Walking through Paris...

This morning we started our day with a 3 hour walking tour all around Paris. We got to see all the major sites as well as less important buildings that were once used as a greater purpose during World War II. For example, the military school right next to our hotel was once used to hold all the Gypsy's, gays, Jews, and political rivals before being shipped off to camps. We had a wonderful tour guide that was funny and really knew a lot about what he was talking about. The tour was really long, but you hardly noticed the length with everything you were seeing and all the interesting stories the guide told along the way.

After the tour it was about 1pm so we were all ready for lunch. Chris, Alex, and I split up from the group because we were trying to get to Montmartre, near Moulin Rouge and Sacre - Coeur (another cathedral). We took the metro to Montmartre (which was an experience, let me tell you). There were two different metro "exits" near the Moulin Rouge so we got off at the first one, hoping we wouldn't pass it. Well, being tourists, and knowing absolutely nothing about the area around there, came out of the the first metro exit only to find streets lined with sex shops (a real classy party of town...haha)...well we quickly noticed our mistake and walked fast towards the next set of metro stairs only to avoid having to by another ticket just to go to the next stop. It was really ridiculous haha. But we finally got to the next stop, and right there in front of me was the MOULIN ROUGE!!!!! I was sooo excited!!! I just stared at it for the longest time, completely starstruck and overwhelmed (sorry that the Moulin Rouge affected me more than the Arc de Triumph...I have problems haha). I was however very bummed out that I couldn't go inside (I thought about dressing up like a can-can dancer and sneaking backstage, but realized that that probably wouldn't work). And seeing as lunch and dinner shows are outrageously expensive for a college student, we walked across the street and just had a light lunch instead. After lunch we walked further into the more bohemian area of Montmartre. It was really cool! There were little shops everywhere, it was very cute! We then made our way up an extremely steep hill to the Sacre - Coeur Cathedral. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take pictures inside, but I did buy one postcard so everyone could see the ceiling of the alter, which is spectacular! We only stayed for a little bit because thy were in the middle of mass and we didn't want to disturb them. At the area right in front of the cathedral is the most beautiful view of Paris! You can see so far into the city, and there is so much room. It is an incredible sight!

After we climbed back down the hill, we got back on the metro and headed for the Arc De Triumph. The Arc was pretty cool, but just not nearly as stunning as what I had already seen today and the day before. After the Arc we just turned around and decided to take a stroll down the Champs-Elysee's. It was a really cool street, but definitely put my mind into perspective and back to the realization that I am just a poor college student haha. It was worth walking through though, just to see everything! I also made a pit stop down one of the streets on the Champs-Elysee's to see the George V. Now I am aware that the George V is not a tourist attraction, however I am what you would call a SUPER-tourist that happens to be in love with the movie "French Kiss" that happened to be filmed at that hotel (mom you will at least appreciate this I'm sure :)). By this time we were ready to call it an afternoon. So we grabbed a taxi and headed back to the hotel for a break before heading out again for dinner.

Around 7:30ish we met back up in the lobby and headed out for dinner. We got on the metro and headed towards the Louvre to try and see as much as possible before it closed. We ate dinner at this cute little cafe close to the metro stop for the Louvre, where we were serenaded by the beautiful music of Coolio's Gangster Paradise and Toni Braxton's Unbreak My Heart (It was quite the cultural experience if you ask me). After dinner we headed into the Louvre where we were able to see several Greek statues of the Greek Gods and Heroes. We were also able to get through several Italian paintings including the Mona Lisa, before we were told to start heading for the doors for closing time. We made one last stop after the Louvre. We grabbed another taxi and headed back towards the Eiffel Tower where they have night cruises like the one I talked about yesterday. Luckily, we were just able to make the boat as it left. It was a really nice and pretty cruise that took us up and down the Seine River to see all the major cites and attractions. Everything looked beautiful late at night. Paris is just a gorgeous city! Now I know why Bridget lives here haha!

Well Alex and I finally made it in for the night so we're about to go to sleep. Tomorrow we have our museum passes to hit some of the more popular things like Notre Dame and the D'Orsay Museum (where they keep Degas and Monet's works). I'm really excited and can't wait to write about it tomorrow!