Non!

An important word to understand in Paris. Also important is the proper, indignant pronounciation of the word. An upturned nose helps.

Aside from the Parisians, Paris was breathtaking. In all seriousness (and surprisingly), we didn't have any real problems with French people. Aside from a lady hitting me. But that'll come up later.

The first night in Paris we had pizza for dinner (of course....) and walked from Montmarte (where our hostel was) to the Arc de Triumphe and the Eiffel Tower. A lesson to those travelling to Paris: just because you can see the Eiffel Tower does not mean that it is close. After an hour and a half walk, we experienced the Tower at night, in all its sparkling glory (they have flash bulbs all over the thing).

We woke up bright and early on Saturday to meet up with one of Phil's friends, and went to the Musee d'Orsay, which is an amazing impressionism museum. Some great stuff, including Whistler's Mother, Van Gogh's Self Portrait, and Monet's Waterlilies (some of which I had already seen at the Tate Modern Museum here in London). It was here that I was assaulted though. Flash photography isn't allowed in the Museum, but some guy wanted me to take a picture of him and Van Gogh together (I'm not sure how much Van Gogh wanted it, but I digress). So I aimed the camera, snapped the picture, and pop! went the flash bulb. Immediately, a French lady (who didn't even work there!) slapped my arm and yelled, in a hilarious French accent, "No Flash!!" Before I could even explain myself, the guy grabbed his camera and ran, and the lady was gone, babbling some crap about it "being annoying." Man, the French have a high opinion of themselves.

Next stop was the Cathedral of Notre Dame, which is just as impressive as the English pronounciation of the same place. The place is big and impressive, but alas, no gypsies or people with poor backs. Lots of gargoyles though.

That night we explored more of Montmarte, and ate outside at a great cafe. And, sure enough, French Onion Soup in France is just 'Onion Soup.' Makes sense.

Sunday we went to mass at Sacre Coure, which is a large, domed, white church at the top of Montmarte. Great views of the city, and a very hard-to-follow mass (seeing that it was in French). We then Metro'ed to the Eiffel Tower (we had learned our lesson) and went to the top. Brilliant thing to do when you're afraid of heights.

But they had a cage (thank the Lord), and the view was phenominal from the tallest structure in Europe. After taking the lift back down, we wandered around and grabbed dinner in a cute cafe with a great view of the Tower.

That night we went to a great bar where the drunk-off-his-ass owner gave us a free round of drinks. Sweet stuff.

Monday we did the Louvre. For four hours. And I feel like I still haven't seen most of it. We saw all the big stuff (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, etc), most of the medium stuff (Napolean's Coronation, Hammurabi's Code), and a whole bunch of well-known but largely ignored stuff at the museum (its hard to get press when that damn smiling woman attracts so many visitors). Honestly, its probably the best museum I've ever been to. Definitely worth the 9 euro, and definitely not the Uffizi (thank God).

After we got Louvred, we took a nap. In the park outside the Louvre. In the dirt. We felt homeless, but it was good times (and a good nap!).

All in all, I would definitely love to go back to Paris, maybe with money next time. That way I could buy even more crepes. Man those things were good.

Pictures up soon, and yes I know I missed the week before Paris. So here's what happened: not much. I had my job interview, which went well, but still no word. I did go to the British Library though, and saw their impressive exhibit. They have the original Magna Carta, the second Bible ever printed, the first King James' Bible, Shakespeare's first Quarto, Handel's Messiah score, and even the original Alice in Wonderland. Very cool to see.

And then there was the week following Paris. Again, not too much. I finally got to St. James's Park (the one by Buckingham Palace, and literally 2 minutes from our classroom building), but it rained on me and Molly. So much for our picnic plans.

I should be hearing about my job on Monday, so there's a chance I may be in London for two more months. If I don't get it though, I'm out of here in just over a week (May 18th). Ahh!! Its been fun, and fortunately there's not too much left in London I feel I need to do. I know my bank account appreciates that.