Nissa and The City of Lights

I hope everyone had a good long weekend.  I made my way back to visit my parents and dog-brothers back in Lambton County (after a brief trip to downtown Toronto).  One of the things I love about getting out of the office for a couple days is the massive amounts of e-mails waiting for me when I get back… even better, when I get an e-mail from one of our Globe Trotting alumni!

So, without any further delays:  Nissa and the City of Lights

Hey Joe!

I have attached pictures of when I took the paddle to Paris.  Yes, it happened awhile ago – like March, if I am honest – but I honestly just forgot.

 So, here you have The Paddle at Notre Dame Cathedral, made famous by the novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” by Victor Hugo.  Before the novel was published, the cathedral had actually fallen into grave disrepair and was basically saved by people who fell in love with the romanticism of the novel.  It’s beautiful inside and, interestingly, one of the only places of worship where I have been allowed to take photos.  There’s also, allegedly, Jesus’ crown of thorns inside, and other Papal treasures. I mostly just wanted to go because my high school shared the name.

The Paddle at Notre Dame
The Paddle at Notre Dame

Next up you have the night-time Eifle Tower (or Tour de Eifle en  francais).  I wasn’t too keen on it at first, to be honest.  But it turns out to be pretty cool.  We went all the way to the top and enjoyed glorious views of the city (and a glass of champagne).  It’s all properly caged in, so I didn’t have to worry about falling off.  This was the end of a whirl-wind day, during which I dragged my travelling companions all around Paris.  We were on a tight itinerary, and I was a bit of slave driver.  I also became very adept at travelling via the Metro – Paris’ subway network.  And when in doubt, act foreign.  The people in Paris were actually very friendly and forgiving of my terribly rusty French.

La Tour de Bark Lake?
La Tour de Bark Lake?

The last photo was taken outside the gates of the Palace of Versaille.  Easily my favourite place on the trip.  I do not have the words to describe how lavish and ostentatious this place was.  Build by one of the Louis, and home to such celebrities as Marie Antionette and Napoleon, it was meant to intimidate the heck out of any visiting dignitaries.  It works.  Unfortunately, because we went off-peak, they had all the fountains drained and everything, but it was still amazing.  The grounds are so big they have a functional farm (and more than their fair share of sheep)  and several summer homes.  It was here that I tried to adopt a small, stray dog.  Originally we called him “Little Friend”, but decided that since we were in France, we should speak French and started calling him “Petite Amie”, only to remember once we were almost home that ‘petite amie’ means boyfriend or girlfriend in French. So.  There was that.

Palace of Versaille: The Oak Centre of Paris!
Palace of Versaille: The Oak Centre of Paris!

All in all a great trip.  I don’t think I have anywhere else too exciting planned.  A couple of places near Sheffield in about a week or so, cross your fingers for good weather.  On my way home I am meeting Hayley in Iceland.  I’m pretty sure those pictures will blow your mind!

Miss you guys!  I tell all my kids and coworkers about all the fun we have, but I’m almost certain that they think I make up at least 50% of it.

 Nissa

Nissa went on to say that she was looking forward to coming back hopefully this fall.

Until next time…

~Joe

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