Paris

Well, there really is no place better than Paris at Christmas time. Exactly 6 years ago, on the same weekend, my loveliest Gillybum and I were there. And it was just as grand this time around!

It snowed the first morning we woke up there, and we went outside to a dreamy wonderland. Snow makes every city look enchanting, but it especially does the trick for Paris.

Also, our B&B was booked too full, so our dear host Domingo sent us to his friend's place - which ended up being a private apartment decorated in with tons of antiques and paintings (apparently a famous French painter lives there in the summer). And I got to practice my Spanish with our new host, Gerardo.

Old favorites:

The Eiffel Tower

Notre Dame

Musee d'Orsay

Sacre Coure (we got in just in time for late night Mass!)

New favorites:

Musee l'Orangerie (full of Monet's huge water lilies and tons of Impressionist works)

Musee l'Armee (well, Dougbee's new favorite, at least)

the Ferris Wheel @ the end of the Champs d'Elysees

New and delicious foods were eaten. We had enough duck to last us a while, in pate, grilled and roasted form. And wonderful plates of potatoes, cream sauces, steak and frites.

London

After Germany, we decided to pop over to London for the weekend, since we had some time. It was a delightful time to be there.

We visited the British Museum (Doug had never been!) and my favorite, the Tate Modern.

Walked around Westminster to take pictures at Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.

And ate LOTS of Indian food, which we've been craving. Hot Stuff, in Lambeth was delicious. And Tayyab's in Aldgate was a wonderful, festive restaurant.

Of course, we had to do some Christmas shopping with the crowds! So we hit up Oxford Circus, full of lights and music and people. And also ventured into Harrod's for a bit, which really is the most insane department store in the world.

Love London. Will be back soon.