"Maman, Regarde! Les vaches!" Paris week 6 & 6.5

Tuesday there was a power outage in our apartment complex. It started at about 9, right before I left my host family's apartment(they live downstairs and across the courtyard). It wasn't a huge problem tho. When I got to my apartment and realized that the power was out there as well, I decided to go on a run. I figured that I'd stop by the library on the way home as well, and the power would be back by then.

So, I climb down the 8 flights of stairs and push the button that opens the door, and I threw my weight against the door to open it. Aaaaand...nothing. See, the security doors of many of the apartments are controlled by electricity. You put the code in from the outside, it opens. You push the button from inside, it opens. After a few minutes of angrily pushing the button, I came to terms with the fact that I was locked into my apartment. And I wasn't thrilled. 

Luckily for me, there are 3 doors around the courtyard that all connect at the top of their staircases, with hallways branching to the various parts of the building. I saw through the window that one of the doors was propped open, so after walking back up the stairs, and then down another set of incredibly dark stairs, I was free. 

But when I got back 1.5 hours later, the lights were still out. And I was nervous to leave because I didn't want to get locked out. And it was pouring. The mini "blackout" lasted another 4 hours. It was strange, because it was just our building. 

Wednesday was meant to be full of tall towers and over priced t shirts, but it was pouring rain most of the day. So I only ventured out long enough to visit Trocadero, before I left for a long bus ride to pick S up from day camp.

The view from Trocadero.

After picking him up, we waited at the bus stop for 15 minutes before the bus arrived. And then we watched it drive past. As we flailed our arms about, hoping the bus would stop, the grouchy looking driver shook her finger at us, her expression as cold as our toes(it was still pouring rain). We walked around for another 15 minutes, stopping at every bus stop, looking for a bus that was headed home. Finally, I gave up and we got a taxi home. By this time, S was exhausted and grumpy, and I looked like a drowned rat. 

Poor baby passed out on the way home.

Turns out he got a fever, and I tried really hard not to feel like the worst nanny ever.

Then, Thursday, I headed to the top of the Eiffel Tower. I can't believe it took me 5 weeks to get myself up there...and obviously, I picked the worst time. The weather was just as great as the day before...meaning, the weather was horrible. But, it didn't rain for the two hours it took to get up and then back down the tower, so I'm grateful for that.

Obviously, we WOULD end up in a cloud...

Friday afternoon we headed to a Normandy.

And I am convinced that there is no place more beautiful.

Rock beaches and cold water means I kept my shoes on, thank you very much. 

We stayed until Sunday morning, when we took a quick stop in Les Havres so I could go to church, and for lunch. We drove straight through to Versailles, where we stayed until Tuesday evening. 

We stayed in the Trainon Palace, owned by Hilton(I feel proud right here, even tho I don't work there anymore...) our days were basically swimming, eating, and walking.

Isn't he cute??

 We also took a rowboat out onto the Grand Canal and it was beautiful. The kiddos pointed out every duck, swan, and ugly duckling(which were actually adorable..)

We're taking two days to recalibrate(and do laundry) before we head to Southern France this Friday. 

I am loving the traveling around more than just sitting in Paris. And it's not just because we're travelling, although that's a major plus. There's a lot more structure, and it makes my days in Paris more important, because I have to actually plan on the things that I want to get done while I'm here.

And now that we're spending a lot more time together, the kids and I are getting a lot closer. E told me this week that she was going to miss me when I left, so I take this as a win. ;)

Who knows when my next post will be, because I don't have wifi much when we're travelling. But, as always, thank you to everyone for their encouraging and loving words. <3 :)