So we're at the train station in Amsterdam and the place is PACKED, it's like a madhouse and we don't know why? So we booked our Paris train and asked what was going on? They said something about a volcano in Iceland. We were like, whatever, got our tickets for tomorrow and went back to our hotel. We jumped on line and found out that this "volcano" is actually a big deal (no need to fill anyone in on HOW big a deal it was at the time). There was nothing we could do so the next day we just made our way to Paris.
We had a stop off in Brussels so time for more Belgium beer! Don't forget the Pringles either, the 'Paprika' flavor is the best but not available in the U.S. They're gonna take over the world one can at a time. In Mexico they even had fish flavored Pringles.
So we finally arrive back in Paris and it was a bit of a homecoming. Although it's a foreign country, it's so familiar to us now the second time around. This time we stayed with another Parisian friend of ours, Laeti (pronounced Letty). When we arrived she had an aperitif waiting for us, beer and snacks!
After the beers and snacks we hit the bar. Here's Elaina and I along with Laeti's boyfriend Arthur. We had a great time and then Leati told us that she would be staying at Arthur's place so we would have her flat all to ourselves! Again we had our own place in Paris. How nice!!!
After the bar (and a few pitchers) we went our own ways on the metro. See you guys later!
Back at the flat we felt at home. We did have a job however, we had to take care of the REAL owner of the flat, Bebert (beh-bear). He's a cool kitty and very personable, he would lick my head in the morning and a couple mornings I woke to him kneading my stomach as he laid on my chest.
One reason Elaina was glad to be back in France. She's addicted to these and even ordered some online from Europe to be shipped into the U.S. It's a hazelnut yogurt type of desert.
So since we're on the last leg of our trip and we've done most of the "touristy" things, we ate back at home a lot more. Elaina usually took care of dinner and I made breakfast.
Another night Leati and Arthur invited us to a show. It was a hardcore show along La Siene. This is something that Paris is beginning to implement on their metro system. It's a protective plexi tunnel with doors that protect riders from falling onto the tracks as the metro approaches. It's a little funny looking but it does the trick.
Almost at the show, we walked through the national library. It's a new library that's designed to look like open books standing on end. There are four buildings total and pretty cool looking.
Now at the show. The venue is IN the belly of an old tugboat. This will be the first show for Elaina and I inside of a boat. The boat never leaves the dock but you can feel it move.
I snapped this walking down the stairs to where the band was. This is pretty much sea level so while you watch the band you are below the water.
If you don't know, it's okay to drink alcohol on the streets in Europe. So between bands we would walk off the boat, buy a 12er of beer, pound it, and get back on the boat before the next band! That's way better than buying beers on the boat for 10euro ($15usd).
Leati's boyfriend Arthur works for Road Runner Records so he got us in for free. We met a few of their friends and everyone was really cool and spoke english really well.
Back on the boat and time for another band.
A French hardcore pit looks just like an American hardcore pit. There was lots of 'karate' going on (hardcore fans know what I'm talking about) so I jumped in and gave them some American Circle Pit flavor. I didn't know Elaina followed me up to the front to take some pictures.
On the way home after the show. This is Arthur's friend that was going the same direction as us. Cool guy.
The next morning we were woken up by the gardeners so I had to take this picture. It's hard to tell but there are no Mexicans to be found! They're all Arabs and Blacks.
Well today we finally received word that our flight home would be canceled. There was no rescheduled flight or any idea on when flights would commence. ALL of Europe is shut down and NO ONE is getting in or out. Luckily for us we had a place to stay as long as we needed since Laeti had now left Arther's place in Paris and went to visit her parents in Vichy. She told us she'd see us sometime in May if we were still stranded as a joke. Later we found that we were rescheduled to fly home eight days later! So what do you do when you're STUCK in Paris? MORE SITE SEEING!!!
After the beers and snacks we hit the bar. Here's Elaina and I along with Laeti's boyfriend Arthur. We had a great time and then Leati told us that she would be staying at Arthur's place so we would have her flat all to ourselves! Again we had our own place in Paris. How nice!!!
After the bar (and a few pitchers) we went our own ways on the metro. See you guys later!
Back at the flat we felt at home. We did have a job however, we had to take care of the REAL owner of the flat, Bebert (beh-bear). He's a cool kitty and very personable, he would lick my head in the morning and a couple mornings I woke to him kneading my stomach as he laid on my chest.
One reason Elaina was glad to be back in France. She's addicted to these and even ordered some online from Europe to be shipped into the U.S. It's a hazelnut yogurt type of desert.
So since we're on the last leg of our trip and we've done most of the "touristy" things, we ate back at home a lot more. Elaina usually took care of dinner and I made breakfast.
Another night Leati and Arthur invited us to a show. It was a hardcore show along La Siene. This is something that Paris is beginning to implement on their metro system. It's a protective plexi tunnel with doors that protect riders from falling onto the tracks as the metro approaches. It's a little funny looking but it does the trick.
Almost at the show, we walked through the national library. It's a new library that's designed to look like open books standing on end. There are four buildings total and pretty cool looking.
Now at the show. The venue is IN the belly of an old tugboat. This will be the first show for Elaina and I inside of a boat. The boat never leaves the dock but you can feel it move.
I snapped this walking down the stairs to where the band was. This is pretty much sea level so while you watch the band you are below the water.
If you don't know, it's okay to drink alcohol on the streets in Europe. So between bands we would walk off the boat, buy a 12er of beer, pound it, and get back on the boat before the next band! That's way better than buying beers on the boat for 10euro ($15usd).
Leati's boyfriend Arthur works for Road Runner Records so he got us in for free. We met a few of their friends and everyone was really cool and spoke english really well.
Back on the boat and time for another band.
A French hardcore pit looks just like an American hardcore pit. There was lots of 'karate' going on (hardcore fans know what I'm talking about) so I jumped in and gave them some American Circle Pit flavor. I didn't know Elaina followed me up to the front to take some pictures.
On the way home after the show. This is Arthur's friend that was going the same direction as us. Cool guy.
The next morning we were woken up by the gardeners so I had to take this picture. It's hard to tell but there are no Mexicans to be found! They're all Arabs and Blacks.
Well today we finally received word that our flight home would be canceled. There was no rescheduled flight or any idea on when flights would commence. ALL of Europe is shut down and NO ONE is getting in or out. Luckily for us we had a place to stay as long as we needed since Laeti had now left Arther's place in Paris and went to visit her parents in Vichy. She told us she'd see us sometime in May if we were still stranded as a joke. Later we found that we were rescheduled to fly home eight days later! So what do you do when you're STUCK in Paris? MORE SITE SEEING!!!The next day we went to Montmarte. It's the highest hill in Paris where you can see the entire city. But first we need to stop for a Grand Marnier and Nutella crepe! See! She's actually pouring Grand Marnier on the crepe!!!
It's hard to tell but it's a pretty good hike getting to the top. The view is worth it though.
Now at the top and what a view! Robot got a free ride to the top so he wasn't even out of breath. The sky is a little grey and hazy due to the volcano ash slowly blowing over Paris.
Hey, there's the Eiffel Tower!
Now the walk down.
On our first tour of Paris we never got to see the Eiffel Tower up close at night. Now that we have this second chance to see things we missed, we had to go. It looks really cool at night and you can see it from almost anywhere in Paris.
At the top of the hour the tower lights up for five minutes with thousands of strobe lights. Everyone OOO's and AAWWEE's once it starts lighting up.
We didn't OOO or AAWWEE.
.
It's hard to tell but it's a pretty good hike getting to the top. The view is worth it though.
Now at the top and what a view! Robot got a free ride to the top so he wasn't even out of breath. The sky is a little grey and hazy due to the volcano ash slowly blowing over Paris.
Hey, there's the Eiffel Tower!
Now the walk down.
I guess this doll was being bad so it got thrown through the window.
On our first tour of Paris we never got to see the Eiffel Tower up close at night. Now that we have this second chance to see things we missed, we had to go. It looks really cool at night and you can see it from almost anywhere in Paris.
At the top of the hour the tower lights up for five minutes with thousands of strobe lights. Everyone OOO's and AAWWEE's once it starts lighting up.
We didn't OOO or AAWWEE.The photos don't do the strobe lights justice. Here's a little video of them in action.
The following day we just walked the town. No rush, no hustle and bustle. Just normal everyday life when you 'live' in Paris. What should we do tomorrow?
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