Paris! The final stop on our crazy tour. We were back in mainland Europe, but were forced to move slow. Nadine got another stomach bug on Day 1 in Paris...which she then shared with me, while I gave her my cold.
After departing Istanbul, we got to our AirBNB apartment in the city, grabbed some food & red wine for dinner, and celebrated Dave's 31st birthday! And then each crashed hardcore.
Day 1...it was rainy so we headed for the Louvre. We saw Mona, Venus de Milo, etc...but what was really neat is that we had just been to the places where the Art was from! (Athens, Rome, Egypt, Turkey). We finished up by 1pm, then hopped a train for Versailles to see the palace. The weather had cleared, and we spent the afternoon walking another European Royal Grounds. We returned back to the city for a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower at dusk...pssh, what a cheesy place to propose ;)
Day 2...as a delayed celebration of Nadine's PhD Dissertation Defense, we took a day trip to the Champagne Region (specifically Reims). Dr Lippa had a plan, but we also winged it with no French between us in a rural area. We sampled several local 'bubblies' at lunch and then toured two houses (Casanove & Mumm). We took home souvenirs, then hurried to catch the train home. A bucket list item crossed off!
Day 3...to enjoy our last day together for awhile, we strolled around a sunny Paris (both sick, but of course hand-in-hand). We saw Sacre Coeur Church & Notre Dame Cathedral, Saint Chappelle's 12th century stained glass, climbed the Eiffel Tower, stood under the Arc de Triumph, walked down Champs Elysees, saw the lights of Moulin Rouge, and paid our respects at the Paris Shootings Memorial at Bataclan Theater. Amazing!
Day 4...we got to the Paris airport early, but each knew what was coming. The last hour slipped away too fast, and Nadine got on a bus for her terminal. We starred at each other through the same pane of glass on the bus, knowing that was it for awhile.
But it was all worth it, every minute, every day. Even today, as Nadine finishes her final 10 weeks in Germany, each of our pre-Marriage choices and journeys are worth it. The day will come where we will finally be together for good, and what an epic celebration it will be...and you are all invited :)
Paris... Nadine, Dave, & Mona in the Louvre
Paris...Nadine & Winged Victory in Louvre
Paris... front of Versailles Palace
Inside Versailles Palace... hall of mirrors
Backyard gardens of Versailles
Paris (duh!) Eiffel Tower at dusk
Paris... stealing a kiss in front of Sacre Coeur
Champagne region... sampling bubby at lunchtime
Champagne region... cellars of champagne bottles
Champagne region... rack of champagne bottles
Paris... Notre Dame cathedral
Paris... Eiffel tower during the day
Paris... view of Louvre from Eiffel Tower
Paris... Dave in front of Arc de Triumphe
Paris... evening shot looking down Champs E'lysees
Paris... Moulin Rouge at night!
Paris... street next to Bataclan where chaos was too real
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