Cosytel Roissy Goussainville

... how beautiful they are. Outside it had begun to rain but the temperature was quite pleasant so we walked behind the cathedral to look at the architecture of the building and the gargoyles. Then we slowly headed back to our hotel through the streets of St Germaine. After resting our tired feet we will soon head downstairs for a drink at the bar, and then wander the lanes around our hotel in search of a restaurant for dinner.

From Uncle David: List of new things Josh tried and liked in France: Turbot Mackeral Rabbit Duck PIGEON, yes pigeon! Couscous Leeks Patisserie: Eclairs Croissants Pain au chocolate Bichon Napoleon Tarte au pommes Galettes Many more Gelattos: Pannacotta Amarena Things he tried and didn't like: Pate (duh, it's made from liver!) Duck mousse (double duh, also from liver) Stinky cheeses Things he almost ate and ...

... and head back to the camp later but the rest of us stayed on and got to go around the Arc de Triomphe in the coach. The driver and tour manager said, "you might want to put your seatbelt on for this" which is the understatement of the century and we just drove straight in. Absolutely nuts. We went around and then one girl cried "Again!" which served us well seeing as we couldn't get off anyway. We then went down the main street, and with the ...

... anyway, and the Dom Pérignon would have been wasted on me. I felt a bit nervous going to a party where I knew no one, except for the guy who invited me, Olivier, who I'd met about 4 hours before the party started, but it turned out really well. It was a mixture of French and Americans mainly, in a loft apartment in République, filled with wine, champagne and friendly people. The night was great except for one sleazy Frenchman who wouldn't take no ...

... the show: singers, dancers, nudity, people flying, people swimming, gymnasts, incredible strong men, clowns (much to my dismay), jugglers, magicians, ventriliquists, even miniature horses! The stage was incredible with unfolding stairs, trap doors and a magically appearing pool. The costumes were out of this world! Of course the girls didn't have much on but the headpieces and feathers and glitter and jewels were amazing! We enjoyed ...

... amazing reliefs all over the exterior but particularly those adorning the three entranceways. After the obligatory photos, I got in line for the ascent to the Bell Towers, Belle preferring to visit the Cathedral itself which did not involve the negotiation of some 432 stairs. After waiting on the footpath for a short while, I was ushered into the North Bell tower with the rest of the group going on the tour of the Bell Towers. We ascended to the first level which was a gift shop where ...

... people. He was dressed in the manner of one of the Gauls from an Asterix comic, and was demanding to know whether people spoke English or French. If they replied in French, he would respond with a raised index finger and a confused expression, before staggering off with muttered obscenities. If they responded in English, he would demand cigarettes, or a handshake, or a fight, or all three. He took a particular liking to Mike, and the two had the kind of friendly ...

... myself and let things fall into place without the constant nagging feeling that i am in incompetent american.



this has become a spill your heart out entry, but on that note i must fall into bed only to wake up early for a french test. so much to come in the next weeks. rome, italy, friends from bard, friends from seattle, london, chataeus in the dordogne, spain greece everything and finally a flight back home to the u s of a, july 11th. oh boy oh boy.

I love Paris, the city of lights, I think. So Far this Contiki trip is amazing, I love the people and the beautiful sights we have seen. We did a city of lights tour at night and saw the wonderful Eiffel Tower. It was amazing!!! The next night we went to Moulin Rouge! I couldnt ask for a more amazing experience, This Contiki Trip will be rememerable forever. Next stop.... Switzerland!

... throughout the sidewalks that we had ever seen. What we didn't see was an abundance of attractive women (perhaps because we spent the majority of our time in the tourist areas?), or fashion that was far in advance of the rest of the world, although Paris has to be the scarf capital of the universe. A day by day account of our trip is below. Pictures of the entire trip can be found here ...