Blame it on the Euro

Exchange rates have gotten pretty ridiculous in my opinion so I haven't been up to anything very interesting. I've been doing an icredible amount of walking - this past weekend for instant I walked to the Louvre, 2 floors in the Denon wing, walked around the ritzy area that surrounds it, and then walked home ( I was gone for 8 hours). Not to mention that the next day I walked to the Musee D'Orsay and then all the way to Porte d'Orleans ( Basically entire length of Paris north to south ). I was gone pretty much all day. Really though this past weekend was absolutely beautiful! While I did choose to spend hours inside of museums - I definitely took advantage of the great weather too. It's fun to walk around Paris - it's the best way to get a true feel for the city.

All that walking did allow me to a realize a couple things about the city. For one, It's not that big! Well I mean it's immense but before I just had no really concept of how close or far monuments/roads/areas were to each other. Secondly, Paris is really really cool. Part of the time I absolutely hate Paris because of dealing with commuting, the expense of living, rude people ... but really the french are cool people. I blend in more and I think that allows me increased interaction with them. Even I'm starting to get annoyed by tourists. I have however been finding myself helping tourists quite often. I feel bad watching a french-english direction struggle and end up stepping in almost every time. I even helped an Irish couple the other day to the point where I modified my travel plans to give them a metro tutorial and show them which metro passes they needed. But they were grateful and I wasn't in a hurry. All of these tourists I help seem to end the conversation in a strange way as well - telling me, "And thank you for speaking english!" Now I really speak english just as often as I speak French around here between talking on Skype and hanging out with my friends so I can't be forgetting words or reverting to english with a french accent. I don't think I am that native either with my ipod and bright clothes. I guess I do wear scarves, walk fast, and try not to smile which are all very french....I'll take it though. Blending in is the point.

So anyway. Lots of class, tv watching on the internet, reading, exploring, and loving city life. Not to mention looking forward to going out for Thursday night dinners ( our new tradition - I love having dinner in Paris .... it's always so tasty ). I also booked a trip for fall break but I'll tell you all when that time rolls around :). Lets just say, I'm pretty excited!

I got pictures up so here are the links:

around paris
http://minnesota.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2160694&l=e774f&id=16916077

tours and giverny
http://minnesota.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2160694&l=e774f&id=16916077

enjoy!
g