Well....i don't really know how to begin my description of this past weekedn, including everything we saw and my feelings through it all, but (rubs hands together) here we go!
Our fun started on our way out of the Dusseldorf Bonhof, where our entire group was just a little grumpy and tired, myself included. Our first class train ride raised our spirits, however, especially the nice french steward who seemed to want to bend over backwards to help us out! :wink: those of you who were there know what i mean. As an example for those who weren't, when i asked for a glass of red wine following our complimentary dinner, the man brought me four mini bottles of wine and proceeded to explain in detail the benefits of each!
By the time our train pulled into the paris Nord station, i had just about driven Lindsay out of her mind with my excited prattle about meeting matt (my boyfriend) there. i can't remember a time in my life when i felt more of a rush than when i steppe donto the platform anxiously anticiptaing the most romantic moment we would find one another. Within a matter of seconds, i was filled with the greatest fear i think i have ever felt: it became overwhelmingly obvious to me how large that trains station was, and how it would be virtuously impossible to find someone in it. As i listened to monotone French on the loudspeakers and that most ominous three tone melody "du Du DU", i felt completely out of my element and helpless. for the next half hour, the group was nice enough to humor me and my frantic search for someone who ws obviously NOT THERE. i feel terrible about making them wait, and I want them all to know how much i appreciated it. 8-)
Needless to say, my first impression of Paris was not great. Not only was I worried about matt, but we also had a bit of trouble with the directions to the hotel, and once we got there and saw the city streets up close, i began to think that Paris was a dark, dingy, completely unfriendly place. But then again, maybe i was just a little biased at that point. 8-) When we got to the hotel, and i found Matt waiting there, everything suddely seemed better, and I decided to give Paris a chance.
Saturday was a jam-packed day. we had our first real french breakfast, and toured the Louvre. i think i walked around that museum for about four hours, and i'm sur emy jaw was hanging open the whole time! The museum building itself was a work of art, whcich contained even more spectacular works of art. I wish i had a few days to comb through it thoroughly. oh, and i wish some of the descriptions had been in English. 8-) During the afternoon we set out to look for the Moulin rouge, and found ourselves smack da in the middle of the red light district of Paris. Seeing what i saw there completely disgusted me, and all i really remember feeling was the overwhelming urge to LEAVE the area as soon as possible. Seeing that place was sad and almost nauseating. Luckily, we did find our way to Montmartre, where we able to see a great view of the city. The area aroud there, with all the shops and street artists, fit the image i had always had of Paris.
Sunday was another early day, and we headed first for breakfast, and then to Notre Dame. mass was in progress during the time we visited the cathedral, and that made the experience really special. i don't consider myself to be extremely religious, but the sights, sounds, and smells (insense), moved me to tears. After lunch, matt and I went off to spend the afternoon together. First, we went and walked along the Champs amidst the crowds waiting for the Tour, a dream come true for matt, sicne he's a serious cyclist. Seeing Lance ride by at the head of the pack was amazing, and i will never forget it! Leaving the area though, was a little a scary, since the crowds created a bottleneck, and i felt smothered by so many people trying to push their way through body-to-body crowds. We finished the afternoon wth the eiffel tower and anice romantic dinner for two. 8-)
Seeing everything we wanted to see in paris was fantastic, but there were so many details of the weekend that i will smile about forever. One of my favorite memories will be of our last night in Paris, when matt and i took the late metro back to the hotel, and we were surrounded by ten or twelve young french men. At first, both of us were on edge, but they turned out to be very friendly, and even started rapping for us in French! Opening my first bottle of Champagne, being with Matt in one of the most romantic places in the world, learning to navigate the metro system, and watching the crazy Parisians go about their daily business are all things that i will never forget.
thanks so much guys, i had an amazing time!
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