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We spent the long weekend mostly on foot which means Andrew is either in the stroller or in the baby carrier. Both options, as we've learned, have their plusses and minuses. Andrew sleeps like a baby in both of them so his vote is not included.
The stroller somewhat limits the distance we can cover since getting it down the stairs to the metro is not only awkward, but dangerous. It does, however, lighten the load we carry for the day as it also serves as a handy storage compartment for our must need items and diaper stuff.
The carrier is completely comfortable despite the extra 17 lb load on your front, but after a couple hours you feel the burn in your legs. The carrier also means you have to bring along the "diaper bag" backpack which is also comfortable for awhile, but I begin to have flashbacks from my European travels 15 years ago with the mammoth size everything-I-need-for-a-month-in-it pack I used to use. Its almost that heavy and we've learned quickly that "diaper bags" are not aptly named because if they were just filled with diapers, it would be delightful. So we both get a workout when the carrier is being used.
Sunday and Monday were carrier days. On Sunday we met our friends Andreas, Compari and their two daughters, who live just minutes from our apartment, in the Champ de Mars to watch a little bit of the French Open on the big screen. The city puts up a huge jumbotron in the grassy area in front of the Eiffel Tower and it makes for a nice spot to sit back, relax and enjoy some good people watching. We were entertained all around with the scenic backdrop, great tennis and an impromptu lesson on gypsy sighting. The Eiffel Tower is a most popular spot for pick-pockets to score big. Coincidentally we learned that the tower had been closed the day before due to a worker strike regarding the need for authorities to manage the ongoing problem better.
We spent the rest of the afternoon making our way to the Arc de Triomphe, maneuvering through crowds on the Champs Elysees and back home again. For as much as we've seen I'm still amazed at how beautiful and clean the architecture and environs seem to be.
On Monday we ventured over to the Canal St. Martin district and strolled along the waterway. This is definitely a place I want to revisit to eat and drink. So many yummy looking spots. The neighborhood has a funky, urban grit feel to it, and just as I was coming to that conclusion a motorcycle gang cruised right by us. Even the Harleys weren't enough to wake Andrew although he seemed to stir a bit.
We made a quick trip to one of the best bakeries (according to Anthony Bourdain) in Paris called Du Pains et Des Idees. The owner prides himself on being one of the few bakers in Paris who still uses a woodburning oven. My bacon and fig stuffed savory bread called a mini-pave was something I won't soon forget. Another highlight along the canal was watching the ships (or boats - not sure what the right term is) as they pass through the locks. I've never actually watched this happen so it was pretty impressive to see the whole thing from our front row seats.
Tomorrow we see the D'Orsay and we've been informed that there are no baby carriers allowed. I guess that decision has been made for us. :)
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