Night walk in Paris

Nous sommes les rois de la galere. Or we were, but now we're settled. Finally arrived in Paris after three long flights and two layovers--thank Log for the free children's museum at the Chicago airport where Sawyer ran his little heart out before getting on the flight to Paris (he fell asleep before we even took off; too bad he didn't stay asleep). Flight was late getting in, and then the usual trouble, confusion and exhaustion navigating the RER and metro with bags, car seat, child. Stayed in a friend's fabulous apartment in the Marais, but had to sack out for a bit before going out. Once we'd roused ourselves, we made a short tour of French monuments in a mini-blizzard. First stop was Notre Dame, just across the river from the apartment. Sawyer couldn't have cared less; he was still making peace with the idea of being slung on my back like a baby scorpion.




















And then, time for mass quantities of kebab meat and fries. We headed to the Les Halles neighborhood for cheap street eats and somehow ended up with enough food to last us for two days. I love how Europeans crack an egg in the middle of their pizza; it's just so sublime.




















Sawyer got this Elmo doll from his aunt and uncle for Christmas, and it hasn't left his side since. He's dragged it along the ground in every airport, train station, metro stop and bus. It kind of grosses me out when he demands that I kiss it.


















That is one jet-lagged-out toddler.


















Next stop was the big department stores--Galleries Lafayette and Printemps--famous for their Christmas window displays; but first a shot down the Boulevard de l'Opera to Place de la Concorde.