PARIS- DAY 4 (MONDAY) -THE CITY!

Whew! It seems that we finish each day "spent!" We are really maximizing our time here! Today was one of our "down days" (there was no service) and Nato and I went into Paris on the train. First we found ourselves perched high above the city on the top of the Eiffel Tower! We then went down and found some baguette sandwiches to help sustain us. Next we took the metro (subway) to Notre Dame. We arrived just in time to watch them close the doors for the day! So I took him across the street (off of the island) to pick up Lauren's Paris doll for her collection (shhhhhh!).

Then I took in the back alleys (tourist walk way) where they have tons of pastry shops and crepe stands, He loved the fresh made crepe with Nutella (chocolate-hazelnut spread)! Next we were on our way on the bus to the "Arc de Triomphe". After that our dogs were starting to bark at us (our feet) and so we decided to head back to the Eiffel Tower to catch the train back to Buc where the Lindermans live.

I made the executive decision to take the bus instead of the metro (because it took too much walking to get there and you also had to change trains- more walking). So we figured out which bus line we had to take and departed on "the 87". It was now going on 9 p.m. and we still needed to get off "the 97" and get on "the 42" to take us back to the train station. After we de-bussed and walked across the street to catch "the 42", a nice French lady told us "the 42" was finished for the night. Hummm- ok, what executive decision was next?

Just then, "the 87" came up and said "Champs de Mars" on the front. Perfect- thats where the train station was! It began to pull away just as we determined it may be our last hope. As it stopped for the light, we ran for it (a sight to behold) and got on. It was when my better judgment told me we were headed in the wrong direction that I figured we shouldn't have gotten on that bus! It took us right to "Champs de Mars"; the wrong "Champs de Mars". All the while, my Jr. Associate Missionary-Evangelist keeps telling me we should have taken the metro. So now Nathan kept bugging me to just "toughen up buttercup" and walk; it's not that far he keeps taunting!

He won; I folded; and 2 miles later (according to my trusty pedometer) at 10:15 we reached the train station right where we began. Yes, the Eiffel Tower does look cool when it sparkles with hundreds of strobe lights all over it every hour. You can actually see it as you're walking when you periodically lift your head and take your eyes off the sidewalk your on! We finally made it back and hobbled into the Linderman's home at 11:30. A day in Paris to remember!

Nathan's quote for the day: We should have taken the metro!

Our Prayer for the day: Lord, I hope we make it back before my feet give out!

The Word for the day: Crepes!

A Parting thought: What an incredible thrill and privilege to teach my son about this amazing world we live in- and show him! Thank you for sending him with me.