Mrs Harris Goes to Paris

Let’s go straight to the shopping part of this travel since I didn’t mention any of that in the previous blog.

We have had so much fun walking the shopping streets of London and Paris.

In London there was Harrod’s and Selfridge, which is kind of famous for all the shoes they carry. I must say the old DSW in San Francisco that had five floors of shoes was much more impressive. I bought a fun sleep mask at Selfridge to remember it by.

There are all the originals of London such as Joe Malone perfume and beautiful Burberry scarves.

In Harrod’s we found this.

Finally! All our trips to NYC and we get to enjoy a little time inside the blue box. Our Tiffany time is complete.

In Paris walking the Champs-Elysee Ave which is 2 kilometers of store after store you would be familiar with. I loved sending Jay a picture of this corner.

Tiffany or Dior? Which do you choose? Mrs. Harris IS in Paris, so Dior it is. Plus they have a Dior Gallerie, a museum with many of his gorgeous designs.

The bump on my nose is from bending over and hitting my nose on a corner piece of marble. Blood thinners are not my friend when bumping your nose. Becky and I are a pair – my nose, her ankle. But, hey! As Queen sings, “Don’t stop us now, cause we’re having a good time, having a good time”.

I wanted to buy these shoes for Jay, but after seeing the picture he said, “Please No!”

Let’s go back to the beginning. From London, we hopped on the tube from London to Paris – under the English Channel praying no earthquake. Are there earthquakes in London?

Our first night in Paris was a cruise up and down the Seine with music and dinner.

On our way to the boat we found the Olympic torch.

They were so good. The violinist just showed off and the pianist was so smooth at his playing sometimes it looked like he really wasn’t playing and yet there was piano music. I don’t know how to explain it.

We passed by so many highlights along the river.

And there she is – Olympic rings and her glory.

More about the Effiel later.

A photographer came by each table to take pictures. The photographer said in his French accent, “Awwh, Mademoiselles, for your last pose, look into each other eyes”. Ackward! All we could do was look at each other and laugh. This was our reaction. It’s our favorite picture now.

The next day we spent a few hours in Musee de’ Orsay. This is one of my favorite museums. It used to be a train station and now it houses many Monet’s, Renioir’s, Van Gough’s, Manet’s, and Caillebotte’s.

Three years, nine months, and 29 days ago Becky and I were supposed to be at the top of the Effiel for her 50th birthday. Or at least on the fifth floor restaurant. (I will say I much preferred the way we did celebrate her 50th. Thank you Chef Brian.)

Once again I’m fired. I booked the wrong restaurant – 1st floor, not 5th, Oopsy! Still fun and delicious.

To make up for it, we walked in our heels to the fifth floor and back down to the ground. That would be 674 steps each way. Impressive if I do say so. Bought a ticket to the summit, rode the lift.

Manning the lift was a guy who remembered us from the beginning as he gave us suggestions. As per serendipity guy, we officially own the Effiel. We tried to get on the same lift down to really call it serendipity for Becky, but couldn’t find him. Serendipity wasn’t for Becky that night.

The next day we paid tribute to fallen soldiers and the wars France has been involved in. If you remember from the “History is Fun” blog, we learned how France came to our aid in the American Revolutionary War. There is a plaque for that war but I forgot to take a picture.

There are 12 intersections of traffic that flow around the Arc de Triumphe. Traffic is scary and many of the tourists we watched were oblivious to it. Even more scary.

Meanwhile….

Lionfish are still being captured and eaten.

It’s Friday night in the big city and the night club singers felt like we were back in the 80’s. A group of Senior ladies decided to get up and dance, so Becky and I joined them. They were so fun. It felt like a wedding reception when all the girls are dancing.

Becky had the best dress for Paris and those senior ladies loved it. Doesn’t she look great. I’m so proud of this woman and proud to call her my niece and travel companion.

On Saturday we spent a full day at the Palace of Versailles. In two words – opulent and ostentatious. Louis XIV built it, Louis XV played in it, Louis XVI paid for it by turning it into the museum it is today. Approximately 20,000 people visit it each day and I think we were in rooms with all of them.

The 2,300 room palace built today would cost close to $300 billion. The stories we were told just made me realize how filthy these people were. However, the gardens are spectacular.

The fountains at Bellagio in Las Vegas copied one of the fountains on this estate.

This is the table where the Paris Peace Treaty in 1783, negotiated by Jefferson and signed by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.

The farm on the property was actually my favorite part. Quaint homes with thatch roofs. This farm is at the back of the property, a 1.5 mile gentle walk through all the gardens. Of course they had trains or golf carts, but walking all the gardens and seeing the fountains was certainly part of the fun.

It’s Sunday and I have awakened very sick. Can’t catch my breath and can’t talk. Becky and Jay were busy figuring out hospitals in case I got worse. Becky went to the pharmacy for all kinds of drugs and a covid test. Negative on covid and the drugs are working. All the walking we’ve done hasn’t bothered me a bit. Now my ribs feel bruised from coughing and trying to catch my breath. I won’t lie, the pain in my neck and arm has been more since we’ve been in Paris. I have felt a new tumor come up and is pretty angry.

I missed the Louvre, but talked Becky into leaving me for a while to enjoy the museum.

We caught another disease here, called the “paris-itis” which is a disease that causes a person the need to buy another suitcase. I guess you gathered that by the beginning of this blog. On our last day I rallied enough for brunch at Laderee and suitcase shopping.

I can’t think of a better way to end this wonderful trip. My other Bec flew in. Tonight I had dinner with my two Bec’s, Becky and Beka.

Another trip in the books. We are so blessed and the Lord is so good to me to give me the strength for these trips with loved ones. I want to encourage you to never miss the opportunity to be with those you love.

Samuel Johnson said, “If you are tired of London, you are tired of life”. I think I can say that for so many wonderful places on this planet. God’s creation is good.

C’est la vie Paris! We’re on our way back to the US.

Blessings,

Jay, Kelly, Becky, and Beka