Paris, France

Before I talk about what happened in Paris, a very interesting thing happened on the way.. Me being the anal person I am, made sure that everyone in the group was aware that our train from Amsterdam left early in the morning and everyone managed to get up and get to the train station on time.. We got there about 25  minutes before our train so we felt comfortable but one member of our group (VK ROY) had some issues with his contacts and went to the washroom.. with 5 minutes before the train, VKR is nowhere to be found.. so we start wondering what happened to him.. we realize that Maryam (another travel partner) had VKRs passport AND train tickets.. and since we were crossing borders on train for the first time, we weren't sure what to expect.. the train arrives on the platform and still no sight of Mr. Roy.. so we delegate maryam to stay back since it didn't make sense for the entire group to miss the train.. we get into the train, after giving maryam all the contact info and other details she needed.. We see VKR running to the platform, grab his bags and run to the door just as it closes.. and we couldn't get it back open.. and we take off.. waving them goodbye.. luckily, they caught up to us in Belgium since our train was delayed and we were able to get back with the group..

So, we've arrived at city #3, the romantic capital of the world, La Belle Ville de Paris. And it certainly was love at first sight. It was beautiful in every sense of the word. I'm thinking i'm going to break Paris up into 2 posts as it's a city that just cannot be explained in one go.. I can't stress this enough but the beauty of the city is unparalleled.. We were lucky to get a hotel in paris instead of a hostel.. it was eventful because it was a boiling hot day when we arrived, and the gare du nord where we arrived was a 20 minute walk away from our hotel.. Ashita twisted her ankle coming out of the station so a few of us went to find the hotel and came back for the rest later.. We were exhausted with the delay but we wanted to get out quickly so we broke up into 2 groups.. decided to go check out the arc de triomphe..

The arc de triomphe was a moving experience. Just as we got there, there was a memorial for the soldiers who died during WWII and the architecture was brilliant.. The intricate artwork on every wall, and the stories that they said were incredible. I think what I will remember the most about the arc was getting there. The Arc is located in a concrete island in the middle of the city with nothing connecting to it..Being typical tourists, when we got out of the metro (subway), we saw people running across thru traffic and into the island in the centre so we figured that's the way to do it.. and when we did, we got pulled over by the cops.. Luckily Patrick and myself both spoke french so we were able to make small talk with the cops.. and they were uber friendly.. so much so that we ended up talking to them for about 20 minutes.. and they started suggesting places we should see locally.. One of the cops suggested we check out the cannes film festival to see stars like and I quote "jodie foster et tom cruise".. LOL.. the view up on top the arc was breathtaking.. personally liked it even more than the view on top of the eiffel tower.. not to mention, you have to work for it.. the arc does not have elevators so we have to walk up a few hundred stairs to get to the top.. but the view definitely makes it worth while..

I'm running a little late now, so i'll continue the rest of paris on my next blog update.. :)