Back to Civilization

Well, we've returned to London, which can only mean one thing- I'll be in Ghana tomorrow!

Paris was really fun. First off, I'd like to dispel the myth that French people are rude. We found everyone, especially waiters, incredibly friendly in Paris. We also happened to be staying in the Nigerian capital of France- I met more Nigerians than Parisians, almost. For some reason, all the Africans I've ever met think I'm hilarious. And not in a I-tell-funny-jokes sort of way, more in that I'm-funny-looking kind of way.

Still, returning to London is a return to normalcy, as some president (Wilson maybe?) once said. First of all, almost everything is where it's supposed to be on this keyboard. I didn't discover apostrophe's in Paris until my last day. I mean, the @ symbol is still in a weird spot here, but I'm working with the system.

It's different not starting every conversation with "Do you speak English?" We were lucky, because in most cases the answer was "a little," which in French translates to "yes, but I'm modest."

Also its nice having a room larger than a broom closet. I was getting kind of sick of sleeping with Dad's feet in my face.

But I will miss Paris. I have to say, Mom and Dad sure don't let me starve here. I've had more French onion soup and creme brulee in a week than in the whole rest of my life combined, and I was getting spoiled. Ghanaian cuisine doesn't suite me quite as well, but I'm sure Mom and Dad still won't let me starve.

Girls night out PART II

As I was saying, we left Dad with one job, very simple. When we knock, let us in...

Mom and I knock. We pound. FInally we hear some noise, which sounds vaguelt like- "who's there?" The door opens...

But it's not our door. We woke up our neighbors, and let me tell you, the man who was staying in 221 was not happy to see us at midnight. Rather than risk more disturbances, Mom and I saught the assistance of the concierge.

The door opens to reveal Dad asleep on my bed, the Daily Show with Jon Stewart blaring in the background.

To add insult to injury, I discover the next morning that Dad had thrown away my toiletries. Apparently, he hadn't known they were mine. Its looking like a mighty stinky trip.

Girls night out

So mom and I went out one night without Dad, and girls night out quickly turned into girls night locked out.

I was feeling good so she and i went for a walk to check things out a bit. we went to the canal and zigzagged around, checking out some parks and statues. It was about nine o clock and dark but there were lots of people out and about.

Soon I had to go the bathroom. There were some public bathrooms on the street, but the smell of them stopped you at fifty yards. So mom and I decided to go in a cafe, buy a drink and some dessert, and then Id use the restroom. Then we realized we didnt have any money- dad had converted the dollars to euros and hadnt passed any out.

Thank goodness for visa. Mom remebered her credit card and so our plan was saved. We sat outside in the beautiful weathe- I had a creme-brulee, which was maybe the most delicious thing I ve ever tasted, and mom had a beer.

We decided to go back to the hotel a little before midnight. We got back to the front door uneventfully, only to find the front door locked and the concierge missing. Now we have no key- you have to leave your room key at the desk every time you leave the hotel. First I pushed the intercom button. Then we waited. Then we waited some more. finally, I went down the way to the entrance to the hotel bar. It was locked too, but I spotted someone in the back. I knocked and the concierge let us with many apologies.

Now, theres only one key, and it was in the room with dad. We were counting on him to let us in- it was his one job...

To be continued...

Oui, Paris!

So Im typing this entry on a French keyboard (without apostrophes and with many letters in the wrong places) and with the entire website in French, so wish me luck. We arrived in Paris today after a three hour train ride- so far on this trip we ve taken planes, trains, subways, taxis, buses, and a boat. We are masters of public transportation.

Unfortunately our newest hotel room is smaller then my bathroom at Trinity, so as Dad says, "we ll be doing be doing some bonding."

Tonight we went out for our first french food- I had french fries and french onion soup- not surprisingly, these items are referred to as fries and onion soup here. perhaps i should have ordered toast as well.

Mom and dad each ordered a bowl of Mussels the size of a beach ball.

I think its safe to say our first day is going well. And as long as Dad remembers to wear his breatheright strip, I think our night will go well too.