Paris - days 2 & 3

Wow! It's been an eventful two days. Day #2 started off a bit late as we overcame our jetlag and slept off two two bottles of wine we had the night before. We had an excellent Parisian breakfast again and headed over to Notre Dame. We met up with a local tour guide who gives free tours and asks only for tips. We got the lowdown on the outside of the cathedral and the many stories that it tells, including the battle between heaven and hell. Did you also know that the gargoyles double as rain spouts? Wicked cool :-) The second tour that followed took us all over the bohemian left bank, and we saw some local prides like the bridge where couples hang locks inscribed with their names to seal their love for eternity. The perpetually single like myself also attach their own lock in hopes of eventually finding the right one. Awwwhhh. Then it was time for a snack, changing over some money at a great no-fees spot recommended by our tour guide and back to the hotel to figure out our next step in the game. We also met up with Ashely, a MSW student from Texas who is traveling with us.

Here things started to unravel a bit. The flights we'd originally planned on using had been cancelled because of the ash cloud and other options were over 5x the price!! Then we tried to look at train prices and the system was down! Gah! < Insert mini freakout / lunching here > But we didn't have much time to spend on that because it was time to get pretty and head to the moulin rouge!

Ugh - worst waste of money EVER!!! Mom and dad - I owe you a ginormous apology for making you take me last time we were here in Paris. I mean, I haven't danced in years, but for $130 apiece the dancers should have at least been able to kick ball change fist pump in unison. I was so frustrated between that and the fact that we couldn't see the stage I walked out and asked to speak to a manager (en francias none the less) but instead was escorted outside. Over it at that point, I head next door to the bar to wait for my friends. We stay out and dance with some euro hotties for a bit but soon the smell gets the better of us and we head home. We resume trying to reorganize our plans only to be greeted by more bad news and frustration. At that point I'm exhausted and annoyed and overwhelmed and tipsy and call my parents and announce I'm coming home (still the drama queen everyone knows and loves). They tell me I'm full of it and the night is over at a whopping 5am.

Today we slept in again and rush to make checkout in time. Our concierge finds us a new hotel in central Paris and we're off! We refuel at starbucks, swing by a train station to find out our ticket options for our next steps, and head to the Louve. I'm sad the egyptian exhibit is closed, but have an amazing time checking out all the masterpieces with the help of their handy new multimedia tour guide mini computers! The Venus de Milo is still my fave <3 Definitely an amazing illustration of female beauty!




We take a breather on the lawn outside the louve and re approach our next step dilemma. With the help of one of my amazing friends who did a eurotrip last year, we regroup successfully! Woooo!!!! Thanks Marissa I adore youuuuuu!!

Meghan and I have an amazing French dinner - escargot and steak for me, crab and asparagus salad and duck for her. Delish crepes for dessert too!!



Then it's back to the Eiffel tower to see it all lit up!! So gorgeous it brought tears to my eyes! The bagpiper playing in the background made it just perfect!!!


Now it's 230am and I can't sleep again! I'm excited for tomorrow - Up to the top of the Eiffel tower, Arc du Triomphe, inside of Notre Dame, the Museum of the Arab World, and whatever else we can squeeze in between the morning and 11pm when we board our overnight train to Nice! We'll spend the day on the French riviera, then get on another overnight train to Milan where we'll spend the day before heading to Florence! One night in Florence, 2 nights in Venice, and then to Germany!

Goodnight world!!

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Location:Rue de la Pépinière,Paris,France