Paris

After Rome, I was so exhausted, and I really just wanted to go home.

Preferably on a flight back to my (apparently hypothetical) Minneapolis home,

but Dublin home sounded good (and more probable) too.

One mishap, two taxi rides and a good heap of sleepy frustration later,

we arrived at our hostel.

Now, we booked at one of the cheapest hostels we could find that had a decent review, and settled on The Peace and Love Hostel. We first located the hostel by the HUGE NEON SIGN. Under the sign, was a bar. This is about 1:45 in the morning... So we walk into the bar. the bar is the reception desk, and the bartender is our cheerful receptionist. Finish checking in, go up to the room, to which there is not a key. this makes me nervous, but I continue on. The room is the size of an average dorm room. There are four 3-high bunk beds. And one cot. The room smells funky and all other 11 people's luggage is strewn about on the very little floor space. I climb up to one of the empty beds and go to sleep. --I completely forgot to take any pictures of the hostel, for which I am kicking myself, but it really was probably more of a you had to be there type of thing.

Next Day: Rain. Lots of rain. The rain makes everything look dirty and disgusting. The rain makes me hate Paris. Croissants make me happier.

Head to the L'ouvre. See the Mona Lisa, a few other things, and get dragged away. Intend to go back, never do. Next stop: Museé d'Orsay. Monets, van Goughs and Courbets and Degas'. and others. So much more appreciated by me. I would have spent forever in there had it been up to me. Walked around near the Champs-Elysees and headed back to the hostel. FABULOUS DINNER. First salad in Europe. (The mom did the math, said 54 days without a salad?!) It was 9 euros, and it was HUGE. The size of the mixing bowl Joey and I use for Guac. --The Engelharts can attest that this is a BIG bowl. Anyway, great salad leaves, great dressing, great tomatoes, and then, the BEST PART. [and yes, short of the Monets, the salad was the highlight of Paris at this point] Anyway, the best part was three toasted baguette slices with warmed and seasoned goats cheese on top. Probably one of the top 3 best European meals I've had my entire semester.

Next Day: More time on the actual Champs-Elysees. 20 euro for cough medicine from a very nice Parisian chemist. The Arc de Triomphe-- can't stop thinking, "did you mean French Military losses?" Oh google. I hope you remember how I professed my love for you when you take over the world. Can everyone tell I'm writing this portion while it's late? Hahaha.

Notre Dame. I think I had a baguette for dinner. Tour de Eiffel at night. Quote, "Is everyone happy? I've seen the fricken Eiffel Tower" After Italy, I felt like I had seen so much, done so much, and really worn down. I was feeling like I couldn't handle any thing else, especially the Eiffel fucking Tower. Its just such the cliche image of Paris, and of France. I've already seen thousands of incarnations of it on everything, but I did go and see it, and I'm happy I did.

Final day: very happy to be getting back to Dublin. Late flight, spend the morning and early afternoon eating croissants and wandering to the Montmartre (mountain of the martyr) neighbourhood. The Sacré-cœur is a beautiful Basilique on the top of the hill and the highest point in the city. Montmarte is known as the Artist's quarter. Lots of famous artists had studios up there when they were in Paris---INCLUDING Salvador Dalí. There's a Dalí museé and I spent an amazing hour inside of it. Cant wait to get to Spain and St. Petersburg, FL. A new goal in life is to own an original Dalí. (Wish me luck). Buy lots of postcards and head to the airport. Baguette and large wedge of brie for lunch/dinner in the airport-2.5 euro. Both the price and the nourishment are delightful and greatly appreciated.

Now if you're reading this, you probably know how I feel about over-hyped things. I didn't avoid reading/seeing Harry Potter because I had anything against wizards and magic. I did it because I cant stand things that loads of people are into. It just seems too easy, like those people aren't developing their own tastes and interests, as if their just following what everyone else is reading because that way they dont have to think about what they're actually interested in. I just am repelled by those things... Same with Lord of the Rings and Twilight--although I'm pretty sure I never would have touched the latter regardless of the size of the fan base. I think its just really boring to have read the same thing as 500 million other people. And I think over-popular things tend to be dumbed down and shallow, thats why its easily marketed. Its not groundbreaking, its not controversial, its just easy. And they choke out more legitimate, more thoughtful works. Anyway, I bring this up not only because it's interesting and something I feel strongly about, but because I was thinking of this in regards to Paris.

Everyone always says, well, I dont really know, but people seem to really love love luhhhh-ve Paris. Paris, je t'aime. Lots of people. And despite the rain, being sick, poor, tired and overwhelmed by sightseeing, I really did enjoy my Parisian trip. But the words catch in my mouth if I try to say I loved it. Something was off for me. I really really liked it, but it wasnt love.