Location: Paris, France
Time: 11:33AM
Some people say you fall in love with Paris. I second that with flying colors. This, so far, is the most beautiful and historically mesmerizing city I have ever been to in my life - so far. I saw the Eiffel Tower light up last night and I almost lost my breath.
It all started after we arrived at Gare du Nord, made our way through an insanely busy train station, saw a lady with a beard, waited in a line for a taxi, and were driven through Parisian rush hour traffic to l'hotel Yllel Eiffel in central Paris (I had used my broken French to get us to and from). At 98 Euros a night, it's a bit pricy but for the location, flat screen TV, temper-pedic beds, and view from the room of an entire intersection filled with cafes and the endless whizzing of small motorbikes throughout the day and night, it is well worth the price.
(Going back to the train ride into Paris) The Eurostar was a great experience as well. The train took us from central London, through the countryside of southeastern England, under the English Channel for about half an hour, and popped out at the Pas-du-Calais in France. Seeing the sand of the French channel coast, I couldn't help to think about D-Day and World War Two. Ironically, as I thought about the chaos this area saw over 60 years ago, a lone French soldier armed with a submachine gun strolled by the train during out 5-10 minute stop in Calais. In the last entry I described the beautiful countryside of northern France.
(Going back to the hotel and first day in France) Yesterday, we decided to eat at a restaurant and try our luck. After a nice confusing and awkward ordering of food, and walking into the place thinking we could fill up our wine glasses, every Frenchie in that place stared at us hah! In any case, the food was incredible. I had the "Escalopine de Normandie," which was this white chicken breast covered in a rich brown mushroom sauce with fries, or "frites" on the side. Along with the wine, this was truly an incredible first meal in France.
Afterwards, I spotted the Eiffel Tower and was determined to see her at night. Not without, of coarse, the whining and crying of Rome did we finally reach the destination. (The walk was pretty interesting though, we saw all types of cars such as the Brabus Smartcar, Audi A3 coupe, and others that weren't in the States) Right as I walked towards the tower's base, it lit up since it was midnight. The colors were brilliant. It was then that we ran into a group of Americans from Vegas and Boston who were also backpacking their ways through Europe. After walking along the Sienne River for about 45 minutes in our group of about 8, and bring loud and obnoxious - "I'm in a glass case of emotion!!" This guy got into this glass case that was in front of some guarded building and the French guards, with those weird French police hats (World War Two-era) put a stop to it. All I remember is the guard putting out his cigarette, obviously annoyed, and coming out. We ran off and he didn't give chase.
After walking around aimlessly we finally decided, after Rome's whining, "Uhh what are we doing, uhh I was down to walk but not far, uhh I'm walking off this food, uhh.." Anyways, I want to study abroad and these places are definitely giving me food for thought. The females here, no joke, 1/3 maybe more are 10 out of 10's. I've never seen anything like this. The city is gorgeous and the language is beautiful. Finally we picked up a taxi, a smelly French lady from Algeria was the driver, and took us back to the hotel. I still don't get how to tip in this place. Until tomorrow, avoir!! (Below the entry I drew the Arc du Triumph and the Eiffel Tower next to the Sienne River)
