Brannon's Euro-Trip

Day 3 Pareee!

Well after two spectacular days of weather (I even read my book in a park with tens of sunbathing seniors) Paris has gone cloudy. But today was actually my best day so far for sightseeing because Valentine had the day off and was able to come be my personal French guide and translater. Unfortunately, I won't be so lucky most of the time because she has class and work. But today I lived as a true Frenchman... well except for the beret, the tiny dog, and all the cigerettes. I'll tell you the real reason French women don't get fat: they are chain smokers from birth. This is the truth and the only French stereotype I support. Today we went to the Pompido Center, the Museum of Modern art is in there (which I plan to go to later) and also a fantastic library with a ridiculous amount of new computers PLUS an area where you can watch TV from ANYWHERE. It's very cool and intend on going back when I can spend more time. We also went to the Hotel de Ville which houses the mayor of Paris. They had an exhibit on Hiroshima which was horrifying, of course. In the building was a statue of Romulus and Remus almost identical to the one in Rome (my Rome, I told Valentine). The exhibit was in French so I mostly looked at the pictures and made an oragami bird for peace. A French man coached me through the entire thing... I didn't understand a word he said. Also a random cartoonist off the street told me I have a "Danish nose". What this means I don't know, but I'm terribly offended none the less. We ate flan. And though it actually tastes quite good, the terrible one Lisette made in high school hit the texture dead on. Good effort, Lisette. There is a Festival of the "jardins" Gardens near Notre Dame. When we got to it the outside band was playing "Georgia on Mind"... I had no idea how universal that song is... also "Sweet Home Alabama". I left them a tip simply for being familiar. We walked most of the rest of the day seeing the outsides of alot of famous places. I had been to most of them... but I was wandering and didn't manage to put the layout of the land together. So it was nice today. Later I had €4 water with Valentine and her friend Maude. Then we went and visited her brother, JeanBaptiste and his roommate,Solenne. We stayed there a long time. Val had to translate for me a lot. Solenne's friend tried to teach me French. C'est la vie. I've eaten heaps of quiche lately and probably will come back very fat. I have FREE internet at Valentine's! Honestly, lodging and internet are no doubt my two biggest expenses. So this is heaven.
Bon Soir!

posted by Brannon @ 12:28 PM