Thoughts and Impressions Day 3 by G

Today started out and ended much better than the other two days. We were rested and we were ready to check out the city. First breakfast at a boulangerie (not sure of the spelling) a bakery for you English speaking people. Had a delicious something with cream in the center. Then onto the Eiffel tower, which was still closed. So we decided to walk for a bit and get to a place where we could see the entire tower and photograph it. What to do now? This proved a big decision, we finally decided on Chateau Versailles, now how to get there the bus or the metro. I really like the metro so I chose it and we went into the underground maze once again. This time we stopped and asked for directions, after that we still were not sure which train to get on so we decided to go to the Louvre. We overheard someone ask how to go there and it sounded much easier. We never made it to the Louvre. After a few minutes on the train and a good study of the map I realized we were very close to the Arch de Triumph. I have wanted to see this for a long time so we decided to go there before the Louvre. We thought it was neat but we were not sure about paying 15 Euro to go inside of it but I really wanted to so we decide to go anyway. Many steps up to the top but we finally made it. Kelly was out of breath so we relaxed on a bench before looking around. Not much to see but I found another stairway that lead further up so up we went even though Kelly didn’t want to go. On this level we found a gift shop, after looking around there we were about to leave when I remembered another doorway and I decided to see what it was. Too our surprise it was more steps up so up we went and this was the best part, it took us to the top and we were outside walking around on top of the Arch. We had an awesome view of Paris and we were glad that we found the steps to the top. It made the 15 Euro well worth it. After spending a while looking around at the views of the city we headed back down to make our way to our next destination. We were still heading to the Louvre but we decided to walk a bit through the famous shopping district L’avenue des Champs-Élysées. We saw a store named after Morgan, had lunch at the Pom de Pain that Taylor and I ate at when were here, this time we ate outside like the French do. Walked closer to the Louvre before deciding to take a train to Chateau Versailles. While on the train we were asked to show our tickets and found out that our day pass was not good for where we were going. OOPS 30 Euro per person fine for a 3 Euro ticket! Lucky for us the guy only charged us the 3 Euros per ticket and explained to us that we would need to get the proper ticket to get back. Made it to Versailles but opted not to go inside but just walk around the outside and see the gardens. Not much to see when it is mostly covered in snow but still was able to see a part of France I had never been to before now. Coming back we were not sure what train to get on and once we found the train we were not sure what stop to get off. Decided to get off at the Eiffel Tower stop since we could walk to the hotel from the tower. The Eiffel Tower was open but only to the second level and the line was at least 2 hours long so we opted not to go up, instead we decided to have dinner. Found a restaurant and bar and ordered French Onion soup, vegetable soup and grilled ham and cheese and got what we ordered. It was all very good once again, after dinner we headed back to the hotel for some much needed rest. More tomorrow.

- G