Concert and Cafés

Bonjour!

Today was our first entire day in Paris! It was a very nice day where we finally got to see some of the Parisian magic we have been hearing so much about lately. We began our day with a later morning, enjoying a breakfast of fresh croissants and fruit. Our first French continental breakfast. After this, we headed off to enjoy some of the city before we had our performance in Paris. We headed up to Montmarte, a beautiful area of Paris with the Sacre Coeur Basilica as well as small sidewalk cafés and the artists area.

Unfortunately, because we were very short on time I didn’t actually have a chance to go inside, but other people that got there a little bit earlier said that it was beautiful, with stained glass so vivid it was unreal. However, I did have a chance to walk around the artists area along the cobblestone streets and peek inside some of the shops. There were so many beautiful pictures that were hand painted by artists there. We also stepped into a sidewalk café to find some lunch before the concerts. I decided to enjoy un crepe de jambon et fromage. Trés bien! After this we dashed back down the stairs heading up to montmarte and made it to the busses back just in time for them to head off to the choir concert. They performed in a church very near Notre Dame, that was very beautiful, full of exquisite stained glass. However, instead of staying and listening to the choir and orchestra, after I had walked around the church and taken some pictures, Mr. Stephen and I as well as his wife decided to seek out a dessert crepe. We walked through the busy streets of Paris until we came upon one that looked good to us and then we sat down to stop for a bite. I indulged (it is France, of course) in a crepe avec chocolat, creme, et pomme. This crepe along with an espresso (when you order a café in France it seems that they just bring you a shot of espresso!) was the perfect afternoon snack to help me make it all the way until dinner as well as through our concert. We went back through the streets and made it back to the church where the choir was performing in time to see the last orchestra song as well as all of the choir numbers, which was truly breathtaking to hear in the cathedral. When they stopped, it seemed as though the sound resonated forever! From here, we headed to Montsouris Parc, where the bands were performing, to get set up for our 4 o’clock concert.

Right before the concert, as I was walking away from the stage as I was not in the band performing first and to my surprise and delight I saw Barbie (a friend that graduated before me from school) walking down the street. She was staying in Paris for the summer and was here to hear our concert! She sat down, and I ran up just in time to play our portion of the concert. Afterwards, after getting everything packed up and everything we had a chance to talk as well as for her to see Mr. Stephen for a few minutes before heading to dinner.

After catching up with a friend, it was just about time for dinner again, and as we arrived at the restaurant it was just in time! Tonight it was salad, cordon bleu, and chocolate mousse, all delicious (as usual here!). From here, we departed to go a couple of streets down to the River Seine to have an evening cruise to see some of the Parisian landmarks that sit along the Seine. We saw the Eiffel Tower, historic French buildings, the Louvre, Notre Dame, and so much more! It was very relaxing and fun to ride along the Seine, imagining that what I was seeing with my own eyes has been through so much incredible history, taking me back to history classes throughout high school that dealt with Paris. 

After docking from the cruise, we headed back to the hotel to get some very needed sleep, we were all falling asleep on the ride home and now its time for bed...

**PS - ask me in person about the “parisian crepe lady” story. :)