Today was supposed to be Disneyland day, but thanks to the blanket of snow burying the city and not stopping all day and late in to the night (as I type), Disney is now on hold until Thursday. The trains we not running out of the city. We should have clear skies our next two days, the sunniest on Thursday, but highs still in the upper thirties and no doubt, slush on the ground.
We walked holding hands, watching every step we made, like walking on glass. I am proud to say we suffered no major injuries and no spills to even speak of. Our guide, Guylaine, was wonderful to help us change directions completely. We split up in to smaller walking groups of 10-12, adults in every group, and made our way to the house of Victor Hugo ((hunchback of Notre dame, les miserables, etc.) as its indoors and free. Kids played in snow, threw snowballs, made snowmen, etc across the city landscape. Unfortunately the folks at Hugo's pad are not so fond of groups. They didt mind twenty people in the house at once, but not if we all knew each other. Odd. As much as we tried not to appear as if we knew each other, unfortunately, not all of the group got to go in, but most. At a point, they just said "Non!" I am pretty sure that Hugo would be appalled at their rudeness. Alas, we took off in our smaller walking groups for Montmartre.
There are few things more beautiful than Paris, but Paris covered in snow from the steps of the Sacre Couer is beyond postcard pretty. We all got to see this today as we ascended and descended (very carefully) the steps of the basillica, and visiting the inside in between. It made an already charming area of town, and infamous "wedding cake" basillica, only that much more charming. I think it is safe to say that we all got our long awaited shopping done while winding the streets of this bohemian village, complete with hot chocolate and crepes rest stops. Our last stop was the restaurant for the night, where we all formed our large group again and enjoyed a frommage tarte, pork chop with cream sauce and mushroom, potatoes au gratin that would make your eyes roll back in your head and a finale of chocolate eclairs. Yum!
Our journey back to the hotel included much more snowing, laugher, music and dancing on the subway and some snowballs flying, past snow angels, before we bid adieu to the winter wonderland that we got to experience today.
Tomorrow we head out a little later than usual, which we all welcome, to the Orday museum to visit the most wonderful collection of impressionist works, along the banks of the Siene, in the old train station of the 1900's worlds fair that the movie "Hugo" was filmed. We will have many more adventures to share tomorrow evening so stay tuned!
Bonsoir.
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