now that I've seen it...

This posting comes on the eve of my last day in Paris. I'm a bit melancholy about it - not happy this amazingly wonderful week is over, but also looking forward to being home and having some 'normalcy' in my day again. Not to mention the fact that Paris kicked my ass and I'm exhausted.

Anyway, the whole reason for planning this week in Paris was all because of the Shakespeare and Company bookshop I built inside Second Life. After reading so much about it and having people comment on the Second Life version, I really felt that I had to see and experience the real version. It was more and less than I'd imagined all at once. It was much smaller than I'd pictured, but at the same time, part of it was blocked off so that might have had something to do with it. We weren't able to see any of the upstairs floors, which was a bit disappointing but what can you do. The place is falling down, they can't just be letting tourists walk around on dangerous staircases - think of the lawsuits crazy Americans would bring if they were hurt here.

So, here's the basic rundown of the Paris trip:
Sunday - arrival and exploration of our neighborhood - Canal St. Martin
Monday - Eiffel Tower, Shakespeare and Company, Notre Dame, Champs D'Elysee
Tuesday - Cemeterie Pere Lachaise, Montmarte, Sacre Coeur - dome and crypt (biggest mistake ever)
Wednesday - Louvre and gardens, Musee D'Orsay, Bastille, lunch at cafe beside Shakespeare and Company with cute waitress girl, Shakespeare and Company, ice cream at Berthillon on Ile St. Louis
Thursday - Picasso Museum, Pompidou Centre, lunch with cute gay waiter, Pantheon, Gelato at Ile St. Louis, Dinner at Les Ombres (Musee de Branly)
Friday - Arts Festival at the Bastille, Louvre Carrousel for shopping, Rodin Museum
Saturday - Home :(

All in all, it's been a fantastic week. Warm and sunny every single day - couldn't ask for more. We've had our fair share of baguettes and wine, and I'd say it was a resounding success. Thank you, Paris. Merci beaucoup. Au revoir.