly enjoyed them and on one occassion we rested very comfortable in a quite square of threes.