Paris day 5
I am whipped. Paris, you tried your best to beat me down and you almost succeeded!
I have blisters on my blisters. Definitely need to get new tennis shoes this week before I head to Philly on Wednesday (oh gods I go to Philly on Wednesday...) */whine*
So. Paris day 5 started very very slowly. I had to peel myself out of the bed in the morning--I just didn't want to move. But I finally did--showered, dressed, and CG and I were off to the fabulous Cafe L'Arc for breakfast. Which wasn't as good as yesterday, but that's because we didn't get the eggs w/ ham that we had Thursday--we tried the omelet. Which was just eggs. No cheese, no meat, just eggs. blech. But we bullied through, enjoying talking and planning the day. Then we went back to the apartment (I forgot my ear buds) and CG didn't want to head to the studio until David was ready. He took a nap, I updated LJ, and then we headed out about 11am. I headed to Pere Lachaise--planning to meet CG around 1 at the studio.
It was quite a long ride, I was glad I went back to the apartment for my ear buds. I listened to Heather Dale while we rode out, which was a lovely distraction. I did almost fall asleep on the Metro--wow am I tired. :)
So...Pere Lachaise. Beautiful but sad. A lot of the tombs are in disrepair and there was quite a bit of defacing of some headstones. It seems like they just can't afford the upkeep anymore. It was very depressing. I saw Abelard & Heloise's tomb (which had metal poles propping it up) and then Jim Morrison's grave. It started raining very hard about that point, so I called it a day and headed back to the Metro.
Here's a pretty awesome video I ran across to give you an idea of what Pere Lachaise looks like:
So, back I went to Champs Elysees. And man, was the Metro crowded! We were squeezed in there like sardines. And let me tell you, just one unwashed person in a metro train is enough to make your eyes water. I would know. Don't ask for details...
I met CG at the Virgin Radio office. His friend and the man he was working with this week, David, gave me a tour. I met the afternoon dj on their CHR station and got to even see the Europe One tv studios. Pretty nifty. Best part was that they have a Playstation 3 in the office!!! I totally want one for WJCU!
We said our goodbyes to David and then CG and I grabbed a bite to eat before wandering towards the Seine. We saw the Hotel Invalidides, the Grand Palais, the Petite Palais, and then my feet were done. We slowly started walking back to our apartment. Stopped for some very expensive drinks (cafe creme for me, hot chocolate for him) and a people watching splurge, hit two stores (including the Disney store! yay!)
We arrived back at the apartment around 4:30 and crashed. We've blobbed around and then went out for a late dinner about 9pm. Now I'm updating here before heading to bed. My body has resisted most attempts to get it on a Parisian schedule and I'm not complaining. I really hope I can sleep on the plane home tomorrow though--that will make me very happy--it's about 11 hours total fly time and sleep will definitely make it go quicker!
I really had a great time and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to come here. But I'm ready to get home and see our kids (and get lots of snuggles!) I don't know that I'd want to come back unless I learn French (it was tres difficult not speaking the language) but it's definitely gotten me excited about more traveling to Europe. Next on my list is London! :)
See everyone state side soon!
I have blisters on my blisters. Definitely need to get new tennis shoes this week before I head to Philly on Wednesday (oh gods I go to Philly on Wednesday...) */whine*
So. Paris day 5 started very very slowly. I had to peel myself out of the bed in the morning--I just didn't want to move. But I finally did--showered, dressed, and CG and I were off to the fabulous Cafe L'Arc for breakfast. Which wasn't as good as yesterday, but that's because we didn't get the eggs w/ ham that we had Thursday--we tried the omelet. Which was just eggs. No cheese, no meat, just eggs. blech. But we bullied through, enjoying talking and planning the day. Then we went back to the apartment (I forgot my ear buds) and CG didn't want to head to the studio until David was ready. He took a nap, I updated LJ, and then we headed out about 11am. I headed to Pere Lachaise--planning to meet CG around 1 at the studio.
It was quite a long ride, I was glad I went back to the apartment for my ear buds. I listened to Heather Dale while we rode out, which was a lovely distraction. I did almost fall asleep on the Metro--wow am I tired. :)
So...Pere Lachaise. Beautiful but sad. A lot of the tombs are in disrepair and there was quite a bit of defacing of some headstones. It seems like they just can't afford the upkeep anymore. It was very depressing. I saw Abelard & Heloise's tomb (which had metal poles propping it up) and then Jim Morrison's grave. It started raining very hard about that point, so I called it a day and headed back to the Metro.
Here's a pretty awesome video I ran across to give you an idea of what Pere Lachaise looks like:
Click to viewSo, back I went to Champs Elysees. And man, was the Metro crowded! We were squeezed in there like sardines. And let me tell you, just one unwashed person in a metro train is enough to make your eyes water. I would know. Don't ask for details...
I met CG at the Virgin Radio office. His friend and the man he was working with this week, David, gave me a tour. I met the afternoon dj on their CHR station and got to even see the Europe One tv studios. Pretty nifty. Best part was that they have a Playstation 3 in the office!!! I totally want one for WJCU!
We said our goodbyes to David and then CG and I grabbed a bite to eat before wandering towards the Seine. We saw the Hotel Invalidides, the Grand Palais, the Petite Palais, and then my feet were done. We slowly started walking back to our apartment. Stopped for some very expensive drinks (cafe creme for me, hot chocolate for him) and a people watching splurge, hit two stores (including the Disney store! yay!)
We arrived back at the apartment around 4:30 and crashed. We've blobbed around and then went out for a late dinner about 9pm. Now I'm updating here before heading to bed. My body has resisted most attempts to get it on a Parisian schedule and I'm not complaining. I really hope I can sleep on the plane home tomorrow though--that will make me very happy--it's about 11 hours total fly time and sleep will definitely make it go quicker!
I really had a great time and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to come here. But I'm ready to get home and see our kids (and get lots of snuggles!) I don't know that I'd want to come back unless I learn French (it was tres difficult not speaking the language) but it's definitely gotten me excited about more traveling to Europe. Next on my list is London! :)
See everyone state side soon!