La Belle Vie

Okay, so overdue update #2. Two weekends ago was Ata's birthday, and not just any birthday, but her 21st. So of course, we had to do it big. In Europe, we've been legal for years, so to make her birthday exciting, we decided we had to go to...

Yup, that's right. Paris.

Ata, Ben, and I left for Paris on Thursday night (the 28th since this late post makes dates confusing) and arrived in Paris around 11 pm, where we met up with Ata's friend from Denison, Nina. After wandering the neighborhood by our hostel, (The Aloha Hostel, since apparently Paris is now located in Hawaii), we went to bed early so we could be up and ready to go in the morning.

We got up around 8:30 and left the hostel by 9:00 to begin our jam-packed day. Our goal was to see as much of Paris as possible in one weekend...and we succeeded. We started our morning by going to the Eiffel Tower and climbing up to the 2nd level. The view, was spectacular.

After taking in the view we climbed our way back down the 669 steps and got ourselves some well-deserved breakfast. Even at a random cafe on the side of the road, the food in Paris is unreal.

My DELICIOUS croque monsieur

We then made our way to Napoleon's Tomb. Now, don't get me wrong, I know he was an impressive dude, but I really didn't expect much from his tomb. Didn't seem like much to get excited over. CLEARLY, I was wrong.

The tomb...for a tiny guy, sure needs a big tomb.

The tomb was so well thought out; I was blown away. Around the base of the tomb lists the military victories of Napoleon, while the walls of the room depict carvings of his civilian accomplishments. The whole thing really was a tribute to all that he did.

After Napoleon, we made our way to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the part of the trip I was most anticipating. Something about that Cathedral is absolutely stunning to me, and I was so excited.

By then it was time to go home, so we decided to attempt to act like the locals, and take the Metro. But instead of PAYING, we decided to sneak on. Everything worked out until we discovered that much like in DC, you have to use your ticket to get in...and out. After switching to various metros, we found one we were able to sneak out of, took a cab home, and raced like maniacs to get to our dinner cruise on time. On the way, I managed to break my shoe, so that I had to run under the Eiffel Tower barefoot. But hey, at least I can say I've done that now!

The dinner cruise was phenomenal. Amazing views, delicious dinner, and some hilarious photographs later, we were relaxed, full, and happy.

The girls on the boat...notice my hand-fixed shoe???

The cruise docked right by the Eiffel Tower, so we went over to the lawn and sat and took in one of the most beautiful sights I've seen. There is nothing like the Eiffel Tower at night, and to see it in person was something I'll remember.

 

After enjoying some champagne and vodka on a bench near the hostel, we headed to bed...exhausted.

The next day we woke up slightly later, around 9:30 and headed out once again for our second day in Paris. Our first stop was the Louvre.

 

After wandering around in the hall of Ancient Mesopotamia, I stumbled upon this...

 That's correct. Hammurabi's Code. Absolutely amazing.

We then continued on to the Champs-Élysées where we putzed around for a few hours. The stores there make the Short Hills Mall look cheap, and there was actually a LINE outside of Louis Vuitton.

 

Nina, with the tourists on line at LV

Next on our itinerary was the Arc du Triomphe. I had NO IDEA that you could climb to the top of that as well, so we did, and yet again, a beautiful view.

Me, Ben, and Nina atop the Arc

After the Arc we made our way to Montemartre. My God is that place beautiful. It's entirely different than the rest of Paris and I loved it. If I go back to Paris, I know I'll be spending more time there. We made it up there just in time for sunset by the basilica at Sacre Coeur. The combination of the sunset, being in Paris...I don't know but I found myself tearing up. Absolutely amazing. We all bought a bottle of wine (each) and then sat outside the Moulin Rouge and enjoyed.

Me, Ben, and Nina enjoying our bottles :)

We finally wandered back to the hotel where it was time to celebrate Ata's birthday. Ben passed out before we went out, but the girls wanted out to Cafe Oz for some partying. Pictures of that night should NEVER be seen by the public, but here's one for a sample...

No words. At all.

The night wouldn't have been complete without us standing outside for a cab from 4-5:30 in the morning desperately trying to hail a cab so that Nina could make her 7 am plane. After much frustration and drunken phone call attempts, we managed to get her a cab and off to her plane (which she made, thankfully).


A wonderful weekend in Paris. Happy birthday Ata, hope it was memorable!!