More Tests and Napping in Paris! And a Lesson to All Europe N00bS, don't try and book trains too close together.

This week, we had two tests and the frayed ends were clearly visible. That's all I wish to say about that.

On Thursday, after my last test, Kyle and I tried to go to Paris...
After my test, which ended at about 330, I had to run home, pack, eat, and get back to Bonn by 545PM. Eating cold ravioli was stressful enough, but as we were travelling to Köln from Bonn, our train decided to take a 20 minute break and just chill on the tracks. Of course, we only spaced 15 minutes in between arriving at Köln central station and our tain to Paris. We hoped that, just maybe, the train was late and we could still make it to the train before it left. As our train arrived to Köln, we sprinted, pushing people aside and hurdling over luggage to make it to the platform where the train to Paris was supposed to be stationed. We arrived 3 minutes too late, and the empty platform was a huge blow to our hopes.

Kyle and I handled the follow up quite well, though. After finishing our profanities, we approached a conductor at the station and asked him what we should do if we missed our train and it was not our fault. The man looked up our late train and confirmed that we were not at fault for missing the train. He then directed us to the main information booth at the station, where we encountered another HUGELY helpful lady. The attendant was able to stamp our ticket, an indication that we could board the next train to Paris using whichever seats were available to us on the next train. The next train, though, was at 6AM.

Friday morning, 4AM. Wake up, shower, eat breakfast, walk to Bad G train station, split cab with kyle to Bonn, buy ticket for Köln train, everything was going to plan, or so we thought. While waiting at track 1, the same track that the train from Bonn to Köln always stops at, we noticed the train was 'late'. I went inside to ask someone for help, only to realize that the live feed of trains at the station was up and running, something we always neglected since we frequent that station so often. I look up, see that the train to Köln is at the station, but at track 3. I look down just in time to watch the train start to move and slowly roll away. To put it lightly, my stomach churned at the sight. We then had to take a Taxi to Köln, which cost us each 25 euros. We were not happy. We then arrived at the station, find our train waiting for us, but then find out from the conductor that the train has no more seats, and the only ones left were in between the cabins on the fold down chairs. Kyle and I then spent the next three hours in the most uncomfortable seats on the train all the way to Paris. Jolly good time.

Paris, though, was amazing. We saw the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Lombardy Gardens, Notre Dame, Champs-Eleeysee, and the hip part of town near Die Sorbonne. I loved all of the architecture there, the history around the city was amazing, and it was pretty fun to try out some French with the natives. It seemed like they responded much better when you started out asking them if they spoke english, in french, then straight away asking in english. We ate on a budget, which was amazingly fresh baguettes, cheese, meat, and a pastry for MUCH cheaper than a restaurant there. Overall, it was a good time.

Oh yea, the Louvre was amazing, De Lacroix has some amazing works. A must see for a reason.