how to write a love letter

Apparently, they take love letter writing very seriously here in France.  When word got out about Pascal's pathetic attempt at writing to his Bébé, La Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie (the Museum of Science & Industry) got right on it.  Here is their response:

service d'amour - public facteur

Look at the line!  All of these people are in line to write love letters with the help of these postal workers!  When there was down time (no one waiting) the postal workers would play instruments and dance (very romantic).  At the front of the line, they would hand you the catalog.  There was only one catalog, so the line got very long.  The catalog was filled with samples of writing paper in about twenty different designs.  Once you selected your paper, you turned to the front of the catalog and selected one of about 40 colors of ink.  After you selected your ink, they brought out the jar of quills and you selected your writing implement.  After that, you were directed to the tables in back to write your letter.


It was so cute seeing how serious everyone was about picking just the right paper and just the right color of ink.  It was very French.  No one was rushing, no one was really that impatient while waiting in line.  It was generally agreed that these things take time.

see all the ladies writing their letters (foreground)

As you were writing your love letter, a woman postal worker came around and took your picture.  Later you would discover that she had printed out a little "stamp" (sticker) with your face on to decorate the outside of the envelope.


After you wrote your letter, you had to get into a different line to find your personalized photo-stamp, select what imprint you wanted for your wax seal on back, and then select the perfect postage stamp to complement the color of ink you had chosen.  Et, voilà!  Christopher and I both wrote love letters and the whole process took us about 45 minutes.

finishing touches

Once the letters are delivered to us in the mail, I'll take pictures of them so you can see our artistry!  Here is a link to the company Le Service Public des Facteurs d'Amour.


La Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie was open free to the public all weekend.  It was an amazing museum!  Here are some of the wonderful things we saw and did:


We actually only saw this.  Gaius really wanted to fly on this blimp (there is a tether), and we were going to let him.  As it turned out, the minimum weight requirement was 40 kilos and he only weighs 20.  What a relief!

flying high

Instead, he did this.  Hang Gliding!  They had a real hang glider for little kids to fly with a simulation (sort of like a Wii.)  Gaius had a lot of fun!

feels like he's flying high!

We visited a section of the museum that was just for kids and Gaius made a beeline for the water games. In this section, you could also explore the human body, operate a television camera, "drive" a car, play in a rock band and much, much more!

luckily I packed a spare shirt!

This dome is called the Geode and there is a movie theater inside.  We saw this while driving down the freeway one day.  From a distance, it looks like a mini Earth since it reflects everything around it.  When we drove by it that day, Gaius commented, "I like Earth."

can you see the dome behind us?

One of the exhibits we missed was the model of the Ariane Space Launcher, which allows visitors to experience true weightlessness.  Isn't that cool?  We have to go back!  Even though we missed the space launcher, we still had plenty to do.  It wouldn't be a trip to a museum without a new addition to the shark collection:

meet "HAPPY SMILE"

 We got to tour an actual French submarine, the Argonaute.  It was super tiny.  I wonder how many people have to turn back because they can't make it through the exhibit.  I mean, that they actually might not be able to squeeze through the narrow spaces.  Isn't that crazy?

can you see the torpedo behind us?

After the museum, we hit Paris.  Here are some pictures of us on Pont Neuf which means New Bridge but is actually the oldest bridge in Paris.

can you see the Eiffel Tower in the background?

Here is one of Christopher and me.  Doesn't he look thrilled?  I am!  Because guess where we headed next?

see the bateau mouche on the water?

MEXICAN FOOD at FAJITAS!  This restaurant was written up in Food and Leisure as having the best mexican food in Paris.  Thanks for the tip, Auntie Bernadette!  The food was excellent and the margaritas were even better!  We ate an early dinner so we got there before the crowds.  Usually this place is packed!

we will definitely be going back here

I had the enchiladas verdes (pollo) and two margaritas.  Gaius had a sip of my margarita (when I wasn't looking) and split a combo platter with his dad.  We spoke to the owner and she is willing to sell hard-to-find ingredients to her customers.  I asked for some pickled jalapenos, but sadly, they were running low.  Maybe next week, she said.


Anyway, that was how we spent last Saturday.  We were out and about for ten hours, which is quite a feat with a 5-year old in tow!  Looking forward to a fun Halloween here in Paris!


à bientôt!