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Thanks for all the condolences, guys. I can't answer you all, but your thoughts are very much appreciated right now.
I'm mostly okay, although yesterday was very difficult, and I've developed a tendency to start weeping in unexpected places. Not a good look in Paris.
I think the hardest thing is the realisation that she won't be there when I go back; that I'll walk in the door and there'll be no padding down the stairs with a squeaky demand for an explanation for why I was gone so long, and the snuggling in mummy's lap because she hasn't seen me for weeks. And if I keep thinking about it, I'll start crying again, which I'm not really ready to do right now.
Paris is a fantastic city - I can see why people love it so much. There's a sense of age about it, but it's well kept and beautiful all the same. We've crossed the city several times on foot and by bicycle - if you're in Paris and have the health level to do it (no fitness required, just good enough health to ride a bicycle), I recommend Fat Tire Bicycle Tours. Run by Americans living and working in Paris near the Eiffel Tower, they take you through the major landmarks of Paris, complete with anecdotes both present and past.
There's so much to do in Paris - so much stuff that's not in the guide books, or which you don't see in the tours. Last time I was in Paris, it was with a tour group and much of it involved going to the places where they took you and never seeing "the ground". This time, we're on foot, on the ground, making tracks ourselves and it's a very different experience.
Apart from the cycle tours (one day and one night), which covered the major attractions of the city, including Ile de la Cite and Ile St Louis (the backstreets there have some awesome awesome little shops: highly recommended) we've been out to the Loire Valley to see some of the old chateaus (there's one that was built by Francis I - one of the 16th C French Kings - which he used once a year, if that; it looks like a Disney castle, only even more grand), and up to the Centre Pompidou (an art museum).
Last night was a concert in St. Chappelle church - some magnificent stained glass windows - and today is the Museum (Musee) day: Musee d'Orsay - with a lot of the Impressionist works, and the Louvre this evening, because it's open late on Wednesdays.
The parentals have posted some pics here, which you should be able to see easily enough. They're better and more dedicated photographers than I, and I forgot the battery charger for my camera, so unless I can find someone with a charger for a Canon camera battery, I'm kinda screwed for photos for the rest of the trip.
The photos are not labelled because the parentals suck at labelling. And are impatient to get their photos up and not entirely thoughtful when doing so.
So far, murder has not been committed, although it's come close. This morning is the separation of church and state (ie. everyone's doing their own thing) which at this moment means my stepdad is doing some work on his computer, I'm writing this entry and fanfic, and mum's gone for a walk out to the Marais neighbourhood (Jewish Quarter). We're to meet at the Musee d'Orsay this afternoon.
Tomorrow, the 'tour' section of the trip begins, and I'll be sharing a room with a family friend who may or may not want to know everything I'm doing and warn me when I want to do something myself, talk constantly, and annoy the heck out of me.
We'll see how it goes.
Just about to head out to the Musee d'Orsay.
I'm mostly okay, although yesterday was very difficult, and I've developed a tendency to start weeping in unexpected places. Not a good look in Paris.
I think the hardest thing is the realisation that she won't be there when I go back; that I'll walk in the door and there'll be no padding down the stairs with a squeaky demand for an explanation for why I was gone so long, and the snuggling in mummy's lap because she hasn't seen me for weeks. And if I keep thinking about it, I'll start crying again, which I'm not really ready to do right now.
Paris is a fantastic city - I can see why people love it so much. There's a sense of age about it, but it's well kept and beautiful all the same. We've crossed the city several times on foot and by bicycle - if you're in Paris and have the health level to do it (no fitness required, just good enough health to ride a bicycle), I recommend Fat Tire Bicycle Tours. Run by Americans living and working in Paris near the Eiffel Tower, they take you through the major landmarks of Paris, complete with anecdotes both present and past.
There's so much to do in Paris - so much stuff that's not in the guide books, or which you don't see in the tours. Last time I was in Paris, it was with a tour group and much of it involved going to the places where they took you and never seeing "the ground". This time, we're on foot, on the ground, making tracks ourselves and it's a very different experience.
Apart from the cycle tours (one day and one night), which covered the major attractions of the city, including Ile de la Cite and Ile St Louis (the backstreets there have some awesome awesome little shops: highly recommended) we've been out to the Loire Valley to see some of the old chateaus (there's one that was built by Francis I - one of the 16th C French Kings - which he used once a year, if that; it looks like a Disney castle, only even more grand), and up to the Centre Pompidou (an art museum).
Last night was a concert in St. Chappelle church - some magnificent stained glass windows - and today is the Museum (Musee) day: Musee d'Orsay - with a lot of the Impressionist works, and the Louvre this evening, because it's open late on Wednesdays.
The parentals have posted some pics here, which you should be able to see easily enough. They're better and more dedicated photographers than I, and I forgot the battery charger for my camera, so unless I can find someone with a charger for a Canon camera battery, I'm kinda screwed for photos for the rest of the trip.
The photos are not labelled because the parentals suck at labelling. And are impatient to get their photos up and not entirely thoughtful when doing so.
So far, murder has not been committed, although it's come close. This morning is the separation of church and state (ie. everyone's doing their own thing) which at this moment means my stepdad is doing some work on his computer, I'm writing this entry and fanfic, and mum's gone for a walk out to the Marais neighbourhood (Jewish Quarter). We're to meet at the Musee d'Orsay this afternoon.
Tomorrow, the 'tour' section of the trip begins, and I'll be sharing a room with a family friend who may or may not want to know everything I'm doing and warn me when I want to do something myself, talk constantly, and annoy the heck out of me.
We'll see how it goes.
Just about to head out to the Musee d'Orsay.
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Aside from the obvious, I'm glad you're having fun! I was in Paris ten years ago and liked it, though we only spent a couple of days there (we were backpacking around Europe and the big cities were generally too expensive for our limited budget).