Still Alive in Paris

Well, obviously the plan of a post every day has fallen through. 

I pulled my project out for London, but didn't get much of a response from Bossen. Which was a little sad. I'll have to pull him aside and see if I can get any more response from him. 

I'm glad that I get a few more days in London at the very end of my trip, its an amazing city and I didn't get to do as much as I wanted because of the project. 

Right now we have the broadest photo project of my life: "Paris". I have NO clue how I will start and we're already on day 3! 

We came in on Bastille Day (similar to 4th of July) and I decided against going to the Eiffel Tower for the fireworks. I'm glad I made that decision in the end. Apparently on the way back the subway got so stuffed someone right next to the group got stuck in the door and was seriously injured. Yikes! I wandered around our neighborhood here hoping for inspiration on what to photograph. (no luck).

The group dynamic has become very interesting. With 3-4 students haring off on their own, and the rest sticking together. Sadly, becoming lost in every city we visit has become a new tradition ~sigh~ Definitely one I could live without!

Today we went to Notre Dame and I had my first experience of someone trying to pickpocket me. Muahahaha! It was really funny 'cause I happened to be wearing my shorts with the zipper pockets and she couldn't figure out how to get into them. My camera bag is locked constantly, and I don't carry much cash so she just didn't have a chance. It was hilarious!

Surprisingly enough, between people who speak english, pointing and 'Bonjour', I've actually done pretty well for myself here. The only downside right now is our hotel. Its a cute little place, but we're on the 6th floor (a.k.a.- 7th back home) and you can either wait for the world's smallest and slowest elevator; or take a tiny twisted staircase up 7 flights. Its a bad dilemma, although, the fact that we don't have AC (or any way to get cooled off) once we get up here is a point in favor of the elevator. 

So, Parisian rudeness isn't nearly as bad as I expected. So far the only thing that could be chalked up to rudeness is that no matter where we go for something to drink, if I order Coke, I get Diet. I'm guessing its an unspoken commentary. But as long as it stays unspoken I'll survive. 

I haven't downloaded anything in the past 3 days, so I'm going to stop for now and get ready for our stereotyped evening of sitting near the Eiffel tower eating baguettes and cheese and drinking wine. :-) Tomorrow is another day, and come heck or high water, I will get over to Pere Lachaise (sp?) Cemetary. Its right by our hotel and is AWESOME!