Saturday, August 05, 2006

Bonjour de Paris!

Here I sit in my hostel in Paris, soooo tired, but sooo pumped! I arrived safe and sound last night. I flew into Amsterdam and then took the train into Paris. I couln't believe I was really here! Once I got settled in my hotel room I wandered the neighbourhood (and had no less than 10 men say hello and ask me how I was. I'm just gonna go with 'they were being friendly and welcoming me to their city) and found a little cafe near the train station for a crepe au sucre. What a perfect first evening!

Today (Friday) I went museum and monument crazy. The Louvre, the Musee D'Orsay, Notre Dame, the Centre Pompidou, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower (by night - I'm going to go again during the daytime), and tons of squares, parks, and monuments.

OK. The Eiffel Tower. Did you know it SPARKLES?!?!?!?! Once it gets dark, not only is it all lit up, but every hour on the hour it SPARKLES with tons of tiny lights for maybe 10 minutes or so. SO COOL!

I couldn't belive the art I saw, too. THE Mona Lisa. The stature of Venus de Milo. Paintings by Degas, Money, Rodin, VanGogh, Cezanne, Toulouse Loutrec... I mean, I guess in the back of my head I knew that's what I would be seeing, but wow. I was blown away. Absolutely. Blown. Away.

Tomorrow holds more museums (I'm making the most of my two day museum pass) and some exploring. I'll try to get a few photos up soon (hoo boy, there are tons!). Thanks for checking in!

A bientot! (See you soon!)

10 comments:

anne said...

Sooo jealous. :)

Brad said...

Sounds like the new shirt is doing the trick after all! Are you still thinking of returning it?

I finally got my railpass today. I have to check, but I think I might actually have everything together for transportation and accomodations. Too tired right now to even look.

Anonymous said...

OOOH sounds like fun! I am living very vicariously this summer, so please post lots and take many pictures. And if you can come up with a plan for how to convince Shaun that travelling is a necessary cost (ie it is a need not just a want!)

Good luck with all the French men :)

BarbaraMG said...

I am so glad you are posting on your journey! I can live vicariously through you!
(Don't fall in love with any of those men!)

SlushTurtle said...

I love the sparkly Eiffel Tower! We were so glad they kept that after 2000. Tell it I said hello!!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great day in Paris - so much to see - I hope you drink it all in (including the wine :-).

Robert W. said...

Have fun and stay safe! Did I mention to HAVE FUN?!?

Paul said...

Welcome to Europe Hillary. Have a great time.

Canadi-Ann said...

i haven't seen any art from 'money' before. ;)

when i was there, the guy from le palais de justice museum gave me a free ticket into the museum because he thought i was cute! you go girl!

Jean said...

you know those guys are just hitting on you b/c you're a gorgeous Canadian tourist. AND Paris is THE love city, so watch out!! Glad you made it there safely!