Paris: The View From the Top

Dish of the Day: Egg, Green Bean, Tomato, Lettuce, and Mayo Baguette & Baked French Onion Soup
Wine: 2008 Bordeaux
Dessert: Again, wanted Creme Brullet but the food here is so good I am eternally full

Early mornings are not my forte. Generally I deal well with getting out of bed, but if I am forced to rise before the sun, you may want to give yourself an hour buffer before approaching me. Mornings are not to be minded, but definitely not to be embraced if it means you are eating breakfast in the moonlight.

Our day today began at 5 am. Keep your eye rolling and balking opinions to yourself if you do not think that this is that early because, IT IS!!! Landing in Paris at 9 am means that your hotel room is not ready until 3 pm, postponing any hope of a refreshing shower or nap. But, the bright airy Parisian streets offer energy to any weary traveler who is willing to accept.

We are staying at the Petite Paris, a quaint little Parisian Hotel that boasts of ancient glory and present modernism. Its retro-chic interior and starry-lit showers definitely puts itself at the top of the nicest places we’ve stayed.

The Eiffel Tower at night is majestic. Riding to the top and staring out at the Parisian skyline is...cool but not that amazing. Paris doesn’t have that city skyline like New York or London that makes your jaw drop, but don’t paint me a cynic, for the structure truly is remarkable, and there is something about Paris at night that is, pardon the juxtaposition, peacefully cosmopolitan. Paris is diverting, cultured, and transient, but get off the major motorways and it is gentle, soft, and contemplative. The beauty of the city is to be observed within, not gazed upon from above. Being the last ones standing on the 17 c structure, I understand why Moses went onto mountain tops to pray. Though the Tower of Babble proves otherwise, somehow one does feel closer to God when higher up. Or perhaps its the vertigo that makes you more aware of his greatness and your own insignificance.

Try as I might, I could only eat half

Kendall, this ones for you! b.

Dad made it down 50 feet of stairs and his knees only buckled at the bottom!