Paris started with an early morning train under the English channel. We arrived early in the morning and had to find the metro system again... we were definitely a little culture shocked when we got underground. Paris hit us with a full force of human stench and a very ancient and run down underground. We also quickly realised what most people say about the french....different and harsh to say the least.
We eventually found our hostel after lugging our packs around and was pleasantly surprised with the St. Christophers hostel right on the river (A very new building including 300 beds, bar, and a club in the basement). After checking in we headed downtown to go to the Louvre (it happened to be the night of museums which includes free entry to all museums until 2 am). Once we got downtown we came up from the undergound to a massive soccer riot, fireworks and all, in the square outside of the Louvre. We then wondered and found our beloved McDonalds serving beer. Continued over to the Louvre to quickly scratch the idea after a tremendous line. At this point some called it quits and a few others wondered around the area checking out the view. That night we drank multiple bottles of wine and hung out in the bar. Darrick had his first run-in with the French when they stole his lighter (they are definitely sneaky).
On our second day we slept-in for a decent amount of time (enough to miss the free breakfast) and made our way to the latin district. We wondered around the area near St. Michele and started a free tour walking tour lasting 3 1/2 hours. It was honestly surprising how long we all lasted on the tour, some not as happy as others =). The tour lead us everywhere including Notre Dame, River Seine, The royale palace, Louvre, Garden of Tuileries, and so on... (I think the history lesson took a tole on the boys). Afterwards we quickly made our way back to Notre Dame so that we could go inside. We were lucky enough to make it on a sunday while service was happening and the lenendary organs were playing. There was no doubt that we all had goosebumps at some point. After we roamed around the back allys of the Latin District and had some of the best food of our lives, we headed home to obviously start drinking wine again. Drew and I (Leah) passed out very early =) while the other crazies had some mysterious night down at the bar. All I know is they made a friend from Japan, took part in a Jager train, and eventually took their shirts off for free drinks (I really wasnt there).
On our third day we had to check out early so we stored our bags in their baggage room and went off to finally see the Eiffle Tower. I t was just as grand as we imagined. Most of the guys went to the top (Even thought Keags and Drew are afraid of heights?), and Same, Justin, and I stayed below to walk around. After we made our way to the Arc Du Triomphe (The guys were more interested in the 12 intersection round-about that is likely to have an accident every 30 minutes). Then we went back to the Louvre to finally go in and visit Miss Mona Lisa. All-in-all she sure is tiny, especially from the back of the giant crowd that is always there. Of course we saw other peices but that was obviously the highlight...
That night we had to go back to the hostel to get our packs and make our way to the train station to catch a night train to Barcelona. Justin, JW, Drew, and myself all had beds in a room while Keags, Darrick, and Mitch had recliners (Sam hopped on another, much cheaper, train). Little did we know the train would be so fun, especially for the night before JW's bday. We cracked beers and wine in our tiny room, met some other Americans from Indiana, and later went to the train bar. There was definitely a college style party going on in the late-night moving car, we had to be sshhh-d multiple times =). Proud to be Cougs once again...
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| Undefeated fans minus JW who willingly took the picture =) |
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