Let�s just say this trip didn�t get off to the best of starts. First, I realized that I left the $400 my parents gave me for Christmas at home about half way to the Columbus airport. Despite having to turn around and retrieve the money, we still made it to the airport with time to spare.
Once at the airport, the slowest Delta check-in desk employee in history decided to charge us $100 because Taylor�s bag was an inch too long. ONE INCH. Luckily, our connecting flight to Cincinnati and overnight flight went well. After getting off the plane at Charles de Gaulle the next morning, we purchased our transportation tickets for the week and boarded a train to our hotel in Paris.
Our crappy luck continued when we arrived at our hotel. Apparently, they had double booked our room and had no vacancy. Luckily, the desk clerk at no-long-our hotel called another down the street, and they had vacancy. He rushed us out the door with very unclear directions.
But we were able to find it somewhat easily, and did we get a hotel (for a little bit more�grrr). After checking in and getting cleaned up, we headed out into the streets of �gay Paris.� Paris is exactly what you hear everyone say about it: beautiful but dirty, small buildings cramped next door to massive palaces and cathedrals, crowded, old and amazing. It�s tough to describe to say the least.
Our big stop for the day was the 12th Century cathedral Notre Dame. Like all of the other major cathedrals I�ve been to, it simply takes your breath away. Its size is unbelievable, and to think they raised those huge, carved stones without modern technology simply blows my mind. The craftsmanship and attention to detail on the flying buttresses, carvings, gargoyles and statues is flawless. No, there not any Quasimodo sightings (and yes, we did look).
After browsing some of the nearby tourist-trap shops and finer boutiques, we caught the metro back to the hotel area for dinner. Taylor picked an Italian pizza parlor. And I must admit: it was amazing. Ham and mozzarella pizza followed by one of the best gelato deserts I�ve ever eaten; we definitely gave them a five-star rating.
We then enjoyed a casual stroll back to Hotel Port Royal, where I�m now laying on the bed and writing. Despite the hick-ups, this European adventure has definitely gotten off to a great start.
�If it had only been a half inch, I would have given it to you.�
�the world�s slowest Delta worker describing Taylor�s oversized bag�almost earning him a punch to the face.
December 28, 2007
Day two of the trip was very productive. Though we did manage to sleep in a little late (due to my inability to set our phone alarm correctly), we were able to take in a few of Paris� most famous sights.
Taylor and I decided to start the day at the Eiffel Tower. What we didn�t anticipate was for the top half of the tower to enveloped in fog. For that reason, we decided to not wait in the ridiculously long line to go to the top. But don�t get me wrong, it was still amazingly huge. It dwarfs its puny replica back home at King�s Island. And as the day wore on, more and more of the tower began to peak through the clouds. By night fall, the entire tower was visible and sparkling with a spectacular light show.
After visiting the tower, we crossed the Seine to take some pictures of the Palais de Chaillot. We then walked along the river, taking pictures of and admiring the various styles of architecture present along the banks. Reaching the �le de Cygnes, a slim island in the middle of the Seine, we came upon a monument I didn�t expect to see until we reached New York: The Statue of Liberty! Obviously a small scale model, I didn�t even know it existed. But Tay sure did, thanks in large part to the new �National Treasure� movie.
We then hiked back past the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe. It was also much larger than I anticipated. We had to cross under the world�s busiest round-a-bout by tunnel to reach it, that way we didn�t get smashed by one of the 8,000 cars going around it. Under the Arch was another surprise, France�s eternal flame.
After passing back under in the tunnel, we began to trek down the world�s most famous street: the Champs �lys�es. With all of its ritzy stores, we long to be rich and famous. I must admit that the Louis Vitton store was very impressive. I could have spent lots of money both there and at Lacoste. Unfortunately, we are not wealthy people, and our only purchases came at the Nike and adidas stores. We also grabbed a quick bite to eat at McDonald�s (I wish we had Deluxe Potatoes back home!).
The day turned to night as we headed towards the Louvre, and the Christmas lights lining the Champs �lys�es appeared to rain light down on us. On our way we snapped pictures of the Egyptian obelisque and other palaces and buildings.
First thing to say about the Louvre, is it is huge. And though the line to enter through its famous Glass Pyramid was equally large, we were through it quickly. We got in for free (Yay for being under 26!) and started our way through the museum. There is too much to look at. We looked at countless priceless Italian statues (including �Venus de Milo� and Michelangelo�s �The Dying Slave) and paintings, our camera died at the famous �Winged Victory of Samothrace.� Taylor and I decided that it was a sign to end our day, and return to the Louvre tomorrow morning. Although we did catch the �Mona Lisa� before we left.
We caught the metro home for dinner at a local bistro, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Now we�re getting ready for a good night�s sleep to rest our tired feet!
Every Begging Bosnian Woman in Paris � �Do you speak English?�
Us � �No.�
December 29, 2008
Today was our last full day in Paris, as tomorrow�s day will be spent getting back to the airport in time to make our flight. To keep with the theme of our trip, our day would not be complete without some complications.
When we were leaving the hotel, the owner asked us when we would be checking out. We were not planning on checking out today, as she thoroughly believed. It seems the man who called to get us into this hotel told her we would only need the room for two nights. We actually needed it for three. Luckily, our especially kind host was able to squeeze us into another room that had cancelled that morning. For this great favor, we bought her a �merci card� which she greatly appreciated.
Our newest problem rectified, Taylor had wanted to buy a buree and scarf, which we did by revisiting the tourist shops by Notre Dame. She also needed to pick-up some gifts, and we were able to knock them out there as well. We then returned to the new hotel room to drop off our new gifts.
We then set out to re-tackle the Louvre, this time with a fully charged camera. Picking up where we left off, we snapped some pictures of �Winged Victory of Samothrace.� When I said yesterday that the Louvre was huge, I didn�t even know what I was talking about yet. It�s ridiculously huge. Saying that we walked over a half marathon would not be an overestimate, and we didn�t even get to see it all! But with so many amazing works of art, I didn�t feel like I missed out on anything. Especially impressive were the Napoleon Apartments, with their extravagant and enormous chandeliers. Apparently, Napoleon was just bad ass enough to take a part of the Louvre and make it his.
Exhausted from the miles of walking, we went back to the hotel for a quick nap. We then cleaned up for one last meal in Paris. Although we traveled down to the Notre Dame-area to find another restaurant, the surprisingly limited options didn�t strike our fancy. So we went back to the Lati Quarter to visit the pizza place again. La Comedia was just as good as the first time, only tonight the entire place was packed and we had to wait in line for a table. But it was well worth the wait!
So as our time in France comes to a close, I can�t help but wish we had more time here. But one day I�ll come back and see everything this amazing city has to offer. Au revoir, Paris!
�Oh my god! I burnt my hair off!�
�Taylor, realizing that our Euro-outlet converter was making her straightener a little too hot.
December 30, 2007
Aside from our flights not crashing, today did not go well.
We began the morning early so we could pack our bags. After packing, we said our goodbyes to the hotel owners who had done so much for us. I have to say that should I ever come to Paris, Hotel Port Royal will be high on my list of places to stay.
Retracing our first steps in Paris (minus the stop at the bogus hotel), Taylor and I trekked back up Boulevard du Port Roayal to the RER-B train. The train ride to Charles de Gaulle went smooth. I was even able to snap some pictures of the Stade de France, home of the �98 World Cup Final.
Our troubles began at check-in. First, we had a rather difficult time finding the right terminal. Upon reaching the Air France check-in, it took the better part of 30 minutes to figure out that we were actually supposed be on a flight of theirs (Thanks Cheaptickets.com!) Then at security, Taylor had the majority of her prescription face wash thrown away because it was liquid. I�ll take the blame for that one, as I forgot that the bag I told her she could put it in was a carry on. And then line at the gate was a solid 30 minute wait.
Luckily the flight itself went well. My in-flight meal was probably the best airline food I�ve ever had. We sat on the plane�s upper floor (ballin!). They showed the Disney-Pixar movie �Ratatouille.� Oh, and we actually had a hot flight attendant (Taylor will confirm)�I thought they were actually an urban legend.
Arriving in Boston, we quickly made our way through customs to baggage claim. My bag came around pretty quickly, but we waited for nearly an hour for Taylor�s. Checking with the rudest woman ever at baggage services, we discovered that Taylor�s bag was still in Paris. Greeeeaaat. Due to the delay, we then had to literally sprint to the other side of the airport to make our connecting flight. After getting through security, we made it to our gate with less than five minutes to spare on a 2-hour layover.
In New York, things got worse. Though we arrived in Boston with one of two bags, we had zero of two bags. After waiting in a pseudo-line at Baggage Services, we were eventually told that both of our bags were now in Boston and they would be delivered to our hotel room by 5:00am. I suppose that will work.
We caught the shuttle to our hotel, the surprisingly nice Comfort Inn at JFK. With our bags hopefully on their way, I�m looking forward to New Year�s Eve in the Big Apple.
Click here to keep reading about our trip on page 2 (I promise, it's the last one).