Father-Daughter Eurotrip: Day 11

To get to Paris, Dad and I had to leave our hotel at 4am to catch a flight at 6am. Please note, this was not the original plan, but the airline changed the flight times. With the change, it did leave us with about another whole day to explore Paris! 

After we checked into our hotel, we decided to get some coffee before starting the tourist activities.  We had just flown too early in the morning, so we needed some fuel for the day! From there, we walked down to the Opera House. Our hotel was in the same area, so it was a quick five- minute walk in one of Paris’ nicest neighborhoods. 

In 2008 when I last visited Paris, I only had a chance to visit the outside of the Opera House. As a huge lover of Phantom of the Opera, I wanted to see the famed chandelier that inspired the story and later the musical.  The inside was absolutely gorgeous- just as I expected it to be. Sadly, the chandelier was not on sale, and the Phantom seemed to not be at home. 

Opera House 

The famous Chandelier 

Dad and I then took off wandering the streets of Paris before making our way to the Louvre. We ran quickly inside just so that Dad could see the iconic pieces. One day I do plan on spending time getting lost in the galleries.   We took a quick Parisian lunch by Notre Dame before Dad took a break for the day. 

The Louvre

Mona Lisa

Adventurous as I am, I decided to see parts of Paris that I had never spent too much time in before. I headed down to Les Invalides to see the tomb of Napoloen.  Although, before I could see the tomb, I ran into two of the women who work for the Syracuse London program. It truly is a small, orange world.  

Ran into SU London Folks

Les Invalides 

Notre Dame 

Checking the tomb off my list of things to see, I indulged at Laduree (flagship store on Les Champs Elysses) for my afternoon snack. I left with eight macaroons including two new flavors. Dad and I had an early evening as we were starting three days of day trips the next day. 

Laduree

Eiffel Tower

Musicals!

One of my favorite things about London is the fact that so many musicals are constantly on. 

I'm a huge lover of musicals: always have been, always will be. 

But, last semester, I did not get a big change to see anything musically. I know I saw Mumford and Sons at the end of the term, but that was just one concert. And, no musicals. None. Zero.

When I lived in London for four months in 2010, I saw more than I can even think of right now. One musical that I got to see in 2010 was the sequel to "Phantom of the Opera," "Love Never Dies." 

This semester, and well for the rest of my time in London, I am determined to see more musicals. 

I saw two this past week alone. See, I when I get determined about something, I make sure it happens.

On Friday night, as my sickness was settling in, Jenny and I went and saw "Singin in the Rain." A fan of the classic movie already, I was excited to see how the stage show would be...especially with the rain effects! I was not disappointed. The rain scenes were amazing, and I left singing the songs in my head. A feel good family fun night out!

And, on Wednesday this week, Nicole and I went and saw "Phantom of the Opera."  Now, this was my sixth time seeing the live performance of the show.  Phantom is one of my favorites. It always will be. I wish the sequel was still on as I had to listen to the sequel soundtrack on my bus ride home. It was Nicole's first time seeing the stage show, and I know she was singing on her way out as well. I may still have to go back and grab those cheap tickets a few more times before I leave London....good thing I've got till June 2014. 

Her Majesty's Theatre

As for the next musicals on the list, I'm hoping to make it to see "the Bodyguard" soon. I've got a few plays on the list to see before they close as well.