It Takes Two

This past weekend Wade and I tried our hands at being a couple of tour guides. Don't worry-- we didn't show anyone around Forbach because, ya’ll know by now Forbach is the worst! Wade’s friend Ryan and his wife Alyssa decided to visit Paris. Wade is still on his two week break from teaching, so we got to show them around.

                  

Wade and I got to the Airbnb a day before they flew into Paris. The apartment we stayed in was in a cool location. There was a flea market located a block away, so Wade and I got to check that out! For some reason, though, the apartment smelled strongly of pickles! Pickles of all things! We opened the windows, still smelled like pickles. We would light all the candles they had, but still the pickle smell lingered! After getting used to the smell and picking a room to sleep in, we decided to get on the Metro and walk around Paris. It was nice. We sat on the steps of the Opera House, walked around the grounds of the Louvre, and sat by some fountains enjoying the sunset.

The next day Ryan and Alyssa got to the Airbnb. We decided to go to the Latin Quarter to get a late lunch. After the food, we walked around for a bit and made our way back to the apartment. The next morning we were up bright and early! We stood in line to climb the stairs for Notre Dame(for Wade this is the fourth time). We climbed all those stairs and the view was still well worth it. The rest of the day was spent cramming in as many museums and other sites that we could! They were only staying for two full days, and there is a lot to see in Paris!

At one point, there was a pretty dramatic moment on the Metro. We were trying to get on to go to the Louvre. As the train pulled up, we saw that every car was full--people everywhere! The doors opened, and no one was getting off the cars. We hesitated.. which is the worst thing you could do. We hurried into the least crowded car. The doors shut and Ryan was standing on the platform letting out a string of swear words. He didn't make it into the train car! We panicked and honestly didn't know what to do. His wife was obviously upset. All of the sudden the car door opened! It was a miracle! He jumped on, and we all laughed with relief. Folks, the Metro is a little confusing, so getting lost is a real fear.

We got to the Louvre, and they just wanted to see the famous stuff, which is actually what we did last time, so we were totally fine with that. We walked through the Egyptian exhibit on our way to the paintings. Folks, we ended up losing Ryan and Alyssa! We are literally the worst tour guides! We lost them! Wade and I had no clue what to do. I know what you’re thinking--”Just call or text them.” We tried to call Ryan, but his phone was off. We didn't have Alyssa’s number either. We decided that I would walk up the hall where we last saw them and Wade would walk up the opposite hall and then we would meet back at a certain spot. Folks, that obviously didn't work. Wade started to wonder if we could page them or something. As we were trying to come up with another game plan, Wade got a text from Alyssa! They told us where they were, and we ran to find them. You would think we lost our kids or something! Nope, we just “lost” two full grown adults. They didn't seem too shaken up about it. A side note, I really enjoyed the Louvre this time around. It was nice. That night, we went to the Arc de Triomphe (more stair climbing) and then went back to the Pickle Apartment. While we were gone, the smell had inexplicably gotten stronger.

The last day we were in Paris, we walked around some more and then went to the Eiffel Tower. We didn't end up climbing it because they had had enough of the stairs. We just walked underneath and around it. Folks, Paris in the Fall is beautiful. All the trees around the Eiffel Tower were turning rustic colors. It was beautiful, and I'm grateful for this opportunity Wade and I have to be it such an amazing place!

As Wade and I got off the train back in Forbach, I started to complain about Forbach being the worst! Because, you know, it really is. Wade is the optimistic one and is always trying to make me see the bright side; that's one of the things I love about him. Anyway, he was trying to cheer me up by saying it's still nice here. I wasn't convinced. We walked into our apartment, and it was like walking into an igloo! Apparently they turned the heat off in our building because it's a two week break, so no one is working! Folks, I'm talking we can see our breath at times. We have taken refuge under all our blankets and have put about three layers of clothes on. The break ends on Thursday, so we only have one more day to try not to freeze to death!

Here are a few things to take away from all of this. Wade and I are okay tour guides and only sometimes lose people on the Metro and in the Louvre. Two week breaks involve no heat. And the most important thing--Paris is beautiful in the Fall! Please come visit us if you get the chance! I promise we won't lose you!

Thanks for reading folks!