(no subject)
After countless hours in the sky, with crying babies all around, I successfully made it to Paris Sunday afternoon (early morning west coast time). After a good hour and half I eventually found the hotel hostel. Because my expected roommate was not going to arrive for another day, we were both assigned to rooms with other people. However, I successfully scared another SIGMOD participant out of the room, got the reservation fixed, and had it to myself the first night.
Later that afternoon, two hours late, another Berkeley DB grad arrived and we walked around Paris for awhile. We somehow wondered into the 'red light district' area of Paris, although it was hard to tell sometimes since 'adult' entertainment establishments are littered throughout the city. We stumbled upon an Italian restaurant for dinner. Although I really wanted French food (especially after going to Germany and not having any German food), but all the places we walked past were well above our price target. Nevertheless, the food was wonderful.
Monday, after registering for the conference, taking care of some odds and ends there, it was time to sight see! The first location was the Louvre. Excellent. Despite all the hype about the Monna Lisa, I was rather unimpressed. The hordes of people surrounding the painting certainly did not help and with the loads of other beautiful artwork being unappreciated, my decision was easily, move past her.
Then I spotted Museum Boy. He had good taste in art, so it was easy to follow him at first. Unfortunately, like many cute French boys, he had a girl who suddenly appeared. Oh well for Museum Boy.
Following the Louvre and a very long walk, it was time to see the L'arc De Triumph, which sits in the middle of a fourteen way traffic circle. Only 287 steps takes you to the top of the arc and I was rewarded with a nice view of the city. After enjoying the nice view of the city, cue Arc Boy. After waiting a couple of minutes there was no arc girl accompanying Arc Boy! Alas, I was briefly distracted with some construction work being performed and lost sight of Arc Boy, never to be seen again. Next stop, the Eiffel tower, maybe there will be an Eiffel Boy?
We stopped for food on the way to the tower, this time a nice French café. A nice steak replenished my energy reserves and it was time to enjoy the tower. Being a Monday, the lines to go to the top were moderately short, the wait being around 30 minutes. I found the tower does not look nearly as tall as I expected, but indeed it seemed tall once I got to the top.
The tower wound up an interesting and fun day touring Paris. Unfortunately the next couple of days will be booked with conference stuff, but I have hope Thursday will be free and I can enjoy more of Europe.
[Pictures will be coming, including pictures of Museum Boy and Arc Boy. Go new digital camera.]
Later that afternoon, two hours late, another Berkeley DB grad arrived and we walked around Paris for awhile. We somehow wondered into the 'red light district' area of Paris, although it was hard to tell sometimes since 'adult' entertainment establishments are littered throughout the city. We stumbled upon an Italian restaurant for dinner. Although I really wanted French food (especially after going to Germany and not having any German food), but all the places we walked past were well above our price target. Nevertheless, the food was wonderful.
Monday, after registering for the conference, taking care of some odds and ends there, it was time to sight see! The first location was the Louvre. Excellent. Despite all the hype about the Monna Lisa, I was rather unimpressed. The hordes of people surrounding the painting certainly did not help and with the loads of other beautiful artwork being unappreciated, my decision was easily, move past her.
Then I spotted Museum Boy. He had good taste in art, so it was easy to follow him at first. Unfortunately, like many cute French boys, he had a girl who suddenly appeared. Oh well for Museum Boy.
Following the Louvre and a very long walk, it was time to see the L'arc De Triumph, which sits in the middle of a fourteen way traffic circle. Only 287 steps takes you to the top of the arc and I was rewarded with a nice view of the city. After enjoying the nice view of the city, cue Arc Boy. After waiting a couple of minutes there was no arc girl accompanying Arc Boy! Alas, I was briefly distracted with some construction work being performed and lost sight of Arc Boy, never to be seen again. Next stop, the Eiffel tower, maybe there will be an Eiffel Boy?
We stopped for food on the way to the tower, this time a nice French café. A nice steak replenished my energy reserves and it was time to enjoy the tower. Being a Monday, the lines to go to the top were moderately short, the wait being around 30 minutes. I found the tower does not look nearly as tall as I expected, but indeed it seemed tall once I got to the top.
The tower wound up an interesting and fun day touring Paris. Unfortunately the next couple of days will be booked with conference stuff, but I have hope Thursday will be free and I can enjoy more of Europe.
[Pictures will be coming, including pictures of Museum Boy and Arc Boy. Go new digital camera.]