Wow! What a BUSY day...so busy that I am a day behind posting on my blog! :( That's ok, I have some time to fill you in.
Right now I am rocking out to French hits of the 80's- LOVE IT!
Yesterday I started off my day with a cappuccino and warm delicious croissant- flaky on the outside, and so soft on the inside! I then walked to the Eiffel Tower to meet my group for a 5 hour Segway tour-such fun! Segways are both harder and easier to ride than they look...if that at all makes sense? At first it's VERY uncomfortable to ride, and I was a little nervous I couldn't handle it, but after a few minutes I got the hang of it and it was smooth sailing. I had two very nice American families on the tour with me, and they took me under their wing, which was a nice break to the whole solo traveling experience. On the tour we went to "Dome Church" where Napoleon is buried in SIX sarcophagus coffins! We also went to Invalides, Militare Ec0le- which the Nazi's took over during WWII, and in 1944 the French fought to regain control of. One of the more interesting points of the tour was going to Place de la Concorde where 20 THOUSAND people were beheaded a la guillotine. Among those beheaded in this square were Marie Antionette AND Mr. Guillotine- the inventor of the guillotine! If that isn't ironic, I don't know what is? After riding the Segways for a while, we stopped in the Tuileries Garden in front of the Louve for lunch- I had the most DELICIOUS ham, swiss and mushroom crepe. Luckily I was safe the entire time I rode the Segway, despite the fact that pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way in Paris. Unfortunately, one of the older women on the tour crashed her Segway into a pole and flew off of it. She wasn't seriously injured, but she was cut up and bleeding, and pretty shaken up...hoping she’s ok! Overall, the tour was SO much fun, and I am VERY happy I did it!
Later in the afternoon it started raining, but instead of sitting in my room, I grabbed an umbrella and walked to the Siene- deciding to go on a river cruise (in an enclosed boat) until the rain subsided. After about an hour of cruising, the rain stopped, and I went to Notre Dame. Unfortunately the inside of the cathedral was closed, but I walked in the gardens surrounding it, and took some detailed pics of the exterior. I then walked to the Latin Quarter, window shopped and people watched, until it started raining again. I stepped into a small cafe and ordered a cappuccino to wait out the rain. While I was at the cafe, a Parisian (who spoke PERFECT English and four other languages) began talking to me- it was SO nice to have some interaction, and also learn from someone who's lived in Paris his whole life.
After the rain stopped again, I said "au revoir" to the Latin Quarter, and headed up to the Champs Elysees. I walked the ENTIRE length of the Champs Elysees, stopping to shop (I got the CUTEST silk scarf from a little boutique!) I continued up to the Arc de Triumph, and because by this point my legs felt like Jello, I paid extra to take an elevator to the top- just in time for the 10pm Eiffel Tower light show! The light show was AMAZING! I was so fortunate to have the perfect view. After marveling at the sights and sounds for a while, I decided I had enough for one day, and took a taxi back to my hotel- had cheese and crackers for dinner before hitting the hay...
Despite the rain, another perfect day in Paris!
xoxo- Tiffany
Right now I am rocking out to French hits of the 80's- LOVE IT!
Yesterday I started off my day with a cappuccino and warm delicious croissant- flaky on the outside, and so soft on the inside! I then walked to the Eiffel Tower to meet my group for a 5 hour Segway tour-such fun! Segways are both harder and easier to ride than they look...if that at all makes sense? At first it's VERY uncomfortable to ride, and I was a little nervous I couldn't handle it, but after a few minutes I got the hang of it and it was smooth sailing. I had two very nice American families on the tour with me, and they took me under their wing, which was a nice break to the whole solo traveling experience. On the tour we went to "Dome Church" where Napoleon is buried in SIX sarcophagus coffins! We also went to Invalides, Militare Ec0le- which the Nazi's took over during WWII, and in 1944 the French fought to regain control of. One of the more interesting points of the tour was going to Place de la Concorde where 20 THOUSAND people were beheaded a la guillotine. Among those beheaded in this square were Marie Antionette AND Mr. Guillotine- the inventor of the guillotine! If that isn't ironic, I don't know what is? After riding the Segways for a while, we stopped in the Tuileries Garden in front of the Louve for lunch- I had the most DELICIOUS ham, swiss and mushroom crepe. Luckily I was safe the entire time I rode the Segway, despite the fact that pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way in Paris. Unfortunately, one of the older women on the tour crashed her Segway into a pole and flew off of it. She wasn't seriously injured, but she was cut up and bleeding, and pretty shaken up...hoping she’s ok! Overall, the tour was SO much fun, and I am VERY happy I did it!
Later in the afternoon it started raining, but instead of sitting in my room, I grabbed an umbrella and walked to the Siene- deciding to go on a river cruise (in an enclosed boat) until the rain subsided. After about an hour of cruising, the rain stopped, and I went to Notre Dame. Unfortunately the inside of the cathedral was closed, but I walked in the gardens surrounding it, and took some detailed pics of the exterior. I then walked to the Latin Quarter, window shopped and people watched, until it started raining again. I stepped into a small cafe and ordered a cappuccino to wait out the rain. While I was at the cafe, a Parisian (who spoke PERFECT English and four other languages) began talking to me- it was SO nice to have some interaction, and also learn from someone who's lived in Paris his whole life.
After the rain stopped again, I said "au revoir" to the Latin Quarter, and headed up to the Champs Elysees. I walked the ENTIRE length of the Champs Elysees, stopping to shop (I got the CUTEST silk scarf from a little boutique!) I continued up to the Arc de Triumph, and because by this point my legs felt like Jello, I paid extra to take an elevator to the top- just in time for the 10pm Eiffel Tower light show! The light show was AMAZING! I was so fortunate to have the perfect view. After marveling at the sights and sounds for a while, I decided I had enough for one day, and took a taxi back to my hotel- had cheese and crackers for dinner before hitting the hay...
Despite the rain, another perfect day in Paris!
xoxo- Tiffany
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