Paris, The Most Beautiful City in the World (So Far...)

Nick and I arrived in the Paris Airport around 9pm (July 2) and we set out determined to conquer the Paris Metro, our first hostel, and ultimately the city of love.

You have to remember in France, people speak French. Nick and I do not. Signs are in French, train announcements are in French, and basically we are in the dark.

After a few minor mishaps like starring and the train station sign for literally 15 minutes, sitting in a train that never moved for another 15 and an emotional tunstile breakdown by me, Nick and I navigated the metro like pros: transferring, connecting, and traveling like backpackers.

Anxious to see the city of lights as we ascended the Metro steps, and were cruely surprised to be dumped in a dump of a neighborhood right near our hostel. Our hopes were somewhat shattered when we saw our accomadations and no glimmer from the Eiffel, just a dungeon like room. So we did the only thing we could think of, go to the nearest cafe and drown ourselves with baquets, wine and beer.

We got up the next morning and headed to the hub of the city ready to see what all the fuss was about. And may I just say this time when we climbed the Metro steos, we were absolutely blown away. I swear my jaw dropped and didn´t close until we were derailed on the way to Madrid (another story). The magnificance of the city is simply awe inspring. I no longer minded not being able to understand the language. I now understand the meaning of beauty. When people come to Paris expecting to fall in love, they will. If not with a French artist on a vespa, with the intricacies of the city´s architecture, the river walk, the bread, chocolate crepes, cafe culture, wine, literature, history, or any adventure the city has in store.

Nick and I started our day at Notre Dame (and yes Nick pronounced it wrong every time and when being corrected by the French, he loves those Fighting Irish!¡), went to see Picaso & Monet at the Museum Organgerie (sp?), strolled the Lourve and saw our friends Mona and Venus (de Milo), walked the Champ de Elysse, then to the Eiffel tower, and finished at the Arc de Triomph. We walked almost 14 miles and enjoyed crepes and hot dogs in a Paris sunny rain storm.

Yesterday we explored Rue Cler which is an authentic Parisien Street off the tourist path. We passed the time by admiring the fruit, cheese, bread, and goodies shops and finally (after we were salvating like dogs) chose a pleasant cafe and ate amongst Parisiens.

From there we walked to the Eiffel and climbed the stairs to enjoy the city from the sky. It was remarkable. A sight that movies could never do proper justice. We walked 7 miles for the day and we´re excited for our cochetes (sleeping quarters) on our first train.

We just got to Madrid after a long long journey complete with a 2 hour train delay to depart, then a 5 hour delay (never was sure what this delay was for don´t speak Spanish) and another 5 hour delay because half the train derailed. I would kill to leave this train station and get a shower and feel real air, but Nick is in the Burger King line, so I might just kill myself. (A little dramatic) Madrid we are so close, one number 5 and we´re out!