I've been thinking about how I've barely planned food at all this trip. I don't like planning food though, I like food too much for that. France is a great example of this. I love just wandering around until something looks good, you always find something new. I went and saw the the Eiffel tower today, and although it was in the day time and not lit up, it was magnificent. And I'm not touristy. Not at all. I waited for what seemed like forever and went up to the very top. It reminds me of the book I read earlier this year, Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets, how the main character has a crippling fear of heights. Though this is the least of his problems, it's kind of a funny topper to his situation. I, luckily, do not share his fear, and I'm filled with inspiration as I descend and begin strolling the Parisian streets, finally settling in at a little café and eating more than I should. There were some weird burial styles here, a guide on a tour I take explains to me. The Catacombs were created around the 18th century and apparently gave terrible infections to most of the residents around it. The bones of ancient French people are just layed out, and you can just wander around and look at them. In a way, it's refreshingly simple and down to earth about death. It kind of ironically symbolizes that when you die, your bones go into the ground. Even here. That's what happens. This is life. In the nineteenth century France was, for a part of this time, under Napolean. Yes, the one who everyone thinks is short. Turns out he wasn't actually that short, it was just for his time. He was a good military leader, though a bit of a liar. He lost a battle once to Egypt, and just passed it off like it went well...During this time the economy was a bit unbalanced, because they had estates. And the richest payed hardly any taxes, and the second richest didn't really either, so the taxes all fell to the very poor. Most of France was Catholic at this time, and they had a fairly unstable government, seeing as they were beheading their governmental leaders.

But this doesn't bias my opinion, who among us hasn't done a couple of beheadings?

I still like Paris.

Sources:

http://www.catacombes-de-paris.fr/english.htm

French Postcard:

Aujord-hui, je vais au café avec mon copin Théo et sa mére. Nous dinons a Chai Saint Sauveur. Je mange les escargots, et je n'aime pas. Aprés, nous visitons le Theatre du Capitole. Le soir, je me couche dans l'hôtel.

Writing as Scout Finch:

This is the farthest I've ever been from home! Jeb says I'm stupid for being so excited, but Atticus says not to mind him because he is a teenager and hates everything. I don't think that can be true. I'll never hate everything, and I'll be a teenager someday! I am enthralled by everything here. The food, the people, the language. Atticus and Jeb are practically dragging me out of the places we see because it's just so...fascinating! Especially compared to Maycomb, Alabama. I don't know why I chose to go to Paris when Atticus told me we could take a trip, but it seemed...Well, France seems like this huge, beautiful illusion that everyone dreams of but no one can prove exists. France seemed, in a way, like heaven. And now, here I am! It's real! And it's splendid.