One Cafe creme, a pain au Chocolate and a metro ride later....

After a relaxing morning I was ready for my first full day in Paris and felt prepared to take on any and all that this city had to offer. I had reservations (the better to skip the long lines of tourists that show up, Man am I glad I did this!!) for the Eiffel Tower at 11:30 and I wanted to make sure I got there in plenty of time. Armed with my Rick Steve's Paris guide book and my Camera I made my way to the Metro Station, which is about a five minute walk from my apartment. I stopped by a little Patisserie that I had found yesterday and confidentaly called out with a " Bonjour Comment allez-vous?"after which I was treated with a warm smile and a reply, what she said I have no idea, but at least I know that all those mornings I woke Kat, James, and William up and asked them the same question wasnt a waste. I purchased a Cafe Creme (espresso with milk) and a Pain au Chocolate (a Crossant with chocolate in the middle) I was feeling good! there was a pep in my step as I decended the stairs to the Metro. As I emerged into the underground the first things I thought was, who ever is in charge of NYC's metro system seriously needs to take a lesson from the french. The area was clean, the ticket machines where easy to understand and didnt make any loud strange noises, and the tickets were compact and easy to use (not a total waste of paper). Each track is armed with a map as well as a screen that tells you where the train is going and how long of a wait it is for the next 2 trains, very convient. After a quick train change I was headed for Trocadero. I emerged into the bright sunshine, quickly covering my eyes with sunglasses, rounded the corner and promptly took them off again. I instantly fell in love.......

I admit it, I cried. It was the most aww inspiring sights I have ever seen. Movies, books, pictures do not this things justice. It is in a word spectacular.

It's a lot smaller than I thought it would be,  Just kidding!

I inched my way closer bumping into people, trees, and running over small children in the process since I couldn't tear my eyes away from her. It's simply amazing that this was built during a time when they didnt have the modern building supplies and tools that we do now, and yet it's still standing. Once I got closer it was even more remarkable.

I sat on a bench and waited for my reservation time to come. The woman next to me somehow must have known I was American ( more than likely it was my awed look and huge bag that gave me away) because she started talking to me, turns out she was from Australia, Queensland in fact, and was on a World ticket. She has been all over in the past 15 days and has seen and experienced alot. We had the same reservation time so we rode to the summit together and had a wonderful chat along the way. She is headed for NYC next and I gave her all kinds of tips and pointers for navigating the big apple and she told me all kinds of things she has learned about Paris since she has been here. It was a lovely start to the morning. Once we reached the top the view was breathtaking....

The views were great ,but honestly the best part about it was the tower itself. I could sit and stare at it all day, which in fact is how I ended up spending most of my day, stumbling around giddy with excitment. I just couldn't seem to tear myself away.



The view from the second floor





Enjoying a crepe!



And I just so happened to bring a friend along with me.....

For those of you not in the know, last summer my mom and I started taking pictures of Mushroom Pooh everywhere we went on our last trip, after William, without me knowing it, stashed him in my suitcase. And now he goes along for the ride where ever I go.

I did also make it to the National Marine Museum, located in Trocadero . It was an extremly interesting look into the history of the French battle ship and shipping enterprise. After which I was ready to go home. I am still feeling jet lagged and hoped for a early dinner and an early bedtime. Tommorrow I plan to do a walk around the Montmartre neighborhood and head over to Rue Cler. 

 * After getting out a map and some fancy Google map exploration I discoved that the only thing standing in my way of an unobsecured view of the Eiffel Tower from my balcony, is that building right there....... I wonder how long it takes to have a building demolished in France?