Paris, Day One.

 We started right off by doing laundry, which was one of the nicest parts of the trip for me.  I loved sitting there, drinking my orange juice, watching the locals out the window walk their kids to school and go about their business.  Then we bought me a warmer jacket and scarf because--even though Steve wore T-shirts and shorts the entire time--it was quite chilly.  Forty degrees in the mornings and some days it would barely warm up from there.  After the jacket, we took the metro to one of the busiest parts of town to see this:

 I don't know why, but I've always wanted to see the opera house.  I always wanted to see a ballet there or search the cellar for Eric.  Steve kept calling out for him while we were inside, but alas, he did not make an appearance.

"Eric?"

 The famous chandelier.  We thought the ceiling looked like a chalk drawing our kids could have done.

 On to more Paris touristy stuff.

 My first view of the Seine.

 Famous Hermes macarons.  We bought six.  I liked the caramel one best.  The mint one was ew.

 Where Chopin died.

 Paris hotels and shops.

 Something that we found for quick lunches that saved me:  CoJean.  It was a fast food health eatery which catered to people with food intolerance.  I discovered this salad that I ate several times the rest of the trip:  chicken, peas, edamame, sprouts, herb dressing, cheese and chesnuts.  I didn't take a picture of the food, just the side of the store.  I don't know why.  I guess I wanted to remember my lovely quick lunches.  Oh, fondness: 

The first day really wore me out.  The part of town that we spent most of our time was crazy crowded and loud and high traffic-y.  And everyone smokes.  Even the kids and the pets.  At least that was my first impression after a tiring day of rushing around.  No Eiffel Tower the first day, can you believe it?  Not even a glimpse from afar.  That was first on the itinerary the next day.