I've been trying to convince myself to actually update for several days now. But every time I somehow find some reason not to. So here I am. I'm updating. What now? ...

   Ahh! I know. I said I'd write more about France. Hmm... Now where did I leave off? Oh yes-

   The wake-up call the first day came much too early for the majority of the people in our group. In truth, it was the latest wake-up call throught the entire trip, but the jet lag defdinately made it feel earlier. However, somehow I managed to get up and dressed. I donned my most Parisian outfit- a biege peasant skirt and blue cami- and headed downstairs for my first French breakfast. The meal consisted of croissants, baguets, cereal, and a choice of café (coffee) or chocolat chaud (hot chocolate). It was different from the type of breakfast I was used to, but I enjoyed.

   Our first excersion that day was a bus tour of Paris, highlighting the most famous of the city's sites and attractions including the old and new Opera houses, the Eiffel Tower, les Invalids (the resting place of Napoleon Bonapart), the minature Statue of Liberty, and many more things. Following the tour, we headed to Versailles where we spent the morning and part of the afternoon. The palace was incredible. I really enjoyed it. The Hall of Mirrors was still under partial restoration unfortunately, but it was incredible all the same.

   After we finished our tour of the palace, Jennifer, Sarah, and I went to lunch. We ended up stopping at this really neat cafe with the neatest waiters. The were so nice and so funny. Each of us got a kiss on the hand. :-D I ordered a Croque Monsieur, a toasted ham and cheese sandwich with cheese on top. It was delicious! One we finished lunch, we headed to a little bokk shop down the street and looked around in there. It was very neat. One of the ladies working there even asked me whether I spoke English or Spanish while showing me some books! I guess my accent really wasn't that bad. I ended up buying Les Miserables in the original French and a book for my mom and Steph called Les Derniers des Mozarts. Then we headed back to Paris for the rest of the day.

   That afternoon turned out to be quite eventful. After driving down the Champs Elysees, our bus driver was stopped by the police! The details of it all were somewhat complicated, but it had something to do with the fact that he had been driving too long with too little sleep. If you want more information, email me or IM me. So we ended up getting off the bus and walking through les Jardins des Tuileuries (I think I spelled that right...), which was much more enjoyable, to Notre Dame. The cathedral was incredible. I really enjoyed the visit. During our free time there, I walked across the bridge over the Seine to a little cafe and had a menthe a l'eau (a drink with mint syrup and mineral water) and watched the people go buy.

   Dinner that evening was at a place called Flam's. They served these flat, pizza-like things called- flam of course. It was a better meal that the night before, but I still wish it would have been more French. After dinner we went back to the Champs Elysees to shop and do as we pleased. I decided to go up the Arc du Triomph. The view from up top was incredible. Once we got down, I stopped in a little gift shop and bought a few things then went back to the meeting spot  to wait for the rest of the group.

   While I was waiting there, the most interesting thing happened. I was just talking to some riends when I felt i slight tugging on my sweater. A young boy, no older that two had come up and grabbed ahold of it! He was so cute! When I turned and saw him, I gasped and said "Bonjour!' He smile the cutest smile! Then his mother appeared and tried to bring him away, but he wouldn't let go of my sweater! It was as if he wanted to take me with him. It was so cute. I was smiling for probably half an hour after that.

   Once our group had assembled, we headed to the metro station and went to our hotel. That was our last night in Paris so we packed some then went to bed.

   I believe that's all for tonight. I think I may have broken a longest entry record for my blog. There's still more to come about my trip to France, so keep checking in. Goodnight all!

   Laurl/en