Day 2. Paris

I landed in Paris this morning and it was f'n freezing. I realized very quickly that the fleece-lined hooded sweatshirt was likely not going to cut it on this whole trip. My mind was so pre-occupied that I didn't even think to pack a coat.

That and I always struggle with Celsius vs. Fahrenheit.

And military time. But I can't blame that for why I didn't pack properly!

After a bit of a panic, Super Shuttle arrived and brought me to the adorable apartment Amy & I are renting. The bed was calling my name. And the hardest choice of the day was upon me. Sleep or go out?

I decided to go out and I'm so glad. Amy & I walked around our neighborhood, Montmartre, which as it turns out is where a lot of the movie Amélie was filmed.

We saw Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

The Place du Tertre, where artists are painting tourists

And got my first view of the Eiffel Tower

Afterwards, we hopped on the metro (which is incredibly easy to use, and clean, and very reliable) and went over to place de la Concorde where we saw:

Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe, which of course reminded me of Katie

Walked through the Jardin des Tuileries where we sat in the sun and did some great people watching

Explored the grounds of the Musee du Louvre

And then went to the Musee de l'Orangerie where we saw a beautiful Monet water lily exhibit

Our night was spectacular! Amy and heard about a fondue restaurant in our village from the cab driver who brought her in from the airport. So we got there right when it opened (otherwise, you could wait for a while) and were seated right away.

A quirks about the place:
There are only two long tables against each side of the tiny restaurant. To get into the table against the wall, you have to step on a chair and step over the table to be seated. Because of the way the seating is designed, it's essentially communal eating. (Believe me, Amy & I actually had some of the food from the people sitting next to us!) And, to avoid having to pay wine taxes, instead of having your drink served in a wine glass, it's actually served in baby bottles. For real.

The food was a little disappointing, and the atmosphere was bananas. But it was a truly unique and fun experience.

Afterward, Amy and I walked around some more and:

Purchased some "French berets" and wore them like aholes for the rest of the night.

Fell in love with the beurre-sucre crepe

Took pictures outside Moulin Rouge (and threatened to go inside)

And ended the night with a trip to the cafe Amélie worked in, Café les Deux Moulins

Actually that's not true. Amy and I got into our usual end of the night post-drinking nonsense which you can see here

This is when I yelled "Pretend to drive like you mean it!"

Our neighborhood at night was gorgeous

And I had a lovely birthday.

Je t'aime Paris!