Chocolat Chaud.

Today's pictures are from my visit to the "Jardin de Tulleries" this afternoon. The sun finally decided to come out today and though it was a bit chilly, everyone managed to fool themselves into thinking that the weather was perfect. Perhaps it was.

Not much explanation is needed. I know you're probably all sick of park pictures already, but I couldn't help it. It was just a beautiful day.

At one of the fountains, you can rent these boats to sail on the little fountain on the side of the park. I remember Madame Morellec, my French professor at Hillsdale, saying how she always wanted to sail one when she was little, but she didn't get to because she wasn't a boy. I can understand her frustration. I wanted to sail one too!

A Parisian and a tourist. 

Haha...I don't know if you can see in this picture, but this Parisian was definitely observing the same. She had a good laugh :)

I went to the park today with a friend from the program named Maggie. We stopped a this really expensive restaurant/pastry shop just outside the garden to get "chocolat chaud" or hot chocolate. This is not the hot chocolate, however, they serve at Starbucks, but cthick, gooey melted dark chocolate. Expensive, but we both agreed totally worth it. Warms you all the way down to your stomach. 

The place where they keep the heavenly goodness :)

Maggie and her chocolate.

We sat and chatted in the park while we finished our hot chocolate. These two little boys were kicking a little "Cars" ball around. I loved their little matching red jackets and wispy little boy hair.

Mama and little brother.

And big brother.

Love his little smile.

We finished the day at "l'eglise de Saint Madelaine," a gorgeous old church with impressive Roman inspired architecture. I've been there several times before and it's one of my favorite places. Unfortunately, the photos of the inside don't do it justice, but the outside, as you can see, is incredible. 

From the Place de la Concorde.

Maggie and I sat by one of the big pillars to rest before heading home. As we looked out, we both had one of these moments that sneak up on you and give you this little thrill; you stop and suddenly remember, "I'm in Paris!" We got to see and experience things today that we'd only dreamed of before and so many long to see. And we got to experience this day, see this view. How exciting. 

We resolved to try to do something each day this week and speak French as much as possible when we're together. It's funny how so many of the afternoons I have here where I have nothing planned end up so wonderfully. Blessings abound. And God is good.