Paris is Always a Good Idea

On Thursday we had the opportunity to do a fun run in Stuttgart called the B2 Run, where various companies in the area compile teams for a 6k race. It was super fun, we got to meet some really cool people who work in various positions at Telegartner and all the bananas and apples we could possibly want after the race :) We didn't get home until 11:30 that night, because we had to take a couple trains and buses to get to and from Stuttgart, then rode our bikes home in the dark since we left directly from work to the race. Fortunately, I have a light on my bike and it only takes a few minutes. 

The race finished inside the arena

A few of the members of Team Telegartner. Our team was pretty small compared to some others- I think the largest one had over 500 people. Then again, they came from much bigger companies. 

 On Friday, as soon after work as we could pack up our stuff, we borrowed Reinhard and Kathe's car to drive to Strasbourg, where we were to pick up our car from the airport. After we got our car, we drove from Strasbourg to Paris and arrived at 1:30 in the morning, because it took a little longer to get the car than anticipated.

 A random village we drove through

Our little Peugeot

 On Saturday, we parked our car in a garage near the Arch de Triumph and did an epic walking tour around the magnificent city known as Paris. Honestly, the pictures do most of the explaining, not many words are needed. Paris is delightful. It's as carefully refined as the intricately chiseled stone, and as solid as the walls that hold in the river. It's elegant, and it knows it.

I honestly wish I was half as photogenic as the Eiffel Tower. Seriously, it looks good no matter which way you look at it. 

Our walking tour took us to the Louve. The line was astronomical because the Tour de France finished on Sunday so we contented ourselves with looking around the outside of the buildings and the adjoining gardens. 

Locks of love 

Songs of love

Rivers of love? Ok, I'll stop :)

 Notre Dame!! Enough said.

 This was a random old church we were able to go inside. The stained glass inside was stunning.

 Paninis for lunch!

I was so incredibly excited to be able to visit Shakespeare and Company bookstore! It was on my list of amazing bookstores around the world that I must visit. Unfortinately, no pictures were allowed inside, but suffice to say it was amazing- books stacked everywhere, rickety stairs and tall bookshelves with ladders to reach the top. 

A casual Bugatti Veyron, no big deal. 

After Notre Dame, we went back to the Eiffel Tower so we could hike to the top and take in all the views during sunset, then see it lit up at night. Again, the pictures rather speak for themselves.