Pepe le Peu

I am currently taking a rest in the hotel because it has been a BUSY past 2 days en Paris. Saturday (2 Samedi) we woke up and walked Champs Elysees and had our SECOND french hot dog. It was a baguette hollowed out perfectly to slide a ketchup-dipped wienie into (something I will take home to America). We saw Louis Vuitton and other big names on our way to the Arc de Triomphe. We took pictures in front of it but could not manage the 248 steps... Then we made our way over to the Seine River where we turned a corner and saw the beautiful Eiffel Tower for the first time. Our jaws dropped and we both stopped dead in our tracks to awe at it. Being one of the most world-famous monuments it lives up to all of its splendor and beyond as you get closer and closer to it. We had a lunch (salmon and excellent goat cheese with our Kronenburg bier) and talked to a man and his wife from Israel, right beneath the Eiffel Tower. We finally made our way under it and through it to the Parc de Champs de Mars where people sat or lay faced towards the tower and basked in the gorgeous sun. We had our "picnic", which ended up being two stolen napkins from our lunch spot and no food. A guy did come buy and sell us Heineken (2 for 5euro - - not such a good deal, but meh) and then we were joined by 3 Chileans sitting nearby for some champagne and talks of travels and plans. We tried to teach them to play Texas Hold 'Em, but the conversation held more importance and the cards were forgotten quickly. We have some amazing pictures there....

After the Eiffel Tower we went back to the hotel and slept for hours to regain our strength. We got very dolled up (Paris Audrey Hepburn style) and made our way to Place de Vendome where we were looking for a "hot bar". We made our way inside the Ritz (we have high expectations after all), used the incredibly lavish bathroom and talked to the concierge about where to go. He recommended a place, but a local came up and said Hotel Coste was the best (we would later learn it is the most expensive and hip bar in Paris). Le Coste est tres bien. We met very interesting people, although the Parisian who guided us there tried to kiss Nicole - "I want to kees you" (in a slimy french voice) in a hallway (CREEPER!!). Later we met British boys/men who had just cycled their ways from London and had numb asses. One boy was particularly gorgeous to me and was told by another that I "fancy him", which I did. It led to wonderful conversations about the American version of The Office, also his favorite television program. His name was Jim, although his older friend called him "Jimbo". The British accents are by far the sexiest I've heard yet... We exchanged information, said "Au revoir" and then took a taxi back to Malakoff for the night.

Sunday (3 Dimanche) we woke up very late in the afternoon, but we both needed the sleep. We got fixed up and headed to a Chinese restaurant across from our hotel for sustenance. YES, I know you are wondering when the hell we are going to eat some french food!?! We "hopped" on the metro (Line 13, change to the 2) to see Sacre Couer en Montmartre. I have never seen a cathedral before and it was magnificent. The statues and carvings were so intricate and moving...No photos allowed inside as it exploits the church. Apres Sacre Couer we walked through Montmartre on our way to Le Moulin Rouge. Montmartre is a beautiful district and we took in the vibe in front of Moulin Rouge in an overpriced bar (we learned our 2 biers were 17,80euro--OUCH). With the recommendation of a local (I have more about Parisians and their assistance later) we made our way to the metro headed for Bastille and Latin Quarter for a nice nightlife. On our way Nicole mentioned she had to use a restroom and a restauranteur pulled her inside saying he would let us use the toilettes. We were "an exception" to the rule of no tourists in the bathroom. This man is known as Gavin and he was the cousin of the owner at Le Petit Trianon who gave us free champagne and french fries (okay, this is a little french). Gavin said he wanted to show us what all his cousin owned and we turned the corner from our the bar and were cleared by bouncers to follow him in and through a huge entrance to what would turn out to be a rock concert. So random and out-of-nowhere we saw french rock music (I'm not so impressed) and took in the scene. Gavin later said he would take us to Latin Quarter after he showered from work and changed. He continued to call Nicole "my darling" and made goo-goo eyes at her while getting more and more fresh with his hands. We decided to go to his apartment up the street, where we got an amazing view of Sacre Couer. He was very handsy with Nicole and while he stepped in the shower, we grabbed our shoes and RAN!!! We rushed out the door (not easy to open) and went down the lift (little tiny thing) where we left behind our glasses and booked it out the building. Barefoot and giggling we ran through the street, away from Gavin and his plan to pursue Nicole. Next we took the Metro to Bastille and came up the stairs to find more "pursuers" where I said "Arretez!!" and "Laissez-nous tranquile" (stop and leave me alone). I am getting really good at my french and felt very confident with my words, but unfortunately when we left Gavin in a hurry, my french dictionaire was left behind =(

At the Bastille Nicole and I ordered a beer tower and a croque monsieur (inspired by home and the movie It's Complicated"). This was WAY TOO MUCH bier for the two of us and we ended up inviting some cute Parisian boys to join us and help finish. These Parisian boys would show us the heart of Paris as personal tour guides for the rest of the night and into the early morning. Fabiere, Adrienne et Paul were funny, laid back and very helpful. They were ready and willing to keep us company and walk us around Paris. "We walked along the Seine" and watched the sun slowly rise while we exchanged broken languages and talked about anything and everything. They knew exactly where to take us and Paul told me to "close my eyes" until we rounded a corner. When he said that I could look I turned to see the Notre Dame. The biggest, oldest, most beautiful thing that I've ever laid eyes on. In that moment, although I felt so small in front of it, I felt more feelings than I think I could ever try to express. I stood with mouth open and tears slowly forming in my eyes at the wonderful site. Adrienne et Fabe (short for Fabiere) said that it is a site for even them, although they live in Paris, there is no way they could stand there and not marvel at it.

As they headed us back to the metro, they took us the most scenic route, where we saw the Pantheon and beautiful gardens. Before we headed back to the hotel (we are tired and it is early morning), we stopped and had un cafe et croissant at a bistro. (P.S. the word bistro is classy as shit)!!

We are now in serious need for some sleep. We have a long day of travel ahead of us tomorrow and Pamplona/San Sebastian awaiting us!!