Viva Paris

So our last days in Paris were busy ones. We realized that we had been a little too laid back and that we had a few things we still wanted to see and not much time. This included heading to the Orsay museum, seeing the Luxembourg Gardens, visiting the graveyard where Jim Morrison and Chopin were buried and going up and in the Eiffel Tower. We also took a short cruise on the river Seine. The Orsay Museum was filled with paintings by some very famous artists including Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir and many others. We actually enjoyed this museum more than the Louvre. We went in the evening which was cheaper and was kind of fun since we haven't really been out that late except to see the Eiffel Tower. We spent about 4 hours wondering around and Luke and I actually split up and toured a large part of the museum separately.


The gardens in Paris are beautiful and we especially enjoyed Luxembourg. Lots of statues and flowers and tons of chairs so that people can sit and enjoy the views. The cemetery was actually very interesting and we wished we had more time there because there were quite a few famous people that were buried there. However, our time was very limited because after seeing Chopin's grave we had to hurry and see Morrison's. When it is time for the graveyard to close, staff wonder around ringing bells and rounding up the people. So our time there was quick but it was fun to be rounded up by a bell and escorted to the exit.


On Sunday morning before we left, we went to the tower at 9:00 a.m. and stood in line for about 90 minutes. We then were squeezed into an elevator and taken up to the second level, where we then had to walk around the base and squeeze into another line to get on a different elevator to go to the top. Now it felt like a process to see the famous site but we read that it was just something you had to do. From the very top of the tower, you can see an amazing panoramic view of Paris. It was a little high to distinguish actual sights but still a great view. The next deck is the second level which you get back in a line to go down the elevator to but the view is much better and you can easily spot landmarks. We had fun being inside the Eiffel Tower and felt like it was worth the cost and time.


Paris was such a wonderful place to stay and we are so thankful that we had the opportunity to stay there. Although, we highly recommend learning conversational French though you can get by without. We also recommend learning the public transit system which really makes you feel connected to the city. Our last memory there will be riding on the metro to make it to the train station to catch the Eurostar to London. Our first mistake was that we had the wrong departure time so we actually were already running late without knowing it (when I say we, I mean Luke). Our second mistake, or rather issue, was that the metro we were on which was a direct route all of a sudden went out of service. However, that and the reasons why were all broadcasted in French so we had to scramble and take two different metro lines to get to the train station. This means that we missed our train to London. However, the staff was very helpful and we were able to get on the next Eurostar train to London at no additional cost. It was a bit of a hectic way to leave Paris but something we figure we'll remember.


We are finding that as we work our way to Dublin, where we end our trip, that we are actually very anxious for home. As of today we have been traveling for 10 weeks. That's a long time to be living out of a suitcase and to be living like a nomad. We are missing the comforts of our own space and bed as well as our family and friends! It is exciting to be here in Europe but it also makes us thankful for a stable place to live and a routine. We are looking forward to the holidays and comfort that only our home can give!