Day 21 was a travel day. We had the morning in London. A lot of people spent it running around putting together last minute packing. My morning was really relaxed. I got to put my make-up bag in my suitcase, and I got to put all my last minute touches. I got to totally relax. I wrote some emails and worked on some more blogs. Unfortunately the rest of the day wouldn't be as calm or relaxing. We met downstairs and gave our room keys to the desk. It was sad to say goodbye to a city that treated us so well. Then our massive group headed toward the tube station. I bet everyone on the street hated us or thought we were ridiculous Americans. We then got on the metro trying to be out of everyone’s way. IT was also difficult to get everything up and on the train. We rode the tube to the train station where we again had to hustle off quickly. The stairs were the worst part. Most of us had really heavy suitcases that were difficult to lift. I had two carry-ons and a suitcase. It wasn't my favorite moment. I was exhausted and sweating a bunch. We then made our way to the security check, which was another hassle but not nearly as bad as the tube or stairs. We then chilled waiting for our train to leave. I had a great coffee and a little breakfast. I just chilled with the group and then we climbed up the escalator and headed toward our cabin. We put our stuff in but there wasn't enough space for the luggage. So we kind of put it in the aisle. We then had to move it and put it in the food car. It all worked out luckily. We got off the train and headed over to a place we would be out of the way. Darrin and Susie went off to see if we could get a taxi or something so we wouldn't have to worry about pick pockets or the hassle of a metro we didn't know. Unfortunately we couldn't get one, so off we went to try and get through the metro with no problem. I remember it being a total hassle and we all tried to blend into the background. I felt bad for all the people who had to deal with our big group. All the stairs in the heat was really terrible. I was sweating buckets of sweat. I was plain nasty. It didn't really feel like Paris either. It felt like we were just on a metro in a haze. Then I pointed out the window to show Changmok and Andrea we really were here. Because out the window was the Eiffel Tower! It was towering in the skyline. The sight brought a smile to all our faces. I think we were all a little uncomfortable and couldn't really enjoy it though. It was so hot and humid, very different from London, that we were slugs. We all just wanted to get to our hotel and settle down. Our hotel was really small and close to the station. The elevator only fit 3 people, which is fine because these stairs are ten times easier to climb then the stiars in the flat. So we took turns going up with our suitcases. I was rooming with Stacie, Madi, and Stephanie. I was the last one up so didn't get to choose my bed, but we all had individual beds so it was fine, and I try and roll with the punches. The room was really cramped, especially with really large suitcases. We all tried to work on being presentable then we headed off to dinner at Amalfi's. It is this pizza place that the students frequent. It was cool cause they were really excited for us! I just ordered a salad as I wasn't very hungry and a salad sounded wonderful after such a hot day. I then got an ice cream for desert. It was so good! The waiters were all really nice too and made us feel really welcome, even if we couldn't speak French. After an hour break that we took for dinner we met at the metro station and then walked to the Eiffel Tower. It gets dark way late in Paris so at 10 it wasn't dark yet. When we got there it was beautiful the Tower was all lit up and truly breath taking. We all took pictures and glowed in the new place glow. We were so excited to experience what Paris had to offer. But as any tourist spot you are going to have the vendors. I don't know how many we had walk by us and try and get us to buy something. There was one item that was really cool. They were these flying things that lit up and you shoot them into the air. I thought that some of the younger family members would love them, so Darrin worked a deal for me. I got 4 for 14 when he originally wanted 1 for 5 euro. We then made our way under the Eiffel Tower while Darrin tried to get 30 for a really cheap price. He was trying to get a deal for the group. That night was also the start of a quest to get free Eiffel Tower key chains. Laura had the magic. I don't know how many she ended up getting free but it was quite a bit. She got me one on our last day in Paris. She has this thing I like to call the Giggle Smile. Basically she smiles and giggles at the same time or laughs and then beams her pearly whites.
We then decided it was time to head back it was getting late and we had yet to blog, shower, and sleep. We walked back to the hotel and tried to get online. It took forever and I only got it for five minutes. Pretty sucky. I decided I would just deal with it tomorrow and so I took a hot shower!! It was a luxury and I loved it! I was in there for a while just enjoying the hot water. At one I went to bed and I was out so quickly. I don't even know when the others went to bed. I was out.
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| the Eiffel Tower at night! |
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| Pretty Iconic huh? |
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| Me and the Tower! |
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| It sparkling with flash |
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| Sparkling without flash |
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