Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Days 5 & 6: Paris, Completed.

I voyaged to Paris, France simply because my father booked my plane ticket through his miles and the flight he got resulted in a 2 day layover in the lovely city. Originally, I had planned to get a hostel and venture around myself. However, when my brother-in-law suggested I contact Amanda McKinley, I jumped at the idea. I believe the story goes, that Amanda was a high school and college friend of Dave (the aforementioned brother-in-law) and later, a post-college friend Kefryn as well. In my younger years, I had spent only a handful of occasions with that group so I was afraid asking to stay with Amanda would be a little bit of a stretch, but I should have known she would welcome me with open arms when I explained to her my situation.

So, I made the journey from The Big Apple, East, and ended up on the other side of the world around noon on Thursday the 22nd.

(Insert ‘Day 5: Paris' entry here.)

After I left my napping park, I made my way around the town and down to the river. I enjoyed perfect Parisian whether and lovely photo opps, and USED A MAP to get me back to Amanda’s workplace to meet her and Boyfriend Jonathan for drinks—my first legal ones ever. After three Blanches (sp) and a meat plate it was on to the next bar at around 11:30 pm while, might I add, it was still light out.


I cannot quite remember what time it was when they dragged me in but it was definitely bedtime. I fell asleep soundly on my coffin bed in the living room next to my new friend Evan, Amanda’s other houseguest.

The next morning, Evan and I had planned on exploring while Amanda was at work, but unless sleeping counts as an exploration, those plans kind of fell through. So, instead we ate the baked goods she left for us and headed for The Louvre to meet our host.

We walked the gardens and up the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomph and all the way to the top. We managed to be the last ones in before closing and got to ride the elevator up instead of the stair master. Instead of blabbing about the view, I will let you see for yourself.


After lunch and watching the end of USA’s victory over Algeria, we went home so Amanda could ready herself for dinner with the bosses and I could take a siesta. When I woke up, the boys and I walked across the river for beers, then to the Peanut Bar for beers, then to The Quiet Man to meet Amanda and have, you guessed it, more beers. The Quiet Man is Jonathan and Amanda’s regular spot and it is no bigger than my kitchen, bar included, and there was a bit of an Irish theme to it, (Amanda’s boyfriend spent a couple years in Ireland, and I’m fairly certain the French bar owner did as well, for they are good friends—on a side note, it is wonderful to listen to Jonathan speak the English he learned in Ireland on top of his French accent.) as you can see from my green, white and orange shot concoction that was made for me.


So it was back home by 3 am, in bed by 3:30, and out the door in the morning at 4:30 for my cab to the airport.

And THAT, my friends, is how you do Paris in a day and a half.

2 comments:

  1. Mom & I happily consuming new blog entry. On the road south near Gainesville. in love with your smiley face. NOw Go' do your homework! (only kidding)

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  2. that IS how you do it i guess. can't wait to show brooks you with the irish flag...
    so, how'd you like your first sip of alcohol?

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