Bonjour

I have been in Paris for three days and I love it! There is so much to see and I have made a pretty good dent already.

When I arrived in Paris I was pretty stressed out. The train ride from Brugges involved 3 connections so that was pretty nerve wracking but I made all of them. Then when I went to Tourist Information for some guidance as to where my hostel was, I was told it wasn't even in Paris! I started to panic at that point but not to worry, it is in a neighbourhood (Clichy) just outside the Peripherique but still connected to Paris through the Metro.

The evening I arrived, Justin took me for a walk from the hostel all the way to centre Paris. It was great to see the monuments along the way. I can't belive I am in Paris. It is so large and can be very overwhelming but I am just going with the flow.

On my first full day I walked for 15 hours!!! I did the free walking tour through centre Paris and then went to the Musee d'Orsay before doing the Montmartre walking tour. I really deserved the free beer at the end! Of course, then a couple of the girls on the tour wanted to go to the Eiffel Tower at night so we eventually made our way there. It was a long day but I loved it!

Yesterday, I spent most of the day alone which got a little tiresome. Yes I know, I am a thrilling and exciting person but even I was getting sick of myself (ha ha). I tried to minimize the walking but didn't have a lot of success. I did end up going to Notre Dame and my favourite museum in Europe so far... Musee l'Orangerie. It has Monet's Water Lilles series and it was incredible to sit in the large oval room and be surrounded by the large panels of water lilly scenes. When I can, I will post pictures. I was going to have an early night because I have been up really late every night for at least a week but alas, I met another boy. And of course, I had to take him out on the town. Good times!

So, what can I say about Paris? It is very beautiful, filled with stunning architecture and monuments. But it can swallow you whole. It is so large and filled with people that at times I am extremely overwhelmed. But then I just have to take my baguette and sit in a park and people watch (just like to Parisiennes do).

It is also very romantic and a place to come with someone you love (or at least like), not necessarily alone like I have done! But I am enjoying my time and will head to the Louvre today. Wish me luck!

I will talk to you all later. Love, Lisa