Friday/ Last Day on the Ground

Unfortunately today is the last day we have on the ground in Paris. We leave the apartment for the airport at 8AM. So, after Juston did a little business with his family, and I packed our bags, we got a head start out the door around 12PM today.

The first thing we did was walk to an area off the Arc de Triomphe that we had not previously frequented. From there, we dined at a sidewalk cafe, that turned out to be the best lunch we have had, hands down. We got a 5 cheese plate, tomatoes & mozzarella, and a pizza with ham & mushrooms. I also had a mojito. It was phenomenally good.

After lunch, we had plans to get over to Champs Elysees, to find a store for Absinthe. So, we started that way, but taking little backstreets to get there. I was so excited to find a patisserie, which allowed us to pick up 4 pan au chocolat's for breakfast on Sunday with my parents. Also, we strolled into Maison du Chcolat, a premiere chocolatier here, and although I could not afford a lot (it was 10 EU per bar!), we did get a few things as a special treat. Then, we walked the entire length of Champs Elysees to find a store that sold Absinthe. Juston ended up getting a special bottle, only 1 of 300 made in France, so he was excited.

After a brief drop off of several bottles of vio, the absinthe, and our chocolates, we went to Arc de Triomphe. We climbed all stairs, 108 metres in the air, but once we got up there, the view was fantastic. And, we were able to get some really cool arial photos of our apartment building, since Avenue Foch is right off the Arc, and we are only the 2nd building down.

Tonight, the Westerns took their own champagne cruise, leaving Juston & I to do our own thing for our last night. So we are at the apartment now (7pm), to regroup & go out to dinner for the evening, before going to Club Showcase on the Seine to dance the night away. Our plan is to stay there until 3AM, then on our way back to the apartment, grab breakfast as one last homage to the place we have so enjoyed for the past week. We depart at 8AM from the apartment, so we should be able to get back & shower just before it is time to leave. Talk about exhaustion that should enable all 9.15 hours of flying time from Paris to Charolotte to be deep sleep!

What a week. I need to go through the pictures just to relive it all. It has been amazing.

I will post one last group of photos tonight before we go out, from Wednesday Night. Wednesday night brought about spectacular photography, as we spent the evening atop the Eiffel.

Once we get home to the states on Saturday night, we will post the last groupings of photos, from Thursday & Friday here.

I hope you have enjoyed my blog while I've traveled Paris this week. I did not get to see all that I wanted, but I was able to conclude that life is too short to have a narrow view of the world. So, no matter if you gain perspective from down the street or across the world, keep your perspectives wide, and your hearts & minds open. You just never know what special thing you will find.

xoxoxox

Ash