So, today was a better day - best yet really!! We woke up EARLY, had a great breakfast at our new hotel (Oceanic hotel- great for travelers on a budget who want a central Paris location!). Then we were off - women on a mission to get the damn logistics worked out once and for all!! Two train stations later with the help of a loverly Australian couple we found an amazing SNCF ticket agent who was English speaking and willing to help out three crazy American tourists. After lots of research and price comparison we left armed with tickets as follows:
Paris ---> Nice
Nice ---> Milan
Milan ----> Florence
Florence ---> Venice
Venice ---> Munich
Munich ---> Prague.
Then it was time to use the 3g data plan I sold my soul to AT&T for so I could use this iPhone overseas. Soon I had our tix on Easy Jet from Prague to Amsterdam and Amsterdam to London all set! Hurray!!! Then it was time to hit the pavement! Ash headed to an Afro American art museum and Meghan and I headed back to the Eiffel tower to finally make it to the top. Turned off by the throngs of tourists, we headed to Notre Dame to see the inside. I told her she'd get an equally good panorama from the Arc du Triomphe. We boarded a boat (only 9 euro for students :-)!) and headed to see the inside of the gargoyle and chimera protected cathedral.
What I experienced there blew my mind. Let me explain where I'm coming from first. I've been blessed and priveledged to set foot on some of the holiest sites in the world in places like Japan, Thailand, Egypt and Israel. Everywhere I went, my parents insisted I be respectful of the religion and their customs - covering my shoulders and legs, being reverently silent, etc etc. Well apparantly, mass in progress at the Cathedral of Notre Dame was not enough to invoke respect from the tourists exploring the displays on the outskirts. Between the cell phones ringing, kids screaming and crying, and general tourista (I know, tourista is a costa rica word but it seemed fitting) hubaloo, I had a hard time kneeling to pray after lighting a candle for my uncle and grandfather. I notice those being the most disrespectful were speaking native French or wearing clothes indicating faith other than Christianity. Seriously? Just because you don't practice a faith doesn't mean it doesn't deserve your reverence. Meghan and I even went as far as to "shush" one or two particularly rowdy parties. Upon exiting, we spoke with a nun expressing our condolences at the sad state of affairs. In strong English she replied "they're lucky I'm not in charge". LOVE IT! Food for thought people - be reverent when in the presence of other faiths. They deserve it.
We swung by the Musée de L'Institut du Monde Arabe. A favorite professor of mine suggested it, and what good grad student doesn't take the advice of a fave prof? What a neat place! I feel I finally got a truly unbiased perspective of what the Arab world is made of - art, people, beliefs, etc. We as individuals would do well to try and develop a well- rounded understanding of the facinating origins of this culture....not to mention the immense diplomatic implications.
Then it was back to the boat to head down the Seine to the Champs-Elysēes - final destination: Arc de Triomphe. Too bad we missed the memo about the GINORMOUS Eco-Friendly festival going on in the area. Wall to wall people made a 5 min walk last 30+ min and brought an equally discouraging crowd to this viewpoint. My long suffering bff made due with some pictures of the structure before we cried I'M DONE. In more ways than one, we were so very done, and it was back to Hotel Oceanic to regroup, meet Ash and handle the remaining logistical business.
Again, great success! We found amazing places to stay in Prague (a renovated medieval castle) and Amsterdam (a studio apartment on the canal) for less than half of what was expected. Woooo!!! Then we grabbed dinner next door at a cafe with great food but terrible service, and jumped on the train to head to Nice! We got there a bit early to grab the best seats (again, marissa is the source of amazing travel tips) and were greatly successful! Now I'm blogging, Megs journaling, and Ash is changing into pj's.
Here's a summary of lessons learned:
1) Paris is a cool city with lots of history but treats Americans like garbage nine times out of ten. My tourist money is better spent in other countries like Costa Rica or in the French countryside (in Nice we were treated like gold- see next entry). I prefer to channel my hard earned money to be spent among a population that appreciates it.
2) Plan more in advance to avoid drama and valuable time wasted once in Europe.
3) I need to be more adaptive to change. Vowing to do that from here on out.
4) Social workers make the best travel mates - it's all about maximizing the resources in front of you!!
Okay, time for bed. Trains seem not too terrible for sleeping - we'll see soon!! Can't have dark circles in the riviera :-)
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