Mom and Dad's Europe Extravaganza, Part 1

The first couple of days we spent in and around Paris. Like I said in the previous post, Mom and Dad just stepped off the plane and went straight to Versailles (with their first French pastry experience in between, of course). The next day we had a whirlwind glance at Paris, first the Eiffel Tower, then the grounds of the Louvre, then a picnic by the river, followed by Notre Dame, to end it all with a train ride (including a very grouchy conductor) taking us to Dijon.

Dad enjoying the pleasures for the eye at Versailles.

Where's Waldo... I mean, Dale?

Mom was heroic through these sights, taking her new set of knees to see vast new horizons. She is taking a short rest here before setting off to Versailles gardens.

During my parents'visit, I got to meet the inner photographer my dad's been hiding all these years! Ask him to show you his photos--they're amazing!

Versailles was both beautiful and ugly--a prime example of the opulence and oppressive power of the Absolute Monarchy of Louis XIV .

The Eiffel Tower was an interesting experience for my parents for two reasons: 1) the grand arcitecture, and 2) we didn't fall for a cheap scam by a young man who pretended to find a golden ring, then handed it to us as a "gift," walked away, and then returned asking for money. Dad read about this particular trick in one of the guidebooks. Funny, the exact scam happened to us again at the Louvre an hour later. The "golden" ring looked exactly the same, though the young man was different this time around.

Mom ponders the wonders of the Eiffel Tower.

An exhibit (made entirely from bread) at the Festival of Bread happening outside of Notre Dame.

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Mère (our mother)

Medieval stained glass and sculpture.

More tomorrow! A bientot!