BONJOUR!!!

I've always wanted to go to Europe and now I am here. I landed in Paris ...when was it...anyway, I've been here two nights so far, how's that? I met up with my tour yesterday and everyone is so nice :)

I have written something on my journal but I will supplement it with this or the other way around. Today our itinerary will be - Saint Chapelle (sp?), Notre Dame and the Louvre Museum and I think we get a free day to go to Orsay museum I thinnk. I'm a little scared to dare climb the 300 steps of Notre Dame, maybe I shouldn't do it because...well..I don't think I've worked out to a point where I can handle it.

Last night we took the cruise to the Seine River where Paris was illuminated beauitfully. The Eiffel Tower stole the show. It glows blue at night because the French President is also the EU president for 6 months. The EU flag is blue with I can't remember how many stars. So the Eiffel tower glows blue at night and at on side you can see the stars on it, oh and not only that, every hour, the tower would put out a display of "kutitap" - sparkling lights for a full five minutes - we saw it twice on the river cruise, which according to our guide took longer than usual because we were behind two slow dinner cruise boats. I could see how people would honeymoon here there's just this pulse about Paris that entices you...beckons you. Because it was a beautiful Saturday night a lot of young Parisians hang out by the river,we saw a couple of dance party's next to each other - one was Salsa or Tango and the other looked more like a German folk dance but everyone was having a good time. Everytime we'd pass by another river cruiser, we wave and everytime we go under the bridge the people above would wave - except for that one with a bunch of teenagers who obnoxiously threw food at us - I gave them the finger , hey what can I say.

I'm in love with this city and surprisingly, I managed to get around knowing very few select French words like - please and thank you. Believe me, those go a long way for me so far.

When I got here, I went to Champs de Mars (pardon my spelling) by the Eiffel tower and crazily walked to the Louvre Museum and the Tuilleries Garden but it was all worth it!! My legs, thighs and feet were hurting but man when I saw the sights, I just kept on moving. My dinner was a E3.00 ham and cheese crepe . It was so dusty at the Louvre though and it was such a bright sunny day. I met this girl Lauren at the plane and we took the metro to the Arc De Triomphe/Charles Du Gaulle Etoile and we did not know that they are designated taxi places, so no wonder every cab that we hail were ignoring us hahahaha :D But we met Momet the quirkiest/smart cab driver who offered to take us after he had dropped off a couple of Asian tourist around the corner. Lauren is fluent in French so despite my delirium of exhaustion, I was happy to listen to their happy chatter in French - and when Momet the cabbie found out we were both from Cali he said " Oh...you brought the sunshine from Cali." awww...it turns out that this kind of weather in France - subtropical beauty is quite unsual at this time of year.

My first night, I stayed at this clean but small hotel called the Hippodrome which was directly in front of a laid back restaurant / cafeteria called Flunch. I didn't know what to do at first, I watched people take a tray and pick items from a dessert (yum) tray and salad and then go up to the register to order anything up in the main menu (in combo meal) or just pay for the salad, but I was still hesitant until this well dressed good looking man who works there came up and ask "Do you speak English," ..."Merci, Oui" and he explained to me what to do. hehehe the cost E6.00 not bad huh?

Yesterday morning, since the Hippodrome is quite close to the Sacre Ceur ..oh gosh I can't spell, Sacred Heart - Amelie? I walked to it, uhm, it's a 40-minute walk but it's ok. I love walking through the tree lined thourougfare laden with nice cafes and uhmmm...the smell of fresh-baked bread is wonderful. I stopped a couple times to ask for directions "...seel-vu-play" yeah, can't spell...and I would point at my map to the Sacred Heart church and go there fine. I couldn't find this massive edifice at first because it was blocked out by other buildings but it snuck up on me as I crossed the street and climbed up 3 flights of stairs only to come across another street and I came from behind the church. When I round the corner, that is when I saw the crowd and the view and the Sacred Heart. As if on cue, there was a German busker at the steps singing to Oasis's "wonderwall"....

"...I said maybe, you gotta the be one that saves me.." click ..click
"...and after all, you're my wonderwall"...I sang alont with him under my breath - click click ...

and then I went inside the Church , no videos/photos allowed..I took my hat off and walked around the roped off aisle , genuflected , walked in the pew and went on my knees..I don't know why but I find myself in tears - not from exhaustion but greatfulness...and thankfulness..this is something that I've always wanted to do..to dothis trip and now it's happening. I prayed for my family..friends and may be be safe in this trip.

anyway, we're about to leave in 5 minutes , I'm signing off :)

much love from Paris

Au revoir!!!