Step Aerobics Class at the Eiffel Tower

It is all Mary Kay's fault! She is the one who suggested it. Off we trotted from home to the Eiffel Tower not to take the elevator up like normal folks but to climb the 729 steps up to the second level. We still had to que and we still had to pay (although it is less expensive to walk it then to use the elevators.) Actually, it wasn't so bad; it felt good to get the exercise and it avoided the crowds as long as possible. The ques here are endless and one must accommodate that into the schedule for the day because inevitably it takes longer to see anything; you have to que and wait and wait and wait...Anyway, as we climbed higher and into the very heart of this enormous structure, it naturally got colder (even with the exercise) but provided a fun experience and wonderful views. And the Police were doing maneuvers on the Tower that morning, climbing (with safety ropes) on the outside and then repelling down to the ground. Sort of cool to be right next to them as they were doing this.
I have to admit. I am in love with the Eiffel Tower. I just can't get enough! To become one with it so deep into it you can see the wheels of the elevators turning is a moving experience. Almost intimate. Really! And they completed this project for the World Exposition in less than three years and under budget. And, to add, more fun to it, they periodically change the colors at night. See photos coming to you with Giverney Gardens...So much for our step aerobics class or so I thought...

Then came Arc de Triomphe and its 200+ steps. We visited there in the evening because that is just how the schedule worked out and MK wanted to see the Champs Elysees. Honestly, while it is impressive to look at from the outside, I was not overwhelming impressed with the view from the outside roof top. It was night and any of the information that was written for tourists was not visible so I didn't learn much about it. But up we climbed nonetheless hoping to work off all those French lunches....

We had planned to visit Giverney. It was my second time; I saw it in the summer decades ago and I was happy to oblige MK's request to take the train up there and visit the gardens. But we had absolutely no idea how exquisite the gardens would still be in October! It was just a WOW day. Neither of us wanted to leave. The caretakers of this must work all the time (although none were there the day we were) and I can only imagine that there are many, many volunteers who man the gardens in homage to Monet. Just magnificent flowers, endless rows of dancing flowers, plants, vegetation, weeping willows etc. And wisely they put loads of benches so the visitors could just sit and breath in the beauty. My words can not measure the peacefulness of this place. Because it was cloudy we decided not to bike from the train station to this tiny town but we did stop for lunch in the square of the town. We enjoyed that very much, as well. There is also an American School at Giverney which has its own, gorgeous flower gardens (although not competitive with Monet's) but still lovely to look at. Home we journeyed, happy, content and pleased with taking a day away from Paris to enjoy this worthwhile day trip.
Our final day was to promenade ourselves around the 6th, St Germain de Pres. This district is always a bustling, fun place to visit. We came prepared for the inclement weather, which changes momentarily, and because of that, while we were constantly concerned that we were about to be drenched, we were not. Inevitably, the sun came out and let us stop in the church, window shop the many boutiques, ending in the Luxenbourg Gardens. All leisurely paced and great fun. Then we trotted ourselves off to the reknowned Les Deux Magots cafe, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch, wine and conversation with others nearby. This cafe is the best for people watching. We watched them; they watched us. Great fun!
Mary Kay treated me to a dinner cruise on the Seine at Bateaux Mounches for our last night together. I remember the dinner as having been higher quality from a trip I took long ago, but still we again had great fun and it was an appropriate way of finishing off a wonderful visit. But pricey! 95 euros a person got you a small, narrow table on one of two sides of the boat with fantastic views as you slide along the Seine River. A very quick service took away a bit from the leisurely feel. But they did serve: Apertif, choice of starters: I had the Smoked salmon, MK had the Green Asparagus, a Choice of Main Course: I had the medallion of lamb, green beans and goat cheese, MK had Arctic Char, then a couple of cheeses, and a selection of desserts. My lamb was overcooked, which was a shame since it was quality lamb but still taste good enough to eat. They generously supplied two full bottles of wine to us and we advantage ourselves of that giggling more as the evening progressed. Both a "little" tipsy as we walked passed our beautiful Eiffel Tower to home we knew it had been an extraordinary week, packed with activities, sisterly bonding and great memories.
(photo of me climbing the stairs is the spiral staircase of the Arc de Triomph, not Eiffel Tower.)

Word of the day: sister - soeur (For me, it also means ami - friend)