First Day Exploring on My Own

Today was the first day that Eddy had school, so that meant that it was the first day that I was by myself and left to my own devices. I am not one to sit at home by myself and wait for him to come home all day so I have been trying to think of places to go explore. I wasn't feeling extremely creative so I decided that the Eiffel Tower would be a good place to go see. I took the metro to get close to it and then walked a good ten blocks until I reached it. It is REALLY big by the way. I know that's what people think, but seriously it is quite large. Some things you see and are disappointed with their size, like the Mona Lisa yesterday, but I was not disappointed with this monument at all. It is a beacon that represents the city or at least that is how I saw it. After walking under and around the tower I went across the street to the Trocodero. From there I walked up Rue Kleber all the way to the Arch and home. I basically walked home from the Eiffel Tower and walked around for 2 hours. It was amazing! Also on the way home I stopped at a florist and had them assemble a bouquet for me. So that's what the picture is of below. The little cheap things about Paris like buying a bouquet of flowers on the street are the best parts of my day and the best parts of Paris.

The Louvre

Today we went to the Louvre. Not much to say about it, pictures speak for themselves. You can click on the picture to enlarge them. The Louvre is very BIG. We walked for about 4 hours straight and still did not see the whole museum. Of course, we had to see the Mona Lisa which we have a picture of below. Also, we have some sculptures as well as paintings for you to see. We took about 200 pictures overall, but couldn't put them all up. Enjoy!

The Ring!

My beautiful ring =)

Paris Wedding Show

Looks pretty exciting to me! I shall have to check it out.

Thanksgiving In A Bag

This is a kind of Lays potato chips that we discovered at the "supermarche." We had to buy it of course. The flavor– Turkey, Thyme and Rosemary? It tastes exactly like all the flavors of Thanksgiving in one bag- or bite.

"Mac Doh"

Our first trip to McDonald's at the mall close to our hotel. The menu was similar to what we have in the States, everything just sounded fancier, like the "Royal Cheese." Also beer was a drink option, definitely something that would not be offered back home, that was weird.

Our First Trip to Paris: New Years!

So today marked the last day of 2007 and we decided to celebrate with a short trip to Paris for the New Year before our actual move into Pairs in a few days. We took the RER A train in from where we are staying into Paris. The train and metro system is pretty easy once you learn the basics. We ended up following the crowd and learning from there. We got off the metro at the Trocadero exit which is right across the river from the Eiffel Tower. It was amazing to walk out into Paris and the first thing you see the Eiffel Tower. It’s really tall and looks exactly like all the photos you see. From there, we found our way to our hotel a few blocks away. We went exploring after checking in. We found my apartment-to-be and also walked by the Arch de Triumph. There is so much to do in Paris and we are so excited to go back to Paris and live there.

Arch de Triumph

Okay, now onto New Years. For dinner, we ate at our hotel. It was a really nice seven-course dinner. We started out with bread and marinated scallops to preserved duck to lobster in coral sauce to venison to an assortment of cheeses to a nice fruit dessert to coffee and chocolate. Though the portions were not big, with seven courses, it was enough food. It did however, take us 3 ½ hours to eat.

Before we walked to the Eiffel Tower for New Years, I gave Sara a little present in a blue box. I gave her a Tiffany & Co. promise ring. I wanted to give her the promise ring to show my love for her and of course, my commitment to marry her; a little something before the diamond ring. She was completely surprised and loved the ring. We will try to put a picture up of it soon.

After dinner and the ring, Sara & I walked to the Eiffel Tower to bring in the New Year. There were TONS of people everywhere and the street was closed down because well people stopped driving. When it struck midnight, the tower lit up with little lights everywhere and the crowd erupted. Everyone lit their own fireworks and was yelling. People were on top of cars and tour buses blocked streets. It was really cool to see first hand and is a memory Sara & I will always have together.