Paris!

6:15 pm

Bonjour everyone! I finally arrived in Paris around 9:30 on Saturday night and couldn't have been happier! As I was checking into my hostel, Abby walked in the door, thank goodness! It was so nice to see a familiar face! Luckily, I didn't have very much trouble getting myself through the Rome or Paris airports, but it was still nice to finally get here and see Abby. Saturday night we went to dinner at a place near my hostel - turns out French food isn't the best - there's lots of duck and seafood with the eyeballs still attached. No thanks. So Abby said they usually resort to Italian food... I can't complain about that! Sunday, we went to a fun district in Paris and shopped around and she showed me some of her favorite places to go. On Monday while Abby was in class, I borrowed Abby's map and found my way to the Pantheon in Paris - very cool! I also brought my book and went to the Garden of Lumexburg and wandered around for a while and read for a bit in the garden! Strangely enough, I had a man approach me while I was reading and tell me that I had the most beautiful toes he had seen in many many years. Toes, yes. How strange. That's the French for you, I guess. I was very proud of myself - instead of taking the Metro to meet Abby for lunch, I used a map and navigated myself to her dorm on foot... guess I'm not so directionally challenged, after all. Monday afternoon, we went to one of the most famous tea houses in Paris called Laduree - it was absolutely delicious! I had my first macaroon... huge success. I'd have to say that chocolate was my favorite, no surprise there, but my second favorite was Abby's recommendation, the orange blossom. Tuesday, I explored my area of Paris while Abby was in class, and then met at another of her favorite restaurants for lunch. Today, we had the lovely task of shipping suitcases home - which takes about an arm and a leg to do - we even had to fill out a piece of paperwork on just our shoes that we were shipping home. Ridiculous. We had sandwiches from one of her favorite places to eat lunch, and then spent our afternoon at Montmarte - where Mom, Dad, MB, and Maggie - the 3 of us had our portraits done when we came to Paris a few years ago! It was a really cool area and had the beautiful Basillica of the Sacred Heart and a great view of the city! Tomorrow, we leave for Prague on a 9:50 flight, so it will be an early night for us tonight! Meeting Abby at 7:00 am for the airport... yuck. I will update on Prague when I can - again, not sure of my internet situation in each city. Cross your fingers! Only 13 days until we return to the States - can't believe it! Love ya'll!

Corinne