Paris, je t'aime

Housetrip.com = highly recommended for cheap apartments

I met up with Hana and Grace from the US at an apartment we rented for 4 nights. We had a lazy day, got groceries, had a lovely dinner and Grace left to meet up with a team to plan our first conference. Gino from Ecuador joined Hana and I later in the evening. Having an apartment was super incredible: not having to worry about anyone else, being able to come and go as we please. Super rad.

Saturday, Hana and I went to Sacre Coeur - a huge and beautifully lovely cathedral with a kickass view of Paris. Dow joined us for the eve, for super lovely wandering about and dinner on Boulevard Saint-Germain.

We had a perfect Sunday: Thomas from the US arrived early in the morning, we went to Notre Dame during mass (quite by accident, but incredible) with a choir and a ton of people - it honestly brought tears to my eyes :) We walked across a  love lock bridge, so Dow and I decided to buy a lock for JB Canada & NJR, and we both have keys on our whistles, which we always wear. The four of us headed past the Louvre to the finish line of the Tour de France. It was really cool, but we mostly saw the parade. Stellar and huge lunch close to the Champs Elysees. The Louvre grounds is lovely for a good nap. Went back to our apartment for dinner, then headed over to meet up with a whole ton of CISVers on the outskirts of Paris :) Thanks to Hana, I learned how to slap a bag of wine.

Early morning to meet up with Dow and Laura from the US at the Eiffel Tower. We planned a sweet session for CISV Americas' Regional Members Meeting, which is now Americas' Junior Branch Meeting. Headed to the Arc de Triomphe, wandered the Champs Elysees, and while Dow and Hana went to the Louvre, Laura and I wandered around. Stumbled upon a beautiful cathedral not on the tourist maps - score! Dinner with CISVers again ... sushi. So much sushi! Ahh!!

Headed for the first of 3 CISV conferences, which we are almost done, but have been super intense and wonderful and exhausting. Happy days.

I love my life.

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