It has been another fantastic couple of days with Ashlee. Yesterday she came to my school for lunch. I took her to Kayser so she could have a French sandwich. We split a brie and then a chicken sandwich, and enjoyed their amazing cookies. After I was done with my French class, we headed off to Monmarte. I took her to Sacre Coeur and I was so happy that the weather cooperated this time. The sky was blue with white, fluffy clouds. And of course the view from the top was absolutely beautiful. I find it hilarious that we can see the one skyscraper, and the Eiffel Tower. It is as though both of them are dueling. But I refuse to enter Monmarte based on principle. I don't think I'd forgive myself if I went into it. I also love Sacre Coeur because it is the one view where you can literally see everything in the city. Ash and I took some pics and then went inside for a tour of the Church. Afterwards we wandered around for awhile before heading off to the Moulin Rouge. As we were walking to the Moulin Rouge we passed through the red light district of Paris. It has nothing on Amsterdam, but did make for some interesting scenery while we were walking. The Moulin Rouge itself was a tad disappointing, but it was still worth the walk. From there we made our way to Van Gogh's house. When were done with that we wandered to Luxembourg gardens, but they were closed so we decided to come back the next day and went back to my dorm. We chilled there for a while and then we went to the Frog and the British Library for dinner. The Frog and the British Library is a British based microbrewery. They brew six kinds of beers, and have classic "pub" food. Ash and I each ordered a pint and the cheeseburger. It was my first cheeseburger in Paris! We had another pint after our meal, so now I have tasted all six beers and I must say that the Parisytic is my favorite. I have become a dark beer drinker. I blame Guinness. Also, our waiter was absolutely adorable. I had a crush on him. When we were going to leave he asked me about beer, and if I was studying in Paris. Definitely going back there for some drinks and a meal.
When Ash and I got back we skyped my family. It was so great to talk to everyone and see them. Despite the immense amount of happiness I have here, I do miss them. I loved hearing about Mark's collegiate experience, watching my mom do goofy things because I'm sure the concept of skype is amazing to her, and then to talk to Barby and Jim. It reminded me that I do have a life back home, a life that I do in fact love, just in an entirely different way. Ash and I decided to call it an early night (and by early I mean midnight), and go to bed so we could get up early tomorrow and have the quintessential Parisien day.
Ash and I woke up to the sound of a jackhammer. They are doing construction on the elevator and so naturally they had to start at 8:45 am. At least it gave us a reason to hustle out of the dorm. We hopped on the metro and headed off to the Eiffel Tower so Ash could see it during the day and from the fountain across the street. We had a pain au chocolat for breakfast, and then headed over. Even though the weather was freezing, the sky was crystal clear and the Eiffel Tower was looking as lovely as ever. We took some pictures, were hounded by some peddlers, and just took in the general splendor of the view. After seeing the Eiffel Tower, we went off to the Luxembourg Gardens. They are not as magnificent as if it were spring or summer, but they are still beautiful. We walked around the gardens and enjoyed the statues before it was time to head off to our lunch reservation at Procope, the oldest restaurant in Paris. The setting for the restaurant is still old-fashioned, and the music adds to the mood. We both had chicken and potatoes with gravy. We had a table by the alley window and so we enjoyed people watching. Our meal was quite good, and I am glad that I was able to take Ash somewhere that is considered to be "French", but really the French don't have a cuisine. They have a style of eating. You eat an appetizer, main course, dessert and coffee and you take your time doing so.
After the restaurant it was time to shop! We got off at Concorde so Ashlee could see the Obelisk de Luxor and so I could FINALLY get my picture by it. From there, we walked to the Champs-Elysses, but as we were walking we got to pass the Christmas Market. It was really cool and I am definitely going to be taking my family there when they visit. Ashlee and I shopped for a few hours. She got a top and sweater, and I got four new shirts. It started snowing as were walking in between stores, creating a perfect day in Paris and making me the happiest person in the entire world. We continued shopping, and then when we were heading back the lights came on. It put the cherry on top of a great shopping day. As we were walking to get macarons, we took pictures of the lights and the different side of the market. Since Laudre's line was ridiculously long, Ash and I decided to go to Angelina. It was a great decision. The woman gave us two free macarons and we got to get hot chocolate to go. I took a picture of Ashlee eating her first macaron, and I am happy to report that the macaron is her favorite dessert in Paris.
We were going to go get her jewelery and my Longchamp purse after, but the combination of the trains being full and me going to the wrong stop prevented that from happening. So we headed back to the dorm, and that is where we currently are. It wasn't until we got here that we realized that the twelve hours of being out was exhausting. In a few we are heading off to Chinatown to eat dinner, and then it is time to pack because Ash is leaving again for the states. But tomorrow is going to be another great day. Jennifer and I are going to one of the Frog Pubs, then I am going to see Harry Potter with Dasha. And then Sunday is a me day. I am going to wander Paris and just enjoy one of my last weekends in this beautiful city that I have come to love and adore more than anything in the entire world. Until next time.
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