Campanile Porte D'Italie Kremlin Bicetre

... The town that was built around the Palace bears witness to this rich period of French History. After a 45 minute train ride we arrived at The Chateau de Versailles. We spent the day exploring the palace and vast gardens. Unfortunately we didn't have time to see the Marie-Antoinett Estate. 

... to relax, to unpack, to sleep and finally, above all TAKE THE DAMN BACKPACKS OFF MY BACK!!! But ohhhh non. Non. Non. Non. It was not to be. Hostel policy-NO EARLY CHECK-INS. The little blond at reception informed me I was welcome to put my backpack downstairs and check in at 2p.m. "Where should I take my backpack?" I asked not seeing any "downstairs." A bored and "I can't be bothered with the likes of you," look on her face, she wordlessly pointed. A little stunned and frankly hurt by ...

... friends and I thought it would be fun to check out a free cooking class the the BHV, the french version of Macys. However, sadly, they are no longer offering these classes so we shopped instead. I am not too adventurous so I ended up with a folder because school is starting tomorrow! I decided to stay in for the night because I was feeling really drained and thought rest might be good, so I read a bit, relaxed and fell ...

... I had planned out a few places I really wanted to see before arriving in Paris, and didn't get the chance to follow up on them the day before due to the logistics of trying to get a group of people to do something everyone's okay with. I hopped on the metro with the Versailles group and got off before them at le Metro Blanche. My first stop of the day would be Montmartre, the old-section of Paris where love and art flowed freely, home of the Moulin Rouge and the Sacre ...

... for over half of the 1.7km through a darkish tunnel before coming to the skeletons. Then the next 800m or so was filled on each side with bones and skulls all placed decoratively on top of each other on each side of the path. Apparently back in the late 18th and early 19th century they took the bones of those buried there and put them all into the "catacombs". I look forward to going onto the internet when we get back to learn more but I do they ...

... so I was happy to find ones at Musee Rodin and Musee d'Orangerie to add to my collection. They're inexpensive and make great mementos. On my walk to the Louvre, I started to run out of gas. My entire lower body was sore and I felt like an old lady walking...could have totally used a cane (or at least my redheaded dog buddy). I walked into the Louvre via the metro entrance (much faster than walking through Pei's pyramid because you avoid the line or ...

... on va de guichets en guichets...enfin c'est fait...Dina est un peu nerveuse avec tous ces contretemps , ces aventures...mais nous voici dans l'avion....il est 8.30 du matin. Triste un peu de quitter le pays, mais nous reviendrons...il y a tellement de choses a voir et a faire...Il est aussi vrai que sans l'aide de notre guide, nous n'aurions pas fait la moitié de ce que nous avons pu faire et voir....Shalom matek Moshe!

... and then ended up going to La Loco were we met up with more friends and Joanna - who had the second birthday. The dinner was fabulous; I recommend it to anyone stopping in Paris. Of course we splurged (the price of the meal for ten people was about the same as what Stanford gives us for an entire month's meal allowance!) but it was all worth it. And well, La Loco, it's just ridiculously fun. And all of this bodes well for what will hopefully be a great last week in Paris!

(Val) Since yesterday was pretty labor intensive, so we decided we would would have a leisurely stroll to see a few more sites. First we took the subway to St. Chapelle, a beautiful church with many stained glass windows telling the stories of the Bible. We sat in the church for quite a while just enjoying the rest and beauty of the windows. After leaving the church we made our way back to the Louvre, only as a ...

... life. Canadian girls are still the clear winner. But the French come in a close second (even all bundled up!) with the Brits still holding onto last place... not that last place is anything to be ashamed of... I have high standards and last place is still pretty good. Remember girls, if you've made it onto the cuteness scale, you're already cute. And so ends my tale of Paris life. But the most dramatic part... the race back to Charles de Galle, is yet to be told... so stay tuned folks!