Paris and Provence Cont 3

SEVENTH DAY

Again, like the other tgv day, this one was devoted to traveling back to paris.  Theres not really much to say honestly, it was just a train ride back to paris.

When we arrived, I went walking with 2 friends of mine and we were talking about how we werent really hungry and were going to wait for dinner to eat.  And as we were walking (they were shopping of course) we passed a pizza place and the smell just made all 3 of us instantly hungry.  It was called Petit Gaulois (i have the coupon) and if you live in paris its a great pizza place.  Its rather small, but the pizza was definately awesome.

Anyway we walked back to the hotel, and the plan was to go to the eiffel tower and actually go on top this time (since everytime before we woudl get there too late and was not able to go to the tippy top)

Unfortunately, lots of people dont know how to use the metro, and it was placed onto my shoulders on getting like a bunch of people there.  First off, alot of people that came with were guys and girls i havent hanged out with at all on the trip.  I think like 4 people came along that I personally knew.  So it was like a follow the leader type thing me leading everyone to the metro, getting their tickets, figuring out how the trains to take, and such and such.  The metro really isnt that hard at all once you figure it out.  When i left paris i felt like a metro pro simply because i cuold go anywhere I wanted without any problem.

So anyway picture this, me (dressed in black) leading a large group of VERY american looking people who stood out like a sore thumb since we looked like a gang, getting on a metro, and riding all the way there.  Btw, these guys were rather obnoxious too, and simply didnt "blend" into the culture.

I think these are the same people who complained alot about things, simply because they wanted their tastes catered to I suppose.  Anyway we finally get to the Eiffel tower and Im able to take some pics in the daytime and we rode all the way to the top.  Unfortunately NONE of my pictures came out when i took them on top.  I didnt have a tripod and i was getting 2-3 second exposures that just did not come out since i couldnt stay still (it was cold and i was kinda shivering).

The view is magnificient.  Its the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.  Like you can litterally see the entire city surrounding you.  We were lucky to see the sun go down, as well as everything getting dark.  Paris is definately beautiful when lit up.

After we'd been there for a while, and after they decided to take forever to shop for gifts, we headed back on the metro and i lead them back to our hotel.  I dont recall really doing anything else that particular night.  Im pretty sure I just stayed in and went to bed early.  Theres really not much to do other than go to a bar or a club at night.  Everything is pretty much closed.  Im just not the bar/club type person I suppose.

EIGHTH DAY

On this day my group of friends id been hanging out with decided to make the best of the day.  We decided to go to as many things as we could.  Our itenerary included alot of things, but we were so tired after 3 things we went back to the hotel and rested later that day.

Our first stop was back to the Paris Cemetary.  I know it sounds odd to go there, but its just beautiful.  Its unlike any american cemetary.  There are monuments and just houses of stone meant for families to be burried.  I got some great shots of a few of the statues there, and plan on uploading those ones soon (you can browse through my gallery and see my pics!!!!!)  Anyway, we also visited Jim Morrisons grave which is pretty much what every american does when they go there.  Its like one of the most visited graves, and there are alwyas flowers and stuff put on it.  

Our next stop was Notre Dame, and we took the metro there and it was very beautiful too.  I liked it just as much as Chartres cathedral, but there are differences in just the way it was built.

After that we decided to go to the Gallerie Lafayette and shop around there.  The Gallerie is like a huge mall, thats around 9 stories or so.  I have a few pics of that too (gonna upload them!).  I bought most of my gifts while I was there.

After that my feet were kiling me, and I was essentially exhausted.  Our group split off into two, those who wanted to go visit something else, and those who were tired and needed a break.  I headed back to my hotel and took a nap in my room.

That night there was a plan to have most of our class go to this italian place called Mayas.  Since it was our last night, I decided to splurge and just spoil myself in terms of what i got.  I got an awesome pasta platter, and a big dessert.  We had a big group in the restaurant, but they didnt mind since other students had gotten to know the manager before hand, and told them that we were comming.

That night I didnt go out or do anything again.  I guess I was just kinda sick of people, and just preferred to be alone at night.  Alot of people grew sick of eachother and certain bonds kinda wore out between people.

Well thats pretty much my entire trip.  My next day consisted of just getting home through the 9 hour flight to atlanta, then another hour flight to charlotte.  It was a wonderful trip, and definately plan on going back to france the next chance I get.  Id also like to travel to other european countries and just experience what they have to offer as well.

I definately reccomend travel like that to anyone.  Its just a new world and its something everyone definately needs to experience.