Dear Sasha and Malia,
When I read that you would be visiting the City of Light (for the first time?) this week I got so excited that I had to write you a note about places to see and things to eat in Paris. When your Dad was elected President I sat down to compose a letter to you all proposing that I tutor the entire Obama family in French for your trips to France. Unfortunately, I didn't send the letter. I would love to be your guide in Paris but since I won't be there during your trip allow me to be your virtual guide here.
I'm going to guess that you both like sweets. You will be totally in love with the patisseries (that's the word for pastry shop in French) in Paris. All of the cookies, cakes, tartes, and candies seem more colorful and prettier in Paris. They are also delicious and often less sweet tasting than in the U.S. If you go to Laduree, I think you should try the macarons. In the States, macarons are like little coconut pyramid shaped sweet chunks. In France, macarons are cookie-sized confections that come in lots of different flavors like lemon, raspberry, pistachio, chocolate - even licorice. They have the basic form of an oreo cookie in that they are two cookies that sandwich a cream. Macarons come in great colors depending on their flavor: pink for raspberry, green for pistachio, purple for lavender, brown for chocolate, black for licorice and the list goes on and on. I think you will love macarons. You should eat them at Laduree, or go to Pierre Herme where he has really unusual/original flavors like olive oil macarons.
Do you like ice cream? If so, and I hope you do, you should try Berthillon ice cream on Ile St. Louis. First off, by going to Ile St. Louis you will be near one of the most popular Paris tourist attractions, Notre Dame - and second - you will have a great view of the city. Berthillon has great ice cream. Any flavor will be delicious. Generally speaking, there's a lot of good ice cream in Paris. My favorite place is on rue Mouffetard in the 5th arrondisement - they scoop out your ice cream in the shape of a rose! It's so pretty!
If you like pancakes, you will love crepes. I think your parents should let you pop out of the limo and stop at any of the hundred million crepe stands (they are usually on street corners, next to or a part of a cafe) and have a crepe with butter and sugar, or with your favorite jam. Or, if you like bananas - Nutella and bananas on a crepe are a big favorite, though you might get an upset tummy because they're so rich and it would be a shame to get a stomach ache because your whole trip should be filled with lots of eating. Paris has amazing food!
Moving onto the savory side of things, I think you might love a Croque Monsieur. It's like a grilled cheese sandwich with ham and lots of melted cheese on top. It's delicious!
I think you'll probably go to very fancy three star restaurants with your parents (they rate the fancy restaurants with stars by the Micheline tire man). If you eat at Jules Verne, in the Eiffel Tower, you will enjoy one of the best views of Paris from it's most iconic landmark. If you don't like what's on the menu, just order sphaghetti. When I worked at a fancy three star restaurant in Paris, the chefs would make pretty yummy pasta for the kids - sometimes they would even braid the pasta so it looked really elaborate.
Places to go: Go to Centre Pompidou - it looks like a giant, glass catepillar and next to it there's a great colorful sculpture fountain. After you check out the art, go to the restaurant Georges at the top of Centre Pompidou. The views are great!
Of course, you will go to the Louvre - it's huge, you won't see all of it in a day but it's kind of a "must." In the Louvre you will see the famous Mona Lisa - it's so much smaller than you would expect. Near the Louvre, you should take a stroll on the Champs Elysees. You should also go to Montmartre to see Sacre Coeur and some of the best views of Paris. You would make some illustrator's day if you let them draw a picture of you - there is a little square near Sacre Coeur with tons of people waiting to draw or paint tourists. Normally, I don't recommend touristy things in Paris, but if it's your first time in the City of Light, it's the best time to be a tourist to the fullest.
Also, since your dad was just in the Middle Easst, you should take a trip to the Musee du Monde Arabe. It's a beautiful museum dedicated to Arab culture and history, right on the Seine.
Parks you should visit: Jardin de Luxembourg, near the famous Sorbonne; Bois de Boulogne, Buttes Chaumont, Jardin des Plantes.
Are you studying French in school? I hope so, but if not here are some basic terms that will serve you well. Of course everyone will be showing off their English to you, but it's always nice to make an effort with someone else's language.
Wherever you go, always say: Bonjour (say Bonjour to everyone, otherwise they will think you're impolite)
Another important one: Excusez-moi (it's excuse me in French)
S'il vous plait (Please)
Merci: Thank You,
Merci beacoup: Thank you very much
Everyone will know your name so there's no need to say: Je m'appelle Sasha/Malia.
You might want to buy (or eat) some things - so you would say: Je voudrais ( I would like...)
I'm guessing you will be surrounded by a ton of people who will cater to your every need, so you probably won't have to worry what to say or do, but those phrases are the very basic, essential things to say.
Well, dear Sasha and Malia, I hope you have a wonderful trip to Paris. I know the French people are very excited about welcoming your family.
Bon voyage!
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