I’ve finally decided to create a category for this summer, seeing has how I’m traveling. Thus, these posts are going to be called Eurotrip 2010, with tags for Paris, London, Krakow, and Tarnow. This is my attempt at organization, along with trying to add in pictures.
Now then, on to the fun part. On Monday (May 31st), I decided to go check out Montemarte, one of my favorite places in Paris. The first time I went, I absolutely fell in love. It’s such a gorgeous place and, well, just look at the Basilica.
It is absolutely gorgeous.
I stumbled around a few streets in Montemarte, trying to avoid touristy spots. I strive to not look like a tourist because I know how much I utterly despise them in Manhattan, where they pull out their maps and block off the entire sidewalk. Or when they stop to take photos of random buildings in the middle of the sidewalk. I avoid doing that as much as possible.
After Montemarte, I walked down to Clichy–which is apparently the new “red light district”. It’s where the trannies hang out, according to my cousin. Pigalle, where Moulin Rouge is located, is the old and theoretically classy whore hangout. See, learn something new every day.
From Clichy I took the train and stopped across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. Thus began my attempts at artsy shots.
Then I plopped myself in front of the Eiffel Tower for about six hours. No joke. I love people watching and that is a golden spot for it. Not only do the tourists hang out there, we’ve got gypsies. The gypsies roamed around asking for money and kind of harassing tourists. One of their favorite tricks is to ask if you speak English, then show you a sign pleading for money. It’s sad but also gets to the point of irritating. And then one gypsy peed in a bowl. Yeah, no joke. She popped a squat in front of the Eiffel Tower. It was disgusting.
While I sat there for so many hours, I became friends with this guy we’ll call Pete. Pete studied in Europe for the semester and we got to talking. He’s an amazing artist (which is how we met, he was sketching the Tower). He may or may not have taken me out on a date. I’m not sure. We went out to dinner after hanging out for like five hours in front of the Eiffel Tower together and he convinced me to try some escargot. Yep. Me, who won’t eat mushrooms or most fish, ate a snail. I don’t have photographic evidence yet because Pete’s got the picture but as soon as I get it, I’ll post it up. The verdict of snail-eating? Chewy. It was well-seasoned but really chewy. Also, never think about the fact you’re eating a snail while eating it. Or before. Or after. It’s actually best to never think about the fact you’re eating snails. Even now, while writing this, I feel pretty grossed out that I ate a snail.
Pete’s already back in the US but it was loads of fun to actually meet someone in Europe and become friends. And, not going to lie, I’m pretty proud of myself for at least trying escargot.
Tags: Eurotrip 2010, Paris
you brave, brave soul. so incredibly proud of you
cannot wait for tues at 6/12 to hear all these stories!!
I actually like escargot. I don’t really tell people that cause you know…what weirdo likes to eat snails?
More details on Pete please! Height, hair, eyes…you cannot leave us hanging just like that.
Also for some reason, this line “theoretically classy whore hangout” totally cracked me up.
Pete: tan, dark brown hair with brown eyes. Definitely doesn’t look American. He’s an artist and really sweet and funny. He’s also a fantastic conversationalist. We basically spent from 1 PM till 10 PM hanging out. He’s a nice guy.