Although I post my favorite photos in my photoblog, you can see my entire set of photos from the trip here.

After we arrived in Paris today and got situated in our apartment, we ventured out in search of food. Though our clocks read 2:00 p.m., our bodies felt like 7:00 a.m. Perhaps because of a subconscious desire for something resembling breakfast, we settled on a little restaurant with a quiche specialty.

I recall talking before my trip with friends who had been to Paris. They all indicated that a (complete) lack of French language skills would not be a problem, because “virtually everybody” in Paris speaks English. Maybe I’m simply having bad luck, but I have yet to encounter any French person anywhere outside the airport who knows how (or is willing) to speak French.

Due to this language disconnect, our ordering of lunch consisted of pointing to the menu and smiling. Fortunately, this proved adequate, and we received food resembling what we believed we had gestured towards.

Other lessons learned: The automated ticket machines at the airport do not take American Visa cards. European cards appear to work fine, but that didn’t help us. However, my Visa card did work at the cafe. I haven’t yet seen a store that accepts American Express credit cards, but nearly everywhere accepts traveler’s cheques from the same. French customs was a joke: they barely glanced at our passports and asked us no questions at all. Somewhat more startling was that we were not IDed at the gate upon our departure from Chicago. Anybody with a valid ticket, regardless of their identity, could have boarded that plane. Not good, in my opinion.

After lunch, we visited Notre Dame. All I can say is “Wow” — now I understand why it is world-famous. The history, skill, and power which shines from the architecture and workmanship is unrivaled in my travels. Truly it is a breathtaking edifice.

Watch my photoblog for periodic photos from my trip.

To do tonight: learn French.

I’m in Paris! Jet lagged, sure… but I’m in Paris!

The flight was good. Even the airline food was reasonably edible. After considering advice from several experienced travelers, I decided to go ahead and buy a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. After using them on the nine-hour flight, I can say that they worked great (and they weren’t even the Bose model!). Definitely money well spent.

Now I’m off to find food. Fortunately, there seem to be an endless supply of restaurants and stores. Mmmm…

Yesterday evening, in preparation for the event, I went for a run. The length wasn’t too long (just a bit over two miles), but it was the first time since my sophomore year of high school that I had run any appreciable distance.

Maybe it’s just the endorphins (or anandamides?) talking, but the run felt rather good. I enjoyed the feelings of energy and euphoria that so often accompanies exercise.

The challenge now is just to stick with it.

In the recent past, I decided that I would make the most of my youth and start doing the things that I’ve always wanted to do. I started playing hockey, I learned to snowboard, and I’m going to Europe (twice!) among other things.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve found it increasingly difficult to motivate myself to do anything. It might be a function of the end of my terms as Associate Educator and MC in Pike, or maybe it’s a classic case of Senioritis. The differential diagnosis is inconclusive.

In any case, I’ve decided to add a twist to my life: I’m going to run a triathlon in May. Challenging? Oh, hell yes. Even more so when you consider my athletic prowess or lack thereof. It’s not a joke — I’m going to give it my best shot. Even if it means stumbling across the finish line. I’m going to do it.