Posted by Andy on Feb 22, 2006 in
Travel Today we went to Notre Dame.� We walked from our Hostel to the Cathedral instead of taking the Subway, which ended up being a very good choice as we came up to the cathedral from the backside which gave us an excellent view of the flying buttresses and rose windows.� Talk about a magnificent structure.� When I get the pictures put on the site take the time to look at them.� It is phenomenal.� It took them over 200 years to build it!� After Notre Dame we took the subway back to the Hostel to pick up our luggage and take a train to Geneva.� The trip takes about 3 hrs and goes through some beautiful country side.
Posted by Andy on Feb 22, 2006 in
Travel The sewer tour was next on our list.� I know….it sounds gross but it was very interesting.� Paris had one of the first sewer systems in the world and is one of the most sophisticated.� They had a very good museum with tons of information and it didn’t stink!� After the tour we went to the Arc de Triumph, one of the most well known attractions in Paris.� We decided to walk from the Sewer tour to the Arch and on the way we ate lunch in one of the wealthiest areas of Paris and were given 500 euros or $600 by a Chinese man to buy some little bags at Louis Vitton because he couldn’t by more than two.� We took the money initially but then declined as it seemed a little weird.� The Arch was very cool and large and was built by Napoleon to commemorate his many victories.� It also happens to be the largest triumphal arch in the world.� After this we headed back to the hotel for a quick nap.� While I was in Paris there were a couple of things I wanted to experience, one of them being a true French Dinner.� I made a big deal of this and it came back to bite me.� Miriam and I went to dinner and we had to have the menu interpreted to us.� Well…there was something missing in the translation because when I received my dinner I was served Cow Tongue.� I ate part of it but couldn’t finish it, they hadn’t skinned it and it still had taste buds.� It was gross but I guess I had it coming for creating such a fuss.�
Posted by Andy on Feb 22, 2006 in
Travel Up for today were the Eifel tower, Arc de Triumph, and a sewer tour.� When we woke up this morning it was raining.� Unfortunately we couldn’t reschedule a lot of our sightseeing due to closings and all, so we had to see the tower today rain or shine.� By the time we arrived at the Eifel tower we were a little damp, cold, and my feet were soaked.� It was a great thing to get in a warm elevator to ride to the top.� The first elevator takes you up two floors.� The First Stop is 57m or 187ft high and offers decent views of Paris.� The second stop is 115m or 377ft high and offers much better views of Paris; however the last level is the best at 276m or 955ft.� On a clear day visibility from the top of the Eifel Tower is 65km or 39 miles.� The ride to the top is a bit scary as the elevator is mostly glass and we were rising 578ft but we managed and it was quite cool.� The top level is all enclosed, thank goodness, and has maps all the way around that point out what the sights around Paris.� It also has countries listed and what the distance to those countries are that direction.� From the tower it was 5100km to New York and 9100km to LA.� Read the next listing for the rest of the trip.�
Posted by Andy on Feb 22, 2006 in
Travel We got up at 4:40am for our 6:25 flight to Paris, still sleeping and unaware of our surroundings or what we were doing, we got on the flight.� They have a cheap airline here called Easyjet.� It is truly a no frills flight, snacks and drinks are available for� a charge.� We arrived in Paris around 7:30am and made our way to the Gare De Lyon train station and finally to our Hostel.� Miriam’s parents weren’t coming in until 11:30am or so, so we bummed around and took in the culture of Paris.� We stopped at a couple of pastry shops and had a light breakfast.� Miriam’s Parents came in around noon at which time we dropped off our luggage and went to the Louvre.� What an amazing Museum.� Being the largest in the world, I really couldn’t expect much less but it was breathtaking.� We saw the Mona Lisa, Venus De Milo, and many others.� My mind was worn out after an hour and a half, there’s just so much to see.�
Posted by Andy on Feb 22, 2006 in
Travel The day started off easy and relaxing.� The Hockey event between Germany and Switzerland we� went to started at noon sharp and so we needed to get there in plenty of time to see the opening.� Just as we left the parking ramp it started to sprinkle a bit but we didn’t think anything of it.� We got to the event 30 mins early and found were amongst a sea of Swiss.� The game was pretty good.� Not as exciting as the speed skating but it was good.� The game ended with a tie which was disappointing because there was no closure but we couldn’t really complain as we were at the Olympics.� After the game it started to rain and of course we didn’t bring any umbrellas and we were off to buy souvenirs’ at the Olympic superstore.� The line to enter the store was half way around the outside of the building so we were ready to get wet.� After leaving the store we headed to the car and by the time we arrived, we were soaked head to toe.� The car never looked more appealing.� One of the highlights of the trip from Torino to Geneva was a tunnel through the tallest mountain in Europe, Mount Blanche.� I was given the opportunity to drive through the 11km tunnel which was exciting (thank you Stephen and Sarah).�