Goodbyes can be difficult. This one is. Being here for two weeks, trying to live as locals as much as we could, has made us feel right at home here. Before we get all sappy about it, we’ll recount what a great couple of final days we’ve had, though.

After returning from Brussels (see our previous post about that trip), we had a renewed interest in getting out and being “in” Paris a bit more. Caz & Christina had some things to do/places to see, so the two of us went out shopping for some remembrances of our trip here. Holiday decor is just going up in the department stores here, so we were able to get some ornaments for our tree and a few other items. We then picked up some lunch and enjoyed eating it, along with many Parisians, on the steps of the Paris Opera House. From there we were able to look down Rue de l’Opera towards the Louvre. The sun was out and it was a great way to enjoy Paris.

Noon-time on the steps of the Paris Opera

Today, on our last full day, we slept in (again) and then met up with C & C for lunch in one of our favorite neighborhoods in Paris: Place Dauphine. Although a bit brisk out, the sun was shining and we enjoyed eating at a sidewalk table.

The restaurant at Place Dauphine where we enjoyed lunch today

A delicious lunch in the sun

Place Dauphine in the background ... beautiful spot!

At lunch, we presented Christina & Caz with a padlock. Huh?!? Yep, a padlock. You might recall that early on in our trip, we noticed a myriad of padlocks attached to the Pont des Arts (bridge). We thought it would be nice for the two of them to leave a little bit of their Paris engagement here in the city. So, the four us walked over to the bridge where they affixed their lock to it.

We walked along the Seine towards the Pont des Arts. A walk along the Seine almost always includes seeing those in love.

We first crossed over Pont Neuf (pictured), then walked along the Left Bank, towards Pont des Arts.

 

There are several sidewalk vendors along the Seine.

Caz and Christina locked their padlock with their name and their engagement date onto Pont des Arts.

The four of us parted company after that as they had more of Paris to see … and we had sweet chocolat chaud to enjoy. That’s “hot chocolate” for you English-speakers. We had heard about a place that was famous for their hot chocolate and C & C confirmed that their visit their was spectacular, so we weren’t about to let a sweet treat pass us by. Off to Angelina we went!

Macarons - one vanilla and one pistachio - to enjoy with the chocolat chaud

This was some of the thickest, richest, and most sweet chocolate we've ever had. Delicious! Note the cup of whipped cream behind the cup, too.

Good grief. We’re going to be waddling onto the plane!

All of that sugar gave us enough energy … to walk home. Then we kind of crashed a bit and rested until it was time to go fill our bellies again … for dinner.

We went out for a special last night dinner at Le Chien Qui Fume (The Smoking Dog) … a cute typical French restaurant not far from our apartment. We enjoyed a nice meal and time recounting with each other all the great times we’ve had on this trip. It has been spectacular.

Then we had a padlock to affix to the Pont des Arts, too. So in the chilly November air, we made our way to the bridge, found a location that suited us, and left a bit of ourselves in Paris.

Can you see our lock? No?!?

How about now?!?

Any clearer here?

There's no missing it here. It has our commitment ceremony date on it: 14 July 2003.

We will always have Paris!

One last look back at the Pont des Arts where a little piece of us will remain.

So now back in our apartment we must face reality: we need to pack and tomorrow we fly back to the States. As our November trip to Buenos Aires was last year, this two-week trip has been extremely memorable for us. We’ve been able to settle in and really get to know this city.

It wasn’t long ago when people were pouring their French wine down the drains in protest over France’s lack of involvement in the Iraq War. We were reminded of that on this trip when French citizens asked us about why Americans didn’t value the independent thoughts of a sovereign nation. Good question, actually.

Certainly not xenophobes, ourselves, we instead find common ground with the French, who are socially progressive, culturally sensitive, and fiercely proud of their own heritage. We’ve found it very easy to be ourselves here and we’ve found Parisians, in particular, to be very friendly and helpful … pretty much obliterating the stereotypes of the snooty, anti-American French.

Of course, we tried the language as much as we could (and were complemented on our French many times over), we expected things to be different than home, and we appreciated those differences. We found the French to appreciate our appreciation of our adopted home for two weeks.

In short, this is a city, these are a people, and this is a country we are very fond of for many reasons. To Paris and to all of you we say, Vive La France!