Day 11 Paris Experience

Today we had to get up early to get on the train to Paris. The seats were not very comfortable. We were seated in a table like setting with no where to put your legs. I was able to get a small nap in on the way. When we got there we needed to go to the restroom, and we had to pay a euro ($1.50) to use them! Then we went to down to their subway system and tried to figure out how to get to the Eiffel Tower. Everything was in French of course, and the information desk was closed. I tried to ask someone with little success. It was very discouraging because we were all irritable, it was dark and dingy down there, and no one even appeared to be friendly. So Christina and I figured out what we thought was the best route on a map and we headed off. We got off the train, and couldn't wait to see the light of day! I was expecting to see the tower immediately, but we actually had to follow the signs and then it came into view and it was huge. The lines for the tickets were massive, and after that you had to wait in an even longer line to use the elevator. We were all stressed out and one girl left her wallet on the train. We decided to get some food, and I hadn't even eaten breakfast yet. I don't speak any French so ordering was a challenge, and I got a disgusting panini with funky ham and cheese. I scarfed it down anyway since I was hungry and there wasn't much of a food selection in the area. We finally arranged to take a river cruise on the Seine River. It was great. We were all able to relax a bit and see the sights without having to walk. On the way to the Louvre Museum I saw a police swat van, and keeping true to the tradition I asked them in hand gestures if I could take a picture with them. The teased me, and told me to hop in. So I did. Then the guy in the back piped in saying "kiss, kiss" so I planted a peck on the drivers cheek! All the girls and I gushed about the attractive officers. We liked the French dudes much more than the stuffy Englishmen. Anyway, eventually we made it to Louvre, and it was so massive that we were barely able to see much of the museum given our time limitations. I was able to see the Mona Lisa, the Venus De Milo, and my favorite The Winged Victory. We at at the cafe of the museum because we were short on time. I had yet another disgusting sandwich. We met back up with the other girls who didn't go to the museum. We were all sick of Paris and ready to leave. We had a hard time finding the subway station and we had some time so we stopped off at some shops to buy souvenirs. Upon checking in through customs we learned that our train had been delayed another hour. We were all disappointed and ready to leave. I decided to hit up some of the "duty free" gift shops. I bought an glass Eiffel Tower filled with French brandy. I may or may not have bought and later smuggled a bottle of Absinthe with me. By the time we got back to London we were all tired and out of it. Upon returning to our rooms the dorms were a buzz with the news that Michael Jackson was dead. It was such a strange day, but I had a sense of pride in my group leadership abilities. I know that even in a foreign country, with a language I do not speak, I can maintain confidence and lead us to our destination!