March 3, 2010
We slept in a bit on Saturday. None of us could find the strength to get back on our arching feet until about 10… but we eventually got going, had some breakfast, and headed out for more adventures in Paris. The day started off with nice weather, a smelly metro ride, and a trip to Crepe Alley. We nicknamed it that after finding at least a dozen stands that make the delicious desserts right in front of your eyes along the two-block walk. We separated for a bit, so we could each find exactly what we wanted to eat, and decided to meet up in front of the Notre Dame. I wasn’t very hungry so I stopped in a huge souvenir shop and bought a bunch of postcards. If I ever get around to mailing all them it will be a miracle. After picking the best postcards, I headed for the Notre Dame to wait for the girls.
And I just sat there, enjoying the view and relishing in the fact that I was, in fact, in Paris. So surreal. I didn’t get much time to daydream before Hal joined on the bench in front of the huge, molding Viking statue. That thing is huge. And teal from decaying or something. Really menacing Viking king in florescent blue… Anyway, Hal soon joined me in my disbelief. You think of going to these great places all your life, you’ve seen it a million times on TV, and read about its greatness, but once you’re actually here, you’re not sure what to think. It never really sinks in.
Anyway, we were soon attacked by a flock of pigeons. Seriously, they were out to get us and there were about two-hundred storming the Viking statue. They were crazy! They swarm so close to your head and all fly in unison like a big brigade of fighter planes. I was terrified! I got up and out of there before I got attacked. Or pooped on. I was not having any of that! I nearly ran off the square and across the river. Seriously, the pigeons here are fearless.
After a near death by bird attack, Hal laughed at my pathetic attempt to run away for about half-hour. Not funny. We waited for Laurel and Julie for a bit longer, but then decided that they got caught up somewhere (the bookstore), and headed across town to the museum without them. We’d decided to go to the museum at three, so we figured they would just meet us there.
Oh Musee d’Orsay, I still can’t pronounce your name, but I love you regardless. Seriously, best part of the trip after the arc du triomphe (coming later tonight) was our trip to the Musee d’Orsay. I saw so much art that I’d studied for hours in class. My favorite? The Rodin and Claudel terrace… two of my favorite sculptors! Ah, I almost cried. Not really, but I was happy. We ended our assault on the musee at six and were once again, dog tired. Laurel wasn’t feeling very well, so headed back north to Monmarte to regroup. Hal, Julie, and I headed back to the restaurant with the awesome French Onion soup. This time I got a huge salad that was sooooo good. Seriously, French food…don’t underestimate it. These people know how to cook!
After buying a pack of gummy bears at the grocery store that I was craving, we got back on the Metro and headed out to the Arc du Triomphe at around eight. It was pouring rain and super windy, but we didn’t care. We were getting to the top of that arc no matter what. We paid our five euros and began the climb. 284 steps… I just laughed when the guy warned us about the climb. Pshh, I can do that easily! God, I was so freaking tired at the top. Those stairs never ended! Where’s my inhaler?!??! But the climb was so worth the exertion. My God, the views were amazing. The best part of Paris… the Arc du Triomphe at night. Just beautiful. Despite being soaked to the bone and shivering from the wind. It was awesome! We got up there just in time to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle again. So special… this is one of the moments I will remember forever. The Arc is surrounded by a twelve-lane roundabout… Yes, 12 lanes. It is crazy. There is one car crash every hour, on average. There are no lanes or signs. It is just a free-for-all. We stayed and enjoyed the views of lit up, sparkling Paris for as long as we could.
After a busy Saturday, we headed home for a good sleep. There was a bar crawl sponsored by the hostel we were staying at, but we weren’t interested in the least. I think I would have died of exhaustion at the first stop. I was so tired again!
And here comes the part where I got chewed up and spit out… not really, but the second half of my Parisian journey was rather unfortunate compared to the beginning. On Sunday, we woke up to gale-force winds whipping through the narrow alleys of Monmarte. Seriously, I was a bit scared when trash bins started flying through the air and awnings thrashed violently in the air. Tornado! Not really, but we headed down for breakfast, nonetheless. I ate a baguette and an apple.
We metro-ed to the area around the Louvre for the day. We stopped at a café until the weather calmed down. The weatherman promised it was going to get better so we waited it out in some charming café. Julie and Laurel ordered coffee and more food, but I just wasn’t feeling right. And after about a half-hour I knew something just wasn’t right. I decided to go back to the hostel for a bit, while Laurel, Hal, and Julie went to see if they could eat lunch in the Eiffel Tower. And there, in my bunk bed, I spent the rest of that miserable day. I think I got sick from the apple, but I’m not sure. So crappy. I wasted a whole day in Paris! But I’ve been pretty lucky. This is the first time I’ve gotten sick from any foreign food or anything. What a long day and night. I slept for 17 hours and felt much better in the morning.
Oh, I forgot. Just before I got sick, Hal and I toured the Notre Dame. Ah-maz-ing. Took my breath away. They were waving that crazy ball that emits fumes and really bad smells at the beginning of mass and I coughed for a bit. They let us walk around the outer part of the church as mass was going on! I found that a bit odd. But the cathedral was great.
And as I lay on my stiff mattress, I realized that I really missed London. I missed home! Maybe it is just because all of stuff is there and I have my own little space atop my bunk in our little room, but it really felt like home. I don’t know how I’m going to leave. I wished everyone I loved lived here so I could have the best of both places!
Before I knew it, our time in Paris was over. We packed up on Monday morning and headed for the train station around 10:30. Hal and I had a bit of difficulty finding our terminal, but before long, we were on our train home. One last battle of confusion and misunderstanding with the French language to send us off. Why not?
We just laughed on our way home. We had such a great time. We have so many new stories and learned so much. Big thing, I’ve found a new appreciation for family vacations. I just get to sit back and relax, letting the adults and Amy figure everything out for me. I don’t have to worry about a thing! I get to joke around and make fun of Judy! Sorry, Mom.
Bonus! I experienced what it was like traveling under the Channel! It was black outside the window and we were still in our seats. No crazy tricks, no zero-gravity, or windows out to the ocean floor. Pretty dull, but pretty cool. I enjoyed it!
So that was Paris… South coast of England is coming soon! We leave on Thursday for a relaxing weekend of beach, bike-riding, and bed and breakfasts! I’m so excited. Be back soon!
Love,
Kelly
PS – there are a ton of new pictures on Facebook!
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