Tired Feet in the City of Light, Paris with Two Teens

We’ve been walking quite a lot, the three of us. Hannah and I have been joined by Sarah, the teen daughter of close friends, here in Paris. John and Marlie have gone on a river cruise adventure of their own, exploring from here to Normandy, and I am wandering Paris with two teenage girls.

Fortunately, one thing I have always shared with Hannah is a love of art, so hours in the Louvre or standing in an endless line and toughing out the crowds of the Musee d’Orsay is still a happy thing. Include a stop at the museum gift shop and a visit to an art supply store on the left bank and we’re all satisfied at the end of the day.

There is always compromise traveling with anyone, and teens are no different in that regard. Sometimes it feels like our days are spent walking from one souvenir shop to another, with the occasional junior’s clothing store thrown in for good measure; sightseeing where the monuments are an interruption to the shopping. But, the reality is they are very good sports, and game, if not always enthusiastic, about walking through cathedrals and climbing long stairwells, so long as they get their picks, too.

At most, we are good for about 8- 10 hours a day out and about. This lets us get a later start, and end in the evening for a late dinner back at the apartment. Hannah is not a morning person (in the extreme) and a relaxed morning is enjoyable for all of us.

Today we are tired, and making an even later start. We’ve slept in and our plan involves less walking and more carnival rides. Yesterday was the big walk from the Bastille to the Arc de Triomphe, complete with vintage clothing shops in the Marias, shoe stores for Hannah, and a big stop in the Gap. I know, shopping at the Gap in Paris seems lame, but a lot of my clothes are getting pretty shabby. (One suitcase, 5 months…) I needed to replace some stuff. The girls didn’t mind much…