Rain. Rain...

Today was supposed to be Versailles but since it is cold and cloudy and will rain throughout the day, I have decided to postpone it once again. Sunday should be beautiful but Sunday is also one of Versailles busiest days. Oh well.

Pictures will be posted soon. I had some computer problems yesterday so the upload didn't happen. There are some 500 pictures so far so prepare yourself.

Onto the update...

June 9:

The dreary day when last we spoke. I went to Au Bon Marché. I bought nothing! It was like the Flambourg and Champs Elyssé spawned a mall. Chanel, Furla, Jimmy Choo and Longchamps boutiques. How Parisians afford to wear clothes is beyond me. I walked around but quickly grew tired and planned an escape. I decided to bypass the Grand Epicerie and find this vegetarian place not too far from the Louvre.

My plan was flawed and I ended up getting off at the wrong metro stop...or the right one. An H&M was on the corner and various other affordable stores lined the street. Turns out I was not too far from Les Halles, which is a mall (unlike Le Printemps and Au Bon Marché) where I could actually afford to purchase a shirt and still eat for the rest of the week. I stopped in a few stores on my way to the restaurant but around 4, when I finally reached my destination, I learned why it was called Foody's Brunch Café. It was closing up. With my heart set on a salad, I went from restaurant to café, scanning menus in search of a plate of veggies. I eventually found a little chain restaurant that had pre-made salads. This was a very sad substitute and left me very disappointed. Even the dessert that came with the menu was a let down. Mais c'est la vie (But such is life). Everything won't be delicious, especially if it only costs 7 euros.

On my walk to Le Louvre, I stopped at a couple jewelry stores. I am looking for a charm bracelet and these stores had no shortage of them. Each was unique and handmade. I decided against buying one at that point but I took their cards in case I desire to make a future purchase.

I finally made it to Le Louvre right around 6. I spent the entire evening exploring the wings that I missed last time, which included Napolean's apartment,

and I even doubled back to see the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and my favorite "Liberty Leading the People" again.

When I got back to the hostel, a package of french fries to make up for the disheartening salad, I met the new roommates. And as we chatted, more roommates came in. We ended up having roomy bonding all night. I was sad that I would be leaving in the morning.

June 10:

Dreary days are plaguing Paris. I spent the morning in St. Christopher's skyping and emailing since I knew check in at the new hostel could not be before noon. The new hostel was only a 15 minute walk down the canal. With the backpack and an umbrella in hand, it took a bit longer. I checked in but my room would not be ready until 2. I decided to grab lunch. The yummiest pizza I have had here. Thick crunchy crust, sharp tangy sauce, and how can you go wrong with bacon as a topping.

By the time I finished the slice of heaven, the sky had cleared and I decided I would walk to find the boutiques along the canal that my guidebook mentioned. A couple hours later, my strolling lead me to the Latin Quarter. *see map* My hostel is in the 19e by Saint-martin Canal. The Latin Quarter is down on the other side of the river, by Notre Dame. *see map* It was quite the walk but since I was there, I opened my guidebook so that I could complete the prescribed walking tour. It started by the Seine, included a great view of Notre Dame, led me through the Sorbonne and ended at the Panthéon.

All of this walking produced great hunger. And I was excited to see a Picard right by the Panthéon. Picard is basically the freezer section of a grocery store. Freezers upon freezers. I had seen signs for this store at the bus stops. They advertised these pasta boxes for 2 euros. IDK why that sounded appealing to me but I bought a frozen cheese pasta box. By the time I got back to the hostel, all I could think of was heating that sucker up. It was...interesting. If I were not so hungry, I am sure I would not have eaten it. lol.

Hunger at bay, I got my luggage so that I could move into my room for the night. *rant* When I checked in, I was given room six. I left my bags in the storage room and went on my Latin Quarter adventure. I returned, got my bags and climbed the FIVE flights of winding stairs to room six. A sigh of relief as I knock on the door (there is only one key per room). There are three guys in the room looking at me puzzled. Apparently, they were to have the room to themselves and there was a mix up...OK. As I had just struggled up all of those stairs, I was not into going back down just to come back up and I was not about to leave my bag with these shady Swedes. So one of the guys went down to sort it out and when he returned he said I was in room seven. OK. To room seven I go. This time the roomates welcome me in. I put my stuff away and start chatting with the roommate from Boston while the other unpacks. Another guy comes in. But there are three beds. To the desk we go. I am not in room seven...I am in room nine. To room nine I go. Three beds, two guys, once extra bed...but its unmade. Back to the desk. He gives me a sheet... So glad I was only there one night! *rant*

Boston and I plan to go out in the Latin Quarter that night and we do. We hang out by the river and Notre Dame and end up having quite the memorable night. *side note* I like gay men and apparently they like me too. Aside from the Lyonnnaise lady, all the people who I have gone out with at night have been gay men. lol. *side note*

June 11:

After a long night, I checked out of room nine and headed back to St. Christopher's. I spent most of the day trying to figure out what was wrong with my pc. Finally I gave up and went to Bois de Bologne. It is a beautiful park/wood on the west of the city. It was a perfect day for it, sunny and warm. I brought a picnic dinner, walked around the lakes and read in the grass. I came home around 9pm. My book was getting good so I sat in my bed and read, eventually falling asleep. When I woke up at 11. I changed into pjs and called it a night.

June 12:

The gloom crushed my original plans but it seems as if the sun is making an appearance now. I only have one more neighborhood walking tour...I think I will make my way to Marais.