We were SO lucky to take this incredible trip at a time when we wanted to be with family but couldn't. Jeremy and I continuously marveled at the fact that we couldn't believe we were actually in Paris for Christmas - something we never imagined we'd be able to do. And Dalila was just as happy to be there as us. In fact, she's now started calling all large buildings she sees "the Eiffel Tower" - including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
We arrived in Paris in the middle of the day, but spent about 2 hours riding in our hired car with a driver who spoke NO English (though the site we booked through promised all drivers could speak English), searching for our rented flat...which turned out to be a little less than desirable, with walls that may has well have been made of glorified cardboard and ceilings to match. The highlight each night was the earthquake-esque rumbling from the metro running directly below our second story flat that ended around 12 A.M. and began promptly at 5:30 every morning. Top that off with the rotten eggs in the refrigerator that I was afraid to move in case the owner of the flat was conducting some highly scientific experiment of sorts and the shattered pieces of glass littering the floor which poor Jeremy found lodged in his toe weeks after we left Paris, and we can safely say the flat wasn't what we hoped for. But, OH - the location!! So many travelers live by the motto "It's all about the location" and this was certainly the case for us. We were a 5 minute walk from the Champs Elysees and about 10-15 minutes (with an easily distracted toddler in tow, mind you) from the Arc de Triomphe. Yes, the location made up for every little downfall of the apartment itself and our troubles in finding it.
Once we finally settled in on our first evening, we spent a very chilly, wet evening at the Christmas market and called it a night. So the photo highlight reel will begin with our first full day in Paris:
Day One
Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomple and Christmas Market
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| The family at Champs Elysees |
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| This lady wanted a picture with Dalila SOO badly, but the only way Dalila would cooperate was when she showed pictures of her grandson. |
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| A view of the Christmas market before noon - BEST time to go! |
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| Enjoying pork-related items on the street side at the Christmas Market! Something that is frowned upon in our Middle Eastern home. |
Next, we met up with some good friends at a park near the entrance to the Louvre. A brood of small children made entering the Louvre and actually enjoying it impossible, but the walk to it and the photo ops outside provided plenty of entertainment, minus the risk of destruction of priceless artwork.
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| Dalila and friends enjoying the view of a freezing cold fountain and pond. |
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| The family outside The Louvre! |
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| Awww - Dalila loves to pose! |
After a less than successful attempt to see the world-renowned animatronic Christmas windows at the famous Galleries Lafayette (seriously - the only things that moved in the Christmas windows were some silly little cheerleaders spinning around with pom-poms!), we rested at home, then headed out to experience the evening at the Christmas Market.
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| Riding the Christmas train with a cute little Parisian girl. |
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| The Christmas Market at night - THERE'S the crowd!! |
Day Two - Christmas Eve!
Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Chocolate Crepes (!), Sacre Coeur, and Christmas Eve dinner
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| A crisp, cool morning walk from the metro stop to the Eiffel Tower - beautiful! |
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| The top of the Eiffel Tower was SO packed, Dalila wasn't too pleased with the crowds. She kept saying, "I want all the buddies (everybody) to go away!!" This was the only photo we could snap of the three of us through the massive crowds - not even in the peak season, mind you! |
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| Beautiful Notre Dame - again, we didn't dare enter with a cranky toddler who needed a nap! |
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| The family outside Notre Dame. |
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| Chocolate crepes right by Notre Dame - the outer wall of the cathedral is visible through the window! Couple that with the success of finally getting our little one to nap, and we were quite a happy couple! |
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| Walking along the red-light district with 4 kids, even in daylight hours is not something I recommend. But it WAS pretty cool to see the famous Moulin Rouge... |
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| Dalila and her buddies taking a cute photo outside the Moulin Rouge, while we tried to ignore the fact that these were about the only kids on this street... =) |
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| We managed to find another cute little Christmas market, with a beautiful carousel, on our way to Sacre Coeur. Dalila was so happy to ride with her latest sweetheart, Edward. |
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| Sacre Coeur, no photos allowed inside, but it was just beautiful, especially in the midst of preparations for Christmas Eve Mass. |
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| The whole group, enjoying a delicious French dinner at a beautiful little restaurant with a fantastic atmosphere. |
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| Dalila in her Christmas dress (with extra layers for warmth, of course). |
Paris Disneyland!!
Whew!! This was by far the most exhausting day for the already sleep-deprived Allen family, but SUCH an amazing experience for our Christmas in Paris holiday. Dalila was so happy to meet with her friends again and spend the day in Disneyland with them. Here are the photo highlights!
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| The little metro experts - ready for the 30 minute train ride to the happiest place on Earth! |
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| She was a little wary of meeting Pooh... |
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| ...But her good buddy Edward made it all better! Thanks, Edward!! |
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| Big smiles at the entrance to Disneyland! |
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| A big, beautiful Christmas tree right at the entrance. |
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| Waiting to meet Mickey....which didn't happen =( We had a tired toddler and a daunting 40 minute line ahead of us. Those two don't mix so well, so we had to give up. When we returned to try again later in the day, we were informed that Mickey left for the day just 10 minutes prior to our second attempt. Boo. |
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| Riding on Autopia with Daddy! |
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| Go figure - Lila was terrified of Winnie the Pooh, but instantly loved Jack Skellington from Nightmare Before Christmas. I don't know.... |
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| Lila and Mommy got to ride on Dumbo together while the less pregnant adults and taller children went on a roller coaster. Hmph! We had more fun anyway, right, Lila!?! |
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| The beautiful Christmas lights of Main Street Disney. |
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| My tired loves after a fun-filled Christmas at Disneyland. Dalila is proudly showing off her Christmas Minnie Mouse souvenir - complete with light up sweater and all! |
