Then it was off to Paris - the city of Love. When we first got there, I was wide-eyed like you couldn't believe. Not to editorialize already, but there is no comparison between Paris and London. The limestone walls all at the same height, Arc De Triumph with the roundabout was something to behold, the buildings, the statues, and of course the Eiffle Tower. We were in Paris for only two nights including the one we just traveled there. So a group and I that I had got friendly with on the Ferry Ride across the English Channel decided we would go up there tonight so it would free up the day tomorrow. I had waited to see if the woman who I already had my eye on wanted to go up, and I think she said no, because they would be coming back another time. So the group and I went up there... took the countless number of steps up to the second level and then took the elevator up to the top. I knew at the time it wouldnt be best for photos at night, but best for you to be up there for yourself. Lines, lines, and lines even at this late hour. I was with my group still at the top, however I had noticed I was at a juncture in the line where I could be going down the elevators instead of looping around the top of the tower at the end of the line. And instead of waiting with them and being ethical, I decided to take the easier, wiser, and more efficient way of getting down the tower by cutting the line. Ridicule me all you want, but that is who I am. I had to be my usual leader independent self, and went down the path closer the elevators, instead of waiting with the group. I am someone who always puts logic, rationale, and reason ahead of ethics and morals. Thankfully as I was taken down to the 2nd level, I had noticed familiar faces with our tour, and they were so kind to take me back to our hotel.

The next day I had everything laid out on the map I wanted to see, just no one who shared the same itinerary to see it with. I had it all planned out - the itinerary was to go from the Perfumery with the entire tour then travel on the Metro to Arc De Triumph, then from there walk down the famous Champs Elysees, see Sarkozy and Carla Bruni's mansion at the end of the avenue, go down to see Napolean's Tomb in Invalides, and then back up across the river to the Louvre which happened to be closed on the day we were there (couldve made it on our travel day), and then back to our meeting point where the bus was scheduled to pick us up at Orsey De Musee. The night before my roomie and I were going through the women on the tour, we had talked about the one that was with us up on the Eiffle Tower, but I asked him about the one other brunette if he knew her name, and didnt know which one I was referring to, but I assured him, that was the one I wanted to be with and was waiting for my chance to sit with her on the coach.

The next day that chance came about. As soon as I got on the bus, I immediately saw where she was, and it worked out so that I was able to sit next to a brother and sister from Purdue who I had become most acquainted with since the tour started, and the woman of my dreams was seated right in front of me. I started talking , we talked about the traffic, made a comment how awesome it was how our huge tour bus went in the roundabout 'full stried ahead' with everyone stopping to make way, I also mentioned how I couldnt believe the Louvre was closed and I told her I still thought we couldve made it the day before, and told her I was interested in seeing Carla Bruni and she made the funniest line that I should jump the walls to see her as if she had known me and my personality already. While showing her my itinerary for the day, I asked her if she wanted to see the same sites, she agreed, and the rest was history from there.

After smelling all the perfume in the perfumery, I started to get antsy and wanted to get going to see the sights. 5 of us finally left for the metro en route to Arc De Triumph. I was already nervous, here I am, first time in Paris, and it turns out I may be the only one that knows where I am going. We got to Arc De Triumph after one stop on the metro. We got out, and wow there it was. Knowing my personality, I really did want to run across the roundabout, but after pictures we took the underground tunnel to the other side underneath the Arc. We took more photographs, and then it was off to Champs Elysees. We parted ways with the couple, and so it was just me with the brunette and her friend. We were walking along going in the most famous stores in the world, and I then told them all I needed to do was find a postcard to write to my Nana, their response was awwwwwww.  They helped me pick one out, and we took a break, and I wrote it out, I had no idea what to write, I put something down, I even let the brunette read it, I wrote something like Paris is simply beautiful and I am writing to you from Champs Elysses - that’s how I spelled it. And then we started walking, and I let her read the card that I had written and she couldn’t believe I didn’t even write Dear Nana on it, so I did, she started to poke fun at what I put, and then finally she was able to get  my name as it was on the bottom stating Christopher. The way she said it with her accent was all it took for me to know this was the woman for me.  

Posted 5/29/09

Off to Europe! - Au revoir!

For the first time, I am off to England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Greece. Au revoir!