Happy Independence Day...in France

Trip Start Jun 24, 2008
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Trip End Aug 15, 2008


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Flag of France  , Île-de-France,
Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy independence day! We woke up later than expected. After breakfast (which is awesome at this hotel) we went to this one cemetery. We saw graves of Chopin, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Moliere. There were so many Polish people at Chopin's grave. Oscar Wilde's grave was all grafitied with random stuff and quotes...especially "art for art's sake"...which is one my favorite quotes by him.

Afterwards we went to the Catacoumbs. WAY COOL! We had to go really deep underground. The passageway to get to the bones was scary and it was just Jeff and I for a little bit. But the array of bones and skulls that soon followed was incredible and surreal. It was just a creepy experience but at the same time kind of peaceful.

After getting out of there we were in an unknown neighborhood. But pretty soon we got to the Latin quarters and found Sorbonne. Didn't go in though. We ate at a mom and pop place for cheap! 4.80 euro for a sandwich that was really good.

Then off to see Notre Dame. It was so beautiful. The gothic architecture was so beautiful and intricate. The inside was just too much for words. It's one of those things you have to experience. We stayed for the daily prayer mass. It was pretty short and most of it was sung in French but it was nice to just relax, think, and pray....all at Notre Dame :)

We then went to walk in the direction of Champs Elysses. We passed by the Louvre and Seine and then a park with cool women sculptures. Hung out at Champs Elysses....not as romantic of a pathway as it is known to be. But there were pretty flowers and sculptures. We then headed back to the park because we thought there were going to be fireworks...some girls from Belgium at our hostel told us that would be happening. Lies haha. So we just hung out by a fountain with some ice cream.

At 10, magic lit up Paris...the Eiffel Tower and all twinkly!! I really wanted to go to it upclose but we would have to take a train for about 20 minutes. As we got up to leave the lights went away!! I got all sad and mopey and thought this only lasted for like a few minutes. So we got on the train to go home. Well all of a sudden on the train Jeff told me to look to my right and when I did there was the Eiffel Tower almost right next to the tracks all beautifully lit up in blue! It was such an amazing feeling. He took me there by surprise because I don't really pay attention to where we go on the metra haha. So we hung out in the park by the Eiffel Tower and just watched the lights, watched groups of people just having a great time hanging out, and couples strolling by. This was the ideal moment.  :) Seriously a magical night.
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