8/30 10:15pm Paris Time:
I'm exhausted, but if I want to inform y'all on everything, then I have to do it now. As well all know, yesterday was miserable, but today definitely made up for it. I did everything I had planned to do, plus two extra things that I was supposed to do yesterday! The Paris Pass is really worth the deal I got it for and even if it was only for today, it would have been worth it, but I still get to use it another two days.
Anyways, I woke up around 830 this morning (130am y'alls time) and took a shower and DID NOT STRAIGHTEN MY HAIR. I know, right?! But this allowed me to get out of the door by 930, ready to be a tourist. I hit the Metro and by 10am, I was looking at Notre Dame (I walked the wrong way down the street for a few minutes before turning myself around and finding it). I kind of just stood there for awhile and then I was off taking pictures. I toured the inside and was about to go on the tour to the top when I saw the line and realized I would have to wait about an hour. I debated, but I realized I would rather spend my time actually seeing stuff than waiting in line and that if it was that important to me to go to the top, I could think about it and go on Thursday. Touring the inside was enough for me at that point and I even ended up sitting there for about 10 minutes. Then, after I decided not to go on the tour to the top, I sat outside and ate my morning clif bar and waited for the Double Decker Red Bus to come along. A few minutes later, I was boarding, and I swear, the Paris Pass is probably worth it if you do just this. They give you some head phones and you plug it into the speaker by your seat, pick the language, and you have your own tour guide. It was perfect: no getting lost, no metro (I'm not a fan right now, but more on that later), and someone else can worry about getting around while you get to look at everything and take pictures... and learn a few things too.
For about an hour and a half, I sat on the Red Bus and got to see EVERYTHING. Not only did they tell you about the major sites, but the little ones you were passing too. And I got to watch French drivers and close-calls with mopeds and tour buses. I had planned on taking the tour bus all the way around (it stops about 10 times and you can get on and get off as you wish, but you can also do the whole route), but about 3/4s of the way in, we got to the Trocadero and I looked across the plaza and it was the first time I saw the Eiffel Tower in it's full, but the tour bus passed it too fast, so right there at the next stop, I was off. Best.decision.ever. I was right across the Seine and it was the perfect place to take pictures. I ended up getting a sandwich from a vendor for lunch and also for a few minutes watched some street dancers. Then I walked across the Seine and took more pictures under the Eiffel Tower and on the other side of the Eiffel Tower. And, I bought my first souviner.... a miniture of the Eiffel Tower.... then I took a picture of my Eiffel Tower and the actual Eiffel Tower. I was just really excited to see the Eiffel Tower.
Then, after about an hour, I realized it was already 130pm and that I should maybe make my way to the Red Bus stop at the Eiffel Tower so I could finish the Tour and head to my Wine Tasting. So I got on and ended up getting off again at the Lourve (I STILL didn't finish the Red Bus Tour!). After looking at my map, I realized it would be best to get off at the Lourve stop to find the Wine Bar. And find the wine bar I did... about 45 minutes too early (I'm took good of a planner), so the guy told me to go take a stroll and while I was strolling, I came across a Cathedral that I hadn't planned on visiting/didn't even know about. I took a few pictures and FINALLY strolled back to the O'Chateau Wine Bar... because it was wine tasting time.
Actually, it was a Wine Tasting Introduction and we spent the majority of the time learning, not drinking. The guy's name was something long, but I called him Joe since that was easiest and he was pretty much an expert on everything wine. He had worked in like 10 different countries and at like 50 different winerys. Best of all, he was hilarious. We got to try three different wines, but I enjoyed learning about everything a little more. Now I have been introduced to the fine art of French Wine Making and Wine Tasting. After walking off, I realized I had a bunch of time before I needed to be anywhere (I had no where to be... so a bunch of time!), so I headed to the Montparnasse Tower to get the highest view of Paris from their 56th floor. You could see everything! I took plenty of pictures, but like everyone else, I just kind of sat for awhile and enjoyed the view.
The Seine Cruise was actually the least favorite part of my day. I thought it would be similar to the Red Bus tour, but it was not fun at all. It was crowded, there were crying babies, and the boat had a top on it made of glass and mesh, so I couldn't have taken pictures even if I had wanted to. For the tour guide, you have this metal box you had to hold up to your ear, but you couldn't change the volume and everyone once in awhile, the guy had to come speak (in 6 different languages) because they had left something out of the tour. And while all this was going on, we were passing tourist boats that looked wonderful (no where near full, topless, and a lot cleaner). This cruise was definitely a tourist trap and I'm so glad it was free with my Paris Pass or else I would have complained (I feel bad for people who actually had to pay 30 Euros for it).
At this point, it was about 730pm and I was so tired, but I saw the Red Bus at one of it's stop and decided to take it back again to where I began (finished the tour) and then take the Metro back to my hostel. The evening ride was kind of cold, but nice, and I was glad I got to finish it.
Now, about the Metro... the only issues I had all day were on a Metro ride from the Wine Tasting to the MontparnasseTower. My ticket got stuck at the machine, but me, not wanting to slow the line, kept walking. I hit the door and hit my leg really hard (the bruise is about the size of an apple). My purse got wound up and no one offer to help me, although a good 20 people must have been watching this. I was so embarassed that I ended up getting off the wrong stop and getting confused outside when I couldn't find the tower.
