Visit to Paris (...Yes, I realize the most of this is about food)

Day I 
On Thursday morning Rachel and I took the Chunnel to Paris (Amy had to come on a later train because she forgot her passport!). 


The ride went by very quickly, we slept through most of it. 

Sleepin' on the Chunnel

Libby met us at the metro, and we dropped off our things at her apartment, which she generously shared with us on our four day stay.


We had baguettes, cheese, and fruit for lunch-delicieux! 

I love bread!!!

Then we walked to the Eiffel Tower...

...and walked along the Seine....

...until we got crepes for dinner and ate them at the steps of Notre Dame. 

When we got back to Libby's room we watched The Hunchback of Notre Dame, since we were in the spirit of things. 


Day II
We started off the day with chocolate croissants at the local Boulangerie. 

Then we spent over 3 hours in the Louvre!! (i.e. me and Amy's dream come true and Rachel's worst nightmare) 

Finally, Amy and Rachel were able to drag me away so we could go get lunch.
We had Croque-Monsieur's for lunch at Cafe Palais Royal, right across the street from the Louvre.

After lunch we walked to the Tuileries and took a nap on the park benches. 

Amy went off to a Vassar College Choir dinner with important people, and Rachel, Libby, and I went back to Libby's and made pasta with mushrooms and green-beans.

Then we went out to the Latin Quarter and got more crepes for dessert!  

Day III
Today we got more chocolate croissants and then headed over the Musee D'Orsay for another art-filled day (much to my joy and Rachel's chagrin).


Then we went for lunch at a sandwich place called Cosi (not the American chain) and took our sandwiches to the park. 

The sandwiches were amazing, but the highlight of lunch was by far the weird Frenchman who came up to Amy and said, "Wow, the woman of my future, you." 


After lunch we went to Sacre-Ceour, a beautiful church on top of a giant hill. 

The walk was tiring, but absolutely worth the beautiful view.   

Then we went to the Moulin Rouge and had a bit of fun taking pictures. 

Day IV
We started our last day in Paris back at Notre Dame--this time for Mass. Rachel didn't like that it was in French and Latin so we couldn't understand it, but I realized it didn't bother me very much because I'm used to having religious services in a language I can't really understand.


After experiencing some Catholic culture, we headed over the Jewish Quarter in Paris and I got delicious Bagel and Lox!

I also finally got my belated Hamentashen! It was so good, I finally found a place as good as Famous Deli in Philly for Hamentashen, too bad its a little out of the way...

Then we headed over to Charlotte's, a hot chocolate place recommended by our good family friend, Ruth. The hot chocolate was amazing, it was like drinking melted chocolate from a mug! 

Then it was time to pack up and say Au Revoir to Libby, back to the Chunnel and back to London!  

Libby's in London!

This past week, Libby came over from France to visit us here in London. Her visit was fun-filled and very busy. I'll give you the highlights from each day.


Wednesday:
We got dinner at Yo! A sushi restaurant where all the food is on conveyor belts. 

Then we went to see Les Miserables, starring Ramin Karimloo as Jean Valjean! We didn't have the best seats, we were way up in the balcony, but the production was breathtaking. 

In front of the theater before the show

Ramin as Jean Valjean

Thursday:
I played hookie and went to see the Wallace Collection with Amy and Libby. The museum used to be a mansion, and even without the amazing art, the rooms themselves are gorgeous.

Amy and I presented on this Canaletto view of Venice for our art history class

Me with Frans Hals' Laughing Cavalier

Then we got some sandwiches and ate them outside in Hyde Park. We wandered the park for awhile before stopping for Tea and Scones at the Orangery---a tea house in Kensington Gardens.

At Round Pond in the Kensington Gardens

The Orangery 

Tea and scones

 Then we had another Taco Night in Jason's kitchen--another triumph in group cooking!

Mmmm....tacos.

Friday:
We went back to Borough Market for some more free samples and delicious treats. Then we crossed Tower Bridge on our way over to the Spittlefield Market, where they have tons of stand that sell clothes and accessories, as well as great old records, CD's, and movies. 


Saturday:
For Libby's last day in London, we went to Westminster Abbey and got a two-hour tour of the 900 year old church. 

We also took Lib to the National Gallery


We finished off the day with delicious Indian food at Punjab restaurant and cookies at Ben's in Convent Garden. 

Dark chocolate chunk!

Finally, we went Karaoke Night at the UCL bar.


Libby left this morning, but we'll be seeing her in less than a week, Amy, Rachel, and I have already bought our tickets to visit her in Paris on Wednesday!