My last full day in Paris – for THIS visit. We all know there will be more, right? Bien sûr!

I booked myself a ticket for the Glass Walk at Galeries Lafayette. This is the exquisite shopping center in Paris with the other worldly glass dome. Well, there is a glass walk, where you are allowed 5 minutes (free) to look, photograph, etc. I think it will be scary, but nevertheless, it’s booked for later this afternoon.

I’ll enjoy the Christmas atmosphere and shopping beforehand. Then, it will be time to have dinner, come home, and pack for my flight tomorrow.

What have I done these two weeks? Three tours: Notre-Dame, the history of French fashion, and the history and tour of Christmas lights.

On top of that, I have seen almost all of my friends. I met Mario and promptly forgot to take photos. I was enjoying my time with Nathalie and Luigi, of course, and didn’t want to be rude.

However, Nathalie took some photos of me with my Luigi.

I hope to babysit Luigi and Mario this summer, but I never ask, of course. If they ask, I’ll be there!

At this point, the two boys are not getting along. But they’ve been told to give it a few months – and are working with a vet to make it work. Mario is so small, and the vet believes when he grows bigger, and is neutered, Luigi will be less likely to give chase! (He thinks he’s a mouse!)

Mainly, I’ve seen and hung out with Hélène. We are definitely Cosmic Twins, and it’s as though we’ve never parted. I was able to meet her lovely husband, Christophe last night, and we all enjoyed a beer and crisps together at an Irish pub! We had 3 languages between us – English, American, and French. We spoke a bit of each – a true mix of what I call Franglais. Interestingly enough, I found myself speaking French with ease and without thinking.

I’ll be continuing my French teaching with my two little ones upon my return home, and in addition, I’ll be learning to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) to adults via the CELTA program. I was accepted into their program in September and opted for their January class date. Lastly, Je sera professeure de français pour les adultes débutants at a local community college come spring. It’s exciting, and a great way to keep my favorite language alive in my life whilst in the States. My French friends are beyond proud. <blush>

Je ecrirai plus tard.

After this, I made a mad dash back to Galeries Lafayette for the appointed hour of my 5minutes on the Glass Walk high above it all.

Tickets were free, but hard to get. Harder still was making my way through the INSANE crowds of people inside and out.

Beaucoup de Monde!

Forget seeing the store windows today! What was I thinking coming here on a Saturday in mid-décembre! lol! Truly awesome, really.

No words needed.

Au Revoir, Paris!

Jusqu’à la prochaine fois…