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Published: January 7th 2007
Eiffel Tower
Behold the world's most famous monument.In case anyone was concerned, I'm alive and well and made it out of Italy just fine. I'm now at the Le d'Artagnan in the 20th Arrodissement of Paris. The hostel in Rome was a dump, but the one I briefly stayed at in Napoli to visit Pompeii (which I think is a bit overrated; it was nice but Ostia Antica was better as you could walk in more buildings) was fine. I stayed with a man from Spain and one from Switzerland, where we had a very slow, awkward conversation as they knew very little English. The Spaniard was a veteran hosteller.
I made it to Paris via a night-train, which was nice although the food in the dining car was a rip-off (26 Euro for a hamburger and pasta), so I wish I had brought food as I was somewhat hungry and did not eat.
My first day in Paris was spent visiting Les Invalides, which has not only Napoleon's tomb but also exhibits on France's military history, the history of World War I and World War II complete with memorabilia, and a collection of medieval and pre-historical armaments.
In the evening I climbed the Arc
Pompeii
A road in Pompeii. de Triomphe and had a good conversation along the way with Steve and Helena, who were visiting from England. I then did the Eiffel Tower, which was amazing but frightningly windy at the summit.
Today I went to the Pere Lachaise cemetary, where I visited the graves of such famous men as Jim Morrison, Chopin, Marcel Proust and Oscar Wilde. People have made odd tributes to some men: Morrison's grave is adorned not just with flowers but cigarette butts (it is barricaded off due to vandalism, I threw a note on top of his grave), Proust's with metro tickets held on with rocks, and Oscar Wilde's tombstone is covered with lipstick kisses.
I also visited the Louvre (free on Sundays), where I snuck a couple of forbidden photos of the Mona Lisa (other people got caught and got in trouble). I ventured into the Centre Georges Pompidou as well, but did not go past the exhibits in the main lobby.
Everything here is expensive, a pair on pants at the gap was 68 Euro (about $90). The crepes are great however.
The hostel here is a godsend compared to the craphole that was Rome. This place
Pompeii Body Cast
Plaster cast of a body found in Pompeii, since people have asked. No, they don't keep the real bodies there. is wonderful and I will enjoy staying here (and only 5 Euro more per night than the one in Rome).
Sorry, no pictures to give as this machine has no USB slot. Also, it's a rip-off.
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Marc Cherlin
non-member comment
Enjoy your journey
Sounds like you are having a great time so far! I wish I had the guts to take a trip like you are when I was younger. Enjoy the rest of your journey! Cousin Marc.