Ahh Paris!

1st day- Went around the area my mom & sis stayed in before the arrival of my cousins and tita on the 3rd day. Ate in authentic French cafe for first time and visited Notre Dame. I prayed for my dad & mom especially my tita Joanne. I also bought a nice Mother Mary pendant for 15 euro.

2nd day- Went to Site du Centre Pompidou , which is a museum dedicated to modern art. I loved it and Bea apparently loved it more than I did, I don't like modern art that much since most of them I can't understand. (Ironically since I'm an artist myself)

3rd day- Met with tita and cousins from Philidelphia (Tita Nora, Yanna and Becca) moved in to rented apartment. (Did I mention they have the TINIEST elevators?) I also found a japanese manga shop, and purchased mangas written in FRENCH!

4th day- Went to the Louve and saw many gorgeous, historic and breath-taking works of art most people have only heard of and seen 3rd hand. I saw the authentic Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo! I bought an Egyptian pen for dad, and some Marie Antoinette's rose jam for myself.

5th day- Went to Versailles. Witnessed a slice of how the French royals lived back in the day. Went in for free since my mo fooled them into thinking I'm 13. (Magically) Saw beautiful and authentic dresses and coats and crowns used by royalty. Went around the magnificent garden. Bought a beautiful fan for 35 euro.

6th day- We looked for a lolita store called "Baby the Stars Shine Bright" all around Bastille maybe for around 3 hours. Found it and had fun with cousins (cept Bea) trying on VERY EXPENSIVE dresses. (None are less than 200 euro) Bought goddamn awesome shoes for 197 euro and 3 pairs of socks for 60 euro. (I told my mom it was like Gucci or Prada for her. XD) Looked for the rumoured Love Wall (A wall with "I love you" in diff. languages written all over it) my cuz wanted to photograph somewhere in Montmartre, ended up going to the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur which is the highest point of Paris and saw the whole city. We then got lost and ended up passing by the red-light district full of porn and what-not, only to stumble upon the famed Moulin Rouge. We met Jean Paul, a nice employee whom only after a few friendly exchange of words, would have us sit in the best seat in the house on the 11 o' clock show to witness one of the best musical cabarets in Paris. Tres Bien! Not only have I seen the Mona Lisa now, but I've also witnessed an authentic cabaret.. I mean, MOULIN ROUGE.

7th day- Last day to go sightseeing since next day will be the day of our flight to SF. It was beautiful and sunny and we finally got a chance to see the majestic Eiffel Tower. We brought our fois gras, cheese, baguettes and wine, (Just like le French) and headed on to the tower. I took beautiful shots and we had a picnic beside the tower, it was warm, sunny and perfect. (not crowded as well) and my family just relaxed and had the time of our lives. We then headed back to the city, only to head onto the short cruise tour for a final look at the city. We passed around 8+ bridges that connect the city. (The river is called Sienne) The sun was setting (Around 9:00pm too!) and it was absolutely beautiful and romantic. I took nice shots of the exterior of the Notre Dame, and got to learn many facts about the diff. sites the tour guide pointed out. We waved at random people on boats and on land like mad men. I also saw 4+ couples making out~! We passed by Le Pont Marie, which is a famous bridge. The legend goes that if you kiss the person beside you while you go under it and make a wish, the wish will come true. (How romantic!) I was sitting beside my cuz, Yanna, and just happen to peck her on the cheek and closed my eyes to make my wish. She gave be a big smack on my cheek for her own wish, it was a lot of fun and I really concentrated on what to wish for! (Tis' a secret though) I also saw the Eiffel Tower all lit up! (Remarkable) We then celebrated our last night in Paris in a Greek restaurant and witnessed a very happy set of girls doing a Jewish Reel.

8th day- Had to wake up at 6:30, but slept at 3:00 am the night before, resulting in a very drowsy leave for the city. I did get to request the taxi driver to pass by the Arc de Triomphe, which was the last monument I wanted to see before I leave, and he was very kind because I got to see it close-up! (Pictures in mom's cam though, mine ran out of battery)

*exhales* I love love loved Paris in the end. The people were very friendly and lively, and I also got to see and live-out places most people would only dream about getting to experience. I wish we got to stay a bit longer, but the span of time I was there got me to appreciate very much the sights and history it had to offer. I also got to polish a bit of the French I knew~!