Visiting Paris

G's Mother, R.B. and his sister, B.B. flew to Frankfort and stayed with us for several weeks. B.B. was a 16 year old High School student who had been studying French. She was thrilled at the chance to visit the country and practice the vocabulary.

First, of course, was the excitement of meeting baby J and learning about our own lives. We had been in Germany well over a year and there was a lot to tell and show. We also had to plan the trip we were going to take. Four adults, B.B. was close eough to be called adult, and a baby in a volkswagon for an extended trip took some forsight.

Most important was arranging the tour to include American bases, so we could restock baby food. It was almost unheard of to travel with a child that young, and European hotels were not set up to accomodate infants. I'd been breast feeding, but by 4 months it just wasn't enough. I had to suppliment with formula. Which takes up space (especially the bottled kind we had to use because you can't just add water anywhere in Europe.) along with baby food jars and cereal. A volkswagon will only hold so much. There were suitcases for all of us and we hoped to bring back some souvenirs. Our VW had a luggage rack on top and that deep pocket behind the back seat, along with the front trunk area. They do hold a lot. And, I must say, G was a genious at packing it all.

Germany is pretty much centrally located, so we decided to break up the trip and circle home, so we could return when needed to do up laundry at the base and leave souvenirs and restock. The priority for B.B. and R.B. was France. Namely, Paris. Which wasn't that far away. Since my maiden name is French, I also wanted to see more of the country. I had been to Nancy and Verdun with G on band jobs, base to base. But I knew nothing of the people. When they were making these plans, I was asked what I wanted to see. I just wanted a chance to visit the Louvre, so I could see the Mona Lisa for myself. I had always loved the old masters and did a lot of those school theme papers on the old masterpieces.

I don't remember what order we visited the famous sites, but, we hit them all. At the Eiffel Tower, I stayed with J and the stroller, while everyone else went to the top. That may have been a mistake. It set the tone for much of the trip. I stayed with J, because the stroller wasn't permitted in most of the tourist attractions. He was a good baby to travel with. Cheerful and not at all fussy. But, he was heavy and squirmy and it was too hot to hold him all the time. The car was parked a lot and we did a lot of walking. Grandmom and Aunt were the real tourists, with cameras and curiosity. And, G was never much good at sharing baby responsibilities. So, Mom got most of her sight seeing around and over and with a baby to take care of. I saw the Eiffel Tower. I sat in it's shadow. I watched all the excitement of people from all over the world as we shared the experience of Paris. I even ate ice cream under the Eiffel Tower. I was perfectly content....then.

But, I din't get to visit the Louvre. Or see any of it's art. When we arived and tried to get tickets, we learned the stroller was not allowed inside. And R.B. was wearing high heel shoes, which were also not allowed. The Louvre had to protect it's ancient floors. So, my traveling companions decided they didn't want to see it that much. I had to swallow my disappointment and be a good sport with the majority vote.

At Notre Dame though, I was able to go inside. There was a place to safely leave the stroller, so I carried my baby inside. It's size is awe inspiring. Tourists were restricted from wandering all over, but what we were allowed to see was beautiful. I love ancient buildings with history, and anything religious makes it even more perfect. I was shocked though to find souenir shops just inside the great doors. It didn't feel religious till we passed deeper inside. Then you feel it. A wonderful experience.

On the Champs Elysees, we had quite an experience too. The Arc de Triomphe sits on an island out in the middle of a circle of traffic. Lots of traffic. Many lanes of traffic. While we waited for a break in traffic to cross, I watched as others just took off and went. Pedestrians crossed where and when they wanted and the cars avoided them. It's scary when you have a stroller in front of you, but we waited and waited. R.B. wanted to leave without going over. I was not going to miss this too. "When in Paris..........." So, I stepped out and went. R.B. started screaming, but B.B. jumped out with me and we went across. I never hesitated or looked anywhere but straight ahead. When B.B., J and I got to the other side, G was with us. And, he had pulled his Mother along too. She was white as a sheet and too mad to even stutter. When it was time to go back, we went. Never once did a car even come close to us. I don't know how they do it.

Once back where we started, B.B. and I wanted to find a bathroom. She saw the sign first. Down some steps, underground. I left the baby with his Daddy, and B.B. and I went to the bathroom. Never did I imagine this would actually be my most memorable experience in Paris. At the bottom of the steps was a long narrow room. No dividing walls! The arrow for men pointed one direction and the arrow for women pointed the opposite. But, it was all open and there were even several men leaning against the steps watching everyone come and "go". We didn't have any choice. We both had to go too badly to wait. And, if this was under the Champs Elysees tourist area, we had to assume all public restrooms would be the same. I've never forgotten my first "Pee" in Paris. (Surely it's not still like that today?)