In Paris at last!

My first day in Paris could not have been better. Mom and I arrived at 9am (2am Dallas time) and took a taxi to our flat. Jonathan, a very friendly neighbor, helped carry our bags to the third floor and show us to our place, where Brigitte, our landlady, later met us. Our trip could not have been any easier. After settling in, we set off to find the cell phone store. It was about a 45 minute walk, and I'm still amazed we actually found the store. The entire way there we were distracted by too many beautiful churches to count, lit courtyards and parks, busy sidewalk cafes, delicious smelling boulangeries and pattiseries, winding cobblestone roads lined with exciting shops of all kinds- the list could go on and on. We stopped at Place des Vosges, one of Paris's prettiest squares, almost by accident. We walked through the park and around the square, which was all lit by this time because the sun had set. We finally reached the cell phone store and had no trouble buying my phone. We headed back towards our flat and stopped at a market to buy dinner. And best of all, we experienced our first patisserie of the trip, ordering a baguette, chocolate croissants and chocolate pastries. The lady who owns the shop was so friendly and so very French- I have a feeling we will be visiting her shop again.

Thank you so much to all of you who have kept us in your thoughts and prayers- so far we have had a wonderful time. I love this city so much already and know the next four months are going to be some of the best!