10:30 p.m.

Supermodel

Les Lapins d'Ile St. Louis

Day Five Paris: La Tourism (Cursed By a Gypsy)

Today was all about this:













Omnipresent at all of these touristy sites are "gypsy" women in long skirts and scarves who approach touristy looking people and ask, "Do you speak English?" When you reply, "Yes," they stand two inches from your face with a hand-written piece of paper that indicates their destitute state and need for cash. After several iterations of this, I got used to replying, "No." We moved to a grassy area and idly watched them go behind bushes and dirty their feet (not kidding about this). Another approached us and before she could get her sentence out, I replied, "No thanks!" in my perkiest voice. She looked me in the eye and elaborately cursed me.

That's what I get.

James Blunt

People in London are a little blunter about the dangers of life than the United States is. For example, a huge label on cigarette packs that remind you that you will indeed die if you smoke. Also, in the public park scene, no adults can be there unless accompanied by a child. In the US, it would probably state the opposite. Interesting stuff. The whole smoking epidemic isn't half as bad in the United States, but our cigarette packs barely state a thing... something about pregnancy issues, whatev. I really don't know the pedophile ratio, Europe vs. US, but I feel like Amurica tends to shelter issues much more. It's easier that way. Ignorance is bliss baby.

Paris: Day 4

Today was a travel day complete with high speed trains and a stressful (for the kids) and fun (for me) sardine packed Metro ride from Gare du Nord to St. Michel. We wandered around and hung out at Luxembourg Gardens where we learned that sitting on the grass and playing guitar are strictly forbidden. Passionate necking, however, is encouraged. Ah, l'amour!





My father arrived safely and met us back at the hotel. We all had dinner at Fogon, a Spanish tapas restaurant then walked over to Notre Dame, amazed that it was still daylight at 10 p.m. Our little hotel is situated across an alley from an Irish bar where a football match was on television. The party raged until almost 1 this morning, so we are all a bit fried today.

London: Day Three

Shakespeare! We went to the Tate Museum briefly where I took a couple of great photos of the kids. After that we went next door to the Globe Theater and saw a hysterically funny production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The "Pyramus and Thisbe" scene at the end was Monty Python worthy. Even Zach who earlier declared that "Shakespearean English from the time of Jesus just makes him angry" laughed a lot. Being able to sit and drink a Foster's while watching the play also helped. We had a great dinner at Theo Randall, described by Alex in his post below.