Journal of My Experiences
Eiffel Tower
The next day was an intense day of organized sightseeing. First, we were taken to the Eiffel tower. It is not as big or fancy in real life as one would expect. When we had gotten there we lined up, but were waiting for our tickets. Unfortunately a Lady asked us if we had our tickets � our guides DID have them � we did not, so I said know. Little did I realize that this was another tour guide who saw this as a reason to butt into the front of the line. She brought her group of mostly seniors along. However, we were on a time budget and had to somehow get up there and back down in a short time. Fr. Mark and our �Grandma� started yelling at us �push!� �Push them out of the way!� It was very hard given they were so old.
At the top of the tower we had a nice view of the city and took a variety of pictures. One strange event was some Asian Girls with tried to take a picture with me. Being naive and confused, I just went along with the whole thing. Afterwards Katie said, �check your wallet.� Nothing was stolen, but it was a peculiar way. We butted to get in line for the elevator down, and I was body checked by a Hispanic woman who disapproved. We made it on the elevator either way.
Cathedral of Notre Dame
Next we went to the Cathedral of Notre Dame. It was an interesting building from the outside, but quite a disappointment on the inside. It was relatively plain, with few of the marvelously ornate altars or peculiar looking reliquaries or ancient looking statues that made some of the other churches so great. Instead, Notre Dame seemed relatively ordinary in Comparison. I don�t know what all the fuss was about, but it was very crowded and a big tourist destination.
Chapel of the Miraculous Medal
Later we went to the chapel of the Miraculous medal. This was a very special site and I was looking forward to going there. Unfortunately we were given a very short time span to be there, less than half and hour. Also, Mass was going on when we arrived, meaning that we could not look around inside the church. This was a real upset as it was a very nice church and contained the bodies of two saints � St. Catherine Laboure and St. Louise de Mauriac. Nevertheless, I took the time to pray, and snuck in some pictures during the Homily. I bought some medals and a rosary for Grandma Kieffer at this site. Again, although short and chaotic, it was special to say I had actually been there.
During the time, we had a tour guide who shared the city with us. One Humorous event was when we passed the Sorbonne. I rejoiced at the site where St. Thomas Aquinas himself taught. However, the tour director introduced it as the site �where the great French existentialist, Jean Paul Sartre taught� I gave a thumbs down. The guide was quite offended and said in a snooty like French accent �Why does this boy go like this? Why does he boo our great philosopher� I laughed, but stopped my rudeness. Speaking later with others they wondered why the French were so proud. I said simply because he was French. They commented on how the Germans liked Nietche. My comment was simply �If I were an existentialist, I�d kill myself. If I were a Nietchean, I�d kill you�. Ah beautiful philosophy.
When we were set free for Lunch, a group of us went to this very chic looking caf�, with puffy walls and ceilings. I ordered a �Croque Monsieur� � a Ham and cheese sandwich, which was very expensive. We also had crepes, which were very good. It was a very fancy occasion. For such a fancy restaurant, the bathroom was quite small � a little closet for the men � a little closet for the women and a shared sink. A lot of the bathrooms in Paris were like this. We toured around a little and did some souvenir shopping.
We met together at the bus and had supper all together at a French Restaurant in down town Paris. It was fairly decent � I can�t remember that much about it.
Evening in Paris
That night we were free to spend some time in the city. The group I normally hung out with was split, since the boys � the two Andrews � were no allowed to go without a chaperone from their group. John decided to go with them as well. That would mean I would be the only guy left, which I felt would not be so fun, and may not be so appropriate given my seminarian status. However, one of the girls thought it would be good for a guy to come with them. So I went, somewhat willingly, somewhat reluctantly, but I had a good time.
The night was a comedy of errors. First, one of the girls had trouble with an automatic bank. It seemed to have completed the transaction, but gave her no money. We spent awhile trying to get the info and calling the bank to get help, but to no avail. We eventually gave up and continued on our way. We walked for about half an hour and found that we were going in the wrong direction. Our goal was the Champs L�Eysse. Although we began walking in the other direction, I don�t think we ever made it there. I don�t remember for sure. Everywhere we went one girl would stop, to take a picture, buy a souvenir or something, and hold the rest of the group up. They were all giddy and ecstatic, and I was getting somewhat annoyed.
We went to a very fancy restaurant for Cr�me Brule. They were selling Canadian Lobster for 45 euros there. (That�s about 70 CND bucks!) The waiter was extremely friendly and spoke to us in English. We met some World Youth Day people from the US sitting right behind us. It was funny because they were talking about a priest in Hamilton, and we said �Hamilton?� They were talking about Hamilton, Ohio.
We made it back safe and sound via transit. What a night. I reflected much about my vocation after this. I think the experience was very positive � I really felt stronger about my vocation to the priesthood. I also felt comfortable about the way I related to women in this situation. It was a manner that I believed was truly priestly.
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