So what John had thought would be just a week away from the family turned into two weeks. He wasn’t very excited about this part of the trip. His boss decided to have John, Jeff, and another member of the team go to Paris for a meeting. This meeting was for John’s other project. This project has been a source of some frustration for John and he really didn’t feel prepared for a meeting on it. Especially, after they were spending so many weeks focused on the stuff for Germany. When he home and told me about the trip, he was really upset. Not just about having to go, but because of where he would be going.
For those that know me, Paris has been one of my top places to see before I die since about the forth grade. It was then that I started learning French in school and about places that to me were amazing. I’ve been stuck on the place for so long that my parents even offered to pay for John and I to go instead of having a wedding. We passed up the offer wanting to share our special day family and friends and knew we would get there someday. Now John has to tell me he is going without me; yeah not a good deal. You would think I would just pack up and go with him, but since this was a last minute plan; I couldn’t. I don’t have a passport- not enough time to get one; and we had no one that could watch the kids. I did cry a little (I couldn’t help it, I’m a crier). I knew this wasn’t something John had planned on, but something he had to do for work.
Now, after I got over my initial disappointment, I wanted John to enjoy the trip. I would be living vicariously through him, until he takes me there!
He left Germany on Friday and made it to Paris that evening. When I talked to him after he landed the plan was just to go back to the hotel and eat there. Disappointment! I had to remind him to enjoy, It’s PARIS!!!!
Saturday
Jeff had been to Paris a long time ago and had some knowledge of places to go. John bought a pocket tour guide, that he said came in handy. That morning they got up and spent the day sight seeing. He said as they were around, they decided to save things for when they brought their wives back. The pictures he brought back, just refueled my want to go. I’m thinking our 10 year anniversary next year?! (oh, John if you are reading this, there was the biggest HINT in the world!
)First stop Notre Dame- BEAUTIFUL! Most of the pictures I won’t explain, but there are a few I will.
Below are pictures of La Pieta, which John couldn’t get close enough to for a good picture. He took the small camera, which doesn’t have a really good zoom. The vestments worn by Pope John Paul II.
The first below is a monstrance, where the host is place for Adoration. The second one is where they place a crown of thorns around the top. The crown is not shown, but is put our of the public eye and brought out on Good Friday for veneration. They do not claim that it IS THE Crown of Thorns; but it is similar to what would have been made. It also carbon dates back to the same time period. John brought home an English information booklet that talked about the crown and showed it incased in glass tube with gold wraps. This one was something new to me.
Directly above is the statue of Notre Dame. It is the symbol if you will for the church. John got a few souviners that had this on them. Below is a picture of a sign about Notre Dame’s 850 anniversary in 2013. A good time to visit. Next, one of the many carvings on the outside of the church. St. Denis, (the one holding his head) Bishop of Paris was beheaded and said to have picked up his head and walked 10 steps preaching.
John in front of Notre Dame; kind of a duh right? The picture I really wanted to point out was the next one. You can go outside at the top of the church. Look closely and you will see lines of people. John decided to save this for next time.
John took so many more pictures, but I didn’t want to over do it. I am thinking about making a photo book from this trip. There are more to come, but I wanted to keep this one with just Notre Dame. This church is one of the very reasons why I want to go to Paris. I’ve seen the one in Quebec, but I REALLY want to see this one. Hence, one of my favorite Disney movies is Hunchback of Notre Dame and my favorite book also. I am in awe!