PARIS

Starting off, going to Paris was a complete disaster, but in the end, it was ALL WORTH IT. On our first attempt to get to Paris our train from Bonn to Köln decided that it wanted to stop for 15 minutes. With that little mistake, we were late for the train to Paris. So the next day we had to wake up at 4 in the morningto catch the earliest train to Paris. So after spending 50 euros on a taxi because the train from Bonn to Köln wanted to show up on a different track than assigned, we were in our very small seats in the train on the way to Paris.

So after our mishaps of transportation, we finally arrived in the morning to Paris. The first thing we did of course was go to the hostel, check in our things and went and got some food. We decided to go to a crêperie called La Petit Grec.

(recommended by Vincent's cousin). Now, I thought I had experienced some wonderful crêpes, but this one I had in Paris was out of this world! It had bacon, swiss cheese, onions, and tomatoes, and plus it was super c

heap. It is always worth going off the beaten path to get some great food, that is cheap and definitely worth more than the price it is cost.

After eating, Vincent and I went to go tour the Cathédrale Notre Dame which is a site that everyone needs to see. On the outside, it is pretty amazing. It lies in the middle of the Seine on Île de Paris, It isn't like a lot of other churches that we

have seen, like the Kölner Dam or St. Stephans in Vienna. It has 2 very tall square towers, instead of tall steeples. It is simple architecture, but has amazing detail with all of the statues that grace the cathedral. On the inside it is MASSIVE. It is very open and huge. With really pretty stained glass everywhere you look. What is really impressive is that at each wall of the church is a very very very big circular window that is all stained glass. On the Saturday before Easter, we came across the lighting of the Easter Vigil in front of the Notre Dame. Then the head priest said a prayer then mass started. It was really cool being in Paris during easter, because they had a lot of easter festivities going on that really made the trip that more special.

Also, what is great about Paris is the Fromage, baguettes and ham....and of course the wine. To s

ave money, we went to a bakery (Erik Kayser's) everyday and got a couple of fresh hot baguettes, amazing desserts and what not. That is also really great advice if you are trying to save money while in Paris, is for dinner or lunch, go and buy a baguette, which is usually one euro, get some cheese and meat from a local market and your meal is made. But if you are to eat in Paris, i would go during lunch and get the Plat de Jour at a local café. I got this awesome bracalade, which is type of fish with a salad. It was a lot of greatttt food.

Now of course while in Paris, we went to the Louvre. Personally, the Mona Lisa was the least impressive of them all. I saw paintings like the Wedding at Cana, and statues like the Venus. It was really, to say the least an enlightening experience. I feel like you came out of the Louvre such a more educated person. And what is really cool to me, is that you finally get to see all of the what people for generations have been talking about. You never really understand the beauty until you are in the presence of the masterpiece itself. My favorite piece of art of them all was the "Winged Victory of Samothrace". It was almost eerie the statue. The way it was on the ship, with huge wings but no face. It is a very powerful piece of work.

What is also my obvious to do in Paris than the Louvre, is to see the Tour de Eiffel. It was one of the most magnificent sights I have seen. Especially at night. Every hour, on the hour for 5 minutes, the grand Eiffel tour begins to glitter because of the little lights that go off. It was amazing seeing the sight, because once again, it becomes so surreal when you actually witness something that you have heard about almost all of your life. You realize why everyone who has seen the Eiffel tower agrees that it is the prettiest structure they have yet seen.

In all Paris was pretty fantastic and surreal. If I ever have the chance to go back I certainly will. Except maybe instead of with a dude, with my girlfriend, haha, no offense Vincent, but it really is a romantic city. But it is a city that is full of history and beauty and great food.

VIVE PARIS!!