Le Paris, Por Favor?

We were off to Paris! I couldn’t describe how excited I was to be going to France’s capital city. My expectations included consuming tons of baguettes, cheeses, and wines. AND I WAS GONNA MAKE SURE THOSE CAME TRUE AT ANY AND ALL COSTS (regardless of any lives it may jeopardize bwaha). So Michelle, Stephanie and I hopped on the ICE train which went direct from Kaiserslautern to Paris. We were a little hungry, and thankfully we had the forethought of bringing some healthy refreshments.

Wine and cheese munchies. The healthiest. 

  

The ride was only about two and a half hours. Along the way we passed amazing views of the French countryside.

I WANT A FRENCH FARM NOW THANKS

 After we arrived at the train station, we took about a six minute walk to the Hotel Parisiana. From our room window this was our view:

Nice view, oui oui?

So we dropped off our stuff, planned out where we were going to go, and SET OFF TO THE NORTH. Our first stop was the Moulin Rouge. Along the way, we passed a variety of adult shops designed to tantalize your every desire.

OH, PARIS I ADORE YOU ALREADY

Once we got to the infamous Moulin Rouge we took plenty of pictures.

Why is there a windmill!?

And even the box offices were cool!

Unfortunately, tickets to the show were around 175 euros per person, which was A WEE BIT OUT OF OUR PRICE RANGE.

From the Moulin Rouge we walked south towards the river, where I saw this and got inappropriately excited:

...engage...

We passed several incredibly beautiful churches along the way,

No idea what religion it is but it's PRETTY DAMMIT

AND THEN RAN INTO THIS GUY.

OH I KNOW YOUUUU

As we got closer my poor little white boy heart started beating faster. This thing was significantly bigger than I thought it would be.

And a wee bit bigger than the Washington Square Arch.

When we got up to it, and I saw the details of the sculptures, it hit me. I WAS IN FREAKING PARIS. Ever since I was a kid I’ve heard of how magnificent and romantic this city could be. Then to be exposed to the Arc de Triomphe at sunset? (IT WAS A LITTLE OVERWHELMING *tear*) No, but I actually started tearing up. I know, I know, I’m overemotional. When Michelle saw me, she just shook her head and walked away. LIFE IS SO BEAUTIFUL. *SOBBB*

IS THAT ME??

We went underneath to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Touching.

Then we continued towards the river,

Bye, Archie!

And over the rooftops we could see the Eiffel Tower. Once we got to a bridge we saw it in all its glory.

GLORIOUS

OH AND THEN IT LIT UP. Almost signaling our arrival and welcoming us warmly to the City of Light.

We then walked to the base of it on the south side of the river to experience how massive this structure was.

YAH IT'S PRETTY TALL.

From there we walked east, and passed this museum with some kind of park or arboretum or art exhibit. I’m not sure which but it had these lights in the foliage.

There's must have been something weird in those munchies...

AND I THOUGHT I WAS IN AVATAR.

From there we crossed the river again to the north side of the city. We walked along the side of the Louvre and saw this little piece of history:

Uh, shouldn't you be in Egypt?

So we walked past the Louvre and by this time we were STARVING. So we went down a side street to find a cute little café called Coup D’état. I ordered the sea bass.

Fried and placed on a tomato and eggplant egg thing and surrounded by a moat of  a tomato cream sauce. 

And for dessert? NUTELLA CRÈME BRULEE OMG OMNOMNOM

So. Friggin. GOOD.

After dinner we were exhausted. So we headed back to the hotel. We tried to find a cab but they were all taken so we walked further east, and then north all the way back. Basically we walked a giant circle around the city. Things that I learned about Paris: it is a very difficult city to navigate on your first day. If it’s your first time to the city, I definitely suggest getting an up-to-date map and planning everything out beforehand. If you’re in good physical condition, walk it. I loved walking through all the streets and seeing the variety of shops and cafés. Also, I remember hearing from multiple sources that the Parisians are rude and they hate speaking English. They may dislike speaking English, but they didn’t show it, and every person we met was really nice, accommodating, and helpful. Go figure.