Hooray, today was Bastille Day! And what an eventful free day it was for us here in Paris. We started things out right by sleeping in, snagging some complimentary breakfast and then heading out for the Paris Opera house. We had this amazing plan of renting bikes, buying some fresh bread to put in the baskets and cruising the city.
Maybe with some beret's on. However our hopes were crushed when we realized the rental machine didnt accept our debit cards, only European credit cards. Sad, sad day. However, despite that downfall, we did have two great run-ins with extremely nice Frenchmen. Once when we were trying to figure out the bikes, and then right after when we were trying to figure out how to get to the Opera house. Arriving in the country we were all prepared for hostility and USA haters, but have yet to encounter any. Thank you Obama, thats the one good thing you have done thus far, made the rest of the world love us. Yipee. So, the nice man helped us get to the Opera house which turned out to be so cool.
Maybe with some beret's on. However our hopes were crushed when we realized the rental machine didnt accept our debit cards, only European credit cards. Sad, sad day. However, despite that downfall, we did have two great run-ins with extremely nice Frenchmen. Once when we were trying to figure out the bikes, and then right after when we were trying to figure out how to get to the Opera house. Arriving in the country we were all prepared for hostility and USA haters, but have yet to encounter any. Thank you Obama, thats the one good thing you have done thus far, made the rest of the world love us. Yipee. So, the nice man helped us get to the Opera house which turned out to be so cool.
The Paris Opera House. You cant see it, but there'sa giant patina dome on top thats cool
FYI, thats where the story line of Phantom of the Opera takes place and where the recent movie was filmed, so it was so cool to be on the inside. It was so much more over the top then I expected! Going to the Opera back then was an event! There were spaces for banquets and large balls, and the theatre itself on the inside is deluxe!
The boxes inside of the theatre
The chandelier was cool, and the ceiling had a much more modern facade then I expected. Man, and then the staircase.
The main staircase. It looks a lot bigger in real life.
It was also crazy cool. All in all, the Opera house was a hit. Followed by some bread and nutella on the steps, it made for a grand afternoon. The next destination was the highly coveted H&M. Had I ever been there before, nope. But I have heard an earful about how great it is. Its like a designer D.I and are only in more "fashionable" cities in the world apparently. I snagged me a few items, actually five for only $24 Euro, which was a steal.
The main staircase. It looks a lot bigger in real life.
Thank you designer D.I.Come to Utah.
Feeling swell about our time there we headed back to the hotel, however, not before rewarding ourselves with some pasteries. Rewarding ourselves for what you say? We just were because we could. We deserved them, yes we did, and man the French definately got the upper hand when it comes to pastery making.
What was it? No idea, but it was amazing.They were delicious. The afternoon was filled with blogging and napping before we headed out to celebrate Bastille Day with the millions of other people flooding the downtown area to watch the fireworks from the Eiffel Tower. We headed across the river for a different vantage point, which turned out not to be the best idea as we became trapped in the mosh of thousands trying to see the tower.
Fab 5 watiting for the show to begin while getting mauled.Was it hot, yes. Was it smelly, yes.
Were there sketchy people grabbing my back pockets constantly, yes.
Were there sketchy people grabbing my back pockets constantly, yes.
The crowd around us. Notice all those of Indian influence...definately aided in the smellyness.But, were the fireworks AMAZING?!?! Yes indeed. It was the most incredible fireworks show I have ever seen!
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Being there for them is comparable to being in Times Square for the ball drop. Packed with people, at one of the biggest events of the year for the entire country; and we were downtown in the heart of it! It was so cool. Afterwards however, man different story. Lets try getting millions of people out of the streets of the city center, onto the metros and back to their homes. Then mix that task up with millions of drunk Frenchies, who like to riot and shoot guns off in celebration of their countries liberation? Yeah, it was crazy. Me and the poor four girls I was with linked arms and fought our way through the masses, fighting off pervy pants and keeping the sketchy lookin fellas away from the girls.
After we finally got a ways from the moshing...It definately ranks as one of the most intense situations I have ever been in. Right up there with running from a policeman in the Jeep my freshman year to avoid a ticket, which would have gotten my liscence revoked. Dodged that bullet though. So, getting home from the fireworks was an adventure in and of itself, but we made it home safely and have nothing but fond memories now, and great pictures. Thank you Bastille Day, you were wonderful! Au revoir!
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