Day 9 - Paris
May 14, 2011
14.05.2011
Today was our first of two full days that we had in Paris! Breakfast was at 9 am, then we all got on the coach to drive into the city. Our first stop was at the Eiffel Tower. I'd been up it before, but decided to go again since everyone else was. We bought tickets and then climbed over 650 steps to the second level. A really good workout! I'd been up the Eiffel Tower before, but decided to do it again since it was much nicer weather today, plus that's where everyone else seemed to be headed. We took lots of photos at the top, where we could see very far out. The views of Paris were incredible.
Once we descended the tower, we started walking to the Arc d'Triomphe. Our group today was me, Verity, Teresa, Jason, and Rosi. On our way to the Arc, we stopped at the tunnel where Princess Diana died. I hadn't seen this last time I was here, and it didn't seem like it was a huge tourist site, so it was interesting to see. There is a golden flame memorial there for her. Soon we arrived at the Arc, where we spent some time admiring the architecture. We decided not to wait in the long line to go up to the top, and instead we took the underground tunnel across the enormous round-a-bout. There was a couple who decided to risk their lives and run across it...luckily they survived, barely!
We decided to walk down the Champs Elysees, where are the expensive shopping is. Along the way we stopped at a McDonald's for some burgers and beer. Same as my last experience in Paris, there were people all over the place begging for money, praying on their knees on the side of the road, and trying to sell cheap Paris souvenirs to everyone who walked by. I learned my lesson last year, so I didn't pay any attention to them. Once we reached the end of the Champs Elysees we were at the Louvre!
I went in the Louvre again hoping to see a lot more than I did last time. But by this point my feet were hurting like crazy and all I wanted was some food and something to drink, so I only ended up seeing the Mona Lisa before I left on my own to relax for a bit. I hung out in Starbucks then visited the super busy souvenir stores next to the museum.
By the time we were finished at the Louvre it was time to meet back up with the rest of the group. We all got on the bus and headed back to the hotel. I had decided in the end not to do the cabaret, so I had an early night after making my first calls home to my mom and my boyfriend. Made me even more homesick!
What did I learn today? Don't skip out on something that everyone else is doing. Be a sheep and follow the flock. Or else everyone will have fun without you!
Posted by beckyy 13.05.2011 16:50 Archived in France
