Day #3

We spent our last full day in Paris seeing the sights. We went first this morning to the National library, which was built in a gigantic rectangle with a courtyard in the middle. The courtyard was full of tall trees that were strapped to the ground since the wind was so bad. After walking around the building, we took a water taxi towards Notre Dame before having lunch. We dined in a tiny place with tables so close together, I could have reached over to our neighbor's table and sampled their lunch. It had doll sized tables, chairs, painos and benches tacked to the walls. It was the music that was so amusing. During lunch, I was able to listen to the musical stylings of Katie Perry and Amy Winehouse.
After lunch we saw Notre Dame (the line was way too long to get in...another thing Harriet and I agree on-- not waiting in line) and then saw the inside of another church with fabulous stained glass. We had to go through security and I was frisked because my watch set off the alarm. We walked around the Left Bank and into the Luxomburg Gardens for a while before heading back to the hotel. When my mom and I were in Paris five years ago visiting Deanna, we went to the Luxomburg gardens. I took a lot of the same pictures that I took five years ago...which I would upload, if I could figure out how.

I would travel with Harriet any day, any time, any place. I swear if you gave this woman a decent map, she could direct you to the North Pole and she would never get lost. We are having dinner tonight at a resturant we saw our first evening here with an American couple from our East we met in the hotel. Tomorrow we are heading West after mass.
Again, no spell check and typing fast. I will do my best to get pictures uploaded in the next couple of days. Still fighting the jet lag so I am off to lay down.

Lesson #1: Follow the crowd

Deanna's Apartment building

Well, we both made it. I jumped on the blue line Wednesday at 1:30 and arrived in Paris at noon the next day. Except for a minor hold up at O'hare due to bad weather in Detriot, everything went off without a hitch. I can't imagine being taller then 5'3"on an overnight flight...my knees were cramping so bad I couldn't sleep.
Getting off the airplane, I learned lesson #1-- just follow the crowd right on down to customs. I had no idea where I was going or heading until I ended up in the line for customs. It was then my appreciation of French men began as I fell in love with my customs agent, two employees of the hotel and about everyother man I passed on the street. Harriet and I, after a ten minute battle trying to figure out how to get the rental car into reverse (you need to pull up!) parked the car in our hotel right outside Paris and checked in. It is a lovely hotel with gigantic beds in a nice neighborhood. We walked around the Siene the night we got here near the location where Seruate painted A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, saw the Arc de Triumphe at night and then ate dinner at a little resturant on the river. There are tons of river boats that have been converted into homes lined up along the shore. I have decided that I want to live in one.
Today we got up early and had breakfast at the hotel. There is only one thing in this world I need to make me happy on vacation and that is buffet. After breakfast, we caught the metro (again...can't find the exit, follow the crowd) to the Trocadero and saw the Effil Tower before taking a taxi (we got incredibly lost) to Deanna's old apartment. The cab driver informed us that we were going to elect McCain because "Americans are incredibly stupid". According to him, only 29% of us are smart.
We found Deanna's old building manager who connected us with Deanna's friend Madeline by phone who also lives in the building. I believe we will be staying with her when we head up to northern France later next week.

We returned to the Eiffel Tower after that, took pictures like good tourists should and then had lunch. We walked through a museum in the neighborhood and then walked down to the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Harriet and I took one look at the line to take the elevator to the top, looked at each other and then prompty decided to go back to the hotel and nap...well, I napped.
After I woke up, we went to dinner and I continued my mostly-cheese diet since I have arrived, had creme brulle, red wine and espresso. A successful and lovely first day.
We will be in Paris until Sunday (mom, you will be proud, I am going to church) and then heading West. If I could remember-- or pronounced the names of the place I would let you know. Thank god that Harriet is with me for my sense of direction, as well as my French, are practically non-existant. Forgive me, I am typing fast and the spell check is not working on this computer. If you requested postcards, they will be in the mail shortly. If you want them and am not sure if you requested them, shoot me an email with your snail mail address. I also can't get my pictures uploaded on this computer, so those will be on their way eventually as well. Miss you all.

Off like a prom dress...

Leaving for the airport in a little over an hour. Packed, showered and ready to go. I'll be flying back into Chicago on October 13th. More updates when I arrive in France.

2 days...what?!

I am sitting on a chair in Louisa and Kate's apartment staring at my suitcase sitting in the dining room. I made a full hour of progress tonight before giving up and once again, putting it off until tomorrow. John and I successfully moved me out of my apartment on Aldine Ave. (in two hours flat no less) Saturday morning. Quite a feat since Louisa, Spano and I were up until 4.a.m. drinking red wine and bonding. I completed the day of packing with one last trip to the storage locker with my bike, one box full of crap (books, dvds, baseball glove, a pair of shoes, dish towels) and a mirror. I had moved the sandwich out of my purse into the box during my travels so it wouldn't get squished and after joking with myself as to how funny it would be if I left it in the storage locker, did just that. Congratulations Rachel. So I had to go get that out yesterday afternoon, which was fun.
Its interesting not having an apartment of your own-- Lil, Louisa and Kate are all mid-process of getting their new apartment set up, so an extra body and my stuff isn't helping the situation much. Lucky for me, that have been gracious hosts. Off too...pack? nap? We'll see. 2 more days and I am outta here.

Is everybody happy?

I'm going to say no-- my studio is full of junk and I am at the point of moving where I have just started throwing everything out. I have various piles of stuff around the place (beds, futons, desks included) leaning against the walls. If you vault over the change, purse, shoes and other junk in front of the door, there is a nice clean circular space in the middle of my apartment. It was there that I laid on the floor last night after deleting the contents of my ipod forever (by accident), applying temporary tattoos to my arm, and listening to Black Betty on repeat (because it is one of the ten songs now on my computer).
As of noon tomorrow I should be moved out, gotten inspected by the super and handed over my keys. I think at that point, my stress will decrease significantly and I can really start to focus on getting excited and prepared for my trip. Until then, I will remain as Seth so lovingly put it, neurotic. Oh, well.

T - 9 Days

That's right, I am leaving next Wednesday with a 4 p.m. departure from O'Hare. My apartment is in shambles, I am barely packed and I am sleeping like it is finals week (so...poorly) but the big adventure will be worth it.
I am doing my last week with my kids. They have finally hired a new nanny. I have been promised that Brett and Reid will not like her better and once I return I am allowed to show up and tell her everything she is doing wrong.

Spano comes this weekend! Stoked to see her. The goal is to get all moved out of my apartment by Friday so that we can both be homeless together (our last ditch effort will be the hostel downtown or pitching a tent at Diversy Harbor) and I don't have to worry about getting things clean etc. while she is here. We have made a list of things to do that includes but is not limited to:
1. Drinking cheap white wine at Joys (luckily she won't have to quiz me on religion/politics this time).
2. Have a drink at Kelly's on the patio before 4 p.m.
3. Go to a bar neither of us have ever been before.
4. Eat at the Southport Grocery
That's all we got so far. I'm sure the list will increase by the end of her stay.

Got the trip all planned out now. I had to drop Prague and any chance of going to Ireland. 5 countries in 6 weeks seemed like a fair amount and I decided to spend a couple extra days in Paris with O'dile. Then its on to Oktoberfest (yes, Oktoberfest is in September) to meet Rider, down to Italy for a week, across the water to Barcelona, meeting my mommy in Madrid and then meeting the sisters in Lisbon. My flight is back to Chicago in which I will take up residence on Louisa and Kate's couch until they kick me out or I find a sublet. I have an interview with Close Up scheduled for October 27th which means I might be heading to D.C. after the first of the year. Until I figure that out, I am going to seek my dream job as a bouncer and intern for the Dover Political Strategies Group. Piece of cake.

So much to do...and just doing none of it

I leave for Europe in less then a month, holy shit! I have not packed a single box, found storage for my stuff, or even figured out which countries I am going to visit. Screwed? Maybe a little. On the bright side, we have been highly intoxicated throughout the city since my birthday, which has been nice.

Tim and I sibling bonded it up at Lolla last weekend. We both just went Sunday and saw Kanye West, Flogging Molly, Girl Talk and Gnarls Barkley. Flogging Molly was my favorite show-- it helped that I had my very tall rugby player friend to protect me from people since I don't masses of people. Tim was no help in that respect during Kanye. For someone who doesn't like crowds, being hot or live music-- I would say it was a great time but I will never do it again. Getting home was tricky but quick enough. It was my 1am mission for fast food that got stresful since the drunk Cubs fans were ruining any chances of getting in and out of Taco Bell or McDonalds on Addison Ave. in less then an hour.

Tim and I are cruising back to Minnesota tomorrow after we both get out of work for Dougherty Day and Dan's wedding. We will be back on the 16th -- and then I have to get my ass in gear backing up my apartment and getting ready for my trip (starting with where).