We all were in agreement that we had to plan this trip
around Sojo's likes and dislikes and interests.
We had been here before, so
anything we saw or did, was simply icing on the cake to us. And so it was, seeing Paris through the eyes
of Sojo.
The "E" family arrived around 10:30 am from an
overnight flight from Bahrain. They
pretty much threw their bags in the bedroom and off we went. No time to dilly dally. The first day, we just scoped out the area,
finding the local bakery, Carrefour (grocery store where we could get cheese
and wine), the Metro, etc. The area of Rue du Dragon was perfect, just one half
block from St. Germain des Pres. This brought the Metro close, as well as Cafes
and Brasseries close by; like Brasserie Lipp, Cafe Flores and Les Deux Magots,
where literary giants of the world hung out after WWII. We didn't eat at any of
the ones mentioned. They were too crowded. We did however got to Cafe Louise, which was
right beside Brasserie Lipp and quite good.
Tara and Dale snuck away a couple of times for a glass of wine and
dessert, listening to some jazz as well.
Favorite Sight: the
Eiffel Tower. 
It was quite a cool day
and very cloudy, even a bit of drizzle.
It didn't dampen our enthusiasm, though we might have climbed up it if
it had been warmer. The carousel wasn't
even running that day because of the damp chill in the air. Sojo loved it and just seeing it was probably
just enough for her. She drew a
beautiful picture of all of us in front of it.
She even included the pigeon who photo bombed our actual photograph of the
family.
It was quite a cool day
and very cloudy, even a bit of drizzle.
It didn't dampen our enthusiasm, though we might have climbed up it if
it had been warmer. The carousel wasn't
even running that day because of the damp chill in the air. Sojo loved it and just seeing it was probably
just enough for her. She drew a
beautiful picture of all of us in front of it.
She even included the pigeon who photo bombed our actual photograph of the
family.
Favorite Mode of Transportation: Probably, the Metro...quick, easy, cheap and always a surprise.
Favorite Bookstore(and there are many): Shakespeare & Company. 
Most Unusual Sightings:
Favorite Musee: the Musee d'Orsay. 
This was a must visit for the trip. We had given Sojo a book during the summer to
prepare her for the trip. She is so much
the artist, that we thought the book was a perfect way to introduce her to
Paris Museums. We personally, from our
experience here, thought that the Louvre was a bit over the top...too big, too
busy, too many people everywhere. Maybe
when she comes back to Paris. We had
been to the M'O and thought it perfect for everyone from 7-70. She loved it.
She brought her book called "My Little Orsay" which highlighted
several pieces. We walked around and
found several of them. She sat a couple
of times drawing her impressions. And
when she was ready, we left. Just enough
for everyone.
This was a must visit for the trip. We had given Sojo a book during the summer to
prepare her for the trip. She is so much
the artist, that we thought the book was a perfect way to introduce her to
Paris Museums. We personally, from our
experience here, thought that the Louvre was a bit over the top...too big, too
busy, too many people everywhere. Maybe
when she comes back to Paris. We had
been to the M'O and thought it perfect for everyone from 7-70. She loved it.
She brought her book called "My Little Orsay" which highlighted
several pieces. We walked around and
found several of them. She sat a couple
of times drawing her impressions. And
when she was ready, we left. Just enough
for everyone.
Favorite Jardin/Park:
jardin l'acclimation. 
This
particular garden is technically outside Paris; on the fringes. Friends that Tara and Dale worked with in
Shanghai, now work in Paris. He is the
Head Master/Principal at a school and she is a stay at home Mom. They have a daughter who is Sojo's age and
the girls played together in Shanghai as toddlers. It was a super fun day for Sojo in the
jardin/park, playing on the playgrounds, riding rides, seeing farm animals and
just doing what kids do...run, jump, laugh and giggle.
This
particular garden is technically outside Paris; on the fringes. Friends that Tara and Dale worked with in
Shanghai, now work in Paris. He is the
Head Master/Principal at a school and she is a stay at home Mom. They have a daughter who is Sojo's age and
the girls played together in Shanghai as toddlers. It was a super fun day for Sojo in the
jardin/park, playing on the playgrounds, riding rides, seeing farm animals and
just doing what kids do...run, jump, laugh and giggle.
Favorite Unusual Sighting:
Zombies on the Metro. Yep, you
heard it right. Zombies on the Metro.
Favorite foods:
Bread, cheese, wine, macarons, Croque Monsieur (a delightful open faced
sandwich...rustic bread, a slice of ham, a slice of cheese and then toasted
under a broiler).
Favorite cafe: Cesar Paris Ristoranti Italian . The best pizza and bruschetta in the world. In
the world.
We did it all, "just like Bogie and Bacall". A cruise on the River Seine, the largest flea
market in Europe, figuring out the Metro system and squeezing in at the last
minute, miles of walking, lighting candles in Cathedrals, Basilicas and
Churches on corners, watching Mimes on Montmartre, Shakespeare and Company
Bookstore and visiting another playground in Luxembourg Gardens.
We put over 10,000 steps on daily and Sojo was a
trooper. Rarely, did she complain and
only once or twice did she asked to be carried.
She slept through a couple of lunches and the River Seine cruise. It was a lot of fun seeing Paris with a child
of seven. I can't think of a better way
to do it.
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