We started today by going to the Eiffel Tower. It turns out that it's really real. I was surprised at how cool if was. I think it probably is worth all the hype people give it. We didn't go up it because the teacher said it would take too long, but that we could come back later in the week if we wanted to.
After we went on a short boat tour of Paris on the Seine. It was cool, and it was nice getting introduced to everything before we actually visited them. I'm pretty sure I saw the bridge Phineas and Ferb went under when they were in France too.
After we visited the Sainte-Chapelle, which is a really pretty chapel with a lot of stain glass windows. They have bible stories in art form all over: the stain glass windows, engraven in the wall, everywhere.
The Sainte-Chapelle was built to house the Crown of Thorns that was on Jesus' head, that one of the French Kings bought. I don't know if it was still there though (or if it was ever there), because it wasn't on display.
After that we went to Notre Dame. We had to wait in line a long time, but we finally got to go in. First we went up on the roof. The view was neat and we also got to see some of the bells. Then we went inside. It pretty much looked like any other Cathedral, but a lot bigger, and a lot more fancy. The architecture and the art work were beautiful. I also liked Notre Dame because it provided a peaceful place to sit after a lot of standing and walking.
After we went to dinner to a traditional French food restaurant. I think most of us Americans were a little nervous about the lamb, duck and escargot because most of us played it safe and got pasta. I decided to branch out a little though, and I got lamb.
Dinner didn't start out very well because I had a fly in my appetizer, but other than that everything was pretty good. I think most of my classmates who ordered pasta were jealous of my dinner when it came out. They told me that their pasta was bland, but I had super delicious potatoes and green beans with my lamb. The Lamb wasn't bad either, but it wasn't my favorite; it tasted kind of like brunt beef.
For dessert I had crème brûlée. I've heard a lot about it, but I think this was the first time I've actually had it. It wasn't bad. It was pretty much milk and sugar pudding with a caramelized top.
Now I know you're all wondering, so I'll let you know: I did try Escargot! My teacher ordered a plate and asked if anyone wanted to try it. Truthfully it wasn't that bad. It tasted like the butter and garlic it was in. The thing that surprised me the most about it though was the texture. I was thinking it would be this slimy mass in my mouth that I couldn't chew, but it was actually quite meaty. It was kind of like chicken, just less strings. I kind of liked it, but I couldn't bring myself to have another one. It was more the idea that the eyes, mouth and all the organs were still on it.
Well now I'm in my hotel room completely exhausted, and I know I have another busy day tomorrow. Unfortunately the batteries in my camera died half way through the day, so I only have a few pictures. I'm planning on getting some from other students, but right now this is all I have.
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