I know you all have been waiting with bated breath to hear about Paris. Well, far be it for me to keep you waiting, I certainly wouldn't want you to pass out or anything.
Before I let you in on the glory that was this trip to Paris, I'm going to tell you about what happened Sunday morning (the day before we left). Sunday morning, I bent over my bed and to my horror, my back got stuck! I am only 25 guys!!! What is going on!!! Anyway, I spent all of Sunday feeling an acting like an old woman as I hobbled around and sat down like it was as difficult as Frodo's quest to destroy the ring.
Before I let you in on the glory that was this trip to Paris, I'm going to tell you about what happened Sunday morning (the day before we left). Sunday morning, I bent over my bed and to my horror, my back got stuck! I am only 25 guys!!! What is going on!!! Anyway, I spent all of Sunday feeling an acting like an old woman as I hobbled around and sat down like it was as difficult as Frodo's quest to destroy the ring.
Nick and I left for Paris last Monday night at 10:00 pm and arrived at the hostel at 8:00/9:00 am. (Keep in mind- my back still hurts and sleeping on a bus was pretty much impossible). We couldn't check in until 3:00, so we left our bags and went on a wonderful trek up to Le Scare Coeur, through Montmartre, and especially through the sexy district (to see the Moulin Rouge). Montmartre is VERY hilly, so when we arrived back at the Hostel at 2:55 (That totals in at about 6 hours of exploring) we passed out for a good three hours. After we groggily woke to see darkness outside the window, the decision was made to get dinner. Baguettes, cheese, and potato chips. Best. Dinner. Ever.
After the bread and cheese, commence more sleeping. The next day after a delicious breakfast of bread and bread, we headed out to explore the city. Nick had a long list of things to see and we had two days to do it. (I am still semi-crippled- keep that in mind). I shall list the order of things and stop only if there is an interesting story.
1. Breakfast- complimented on my french by a French person. BOO-YA!
2. Pere-Lachaise Cemetery. Important graves will now be pictured.
1. Breakfast- complimented on my french by a French person. BOO-YA!
2. Pere-Lachaise Cemetery. Important graves will now be pictured.
3. The Bastille
For Lunch we had A DELICIOUS sandwich and cookie as we sat in front of the Bastille. Be jealous. :)
On a side note. WHY do the French make the most awesome sandwiches, cheese, and sweets in the world? It is kind of incredible that the distance from England to France is tiny, but the difference in food is miles... sigh.
4. Walked to Notre Dame (of course- we got a little turned around on the way)
5. Shakespeare and Co.
6. Luxembourg Gardens. Nick was a little perturbed when I mentioned that I have sung with a choir in these Gardens... but... It was nice to return and enjoy the scenery. That is until the policeman with the whistle came through to let us know it was time to get out. The Luxembourg Gardens close at 5:00 apparently. le sigh.
7. At this point, it was getting dark... but we pressed on... to the Louvre. Nick and I are a bit poor, so we didn't go in... but we saw the pyramid outside and enjoyed looking at the structure. Besides, I have been in the Louvre before, and it is boring.
8. On to the Eiffel Tower. And YES. We did walk. We walked along the Seine rather than worrying about a map. If YOU would like to map all this out, I have copied a map below. We took the Metro from Pere-LaChaise to the Bastille, but after that, we traveled by foot.
For Lunch we had A DELICIOUS sandwich and cookie as we sat in front of the Bastille. Be jealous. :)
On a side note. WHY do the French make the most awesome sandwiches, cheese, and sweets in the world? It is kind of incredible that the distance from England to France is tiny, but the difference in food is miles... sigh.
4. Walked to Notre Dame (of course- we got a little turned around on the way)
5. Shakespeare and Co.
6. Luxembourg Gardens. Nick was a little perturbed when I mentioned that I have sung with a choir in these Gardens... but... It was nice to return and enjoy the scenery. That is until the policeman with the whistle came through to let us know it was time to get out. The Luxembourg Gardens close at 5:00 apparently. le sigh.
7. At this point, it was getting dark... but we pressed on... to the Louvre. Nick and I are a bit poor, so we didn't go in... but we saw the pyramid outside and enjoyed looking at the structure. Besides, I have been in the Louvre before, and it is boring.
8. On to the Eiffel Tower. And YES. We did walk. We walked along the Seine rather than worrying about a map. If YOU would like to map all this out, I have copied a map below. We took the Metro from Pere-LaChaise to the Bastille, but after that, we traveled by foot.
After the Eiffel tower, we hobbled back to the Bastille (via Metro AND walking-don't you worry). If you look at the map- we were staying very North, Above the Sacre Coeur. For dinner: A crepe at the Eiffel Tower and leftover bread and cheese in the hostel.
The third day in the city (and the last) consisted of Parc Des Princess, so Nick could visit the French Football/Soccer team's stadium. Second was the Arc De Triumph where it was SUPER cold. Also- the Metro creates incredible wind tunnels and in the winter it is like walking through Canadian tundra. (Sorry X-tine)
The third day in the city (and the last) consisted of Parc Des Princess, so Nick could visit the French Football/Soccer team's stadium. Second was the Arc De Triumph where it was SUPER cold. Also- the Metro creates incredible wind tunnels and in the winter it is like walking through Canadian tundra. (Sorry X-tine)
The final stop before heading back to the Charles De Gaulle airport was the Pompidou centre to see a VERY large statue of the French National team's Zinedine Zidane headbutting Marco Materazzi. The statue is large, garish, and hilarious.
The final travel home was VERY exhausting. We started our journey to Charles De Gaulle at 5:00 pm and arrived back in Leytonstone at 8:00 am and promptly fell asleep. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.