We say “Oui” in Paris!

Enjoying the beautiful Paris skyline form the top of the Arch de Triumph.

The tiny not so pleasant smelly elevator to Kathy's 7th floor
apartment. We dubbed it "The Smelly Elly". I'll just say
it...it smelt like urine but it beat walking up the stairs!

The Chunnel Tunnel did not collapse and we arrived in Paris safe and sound! We were greeted with open arms and a smile by Kathy, a long time family friend of Matt’s, who kindly hosted us in her quaint Paris apartment for the week that we were there. Her hospitality and in-depth French know-how were greatly appreciated. We spent most evenings drinking wine and eating home-cooked dinners with bantering conversation until the wee hours of the morning. We even became quite close to PT the cat as we spent those long conversations with a hairbrush in hand. Needless to say by the time we left we thought PT might just come with us when it was time to leave. I have to say that it was nice to spend the week with family (Yes Kathy, you are family now!).

Making Our Way Through the UK!

Walking along the River Thames and admiring the Tower Bridge.

The next stop on our adventure was the United Kingdom! We packed in as many sights and museums as our feet could handle. Though we came back to London multiple times we took the opportunity to explore as much of the out-of-the-way sites as we could. It was nice to see a bit of the UK that wasn't bustling with cars, double-decker buses, and a constantly rising skyline. London has lots to offer but for us it just felt a little too similar to what we are used to and didn't have much of the charm of the old picturesque European city we both had hoped for.