Paris, Thursday 9/19/13

This was the busiest day by far. We took the open tour bus on the orange line and then the yellow line to Montmartre to see Sacre Coeur (sacred heart) church. We got to see the famous cabarets Lido and Moulin Rouge, as well as plenty of sex shops and Erotic Museum (which made me think of a good friend!). We walked up a busy street with lots of shops on both sides (mostly souvenirs - prices kept going down the closer you got to the church - but also clothes by the pound, which I found interesting). We had lunch at Sacre Coeur- french bread, cheese, salad and chocolate that we brought with us. Petru played a bit at a small playground. Next, we climbed the many steps up to the church, where the views were gorgeous. We entered the church and Petru whispered to me my own thoughts "It's creepy in here", so he and I walked out quicker. On the steps, Petru got accosted by an older man who wanted to draw his portrait. There were lots of people trying to make an euro this way around the church, and they were not shy in their approach; Petru, the friendliest little boy, had a hard time understanding why we kept telling him to not entertain these talks (P: "But mom, it is free", AM: "Nothing is free lovey!).


Next, we took the bus back. Chris and Petru went back to the apartment and the playground while mom took me shopping (on Champs Elysee) as she always done when we get together. Thank you mom! I feel so spoiled, like a "princess":). We spent 3 hours shopping, returning home around 9pm. Mom, at 71, managed to walk around for more than 12 hours that day! I can only hope to be like her when I get to be 71.

We all walked to dinner and ended up at a fancy restaurant because of a strike nearby. (The next day we asked our French friend about it, and he nonchalantly mentioned, "Oh, just another strike", but I would lie if I did not say I was a bit scared!). We ordered quickly. I got "fish of the day" without asking what it was - it was squid and I just could not make myself eat it. Chris got "meat of the day" which was raw steak. Mom and Petru got food they liked. It was pretty comical to watch all of us trying to make the best out of this. Chris ended up eating 2 dinners, and I filled up on bread and salad. We all slept great that night.