You Know How People Broadcast Images of Glowing Fires on Their Television Sets, Rather Than Sitting in Front of an Actual Fireplace? Right About Now, I’m Left Feeling We Could Have Broadcast Images of The Eiffel Tower on the TV, and Our Kids Would Have Enjoyed It Just As Much

“You Know How People Broadcast Images of Glowing Fires on Their Television Sets, Rather Than Sitting in Front of an Actual Fireplace?  Right About Now, I’m Left Feeling We Could Have Broadcast Images of The Eiffel Tower on the TV, and Our Kids Would Have Enjoyed It Just As Much”

So let’s see:

one overnight trip on a bus from Cappadocia to Istanbul;

a day in Istanbul of visiting an ancient church with tremendous golden mosaic remnants on the walls;

one night in Istanbul;

five days in Paris, replete with macaroons, The Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, an on-and-off bus tour of the entire city, some hours at Sacre Coeur watching buskers perform, a trip around Monmarte to view artists at work, an afternoon in the historic and jaw-dropping spaces of Versailles, an after-dark hangout in front of Notre Dame so as to watch the shadows dance amongst the gargoyles and filagreed architecture, shopping along the Champs Elysees, repeat visits to street crepe stands, a passle of hours in Paris’ floral park (a place featuring no less than four playgrounds), unlimited passes to public transportation;

a trip under the English Channel;

a night near the station where Paddington Bear gained legend;

three nights in a hotel with a swimming pool and breakfasts of Rice Crispies and Cumberland sausages;

two days of rides and fireworks at the much-hallowed Windsor Legoland;

another night in London to sleep in a room with bunkbeds and then take in the science museum, ride the London Eye, and visit the home of The Queen;

another trip under the sea by train;

multiple experiences with Subway sandwiches, KFC chicken, Starbursts, Skittles, Ritz Crackers, tortilla chips–all tastes of home not experienced in Cappadocia;

another night in Paris, during which the final Hannah Montana episode is watched;

then again to Istanbul for some big city hustle;

finally a flight back to Cappadocia.

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In reflecting on the trip in its entirety, the kids are in agreement:

the coolest thing of all was the toilet on the Eurostar train through The Chunnel.  See, you flush it with your foot, by pressing down on a button on the floor.

And. that’s. just. awesome.

Totally better than Versailles.

————————————————————
Put another way:

for less than a quarter of the cost of the whole vacation, we could have installed a new toilet in our house, one that flushes with a press of the foot, and given the little buggers a daily thrill surpassing an up-close-and-personal view of The Mona Lisa.

Having kids redefines Buyers’ Remorse.

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16 responses to “You Know How People Broadcast Images of Glowing Fires on Their Television Sets, Rather Than Sitting in Front of an Actual Fireplace? Right About Now, I’m Left Feeling We Could Have Broadcast Images of The Eiffel Tower on the TV, and Our Kids Would Have Enjoyed It Just As Much”

  1. unmitigated me Avatar
    unmitigated me

    We took our kids to Hawaii. Ha! They liked the pool. Never again.

  2. Fragrant Liar Avatar
    Fragrant Liar

    Wow. So cosmopolitan you've become. Totally envious here. And loving that you're having such a fabulous, one-of-a-kind adventure.

    xo

  3. alwaysinthebackrow Avatar
    alwaysinthebackrow

    Yup, kids keep your life in perspective. Funny how that works.

  4. Jenn @ Juggling Life Avatar
    Jenn @ Juggling Life

    Nothing like seeing life through the eyes of a child!

  5. christopher Avatar
    christopher

    Short term buyer's remorse…long term priceless experience.

  6. flutter Avatar
    flutter

    I shall, forevermore live vicariously through you

  7. monica Avatar
    monica

    yeah – during our holiday on Crete this summer with sun, beach, warm water, family togetherness – my son LOOOVED it when he could spend some hours at the internet café, playing games and chattinh with the friends at home…
    but he did think it was a GREAT holiday…

  8. London Paris train fares Avatar
    London Paris train fares

    Right place to share and get the travel information and relevant regarding tourism.Get more through train from london to paris.

  9. Em Avatar
    Em

    LOL…so typical. We took our kids on a cruise. Their favorite thing about the entire cruise…the free ice cream on the boat. Really??? Not all the amazing islands and the snorkeling and the shows and the awesome food? Nope. Ice cream.

  10. Green Girl in Wisconsin Avatar
    Green Girl in Wisconsin

    Oh, hell. That totally sums up most of my good intentions by taking my kids places. They get more excited about the FOOD or the RESTROOMS or some other stupid random thing. Glad to know I'm not alone.
    (still, that toilet does sound pretty cool.)

  11. Mother Theresa Avatar
    Mother Theresa

    Well, I remember taking my kids to the zoo in Madrid and the thing they liked best were the ducks and the chickens…we have a park right here in Pamplona full of ducks and chickens, so we could have saved ourselves the 4 hour trip. Kids are all alike. But as long as you enjoyed it, it was worth it.

  12. actonbell Avatar
    actonbell

    Oh, well, at least the rest of us are swooning!

  13. Midlife Jobhunter Avatar
    Midlife Jobhunter

    Hahahahahaha! Oh, but, Mom. Just wait until years from now when they'll say, "Remember when we were in Paris," and announce to their friends that they've experienced all sorts of weird things because of their mom. You'll smile.

    What a grand adventure.

  14. Pam Avatar
    Pam

    You flush it with your foot???? Let me get this right. With a button.On a train. Under the water.
    I read that bit on your post over and over again.
    I'm in love with that last photo Joelyn – the kids look like they are busting to go the bathroom.xxx

  15. Pam Avatar
    Pam

    ..sorry about the Joelyn spelling. My c.. (bash,bash)..is stuck!

  16. secret agent woman Avatar
    secret agent woman

    In my experience of travelling with younger kids is that they most appreciate things that are in ine with their interests. Like wild animals, in our case.

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