7.06.2009
Sorry, I don't have any pictures this time. My bad.
7.05.2009
Sur la Seine
Yesterday was pretty much perfect. I spent the day with a few people from my group shopping in the area of the St. Michel fountain. (It’s a really cool area where a lot of students like to hang out) We were hungry for lunch, so we started wandering down random streets, and we found something spectacular: A MEXICAN RESTAURANT. Now let me explain how magical this was.Finding a Mexican restaurant in Paris is like finding a giraffe in your backyard in Kansas; it just doesn’t happen. Unless maybe you’re Michael Jackson. (RIP Jacko) I spent 10 Euros on a plate of guacamole with a couple chips, and was pretty satisfied. I also got to chat with my parents during lunch. According to my dad, it’s “about as hot as a bamboo shoot in a sauna”…whatever that means. Oh Steve, you and your metaphors.
After our delicious lunch, we decided to walk to Ile de St. Louis for some ice cream. There’s a famous ice cream parlor called Berthillion, and it’s by far the best ice cream I’ve ever had.(Hads, if I could bring some home to you, you know I would.) I really have no idea how to describe how amazing this ice cream is. I can’t wait to take the parentals there when they visit in a couple weeks.
The ice cream made Katie and I pretty tired, so we sat in the park behind Notre Dame and watched as a couple took their wedding pictures. It was precious, but I’ve got to say, the photographer was doing some weird things. Those will be some different pictures.
We finally got some energy back, and decided to go to Les Halles for some intense shopping.That mall is ridiculously huge, and since we went on a Saturday afternoon, it was insanely packed with people. Add in no air conditioning and lack of water, and you’ve got my daily Parisian life. It really wasn’t too hot, but there were a few moments when I considered stealing a bottle of water from a vendor. (3 Euro for a bottle of water? I don’t think so. Not on my time.)
Katie and I met up with the rest of the group at the fountain again, and we decided that we needed the most American meal we could find in order to properly celebrate the 4th of July. A feast of McDonalds was the prefect solution. (plus, a lot of McDonalds have air conditioning!!)Once we finished our hamburgers and such, we all walked down to Monoprix (a large grocery store chain in France) and bought several bottles of Vieux Papes (Old Popes). It’s by far the cheapest wine you can find in Paris, but god damn it, I love me some Vieux Papes. We walked down the Seine (and of course grabbed a crepe along the way. Duh.) and sat on one of the banks. On the other side of the Seine, there were two guys playing music, which made our setting perfect. Vieux Papes, the Seine, Bob Marley, and American friends= so much fun. We sat there for about two or three hours, drinking our wine, and listening to acoustic versions Oasis, Otis Redding, Jason Mraz, etc. Like I said, this day was pretty much perfect.
A few more people from our group found us, and we all decided to go to an Irish Pub that was having a 4th of July party. We discothequed the night away at this pub. AND they had Bud for 4 Euro, which is basically unheard of for beer in bars in Paris.
6.29.2009
I got mistaken for a Parisian twice today. Best.
6.26.2009
Porkchop sandwiches?!
I was not born with grace or balance. I remembered this little fact today when I fell as hard as I could on my ass on a pebble beach, and accidentally mooned the small children who were kayaking in the ocean.
But I digress.
Yesterday was pretty much dedicated to WWII, so it was another depressing day. We went to the American cemetery at Omaha Beach, and it was overwhelming. There were white crosses everywhere, and as we walked down the main aisle, the bells started to play "My Country 'Tis of Thee". I may or may not have cried a little bit behind my sunglasses. At the monument with the list of all the names, I found Luther Waugh. I wonder if he's a relative of my family or the Scottish Waughs. Either way, still very sad.
We then continued to another part of Omaha Beach, where there is a statue dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives. Another sad moment, but I did liven it up a bit when I took my Titanic picture. (see below) Next was another beach with insane cliffs. I can't remember the name of the area, but it was seriously bombed; there were deep craters everywhere. After paying some respect, Liz, Katie and I took some top model pix. (Because I still act like I'm 5 years old, from time to time)
Next was another war museum, which was kind of small, but it was significant for the town. The church, St. Mere Eglise, was were American troops landed. One soldier got caught on the actual roof of the church, and had to play dead for 2 hours. Intense.
And now, today. We started out in a cute little town, Enfleur, and I drank some Earl Grey tea (and obviously thought of Richard Green while doing so) with some of the group, while looking at the river.
After that, we headed to another small town for lunch. We had 3 hours at this town, so we got to have a decent, relaxing lunch. And once we finished, I went down to the pebble beach with 2 other people, and stayed there for a good hour and half. Most of the time was spent throwing rocks into the beach. It was pretty sweet.
On the way to our current hotel, we stopped at a local farm that makes sparkling cider. We learned about the process, and then had a tasting. Very good, and pretty cheap if you bought it there. I liked the cider, but not enough to buy a bottle of it. The apple juice, however, was BOMB. So good. I still prefer wine over anything else. Surprise, surprise.
Tonight was our last night eating together as a traveling group. It was a delicious dinner (duck entree..yum!), and a lot of fun. We finished dinner with what I think was brandy. All I was missing was a cigar.
Tomorrow we head to the town where Joan of Arc was burned, and then.....PARIS. I'm so excited to meet my family, but I'm sure I'll be ridiculously nervous once I get there. I'll keep everyone updated via blog and skype, of course.
P.S. anybody ever watched the G.I. Joe parodies on youtube? So funny.