The Eiffel Tower at sunset, with a storm coming in, and the snow blowing around us as we're high up at the top, all of Paris at our feet.

The houseboats on the Seine with snow on the plants. Bamboo, with snow on it. Unbelievable.

The Seine itself, much bigger than the Tiber.

Seeing the Mona Lisa with fully eight rows of people in front of us, all holding their cameras above their heads and taking pictures. As if their picture will be more valuable than one in an art book. Any art book. I mean, come *on*, people.

The long walk back from seeing the Mona Lisa. And seeing too many baby Jesus paintings again (shades of London!).

The relief, and delight, of the Musee d'Orsay. The disappointment that all the really good stuff is tucked away on the 5th and 6th floors.

The giddy whimsey of the Pompidou center.

The absolute bloody freezing cold, and staying in a B&B type of place that never got cold inside. Not to mention, there was PLENTY of room in our room, so it was a joy to go back there every night.

Finally being ready to babble in French, finally sorta *thinking* in French, the morning we're on our way home. The way people would ask me, in French, directions - as if I were a Parisienne. (I really liked that, actually!)

Feeling alive there. Finding some spectacular jewelry, and then throwing caution to the winds and actually buying it. Lighting candles for my brother in Notre Dame, because even though he wasn't a Catholic (snort), I like to think he'd appreciate the gesture. Sitting in Notre Dame, and hearing the nuns sing acapella. The enchanting echo their voices made in a place that had been ringing with voices for a very long time.

That first night, when I had a Roquefort to die for, absolutely. And the right wine to go with it.

The night we met up with our friend Jeffrey for dinner and had raclette, which was *fabulous* - and the only truly memorable meal we had there.

Going to Euro Disney the next day to see Jeffrey perform in Buffalo Bill's Wild Adventure, and eating corn bread and chili. Yum, yum! And seeing those buffalo, live! Quite made me choke up with longing for home.

Seeing all the trees along the Seine and how they were cut in a box shape, so as not to spoil the view. (That just slayed me. And it wasn't the only place they did that, either - made me wonder which Napoleonic code tree-trimming was under!)

Strolling on to rides at Euro Disney with no waiting. At all. It took longer to walk the empty line lanes than it did to get on the ride. (Fast Pass was *so* not necessary!)

Finding that spectacular chocolatier on St. Louis d' I'le that actually carried liquid chocolate! Oh, yum. That shopping street was the best we'd found, and where I found my jewelry.

It's nice to realize that, though I'd go back to Rome in a heartbeat if it was a choice between Rome and Paris, I truly had a terrific time in Paris. The joys were different, more subtle perhaps due to the weather. I was different, more able to blend in as a Parisian than a Roman.

Well, it was a fabulous trip. I'm guessing we won't be taking many of these again until the kids are out of college and their student loans are paid for - but it was thrilling, and I'm so glad we could do it.

In the meantime, we'll have to narrow our sights a bit for our vacations. But knowing that Sherwin Creek exists, and knowing that my friends in Aspen would welcome us with open arms, I'm not worried. There are joys aplenty to be had here in the USA.

I'm a lucky gal, I am.