Paris

Paris is huge. There is so much to do, to see, and it’s all so expensive! I picked the absolute worst time to go, of course. It’s Spring Break and Easter, so everyone and their mother are in town right now. I stayed in a different hostel each night, so each day I had to pack my bags and look for a new home before I could go gallivanting across the city.

I walked an hour and a half to the Eiffel tower. On the way it rained, then the sun came out, then it hailed, and then the sun came out- strangest weather. I climbed the tower steps all the way to the top and found it wasn’t so bad, until I got home later that night... Notre Damn was cool, the Louvre, Sacre Coure. I missed the Pantheon and too many other great things, but oh well. The rivers are cool to walk along and collect your thoughts. All the buildings have a sort of golden-age feel, sort of shine to them. I also visited the Moulin Rouge district, but not the Moulin Rouge itself. I’m a poor man and one hundred euros is just a little too steep for something I can get in Vegas (it’s supposed to be pretty crappy). Overall, the Parisians are nice and I didn’t have any bad experiences. You can tell they don’t want to speak English, but most were helpful all the same. When I went to the Louvre, however, all information was in French- only french. Apparently the French are pissed that everyone speaks English and Spanish, and they don’t want to lose their national language. Now, I can understand their point of view but a museum should promote education in arts and history, not restrict it to one language. THAT's just selfish and lame. Where was my handheld google translator when I needed it?

What else? So far I’ve tried some ’97 Chateau de something and Bordeaux. I definitely prefer Italian wine to French, or at least haven’t found anything I absolutely love just yet. I tried a couple types of liquor, many of which are stronger than what we can have legally in the states. I ate various types of French cheese but they were hit and miss. My favorite thus far was Cantal, which tastes similar to gouda but much older and stronger; it went great with the wine.

Food wise, I tried crème brullee, crepes, madelines and various other pastries. And oh yes, I tried the escargot: snails baby! They were so delicious. And… just for kicks I had to get me a ‘Royal with Cheese,’ straight outta Pulp Fiction, man. I missed out on the frog legs, dammit! I would've loved to've tried frog legs.

Heading on to Amsterdam next~