A Hoosier in Paris...

And before you know it you're back at school and you've conquered another country. I can't believe I just spent 5 days in Paris. Sometimes I have to stop and pinch myself. It's been over 3 months since I've stepped on American soil, and in those 3 months I've been to 6 different European countries. Many of my friends are homesick and I feel bad because I really don't want to come home yet.

So, about this weekend...

Paris is terrific. I love the city of London so much, but Paris might be coming in for a close second place. I wasn't ready to leave this morning. Paris is the kind of city where you can see something several times and not get tired of it. In fact, I went to see the Eiffel Tower 4 times... twice by myself.

We took the EuroStar from London to Paris... you know, that train that goes on a track underwater? It was interesting. It makes me a little sick to my stomach to think that we were driving under the ocean, but it was a quick ride and it was efficient. We got into our hotel late that evening and we just went to the local McDonald's to hang out. Not the American thing to do at all is it? haha. Ordering was a bit of a challenge. "hamburger" and "cheeseburger" seem to be a universal language, so it wasn't too bad.

Thursday Caitlin, Lauren and I went to Sacre Coeur which is a large church that has an amazing view overlooking the city of Paris. From there we walked to the artists' corner... this section of town where amateur (but very good) artists display their works. Also, artists are there to draw your portrait. All 3 of us got our portraits done and we were very impressed with how they turned out. For lunch we ate at a small cafe near the Musee D'Orsay (museum). It started raining and rather than use another one of our Metro (Subway) tickets, we decided to walk the mile to see Notre Dame. By the time we got to the grand cathedral we were soaked. After Notre Dame we walked another mile to get back to our hotel. We took a little nap, and around 7 p.m. my parents called to say they were in the lobby. I went down to meet them and we decided to go to dinner. Caitlin and Lauren joined us for a nice meal at a pizza cafe on the corner near our hotel. Afterwards we all went to the Eiffel Tower (by Metro). It turns out that at night the Eiffel Tower is lit up (duh) but every hour, on the hour, it "sparkles." It was amazing to see. I mean, the Eiffel Tower in itself and in any view is amazing, but for my first encounter to be when it was sparkling... so awesome. Of course we took plenty of pictures. ( You know my mom wouldn't have it any other way.)

Friday I met up to spend the day with mom and dad... their last day in Europe. We went to the Eiffel Tower to see it in the daylight. It was beautiful, again. We took a boat ride down the River Seine and to Notre Dame. The weather was perfect. After our boat ride we took the Metro to the Arc de Triomphe. This is where Napoleon's great victories were recognized and also where the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I is located. The Arc is on the edge of the famous street, Champs Elysee. This is where all the boutiques are that you see in movies and such. We ate lunch at Planet Hollywood on Champs Elysee and then we shopped for a little while. I went back to the hotel to meet Lauren and Caitlin. We went to the Louvre. Yes, THE LOUVRE. Here we saw Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa. It was pretty awesome. Plus, I'm reading Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code right now. It's an awesome novel, and for anyone that's read it you know what I'm talking about when I make references to the Louvre and other places in Paris. The book primarily takes place in Paris and the Louvre. It's really cool to visit these places in real life. I don't know.. I'm a big nerd like that, I guess. :)

So Saturday mom and dad flew back to the States. Sad day. We had a great trip together. In total, they spent 3 days in London, 3 days in "the castle" of Harlaxton, and 3 days in Paris. I was so glad they were able to experience Europe with me. Saturday was my alone day. Mom and dad were gone, and Caitlin and Lauren had already done some of the stuff that I wanted to do. I didn't mind at all. In fact, sometimes I prefer exploring cities on my own... in the daylight anyway.

I went back to the Eiffel Tower. I sat on the bridge overlooking the River Seine for awhile. I laid in the grass in the park next to the Eiffel Tower. I read, I rested, I journaled. I ate a French crepe (dessert). I took the Metro all over the city. I went to Moulin Rouge. I went to Opera Garnier. I saw the Place de Concorde and the Jardin de Tuileries. I shopped at souvenir stands and I took lots of pictures. It was a great way to see Paris.

Last night, our final night in Paris, I went with Kimberly, Jess, and Lauren to Hard Rock. It was a good time. When we got back we started packing up our stuff for our return trip. :(

I got up this morning and realized it was the first time in 20 years that I wasn't spending Easter with my family. No baskets filled with Cadbury eggs waiting at the bottom of the steps for Ryan and I. No egg hunt at Grandma's. No deviled eggs made by Aunt Bev and Aunt Sharon . . . It was sad to think about all the Easter events I was missing at home. Well, I take that back. I don't think I miss the Easter events so much, it's just that I associate those events with my family, and I miss my family. . Sure, I spent the last 9 days with my parents and it was great. But I miss my brother. And my grandmas and aunts and uncles and cousins. Major holidays are hard to spend away from your family. Bummer.

I still went to church today. I wanted to go by myself, so I did. Although I'm not Catholic, I went to the service at Notre Dame. Oh, and not only am I not Catholic, I don't speak French either. Needless to say, it was an interesting service. I had no idea what was going on, but I'm still glad I went. I just had that need to be in a house of God for Easter... regardless of religion or language. Makes sense doesn't it?

The trip back to Harlaxton was fine. The EuroStar didn't leak or anything. I'm back in the manor and weighing my options for the evening: laundry? homework? sleep? Haha. I think we all know which one is going to win.

Au revoir. Goodnight.