Day 6

May 30

I had my watch set to go off at 4:45 or so, as we had to exit the train around 5:30. The conductor brought us coffee (it was no cafe crème) and an orange flavored croissant that was pretty good for coming out of a plastic bag. The train dropped us in Milan, Italy. After wandering the train station in search of a taxi, we found one at last. He took us to our hotel, which was ten times nicer than the one in Paris. The catch? Check in time is 2:30pm. Current time? around 6:00am. We were informed that we could wait in the lobby or "do as we please". We found a couch in the empty lobby and waited. And waited. We looked at every person who came out of the elevator and crossed the marble floor in front of us for luggage, praying someone would check out early. Around 8:30 a member of the hotel faculty gave us a room key and number. After the elevator climbed the four floors to our room, we hit the beds like a sack of rocks.

After an amount of sleep we deemed appropriate for the remedy our weary minds and bodies, we went downstairs for some advice from the overly chipper concierge. As well as being in what seemed to be a perpetually good mood, he was also very helpful and not the least bit frightening, unlike one or two Parisians we had happened across. The main goal of our two day one night stay in Milan was to visit Da Vinci's Last Supper. The reservations to see it have to be made in advance, and it was believed that we had done so. But apparently something was lost in translation and the reservations had been lost. Luckily, all hope was not (lost, that is), as our blissful concierge arranged for us to take a bus tour around the city, one of the stops on that tour being Da Vinci's Last Supper. He made our new reservations with one swift telephone call, and all was well once again.

Now, as the foremost objective was neatly arranged and confirmed, we hit the town. Or, actually, we hit the street about two blocks away from our hotel. There I puzzled over the fresh map, in search of the nearest Metro. Not long after we had stopped at this crossroad, an older man stopped to see if we needed help. As we so obviously did, he began pointing at the map and jabbering in Italian. I picked up a few of the words and managed to speak a few myself and after a few minutes of chatter, neither of us understanding the other’s words but less than half the time, we were on our way, newly revitalized by the thought of knowing where we were going.

On the way to the metro, we passed by the most adorable bakery, the window filled with cream puffs, chocolate tarts, meringue droplets and tiny cherry pies. I resolved to come back and buy a bag of sweets for the train.

The metro took us to the duomo, or church around which a city is built, and walked, shopped, ate, and had a generally pleasant afternoon. I had a chicken and tomato sandwich and a peach ice tea at an outside restaurant. Two gelatos (one tiramisu, the other yogurt chocolate), an hour or so of window shopping, and a metro ride later, we were back at the magnificent hotel, tired as ever. Another day down!

Day 5

May 29

Update!

We went to the Musée d'Orsay and saw all the impressionist paintings, including Monet and Van Gogh, despite the previously failed attempt to enter due to rain and long lines and general unpleasantness. This day however, there was virtually no line. We spent a little too much time on the ground floors viewing statues and paintings and such and not quite enough time with the more famous artists. Lunch was on the top floor, a[nother] quiche and a salad. I've been drinking iced tea like a fish because I can get all the hydration of normal water with a little bit of actual flavor. The pictures I took have apparently not made it to the computer as of yet but I'll get them on tonight and hopefully post them soon.

Here is one some stranger took on Nanny's camera

We had to rush our bottoms out of there lickety split in order to make it to the train on time. We rushed so hard that we forgot to officially check out of the hotel (whoops!) The cabbie shoved our oversized suitcases into his trunk and drove us to the bustling chaotic mass of metal known as the Paris train station and dropped us there. We found the corresponding lane to our tickets and were stopped by the police, checking tickets and passports. Nanny went through no problem, however with my two suitcases, purse, jacket, and armload of magazines, my passport was a bit out of reach. I dropped the magazines twice and held up the line of travelers behind me and the police people were not looking very happy. Nanny seemed to be a mile away and I was getting terrible frustrated. I finally got out the passport and shoved it in the direction of the impatient man in uniform, dropping the magazines once again. I gave him a flustered look that said directly and unmistakably "If you don't give me a hand and pick that up I'm going to scream until I turn blue". He got the message, no interference from the language barrier. I walked through, stomping my American shoes all the way until I caught up with nanny, just now noticing I hadn't been beside her the whole time. We finally made it to our train car, and the poor conductor man had to maneuver our 70+ pound luggage into the narrow hallway. Still burning up, I kicked my little bag in front and dragged the large one behind me. Kick, drag, kick, drag, and someone was coming up behind me. Kick, drag, kick drag, faster faster. The compartment seemed miles away. Kick, drag, kick, drag, I arrived in front of my door and threw my stuff in and plopped down on the humble sofa. Nanny apologized profusely and I cooled off after a while and settled down. This was a night train, and after a cheese sandwich I tried to sleep in the pulled down bunk style bed, Nanny under me. It would have been a not half bad night, but somewhere along the way heat began to rise and I had to sweat the night out, falling in and out of sleep.

I know I'm behind on posts, but I'll make it up soon :)

Day 4

Update below!

Hello all! It's 1:23 AM Paris time, and I am wiped. Today was as successful as yesterday was not. We took the metro and a train to Versailles for most of the day. Now there was an experience. Let me clue you in to the complexities of the Paris metro. Although pretty simple to use when moving in one direction, the story gets a new plot chock full of unpredictable conflicts when you have to change trains and speed through an underground station the size of Canada. When we first arrived at the Cadet station (which by the way is about a block from our hotel), the ticket lady answered our directional confusion with a small piece of paper with simple, easy to follow, translated directions.

From station CADET
to go to VERSAILLES CHATEAU
take direction MAIRIE D'IVRY VILLEJUIF
change at OPERA
take direction LIGNE 8 BALARD
change at INVALIDES
take direction RER C VERSAILLES
get off at VERSAILLES RIVE GAUCHE
As it is pretty late now, I'll have to pick this back up later.

Tomorrow we are going to get our possessions organized, attempt to visit the Museum d'Orse (again!), find a scarf, eat some street fruit, buy some Parisian yogurt, and be on a train to Italy at 6:00pm. It's a night train so I may not be able to post again until Friday, but I'll make up for lost time. I have had a lovely last night in Paris and I will tell you all about it soon.

ps: for those trying to post comments, I have it set so I have to approve them so they may not show up for a while (until I can get on to do so). If I don't have this setting turned on then blogger does not notify me when you comment so I miss them. This way I can make sure to see everything.

Also, I am posting pictures from yesterday tonight. Check ‘em out!


Quote of the day
"My grandma can walk all over Paris and never get tired"

Update:
Versailles was really something. The mansion was nice and all but what really got me was the gardens (or should I say 100 acre woods) in the back. There were trees and fountains with cobblestone walkways. everything was green and there was even some sheep. Marie Antonette's house in the back was so amazing, and all the flowers are in bloom. I took a load of pictures, so I'll let them do the talking.

I bought some souvineres in the gift shop. Two books for my friends (The best places to kiss in Paris, and one on the life and times of Marie Antonette.) We came back to town via metro and somewhere in the middle of our journey home we stopped at a small restraunt for dinner. I had some sort of toast thing with chicken, cheese, and tomatos. It was really something different. In adition to that, I had one escargot. Although not the worst of tastes, the texture was certainly not my favorite. Nanny felt the need to snap some pictures of this special occasion.

Around 10:30pm, we left the restraunt, and hitched a cab to the Chaunce de elisse. Most of the stores were closed but we had a good time window shopping. We made it up to the the Arc de Tromphe and (suprise) I took more pictures.

On to the Eiffle Tower! It was lit up in the night like a beacon for weary travelers. It blinks and shines on the hour after dark, and we made it there right before midnight. After "ooh"ing and "ah"ing at the tower de eiffle, it was time to go in search for the metro home. Someone pointed us in the right direction for the nearest metro, although I had my doubts, and in the dark we traveled by foot. There is a milatary school behind the tower that we had to maneuver around in persuit of our metro, and as it was dark in the first hours of the new day, the terrain was somewhat sketchy. But we made it alive and boarded our ride home. It was our last night in Paris and, in my opinion, it was well spent

Day 3

Nanny woke me up at 6:27 this morning. I thought it was 7:30, no wonder I felt so tired. She handed me coffee in a bathroom glass and told me to wake up. After freezing my butt off yesterday I got dressed and put on a warm sweater. For breakfast I had cereal with honey, bland yogurt with honey, coffee, and grapefruit juice. Now that we know where the metro station is, it was easy to make it back to the Louvre. The plan was to take the tour bus to the Museum d'Orsay, which showcases impressionists such as Monet, but when we tried to get on the bus the driver wouldn't accept our tickets (no matter how much Nanny begged, pleaded, exclaimed, screamed, shouted, and made other forms of general complaint). So we walked to the museum. Did I mention it was raining again? Under one tiny umbrella we trekked our way, dodging traffic and people. When we made it to d'Orsay there was a line so long we had trouble finding the back of it. After about thirty minutes of waiting with little progress we skipped out of there, tired of the rain and endless lines. The new plan was to make it to Versailles by the most convenient means, but after a brief conversation with some lady on the street, it was determined that the line there would be just as wet and just as long. Plan C- Galleries de Lafayette. Imagine a six story mall with a domed stained glass roof in the center, where prices ranged from 10 to an infinite amount of Euros (the latter section being dominate). After so much rain and confusion we thought it best to head back to the hotel, where I am currently stationed. I have now successfully convinced Nanny back out into the dreary weather, in hopes of ensuring a visit to the Notre Dame. I'll let you know how that goes...

Update: The Notre Dame was beautiful. My favorite by far. I took a zillion pictures and bought a teeny tiny Mary and child medal. I was really able to experiment with manually adjusting shutter speeds, as the light in the church is dim and most pictures come out blurry. We took the metro, once again, but this time it was different because we had to switch trains. We have been taking the pink line train that moves over one singular route, but it doesn't go past the Notre Dame station. So we had to change at Chatelet, which can be best described as a human underground beehive, everyone moving for their own individual motives but in the same directions. It was a mess for us outsiders in unfamiliar territory. Nanny couldn't stop and almost took a nasty fall when she tried to step onto the moving sidewalk. I thought she was going to mow down the poor girl in front of us. After we were through at the Notre Dame, she decided to go to the Bastille. Although I was relatively certain that it was no longer in existence. Yet away we went, following the map to the area conveniently labeled "Bastille". It was quite the walk. When we got close I expressed my doubts and reinforced the thought with a point to the dot on the map labeled "Bastille Marker". So we continued on, no in search of the marker. After getting just a little bit turned around (ok, my fault), we found what we were looking for, and got back on the metro. Green station, blue station, white station, orange station, unfortunately, the colors of the walls does not match up with the color of the route. Wouldn't that be a good idea though? Back to the hotel we went. When we were almost there I decided I was hungry. We stopped at a sidewalk cafe (again) and I ordered a Quiche with salad. It was delicious. For dessert I had some pineapple thing that was thin slices covered with caramel and a small dollop of pineapple ice cream. It was...interesting. Don't get me wrong, I liked it; but I was a little bit confused on the manner in which to eat it. I cut the pineapple from around the middle, thinking that I wasn't supposed to eat that part. Now you go and try to cut the edges off a thin slice of pineapple with a sharpened butter knife and a large spoon and tell me what you think. In the end I just ate the middles I had so tediously cut out, as I felt like an idiot, believing the two Frenchmen sitting at the table close to us were poking fun in their happy chatter. So I had my dinner, and not I am so pooped out I may not be able to finish my sentence. Oh look! I made it!
g'night

ps: pictures later
maybe.

Update2: Pictures!


there was some movie set by/in the Louvre
I want to figure out what movie it is.






LUNCH!







Famous prayer tables in Notre Dame











Shutter something like 2.5"












Beautiful rose garden behind the church











From some bridge over the Seine

Day 2

Where to begin? We woke up around 7:30, ate our free breakfast, and headed out on the town. After getting directions from some very helpful Frenchmen drinking cappuccino at a sidewalk cafe, we found and boarded the Metro (like a subway or tram). We went to the Louvre for our first adventure, entering through the glass pyramid to buy tickets and go into the museum (which was really cool). There were more paintings and statues that I could ever imagine, from all countries and time periods. When we finished going through the endless rooms and walls of art we took a rest outside, and some lady looked at me like I was crazy when I tried to take a picture of a pigeon (which didn’t even turn out quite right). We then spotted a bright yellow two story tour bus, which we hopped into and rode for an hour or more, passing by the major sightseeing hot spots. Exiting at the tall brown tower of Eiffel, we got into a long winding line to pay to make it to the top. Somewhere in between rows 3 and 6 of the line, it began to rain. A drizzle really. Then to a shower. Then it stopped. Then it drizzled some more. Smart travelers we were not, as we had no umbrella or rain jacket to speak of. So we got wet. Finally we made it to the front, paid, and waited in another shorter, dryer line. Elevator please! First Floor. New line. Second Floor. New line. TOP FLOOR, up one more set of stairs and I was overlooking the majority of Paris France under overcast crying skies. Oh how wind blew! I may have caught pneumonia, or just the shivers.

All the way back down and onto solid ground we went. As I was exiting the tower, a very tan dark haired young boy offered me an umbrella. Having heard all sorts of warnings and horror stories, I knew better than to grab the handle, despite the fact that my newly dried clothes were quickly becoming damp once again. So instead I stuttered out an "uhhhhhh" and turned around searchingly for my grandmother to answer the waiting vagabond. After some quick and witting bargaining, while I stood there silent as a deaf mute, Nanny bargained the price from 10 Euros to 5, which I paid. Then we had to run back to the bus stop, like idiots, to try not to get left behind. We made it, boarded, and rode for quite some time, trying to figure what we were doing, where we were going, how to get there, so on and so forth. The bus halted at one of the usual stops and, after about five minutes, the driver got off, leaving us and a few other passengers. I managed another eloquent "uhhhhhh", but no one else seemed at all effected. On a whim we got off and crossed the street, having spotted a bistro looking place that just turned out to be a bar. Whoops. Back to the bus! Ours had left so we got on some other one, the driver of this missing as well. After a while he came back and we ended up at the Louvre once again. Backtracking about a block, we came across a small restaurant by the name of CafeRuc. I had a salad and a few slurps of Nanny's onion soup (apparently one of Paris' claims to fame), as well as the most amazing raspberry cheesecake known to mankind and "cafe crème". The meal was nice, but overpriced I decided, remembering the 57-67 cents extra per euro every time I hand over a bill or coin. Nanny felt it was her duty to teach our poor waitress new words in English, such as "share" and "strawberry". After sufficiently harassing a man who appeared to be the manager by asking for directions, we located the Metro we had arrived through and I (no, I'm not completely useless) located the proper train to board (despite Nanny's doubts) and made it to the Cadet station. From there we were somewhat lost. The hotel couldn't be far but when we resurfaced the territory was unfamiliar. Using my advanced map skills I determined that the hotel was about two hundred yards away from the spot where we stood.

I'd call it a day well done, wouldn't you?


Click for larger image





Everyone and his brother trying to take a picture of the Mona Lisa

My photograph of the Mona Lisa













Winged Victory










Tower and Flowers






View from the Top (see the wet!?)









"Someday, all of this will be yours" whispered Mufassa

Day 1

So I'm finally here, in Paris France. The flight was only moderately scarring. The first plane went to Newark and was blissfully uneventful. On the second plane from Newark to Charles de Gaulle I sat in the aisle seat next to a pleasantly cute couple who left me alone. The airplane itself was pretty cool though. There were TV screens in the back of the headrests from which to choose movies, music, games, and a little map with a disproportionately large airplane icon traveling across our flight plan, showing exactly where in the middle of nowhere we were currently located. The best part, it was free! I watched 27 dresses and Catch me if you can (the latter becoming an instant favorite) and listened to Radiohead. I forgot for a while that I was cramped in a 17x17in space breathing recycled air 32000 feet above an ocean no inflatable seat cushion could save me from. We boarded the plane at 9:50pm Newark time and landed 11:25am Paris time making for about a seven and a half hour flight. Hours of those spent sleeping- 0

We collected our immense amounts of luggage and-as the name implies- hauled it through the masses and out of the terminal area, only to find (or not find) that the ride we had scheduled to drive us to the hotel was nowhere in sight. For three hours. I was left to keep watch over our combined 150+lbs of baggage while Nanny went in search of a phone (as our cellies cost your first born child to operate internationally). A tour group called "Celtic Lands" briefly tried to kidnap me but after about three exasperated "No, I am NOT part of your group"s they eventually let me be. When a driver did show up he was a very plesant Frenchman named Didier. He even cracked a few jokes. It should also be noted that I was mildly reprimanded by a large camo clad French army man wielding a machine looking sucker of a gun.

We finally made it to the hotel and crashed to the beds. A combination of jet lag and starvation had me in not my best temperance. I slept, not sure how long. When we woke up we decided to try and dig up some food. A shower, change of clothes, and three trips into and out of the hotel later, we found a nice sandwich/pizza shop. The owner did not know English. Between my grandmother and me, we may know a grand total of eight French words. I ordered, accidently said "si" instead of "oui”, and only snapped 2 pictures for fear of further embarrassment.




I only have 24 hours of wifi time for now, so I may not get to post every day, but I'll keep up as best I can.

The real fun starts tomorrow (supposedly)

Day 0

It is now 2:04
that's AM people. I've spent the last three and a half hours cramming clothes, shoes, electronics, and other travel necessities into my house sized suitcase. Guess what, it's about one item away from combustion, (kinda like my gut earlier tonight, thanks Camille). I haven't even been able to fit any books into my carry-on yet, and as it is now overstuffed with a change of clothes, wall plug converter, various battery chargers, and rice crispy treats. However there is good news in that I got the most adorable messenger bag this side of the moon. It's pretty awesome, as you can see to your left. I may have two carry-ons. My roller being one and my messenger bag the other. Also something I have to worry about is my photography equipment. I am bringing my 35mm (aka film, yes, film as in the stuff our parents and grandparents used before the great invention of digital, don't act so shocked). Film with speeds (ISO) of 800 or higher is risky to put though the xray machines. You'll never guess what I happen to be using. Correct! 800- meaning I have to get some large glaring security personnel to hand check it for me. Every time I go through security. This otta be fun, but so worth it to me. Thankfully, the plane rides will be tolerable I believe, thanks to my aunt who set my grandmother and me (oh, did I not mention that this trip is to be taken with my 70 or so year old grandmother? Silly me) up with some nice seats. To New York we get the exit row, yay for leg room! For that wonderfully brain numbing transatlantic flight, I will be seated comfortably in the isle. Last time I sat there the flight attendants had to move my sleeping head, elbow, foot, knee, and various other body parts from their path of travel down the isle. However this didn't bother me at all, being as I was most parts dormant. I'm not quite certain how many of our hotels will be hooking me up with wifi, but you can expect a post when they do. Also, I should have skype set up on the lappy we're bringing, so let me know if you want my username (keep in mind that France and Italy are several hours ahead of us slow pokes). Bedtime now. Chao!

Day -1

First of all, I'm finished with exams! Congratulations to the rest of you who are as well, it's a good feeling. So my mom bought me new luggage last night, because we decided that the two pieces I received for my birthday were not large enough. I am now the proud owner of a new tan suitcase large enough to fit you, me, and all of our possessions- with room leftover to party- as well as a smaller rolling carry on, which I debated the necessity of. You can see for yourself below. I have clothes and dresses coming out of the wazoo, and I still have yet to begin packing. Did you know that the Euro equals roughly 1.57 American dollars? Application: say a skirt in Europe is 15 Euros. Seems pretty fair, but surprise! You are actually spending 23.55 American dollars. Maybe it doesn't seem like that much, but trust me, it's going to add up. My plan is to buy nothing that I could get here (making it of the utmost importance to bring daily items such as a toothbrush or shampoo). The flight tomorrow is about 7 hours- not including all the random airport time or that all important 1-3 hours spent sitting in the terminal making sure that the plane a hundred yards away doesn't leave without you. Any suggestions for those long hours of minimum leg room? All feedback is greatly appreciated.

Italy 2008: Day -2

I am fleeing the country the moment the big hand on the clock tics itself across that invisible line I have mentally labeled "Summer". I decided I would record the stories of my travels for all the avid readers, eager, I know, to drink in every letter of my epic journey. This is for all of you out there whom I may forget to call, write, send pictures to, or bring a present back for. Well here you go, this is my "gift". I intend to keep this blog up to date with my day by day explorations and noteworthy encounters.

With most of my exams behind me (praise the lord) and only one infernal soul sucker left, I have yet to begin packing. I am supposed to be receiving several travel necessities from my aunt, who has been to Paris, China, and a number of other places in pursuit of some sort of higher education. Three weeks of my life and summer will be spent abroad, so what to bring? Is my luggage big enough? Where am I supposed to put all the things I intend to buy? How many pairs of shoes is too many pairs of shoes, and how many socks must accompany them? Frankly, I plan to wing it (which is easier said then done for 28 days without a washing machine). In the meantime, I will be procrastinating my final cram session with blog customizations and more packing conundrums. Keep in touch! ;]