Paris!

Getting here was quite the journey. I survived my first train strike (I was bound to hit one at some point in this journey), and I actually got to my destination. It only took 4 hours longer and 3 more exchanges than it should have, but I made it!

I knew I was in for some major sightseeing in Paris, but also knew, in 3 days, there was no way to see it all. I started with Notre Dam and a walk through the Latin Quarter. Notre Dam was really impressive and the stained glass in Saint Chapelle was incredible. Walking through the small cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter, you almost forgot you were in Paris. The hustle and bustle of the big city was gone, it was just you and the shop lined streets, and all the other tourists, of course.

A walk through the Tuileries Garden and some down time sitting in the sun by the fountains are a great way to pass the mid-afternoon. Then it was off to The Louve. Impressive paintings and incredible marble sculptures kept me busy for 3 hours. I hit the biggies and marveled at some of the lesser known. My English audioguide was my savior, as everything was in French, of course. I tried to steer away from the many Asian tour groups. And while I really enjoyed the paintings, I was more intrigued by the statues. Not exactly sure why. In 3 hours I still only made it through about 1/2 the museum.

A night stroll down Champ Elysees to find some dinner rounded out my evening. I got back to the hostel and checked in to my new room (they had me switch rooms from the night before) and realized I was the only girl in a room with 5 guys.

Now I remember why I don't like bunking with boys. They are smelly and messy. There were shavings and thoothpaste in the sink, towels strewn all over the bathroom, and the room smelled like feet. The only bed left was a top bunk. Yay for putting shorties on the top bunk (especially hose with no ladders). I did find a chair to use. I climbed up and was ready for sleep to overcome my tired body, when the snoring started. Great! This is gonna be a long night. I put on my ipod, which worked for awhile, but then the snoring got louder, so my music got louder. It still didn't work. I tossed and turned most of the night and finally gave in about 4:30 and got on the computer. Right after I posted on fb, the snoring stopped. I eased myself back down and managed about 2 hours sleep before it started again.

The next day was another busy one. I started with the Arc de Triomphe and a walk down Champs Elysse in the daylight (nighttime is better in my opinion) then off to the Orangerie Museum to see Monet's water lillies - the big one, 8 panels that take up 2 rooms. It's the entire upper floor of the museum. Just incredible to sit there and get lost in the paintings, no matter what direction you were facing.

Then off to wait in line at the Eiffel Tower. I knew it was big, but standing underneath the first level and seeing how far apart the "posts" were was incredible. I tried to time it right so I caught the sun setting from atop the tower. Beautiful, almost magical. So much so, it seemed sureal. And it hit me, I'm in Paris! You know how you hear people talk about Paris and you think, man I would love to go there sometime. Well, I am here now!! It's someday for me! Tomorrow is Versailles.

Wow, now that is a palace!! And the grounds were huge with immaculate gardens, too bad the flowers weren't in bloom. Beautiful fountains, and so many walking paths it was easy to get lost in them.  I imaginied myself as royalty for the day. Dressed in a gorgeous full gown walking down the staircase as if I was floating on air. Sitting down to dinner with the fancy china and silver. I can just picture myself waltzing through the ballroom. And although it would be so much fun for a few days, I know I would not have wanted to live during this time period.