Paris when it sizzles (or drizzles)

Although the almost six hour train ride was only made bearable by my introduction to NBA Jam and Need for Speed, we arrived to Gare de Lyon with enough energy to wander through The Louvre (which just happens to be around the corner from our hotel) and hang out with Mona, mock some sculptures (much to the dismay and tsk-tsks of elderly art critics), and be amazed by the enormous Wedding Feast at Cana, Saint Mary Magdalene and other unique pieces.

Following our excursion to this maze for adults (you can literally say goodbye to your child forever if you lose them here, it is one of the only places where animal backpack leashes are acceptable in my opinion) we strolled, galloped and pelvic thrusted our way along the banks of the River Seine to board the Bateaux Mouches where we sailed past the Tour Eiffel with perfect timing at 10pm to see it light up with the hyperactivity of a child that lives on a diet of green cordial and red frogs (bringing Christmas to life everyday, of course).

Though the rain left my hands tingling with pins and needles from the cold, our only consolation was that we would get to wear our Florentine leather the next day! We ran through the streets and intersections like children playing tag but constantly missing as we tried in vain to hail a cab. When we did, we asked the driver with limited English to "take us to a nice restaurant, please". And take us he did. All my frog legged dreams came true, alongside the best duck Ram has ever had!

Walking through giant ornate doors has become the norm, and posing with incredible monuments that most individuals aren't fortunate enough to have the means to see in their lifetime makes the experience all the more special and leads me to give greater thanks for the blessings in my life. It's not simply a question of whether or not one has the dream of traveling and exploring, because many with these same dreams do not even know where they'll be living tomorrow or eating to stay alive tonight. In my humble opinion, gratitude is something you can never have too much of.

Oh, and we also saw a seagull with charcoal face paint!