Paris

We headed to Paris a few weeks ago for a quick three day trip. It was Susannah's first trip to the most romantic city in the world, and a great chance for Peter and I to say au revoir to the city where we started this big Olmsted adventure.

We had a great time, but quickly realized that sightseeing in a big city happens at a very different pace when you add a baby to the mix. (especially one that doesn't take a bottle.) By the end of the trip, we determined that from now on, to accurately plan our time, we should map out an itinerary we would have followed pre-Susannah and cut that by 2/3 to make our new realistic itinerary.

We decided to spend our first afternoon at Notre Dame. Peter had never been inside the church and we were excited to check it out.


After Notre Dame, we spent the evening on one of the Seine River cruises. We had never done this before and it seemed like the perfect little family excursion.


We managed to salvage our planned Eiffel Tower family picture despite Susannah's perfectly planned diaper incident.


Overall, the boat ride was a great success!


The next day we took a long, sunny walk from our apartment in the Marais district to the Army Museum. Here are Peter and Susannah outside the Louvre.


We also walked by Quai d'Orsay (France's ministry of foreign affairs) and happened upon the president of Guinea as he was leaving.



Here, Susannah and I are in front of the Army Museum where Napolean also happens to be buried.


After a lunch at our favorite restaurant, we headed over to the park at the base of the Eiffel Tower to enjoy the sunny afternoon.

During our two years of traveling in Europe, Peter and I have determined that an afternoon of people watching in the local park is almost always time better spent than in a museum or church. This is even more true now that we have Susannah. This was probably our favorite time of the entire trip.

After 5 full minutes of Mommy trying to get the perfect shot of Daddy and Susannah with Eiffel Tower in the background, I'm pretty sure she was thinking, "Give it up and just enjoy the afternoon, Mommy!" Or at least that's what I think this face is trying to say.


Our last day consisted of a morning photography exhibit that didn't allow photos and an afternoon with another Olmsted Scholar, Tim Gallagher. We forgot to take pictures with him as well, but loved hanging out and seeing his apartment. (Susannah thanks baby Tim for allowing us to use his nursery so she could eat.)

It was a sunny fun-filled trip that we were so happy to have shared.



Leaving was bittersweet as we knew it would be a while before we visited this beautiful city again. But no worries, we will most definitely be back one day. :)