You can lose yourself in Paris, literally

So, this morning we got up at the bright and early hour of 9:30am.  We didn't sleep too well last night because we were being serenading but a large crowd of French guys in the bar downstairs.  It was hilarious.  I had no idea they like to sing THAT much.  It sounded like they were really enjoying themselves, although today I saw a sign that said something like, "Silence Zone, no drinks or obnoxious behavior beyond this point."  The rest of the night was well-rounded with a HUGE argument between a boyfriend and girlfriend in the street below, both shouting at each other at the tops of their lungs.  Finally, some lady went out and made them stop.  The French certainly are passionate about their opinions.

The first thing on the agenda today was to get new phones.  We figured out that we could just use our cell phones from France and just buy SIM cards.

So we set out in what we thought was the right direction.  About an hour later, we found ourselves at the same place we had started from.  I don't know what we did, or how we did it.  As it turns out, the phone shop was literally a half a block from our hotel.

We went in, and, I am so proud to say that we completed the transaction completely in French, which made me feel a lot better about myself.  They know you're an American just by looking at you, but they can be very helpful in understanding that you may not know their language very well. SCORE!!

After that, we decided to try the metro.  I think I like the Tube better, but the Metro was not a bad experience.  As far as sightseeing goes, we saw Le Tour Eiffel, the Rue de Bac, and the Paris catacombs.  The Catacombs were really cool, and kind of creepy.  Parts were lined with bones.

After the catacombs, we decided to walk home...across Paris.  It was through the part of town where it seems that the normal Parisiens live.  I liked it a lot better than the touristy parts..  Unfortunately, we got lost several times, and then went to chill in the Luxembourg gardens, where I got sunburned.

Somehow, we managed to get home, after walking in the wrong direction, around the block, and backtracking.  Now we are in our room, enjoying ham sandwiches and chocolate.  After a shower, the French seem so much better than they did 24 hours ago.  Showers put everything in perspective...I don't know why, perhaps the decent plumbing?

Now we are going to watch a movie and go to bed.  I'll post more pictures soon.  It just takes a real long time to load them.

--Mary