Paris, France

I can't believe that I've FINALLY been to the top of the Eiffel Tower!! I'm sorry we delayed blogging about this epic day, but our last night HAD to be spent admiring the Eiffel Tower from the big grassy area in front of it called the Champ de Mars. Yesterday was soo packed with sightseeing Paris, our feet literaly never got a rest. We started off at the Musee d'Orsay which houses the most fabulous impressionst art in the world. I totally loved seeing Degas' obsession with ballerinas, Monet's lilly pads, and Van Gogh's vibrant masterpieces. I took an amazing Art History class last year and it made me so excited to see works that I studied right before my eyes. After, we ate lunch at a yummy sandwich stand in the Latin Quarter. We took our lunch with us to stand in line at Sainte Chapelle. Sainte Chapelle was Saint Louis' royal chapel, and what makes it so special is that it is practically made out of pure stained glass. Standing in the middle if the huge glass room, we admired glass dipuctions of the Old and New Testaments and of cironations of French kings, since they believed that their kings recieved their power to rule from God. Leaving Sainte Chapelle, we ran over to Notre Dame de Paris, admired the classic gothic architecture, and tapped our feet on Pointe Zero of France, which means we are destined to come back to Paris;-) After we stopped by some beautiful Parisan parks, shops, and ofcourse we had to get some Parisan icecream! I got pear, and the boys got salted caramel, yummmm. After, I was dying to to go see where the epic beginning of the French Revolution took place, the BASTILLE!! Even though there is only a monument there today, I was still inspired with the feelings of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity:-). Despite the amazingness of all that, the most epic part was still to come...the top of the Eiffel Tower.

So everyones feet were hurting, everyone was exausted, and we knew we had to climb hundreds of steps but we pulled it together and started our venture to the top. I was obnoxiously excited. I still am thinking about it:-) So lots of lines and stairs later, the momebt arrived. The elevator doors swung open and I RAN out. So I didnt end up shedding any tears of joy but I still cant explain how happy I was. After staring at the view for a LONG time, we headed down to eat one last French dinner. It was lovely, but the Champ de Mars was even lovlier.

We said aurevoir to France and now we are in Belgium «eating choclate that is made by God» as Daniel would say. This trip is so exciting so many great memories already.

Happy Birthday Kelley!!

Love, The Tres Amis