Paris 2010-2011 (hehe)

We got to Paris on Dec. 31, 2010, around noon. It was a bone chilling, wet, cold temperature... not sunny and 40 like the weather channel predicted.... but we saw a good bit of the city, even with so many other New Year's visitors and in just 2 half days!

We arrived into the Gare de Lyon (a gorgeous train station built for the 1900 World's Fair), walked to the Place de la Bastille (nothing remains from the actual Bastille prison that was stormed the 14th of July during the 1789 French Revolution), took pictures of the Colonne de Juillet (which commemorates the 3 day, 1830 Revolution and sits in place of the Bastille), and headed into the metro. We got off in the Latin Quarter, near the Saint Michel fountain and not far from Notre Dame. This area has skinny, winding streets, with row after row of cafés and brasseries... we chose one with nice Christmas decorations and beouf bourgignon on the menu and sat for a nice 3 course, moderately priced meal. I had a cheese crepe, the aforementioned beef stew, and chocolate mousse. My dad and Steph had French onion soup, my dad had turkey with cream sauce and Steph had a ham and cheese crepe. Yumz.

We left and headed towards some souvenir shops... then to the Notre Dame (which we stood in line for... it went quickly though!), headed towards the Hotel de Ville, and got back on the metro towards our hotel, with a quick pit stop at the Arch de Triomphe. We got checked in, took a little break, and got back into the crowds to see the the Roue de Paris (ferris wheel), the Obelisk, Champs Elysées all lit up, and the Louvre. The museum was closed, both New Year's Eve and New Year's day, but we did go inside to see the inverted pyramid. We got back on the metro to hang at the hotel for a little longer... and then went back out around 9:30pm to wait for fireworks at the Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately... due to security concerns, they were canceled, which we didn't know until the day after, but we did stand under the Eiffel Tower as the clock struck midnight, while it sparkled, drank champagne given to me by Murielle, and slightly feared for our lives as people set off their own fireworks in the crowds. We walked back... well hobbled back really, as our feet were frozen through by this point. But, it was New Year's Eve... so our spirits were high as we made our way back with the thousands of others.

After a nice defrosting and a good night's sleep, we took advantage of the metro still running free and headed towards Montmartre to see Sacre Coeur. We took the funicular up and walked over to see the artist's square (place du tertre), where artists set up easels to paint and sell their work. This area of the city used to be home to Picasso and other modern artists before they were remotely famous. This area, with the Sacre Coeur Basilica in the background is probably my favorite place in all of Paris... even when it is cold and rainy.

We waited in a long line, that also moved quickly, to see the inside of the Basilica... I've never seen so many people in there... nor I have I ever waited in line to go in, so New Year's day must be a big day to go see it! There was also a mass going on... which was cool, but made us feel a little awkward touring...

We walked down the stairs this time to get back on the metro at Anvers, passed one of the hostels Maggie, Thomas, and Heather and I stayed in by chance, and headed straight towards the train station. It was PACKED. We were starving... not having eaten anything for breakfast, so we crankily looked for a place to eat quickly... and finally got seated at the Bleu Express, the less expensive, quicker version of Le Train Bleu (which has been there since 1901). Our train ride home was very pleasant, we all nodded off a bit, and got into Lyon around 4:20pm, Jan. 1, 2011:)

We took our second funicular ride for the day to show Steph the Fourvière Basilica, which she also called a "keeper." We were able to walk around the roman ruins down the street a little bit and took the other funicular down to head back. We stopped at a café for a café (hehe) and got home around 7 so that my visitors could pack up. I called a taxi for them the night before and they left this morning at 5am. Hopefully, their flights went well and they are almost home soon!

I miss them already and had a wonderful, action packed week before going back to school. I have plenty of time to recover before going to Italy again... in March with my next and final visitor!

No tutoring today- just catch up and lesson planning. Reste cool and hope you all have a great first week of 2011!