Paris Day 2: Getting It Together

      The second day, I spent the morning wandering with Ayala again, exploring a beautiful park in the 15th district. After a brief lunch, I took off to go meet up with my Belgian friend Donatienne, “at the Gare de Nord train station.” That was what I told her. Unfortunately, at the time I didn’t realize that it was a massive station with four or five levels. I rarely get lost. I was lost. Very lost. 

       After wandering for 30 minutes, trying to find wifi to connect with her via facebook, I finally broke down and bought a phone. I guess this was a case of expectations vs reality. We finally managed to catch up, and headed to the hostel I had booked for us for the night. We settled into a chic room in the 17th district before heading out to the suburb of Sucy-en-brie to visit my uncle and cousin, Humbert and Marguax, for dinner. We were so warmly received, the hospitality was truly moving. After a really great dinner and walk around town, we arranged to stay with Humbert and Marguax for the week. Then Dona and I went back to Paris, and our luggage, for the night.

Paris Day 3: Movin and Groovin

So Folks: I apologize for the mixup, my internet connection has been really spotty, so I added the wrong pictures to the wrong days... So I am fixing that, but it will read "day 3, day 2, day 4...." because it takes about 10 minutes to load each picture here so I can't start from scratch haha. Sorry for the confusion!

       The third day started cloudy before moving into a strong drizzle. We had made plans to meet with Marguax and her friend Pauline, and leave our stuff at Pauline’s apartment while we explored a bit. In the meantime, Donna and I had a hearty breakfast (and I had some strong coffee to fight the jet lag), and set out to the Montparnasse area of Paris. This area is famous for being home to poets, artists, and musicians. It also houses the Moulin Rouge, and the Cathedral of Sacre Coeur. We finally made it up the hill to the cathedral (all in the rain), which looms over the city like a grey guardian, and enjoyed the view of Paris laid out before us. After a brief respite, we headed for the metro station on the other side of the hill and made our way to Pauline’s. We wandered around the city for a bit, then we were invited by Pauline to attend a local playhouse who was putting on a production of various scenes. Although it was all in French (with the exception of one, which I can only assume was depressing, in Russian), it was nice to escape the throngs of tourists which choke the center of the city in the summer. We left half way, and celebrated our escape with some drinks at a local bar, before heading back to Pauline’s for the night. We did end up going out one more time after that, but everyone was so beat from a day of walking that we ended our half hearted attempt at bar hopping early, and retreated to the apartment for a good night's sleep.

The city of Paris laid out before me.

The steps down the Montparnasse hill

The Sacre Coeur Cathedral

So I just missed the major legal battle over gay marriage in France, right before we made some landmark changes in America. It was a huge deal here apparently.

A windmill near the famous Moulin Rouge, on a nice and rainy day.

Paris Day 1: A Rough Landing

    So I officially made it through my first week in Europe! I arrived in Paris and was able to meet up with my good friend Ayala, from my university, who was studying abroad in Paris. Before catching up with her (I missed her at the affiliate university she studies at!) I happened to bump into another friend, my former roommate Kevin. He hastily shoved a spare map in my hands and wished me good luck as he went out the door to explore the city. That map was one of my guiding lights in Paris.
        I was admittedly more than a little disoriented my first day. I had slept on the plane, but only a little, and none at all the night before my flight to Paris. So I was really tired. Plus there was the language barrier, which was huge for me since I speak only the French I have learned from Disney movies (Sacre Bleu!). On top of all that, not being able to set up useful means of communication beyond bumming wifi for a few moments from one place or the next. I went out for a walk in the city while I was waiting for Ayala, hoping to grab some lunch and orient myself a bit. I managed to get lost. It finally took the patience of an old French woman who patiently oriented me to the map on the nearest public toilet, before I made my way back to my stuff and Ayala.

For the rest of the first day, I spent it getting acclimated to the city (and language) with Ayala, wandering around and getting a feel for the layout of the downtown area. She managed to impart more wisdom about being an American in Paris then I had ever hoped for! We ended the day with some wine in front of the Eiffel Tower, sharing the evening with friends studying from my university and the marvelous lights, before we headed back to her place for the night. 

The Sienne from the famous bridge of lovers' locks.

Ladies and gentlemen: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

What?! My friend Ayala at the Notre Dame?! No way! Its almost like we planned it...

Notre Dame from the bride of locks.

Where all the American expats like Hemmingway hung out in Paris, pretty awesome to go do some reading there.

Getting Ready to Go

I'm finally all packed up now after spending the last couple of weeks with friends, sorting insurance and travel plans, and preparing to store my belongings. I had made it back to Vegas to find all my gear for my trip waiting for me to test out. Naturally, I wanted to test it in conditions that would push the limits of what I would experience on my trip. I decided that I would go with my buddy Steve to climb Mt. Charleston in an overnight backpacking trip. Weighing in at 11,916 ft, and a trail length of around 20 miles total, this hike was a great test and everything performed even better than expected. Other than that, I've been taking in the better parts of Vegas with my friends. I got to try the new Daylight Pool club at the Mandalay Bay, a couple of Miss USA parties at the Palazzo and Bellagio with a new Couchsurfer.org friend, and Freemont St. with all the old gang. I'm finally ready for the next leg of my journey... I leave for Paris tomorrow morning!

Steve and I at the peak of Mt Charleston. A very nasty infestation of stinging little flies prevented us in enjoying our victory for long...

Another beautiful desert day up in the mountains... Heading back down on our second day.

The view of Mt. Charleston from the South Rim trail looking out at the North Rim trail. It was a nice long couple of days.

Old downtown Vegas, at the new Commonwealth bar.

Commonwealth.... so classy.

My new Couchsurfing buddy Jason along with the former Ms. Washington and current Ms. Washington.

Santa Barbara

      So I drove up from San Diego, through L.A. where I visited my wonderful aunt in Santa Monica, up to the golden shores of Santa Barbara California. With the Jacaranda trees in their full, purple bloom, and the weather hovering somewhere between perfect and just right, I spent a few days with my aunt and uncle. Of course we hit up all the greatest restaurants: China Pavillion for Dim Sum, Toma, Enterprise Fish House, Los Agaves, Garrets for their blueberry pancakes, Three Pickles...  The wonderful meals, the great company, and the relaxation that just soaks into you when you're in Santa Barbara have helped me think I'm finally ready to head back to Las Vegas. Once I get there, its busy time as I prepare for my ultra backpacking trip. I can't wait to get my gear all tested out and my final arrangements made... its all so exciting!

The breakwater at the harbor, looking into the city of Santa Barbara

Pretty windy today (enjoying the ridiculous zoom on my camera from across the harbor)

Taxi Dancer, waiting in her slip to be loosed upon the sea.

The beauty of Santa Barbara is stunning at low tide... or any tide!

Herbs in my uncle's gardens,  with the world in bloom.