Family Comes to Paris

During the first week of April, I was very fortunate to have my family (minus Alexa, sadly) travel from California to visit me here in Paris for 6 days. It was great not only see them (as it had been a long time,) but also be able to guide and translate for them during their stay here. As expected, Kathleen had put together a great agenda for us and Elizabeth's 4 friends, and while I wasn't able to attend every event (as I was quite busy with my school work), I was able to enjoy the times I could be with them and oh what fun we had!

Friday: the crew arrives, we go to dinner, everyone is so exhausted that they can't talk or keep their eyes open, they return to their apartment while I go to a club with my Parisian friends until early next morning...

Saturday: Because Mom and Dad were incredibly tired not only from jet lag but from their busy work schedules, they asked me to entertain the girls from 12:00 until dinner at 8:00 (let's keep in mind I am running on 4 hours of sleep myself). So, since the girls wanted to be outside and see some of the city, I decided to lead them on a walk along the Champs-Elysées, starting with the Arc de Triumphe, passing famous monuments and museums such as the Grand/Petit Palais, Place de la Concorde, la Madeleine, les Invalides, l'Assemblée Nationale, among others, and ending at the Louvre. We had a nice, leisurely stroll along this grand boulevard and in the Tuileries, and it was nice to get to know some of Elizabeth's friends from St. Margaret's that I had never had to opportunity to talk to or spend time with.

Buying Nutella and banana crepes 

The Eiffel Tower and the Pont Alexandre III in the background 

Tuileries and the Louvre

 Sunday: Since it was Easter Sunday, Mom wanted to briefly attend mass at Notre Dame before going on a tour of the Eiffel Tower. Thus, we did so, and the sun shined for the occasion!

(Insert Alexa on Natalie's left)

Tour of the Eiffel Tower

 For easter dinner, we ate on top of the Musée de Quai Branly (Ancient civilizations museum) for not only its fine cuisine, but also for its view of the Eiffel Tower.

Mom's friend, Kim Donahue, joined us for dinner that night
as it was she who had recommended this endroit. She and Mom
would later on in the week pair up (after Dad left with the girls)
to explore different parts of Paris together, along with a
day trip to the ever-alluring Mont Saint Michel. 

"Top Chef" quality:
Let's just say that with my parents in town,
I was able to eat at much more upscale places than before...

Monday: Chocolate and Pastry Tour in the Latin Quarter

Mom thought it would be fun (and different) for the group to go on a chocolate and pastry tour to not only taste the different varieties, flavors, and tastes of the sweets, but also to learn a little history about chocolate and the places and sights that we passed along the way in the Latin Quarter.

First stop: La Maison du Chocolate and two samples of chocolate of one's preference

Dark Chocolate Easter Fish 

Smiles all around

Second stop: Poilâne, the 400 year old French bakery- one slice of sour dough bread and half of an apple pastry

Fresh-made chaussons de pommes

A Chandelier made of Bread

Third Stop: Pierre Hermé, Ladurée's rival- two luscious macaroons of choice

4th stop: Arnaud Larher and two samples of chocolates of choice

Fifth and final stop: Un Dimanche à Paris- a melted piece of chocolate as hot chocolate; let's just say that by the end of the tour, we no longer were hungry for dinner

Beads of chocolates that can be melted
on meats or stews to add flavor.
Flavors included thyme, parsley, garlic,
paprika, rosemary among others

 Tuesday: Family- Bike tour of Paris; Natalie- school work/ Dinner- chez moi!

My most favorite experience with my family during the time that they were here was for them to meet my French family and to see where I lived. We all had such a great time together, Muriel had prepared some delicious French cuisine for us, including a traditional, French dinner for Easter, and Elizabeth was also able to practice her French with them (as we spoke in English for most of the time).

Wednesday: Family- Shop and Walk in the Marais/ Natalie- work, work, work/ Dinner- At Café Bonaparte, Mom's favorite restaurant of all time in Paris

The infamous chocolate soufflé 

As I said before, it was great to see all of them again, and while Alexa unfortunately couldn't make it, it will be nice to return to California to be with all of them again.

That being said, I am not quite ready to leave Paris just yet... ;)