Belle Par-ee

Ok, so I know this blogging thing has somehow fallen behind methodology essays and reading a creepy modern French novel, but I'm catching up now.  In fact, I'll cover both trips to Paris right now!

Melissa's sister and brother-in-law flew over to visit during Easter vacation.  So we went to Paris and Marseille.  We saw all the regular stuff in Paris - Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre.  We also visited the Catacombes, which despite the creepy factor, are more interesting than another cathedral.  What turned out to be more interesting was how Nicolette enlightened us to the omnipresence of metro germs; if you've walked in a metro station, your shoes pass metro germs to the carpet of the hotel room, and if you EVER walk barefoot in the hotel, metro germs will be IN YOUR BED.  Beware, folks.

The second time, we took a bus up with the International Centre, just for the weekend.  Aside from the super small seats in the bus, and fighting for my friend's legroom with some rude people, it was good.  We saw the Versailles gardens, which were flower-free, but still pretty impressive.  Oh, did I mention we had to pay six euro to enter (it's usually free) because of some music being piped through speakers hidden in the bushes?

The weather was nice both times in Paris, so we had lots of picnics in the Luxembourg Gardens.  Now that we've seen all the must-see sights there, we're able to enjoy the city in a more relaxed way - such as taking a boat tour of the Seine.  We discovered the best bookstore ever, right by Notre-Dame.  I bought a couple, and have them stamped with "Shakespeare and Company: Kilometer Zero Paris."

So I'm actually starting to like Paris more than during my first jet-lagged impressions, and I'm actually headed back for a couple days when Melissa's dad and brother come.

Nicolette and I SHOPPING.  Please don't comment.
Melissa's sister Nicolette and Ben in Marseille
So we went to Sainte-Chapelle, and they were trying to charge us 8 euro.  Melissa suddenly became absorbed in photographing minute details of the church, subtly bypassing the "entrée interdit" sign in the process.  This left me with no option but to follow her in the back entrance of the church.  We were in free, took some photos and left.  Later on, Ella and Amanda R. were telling us how awesome the windows were, and it turns out we only saw the basement.