Paris Take One!
By Sarah Sexton
28.05.18
“I wonder if everyone here is as happy as we are?”-me.
“What do you mean?!” puffed one of my family members.
“Like, that couple right there, do you think they are less happy or happier than our family right now at the Louvre?”
I continued by asking the same question as other families walked by us. I would presume that at that moment everyone was in a better mood, happier than the sextonfive. But! There were also thousands of people there on that hot, exhausting, 20,000 steps day. There might have been another family who needed a nap.
Our family was sitting in a time-out bench against a wall in the Louvre in the ancient Egypt art exhibit. It’s exhausting to think how long it would take to properly go through that art museum. Caroline, Helen and Kate were shooting with excitement to see the “Mona Lisa.” We ran upstairs. We followed the signs. We followed the crowds. And there she was framed on a wall, encased in glass, two security guards protecting her. I thought she was beautiful and worth all the hype. And I could not believe I was standing in a room with the original “Mona Lisa.” I’m still thinking about the history of Leonardo da Vinci and the story of that painting.
After all our selfies, and pictures of the “Mona Lisa,” we exited, and the girls crashed. And I did not need a crystal ball to read the future. The arguing between Steve and the girls. The scene.
“When are you ever going to come back and experience the biggest art museum in the world?” Steve. “Dad, I might come back here when I’m 25.” Caroline. And…. Steve, ”not on my dollar.” A time out was needed, and everyone needed to literally cool down. It was a very hot, very sunny day. I loved that Steve was showing an appreciation for the arts to the girls. And I love that Caroline was spilling just enough attitude.
We finished the large Egyptian exhibit and were melted the rest of the day. Here are some of my snip-its:
We were walking down a side-street in Paris headed to the Eiffel Tower. Kate is my little buddy on vacations. We are the caboose and always holding hands. Boom! Kate’s foot slid out in front of her, and if it were not for my wrenching grip on her hand she would have had a blood injury. Helen was directly in front of us. She heard and then saw the commotion. Wow! That was a huge slip. What made her slip? That huge brown leaf on the ground? I picked up the big brown leaf and sure enough it was a banana peel and it brought many laughs, stories, and a memory made, not to be forgotten as we walked to the Eiffel Tower.
I will never forget eating lunch in the palace gardens. We had a table in the woods that Kate picked out. It was truly magical. Earlier before we ate in the gardens, I asked Caroline, Steve and Kate (after tending to Helen being sick), “Why are you standing in line to buy tickets?” Caroline replied, “Oh because Kate lost our tickets.” And me quickly, “Why was Kate holding the tickets?” I was not upset with Kate, everyone concluded.
I love Europe. I love Paris! I was extremely nervous and cautious traveling there because I have heard from many people that the French do not like Americans. Any rate, whether that statement blankets other countries sentiments too, I did not run into that all. Everyone was so kind. I mean it! It was such a kind city. The girls and I had to run to a local market for shampoo, conditioner and band-aids. The female group in front of us just finished their check-out. They opened their crisp bag and offered many to my girls. The French women were beautiful, and I think their native, French language added to their beauty. They did not understand us, and we did not understand them, but they were so kind. My girls did learn to say “mercie” to them and many others. Cuisine and wine was unbelievable! And my girls are branching out on their taste pallets.
I needed the band-aids because I got a very bad rug burn at the Liverpool airport. The Easy Jet Employee at boarding was upset because we had two carry-on suitcases, and we each had a backpack (a total of seven items). I went online before to make sure all our luggage was to code size and we were able to have one overhead and one to stow under the seat. I clearly read that information on Easy Jet’s web page. I stumbled to the employee late as she was telling Steve we had too many carry-ons. “I said excuse me, I made sure to read on your website about carry-ons…..I can show you where I read that information.”
“You are free to show me. If you are a prime member you are allowed one overhead carry-on and one seat stow carry-on. All other customers are only allowed one carry-on period. You clearly have far too many carry-ons.”
“Two. We have two extra bags and we will just shove them in our suitcase. Problem solved.”
It was early. I think we were still tired, and I felt Steve was projecting grumpiness while I was stuffing my backpack in my suitcase. I thought he was a little rude and so I snapped back, and he walked away with the girls. A little frazzled, I tried squeezing my backpack in my suitcase. Success! And as I was getting up, I tripped and skinned my knee. A very good rug burn. It hurt.
When we got situated on the plane, sitting next to Steve, I said, “You know you really frazzle me.” And with that he said, “I’m not even going to talk about it.” And he was done, but I was not. I pushed the call button for the stewardess. Two came up to me. I asked if they had any band-aids. They looked at me rather annoyed. Both. Same expression and said, “No we do not have any band-aids.” And still pushing buttons, “Really, you do not have a first-aid kit on the plane? That’s weird.” And just before the plane was about to take off, one of the stewardess came back to me and handed me a band-aid. She asked what it was for. I told her I got a bad rug burn in the airport. And I think Steve rolled his eyes to sleep.
Unfortunately, the band-aid fell off, so it was the first thing I asked at hotel reception before we started our long day of site-seeing, I asked for another band-aid. And the gentleman was beyond helpful. He brought me a box and I picked out a good size one. Then later that evening I bought a box of band-aids. Not on full-purpose, but the band-aids I bought pretty much covered my whole knee. I had to continue with my statement.
The girls had far more fun at the souvenir shop. Caroline bought a black beret, Helen bought a lovely charm bracelet with the Eiffel Tower some pearls and other monuments, and Kate bought a green horse carousal music box. I almost took a wheel of cheese home. The pastries lived up to any type of hype. Delicious!
Saturday night was the hottest night since we moved to Europe. We were on the sixth floor of the hotel. There is no ac. There was a breeze, but the parties outside were so loud. Finally, at 4:00 a.m. I had to open the large windows to get a breeze. And there was a singing party outside our window. Everyone was singing to Eminem, “Two trailer park girls go round the outside….” It is not the first time I have felt love from the D. I felt this winter, many times, Michigan sent me love with the frigid temperatures in England, pipes freezing. Eminem played until 5:00 a.m. and then delivery and rubbish trucks clanked until my alarm went off at 6:00 a.m.
I happily plan to go back to Paris in 13 years with Caroline. Hopefully the whole family will be together.
Mercie!!
Abbey Row 