I did get a couple giggles about my shirt.

When we arrived in Paris, we were warned of the current heat wave passing through and how it won't cool down until tomorrow. At least this way, Benny is getting the tropical destination that he wanted and I'm getting the European destination that I wanted. We spent the better part of yesterday walking up and down and around Champs-Elysees, each of us with a goal in mind. Benny, to find a Tour de France bicycling jersey that fits him, and me, to find a brand name or couture purse that I like and is in my budget. Where else to get a fashionable purse other than the fashion capital of the world? Well, by the time we returned to our hotel rooms last night, neither one of us had gotten what we had come for, but we both had fun seeing the sites and learning more French. We are getting pretty fluent in Frenglish. Speaking of Frenglish, our waiter at dinner tonight seemingly forgot mid-sentence that he needed to speak English and would start speaking French, but would finish using English. Fortunately, there was enough English for him to be understandable.

This morning, we awoke to a call from the front desk informing us that they had given us the wrong room and that we were supposed to be in a far nicer, far larger room. We now have better soap and shampoo, a coffee maker, an alarm clock and a mini bar that includes not one, but two mini bottles of Hennessey. Breakfast at the hotel consisted of various breads and pastries, eggs, bacon, sausage, yogurt, fresh fruit, and, of course, fromage (cheese). Following breakfast, we walked over to the Louvre. It took us longer to walk from the edge of the Louvre grounds to the front door than it took us to walk from the hotel to the grounds. As if that wasn't bad enough, it is an astoundingly huge building with only one way in. It took us about a half hour to find it. It was amazing seeing so many paintings and sculptures that I have seen so many times in books. Of particular interest to me was seeing the sites depicted in Dan Brown's books.

Following the museum, we walked over to see Notre Dame and Saint Chappelle. Saint Chappelle's stained glassed windows were gorgeous, but it wasn't worth the 30 minute wait in the rain. We were glad it was covered by our Paris Museum Pass, so we didn't have to pay anything extra. Notre Dame was definitely well worth it. We only had to wait for about 5 minutes in line, and it was free of charge. It was another one of those places that you only dream about one day seeing. To top off our experience, the church choir was there practicing along with the pipe organ. It was truly a moving experience.

After all that walking around, I was hungry, so we made a pit stop for a Nutella and banana crepe, then took a taxi cab to a mall that contained only luxury stores. Our taxi driver said he was originally from Algeria, so he didn't like that we were American soccer fans. He did think it was neat that we were from Boston as one of his good friends lives in Boston. Once at the goal, Benny and I both looked high and low for a purse that I liked (which were many), but I could also afford (which were few). Benny had found a Radio Shack bike jersey earlier in the day, so he was at least temporarily appeased. The one purse that I saw that I just fell in love was from Prada, but it was about 400 euros more than we wanted to pay. We finally found THE ONE at the Coach store. It was originally 405 euros, which was at the very top end of our budget, but it was on sale for 30% off. In addition to that, I had a coupon for 10% off, plus, because we were from outside of the country, we also got a tax refund of 12%. In the end, we paid only 230 euros for it. I now know why people buy expensive things. It makes you really happy, especially when you can afford it. I am still, however, keeping my eye on that Prada purse.

Its hard to say which is cuter...me or the purse?

We finished the day by having subs on French bread and walking up and down Champs-Elysees for some souvenirs for family. I'm still working on my mom, sis, and brother. Its hard when so many souvenirs are just flat out cheesy (fromagey?). Bonne nuit!