Paris, June 2002


Hi all! Just wanted to let you know that all is well over here in France. My first couple days in
Paris were very fun, but very tiring as well. At least this time around I was able to relax more
and just stroll around since I didn't feel the need to do a lot of the touristy things I did last time.
However, maybe I should have done them this time since there are absolutely NO LINES! So
not fair! Anyway, I've been having fun people watching and taking in the French culture (i.e.
drinking wine at 11:00 am). One thing that happened to me when I was at Notre Dame was that
some rude person opened my backpack and took my camera. I, of course, didn't notice this until
I left and saw my zipper opened. All I have to say is that person is going straight to hell!! To pull
something like that IN a church! Someone should teach that person the Ten Commandments;
Geez! The good part is that I have two cameras. Well, technically only one camera now. That's
probably why I wasn't too upset. It's still a bummer; guess there will be no black and white
pictures on this trip. :( Well, one camera down, one to go. At least I invested in the oh-so-stylish
money belt!

I was supposed to go to the French Riviera yesterday and just assumed I could hop on a train to
Nice. Just like many other times, I was wrong. All the trains were full for the next two days.
We're just going to go there on one of the weekends now. Spent another day in Paris and it was
great. We mostly just relaxed in cute areas and ate, drank wine and people watched. The main
area we did this was in Montmartre, where the artists hang out and paint (this is the area that
the movie Moulin Rouge takes place).

Since I didn't go to Nice, we decided to come to Chambery (where the school is) a day early and
get situated. Boy, is it hot here! Tomorrow we're going to go to Lyon for the day. Why not, right?
Not too much else going on here. Just having a really good time but miss you all.
I'm about to go eat a crepe for all of you guys!