Last day in Paris

Someone had asked for more on what we were eating so I keep trying to give some idea.
This is breakfast. Nothing fancy, just Special K with brown milk. works all morning.
The bread is all important. For dinner we got a baguette that was still hot from the oven. Perfect!

Here is the ugly truth though. Americans are such messy people.

I just never tire of the city views. Light and colors constantly changing. Later this evening we stood on one of the bridges in the late dusk and watched the beacon from the Eiffel tower swing across the whispy clouds hanging over our heads. It was spectacular. Made me think of Charles Lindbergh.

I left the camera at home because some things should not be attempted with photography.
Life has magic of its own. No need to try to make it.

On the Metro for a trip up the hill to Sacre-Coeur. Mostly for the view from on high. But also for the different shopping. Actually, the shopping turned out to be very good. How about that hot scarf? She is enjoying this!

The scary underground.

Le chat!

Cute little Merry-go-round on the way up the hill.

There it is. History of the place is a little weird but we are here for the view. Unfortunately, I decided not to haul my heavy long lens so the view was wasted. Oh, well, there's always more shopping!

This guy is some kind of famous soccer star who is now reduced to doing incredible tricks with the ball outside tourist attractions. A little cut in pay I bet! Amazing, though.

Nice view from the refreshment wagon.

I think i have finally found the Crypte things that Francis is always talking about. I'm going to follow the signs and try one!

We come to a whole square of artists (?) offering to make us look even more ridiculous than we do already! We tourists are pretty gullible. Still hoping to see a real live pickpocket. I guess the real ones could never be seen.

We finally find a lady who has made some very nice little watercolors. Colorful, abstract, very meaningful. I am moved to tears. We exchange email addresses. Life is wonderful.

Finally we get back down the hill a little and discover.... scooters in love!

Other end of the two-wheeled scale. Chris is uninterested in either. I don't like them so much myself but they all can make fun pictures. This one is decidedly untypical, even at home!

Look at the way the scooter color matches the color of the building where the owner works! This is on purpose, surely.

Finally, I must include this nice Ducati Monster. I am convinced that my next bike purchase should be a Ducati. Need some Italian passion in my life! Maybe we should start planning the next vacation trip.

This evening, we decided to make another meal in the apartment. No eating out in the expensive and unpredictable fancy restaurants. I know we will really get a lot of criticism when we return but who's trip is this anyway? Besides, the ingredients we get at the local markets and bakeries is so good, who needs to spoil it?

And after, some nice pastries to celebrate. Just right.

Chris promises to publish her special secret recipe for "canned baby peas....to die for!" Stay tuned.

I'm sure everyone will think we are spending too much time in the typical tourist haunts but I can testify that they are popular for some very good reasons! I especially liked the oldest coffee house in the world! And even though this city no doubt has much much more to offer, we are both so satisfied and happy with what we have experienced that nothing else matters.

As they all say, we just have to come back again!

I am really missing the little girls now (and my guitar) so it is really good that we leave in the morning. Loved hearing your comments. What a crazy world we are living in.

See you soon,

Mark and Chris

PS: Haven't had so much fun making photographs for a long time!