Final Days

Written 8/2

I can't believe my trip is over. But I am actually very excited to be back in America (Montreal). I have a couple hour layover so let me finish up my days in Paris.

July 30

I got to the 13th and decided that I wanted to be in the 5th. But rather than get back on the metro, I walked through one arrondissment to the next. Soon enough I was on Rue de Mouffard. Super cute little street lined with shops and cafes. I came across this vintage/thrift boutique and caught a sale sign in the window. I bought a dress (that I later found out was a from a legitimate designer) for 14 euro. I continued to make my way to the Marais area of the city but as I walked by Hotel de Ville, I was distracted by the gathering of people. Turns out a free concert started in 15 minutes. I took a seat in the shade and broke into the snacks I had packed for Mont St. Michel. After a while, a group of young Parisians sat next to me, a guy and four girls. The guy took an interest in me and we started chatting. Eventually he introduced me to the rest of the ladies. We hung out for a bit until people started leaving the group. After the concert, I hung out in the Marais for a bit and then went back to the hostel to meet the Yankee roommates and go to O'Sullivan's that night.

After a bottle of grain vodka and fanta, some BEP, Kesha, and David Guetta, we were on our way to O'Sullivan's. Great night.

July 31

Hungover and a tad bit under the weather, I woke up early (especially since my bed was occupied when I got in so I had to sleep in another room). But I managed to do nothing all morning. Around 3, I remembered I agreed to meet concert guy in one of my favorite Paris places (by Pont Alexandre III) at 4. I had planned to hang out there anyway. Good thing. As I sat around eating my lunch (very late lunch), he was no where to be found. I just sat around listening to Skyrock and people watching. I eventually decided to go to La Defense, the business sector on the edge of the city. It is actually a pretty nice area. From there, I went back to the Marais to do a bit of thrift store shopping. I began to feel the effects of my lack of sleep and decided to go back to the hostel for a nap. The only problem with having people that you actually talk to in your room is that you get distracted. Instead of falling asleep, I sat around talking. My roommate from NYC & CO (She went to school at Columbia but she is back living with her parents in CO right now) wanted to go to the Latin Quarter and I couldn't refuse getting out to see Paris at night. We walked around, saw Notre Dame, le Siene, the guillotine, etc. We got fondue for late dinner (very late dinner). She wanted to see the Sorbonne so we walked by there to the Luxembourg RER, which ended up being closed. We managed to catch a night bus to the metro and made it back to the hostel by 2.

August 1

After days and days of staying out late and partying and drinking, my body finally fought back. I woke up feeling terrible. But my last day in Paris would not be spent in St. Christopher's. I wanted to go shopping so I metro'd to Les Halles. I completely overlooked the fact that it was Sunday. Nothing much was open. I just walked around. Eventually, the cold, or whatever it was/is got the better of me. I made my way to the park area by the Champs Elysses, got a panini and sat. I hoped food would solve the problem but not so much. I wanted to go back to the hostel and nap but I didn't have it in me to get all the way back there (and I knew I would not come back out. It was only 1). I ended up taking a nap right there in the park. I woke up feeling a bit better and I attempted to continue my shopping. *Trixy* When you purchase a metro ticket in Paris, it is valid for trips on all buses and metros for an hour and a half after validation. I have used this to my advantage many times. In fact, I used it on the 31st when I cut my thrift store shopping short for a nap. When I tried to do the same on the 1st, it did not work. So I went to the information desk. They tried to tell me that my card was finished but it had only been a half hour. When I asked them if this was some new rule they just looked at me oddly. I personally think that it is a rule imposed in August to stick tourists for their paper. And yeah, it's true what they say, Parisians really do leave the city in August. *Trixy*

Eventually my illness got the best of me and I gave up. I went back to the hostel around 6:30 and napped. The Yankee roommates and myself were planning on going to the Eiffel Tower at 8:30. When I woke up at 9:15, there didn't seem too pressed. In the end, just NYC & CO and I went to Champs des Mars at 10:30. We got there after 11, took pictures and stayed around to see the Tower sparkle at midnight. Then we returned to St. Christopher's.

August 2

MY LAST DAY IN PARIS. And it can barely be considered that. I woke up, showered, started packing, had breakfast, finished packing and checked out. Shortly after, I left to go to Charles DeGaul and catch my flight. Which brings us to current time. My flight was about 8 hours and uneventful (except that they had an episode of Gilmore Girls available. And not just any episode, my favorite episode. The finale episode. I tried not to cry too much since I had seen it about 4 times. It didn't work. They also had Being Erica, which is no surprise since it is Air Canada, and Glee. They also had a pretty good meal and I watched the end of Valentine's Day, Date Night and Up in the Air.) And now I'm laying over in Montreal.