Sightseeing, Sleeping and Singing in Paris

Madison's school group were invited to come and sing in Paris at two events. The first was at a small school close to the Eiffel tower, the second was at DISNEYLAND Paris!

So, because we couldn't miss seeing them we drove down too! Madison left with her group at 7 am on Monday of half-term and we followed shortly thereafter. (Unfortunately, we left Scott behind as he doesn't have the vacation days to spare for this year.)

We rode the ferry from the port of Dover to Dunkerque, France. As we left the port we saw the beautiful white cliffs from the oceanside perspective. They really are beautiful.

We met up with Madison's tour bus on Tuesday morning. They had graciously agreed to let us tag along and occupy a few of their empty seats as they toured Paris. The first stop was the Seine River cruise. We hadn't done that before so it was a nice change for our family.

Next was the Eiffel tower. And although we had visited there earlier last summer, it was nice because Jeanne had missed the first level and only heard how neat it was.











It was cold and breezy, but the kids still had fun.

After a performance for a small group of schoolchildren in a school in Paris, we continued our bus tour. We had some unexpected excitement when the bus turned left into an aggressive Frenchman who thought he should be able to squeeze in going straight on the left side of a left turning bus...crunch! ...another sterotype of driving in Paris that was proven true. But we lived through that AND through the flying bus across 5 lanes of traffic into the Arc d' Triomphe AND the motor scooter gang that broke the window of a car in front of us to steal a purse. YIKES! Jeanne then determined that she never wanted to drive in Paris! We did learn that many UK insurers have clauses that exclude coverage on any accidents that would happen on the Arc d' Triomphe because the roundabout rules are opposite to the norm...the right of way goes to the person entering the roundabout! So strange!

Christina was EXHAUSTED and fell asleep on Jeanne's shoulder.

We were exausted but got up early the next day to go to Euro Disney! Bryce and Jordan wanted to do the exciting rides while Christina only wanted to meet the Disney characters...especially Minnie and Mickey. Jeanne thought..."no problem!" famous last words...

So we tried to fast pass, but everything was closed or the lines were too long. 12 years ago we went there with Bryce in late January and had a great time because no one was there! We had the park to ourselves. But apparently, their marketing and reputation has improved significantly because it was quite full.


Bryce in 1997.

Kirkstone house was scheduled to sing at 12 noon in the fantasyland stage. Jeanne videotaped while Bryce got some camera pictures and video clips.




We wanted to make sure to get video of the whole performance for Scott to watch later.

They did SUCH a wonderful job. The stage, the lighting, just the fact they were in Disney PERFORMING on STAGE...it was all just incredible! Well done to all you Kirkstone House Choir singers and Mrs O'Rourke and Mrs. Lamb! It truly was the highlight of our trip to Paris!

Around 4 pm we decided to head over to MGM so Christina could meet the characters (we had heard you could meet them easier over there). But we found out that there were no more character meetings and we needed to go back to the Disneyland side. We split up because Christina really wanted to meet someone and she had been waiting so patiently. So, after waiting where the schedule said they would be we were directed to city hall who then told us to go and wait at 7:20 over by the small world. We waited and waited. But with 35 minutes more to wait we decided to ride the Small World ride (with no wait). We came out and the lights were on. Christina says "hurry mom RUN! We don't want to miss them" But we had no such luck. They were 25 minutes early and the last character was running in the door as we ran up. Daisy turned around for Christina though. She was disappointed and so we waited some more thinking more would come out. THEN Mickey and Minnie came! ...only to push Christina to the side as they walked past. Christina was a trooper and was only moderately sad. She tried to look at the positive side. I was so proud of her!

As we were leaving I thought I would let the City hall worker know that the schedule wasn't what she had said and to make up for it she actually arranged for a personal meeting with MICKEY!!!! Christina was grinning from ear to ear and actually didn't say anything...she just smiled. She felt so special it made all the running around worthwhile to see her so happy.

The next morning, Jeanne picked up Madison from the group hotel and we rejoined the boys at the apartment hotel. We packed up and then Jeanne made a spur-of-the-moment decision. She decided to Drive in Paris (even though she has said she wouldn't just 2 days earlier). The reason was that Jordan had never seen the Louvre (it's closed on Tuesdays). That was the ONE sight that Jeanne's sister had requested him to see. Thanks to the Tom-Tom we made it with no crashes or angry Frenchmen!

The boys ran in and saw Mona Lisa and were out in record time. Best of all kids are free! Hoorah!

Then came the next part of our journey... Geneva, Switzerland!

A long days drive brought us to the Alps and lots of tunnels. We arrived at the home of Merv and Barb Stalter. They are friends of ours from church back in Monticello. They were transferred over here about the same time we were in 2007. They have a wonderful home outside of Geneva and were gracious enough to share it with all of us.

Scott took friday off and joined us in the morning. We went to castle Chillion along Lake Geneva. We parked at Monteaux and walked along the lakeside to the castle. It was a beautiful day.


Castle Chillion is a wonderful example of a castle. It was built around 1150. We had a great time investigating the rooms from the foundations to the upper floor of the keep. It was incredible.






Our second day in Switzerland had us drive back into France and up to the Les Gets area (pronounced Lay-zhay). Barb has a sister with a chalet on the base of the ski slope and sledding area. Madison and Christina call it "sludging" as they do in the UK.













It was a wonderful afternoon of pizza lunch, relaxing in the sun and watching the kids sled down the hill. It was wonderful. Jordan and Merv got a half-day lift ticket and enjoyed skiing and snowboarding. Jordan actually ran into some friends from school on the slopes! It was a wonderful wonderful day!


Dinner was a traditional meal of raquette- melted cheese over vegetables and grilled meat. Merv is a great cook!

Unfortunately, we had to drive home...14 hours. But we had good memories of a great trip.