JeremyLaDuke.com

Over 100 new photos from Paris! I’ll have to upload the movies later. It took over 4 hours to just upload the photos, when I could have been touring! Miss you all!

I said it before–Paris is no place to be alone. That got me thinking about my current situation. I’ve pretty much isolated myself from any long term relationship with this little adventure. I also don’t seem to have any prospects apon my return. Actually I don’t know. I’m the worst when it comes to picking up signals from girls. As my sister can attest, many of her friends have been interested–girls I never thought would be looking my way. And where am I? Clueless.

On the other hand, there have been many times where I was sure the girl was intersted in me. I would have staked my life on it, only to find out that *BAM!*–”I don’t think about you that way.” Ugh… How is that possible? How could I be so wrong? Wrong about the girls that like me and wrong about the girls that don’t?

I’ll tell you this much. The girls I have seriously dated…hell, even most the girls I’ve just dated we’re very straight forward with me. Most shooting straight to the point with “I think you are cute and I like you, I think we should go out sometime.” I find that type of honesty and confidence incredibly attractive. Not only that but it’s clear! I know I’m not destined for the friend-zone/ladder. Ah well, it’s all part of the adventure I guess.

Yep I made it! I took the chunnel. It was a 2 hour 40 minute trip. I only nodded off for a few minutes…really…. and I guess we were going so fast that the chunnel part is not very long, because when I opened my eyes, I was in France. Seeing the England and France country side was awesome though.

Paris is by far the best city I’ve been in. It’s beautiful. They take care of everything and are proud of the history and art here. Simply unbelievable. I spent the first day just walking around. My feet were killing me by the end. I hit the Effel Tower a dusk so I got to see it lit up. I also passed by the Louvre and other sights.

Day Two: I went back to the Effel Tower and got more pictures in daylight. I also visited the Louvre and went inside. Oh my gosh! Everyone needs to go inside. The Mona Lisa was by far the least impressive painting, though I did get a picture of it. My favorite section was the sculptures. I took plenty of photos of them. I also stopped by Notre Dame again. This time is was open and I went to the top of the two towers. Amazing view a Paris from up there! The Cathedral is much more noisy that Saint Paul’s since it’s free to get in. And you can take photos all day long. It’s very touristy, but still impressive. Mon-Thur they have a choir sing at 9:15pm but I missed it on Thursday. That would have been awesome! Tomorrow I’ll see the Catacombs and I’m not sure what else yet.

My hotel is on the 5th floor and has one of those big windows that open like a door and has a cute little balcony (for flowers and whatnot). ER is dubbed over in French as with every other American TV show. Haven’t had any problems with the locals. I think I’m more intimidated then they are annoyed. Stupid horror stories pretty much ruined my that aspect of my trip. Most people seem to speak English and not mind doing so. The stereotype that should be spread is that ALL people of ALL nationalities hate obnoxious people who don’t consider others. If you are a loud and obnoxious person no one will like you. Especially if you think everything should be the way it is in your home country. If you are polite and considerate and humbly trying to find your way in a new place, most people are more than happy to help the best they can.

Anyway… Paris is no place to be alone. It is definately the city of romance. I’ve never seen so many people just holding each other–whether that be in the park, on the metro or in the middle of the side walk–just standing there, holding each other tightly. The food here is great. No, I didn’t buy any Doritos. Purely French food. Except the M&M’s I had on the Metro.

Au revoir!

Yep! I finally got around to uploading like 10 movies and some more photos of Dublin. Check them out here.

I finally got hold of my friend John here in London. He’s letting me sleep on the floor in his flat. Which is actually better than being alone in a hostel. I’ve not mastered the art of interoducing myself to new people. But I think there is also somehting to be said about being around a familiar face. John and I seem to have lots of similarities so we get along real well. He’s been very kind by offering his home and appliances to me. He’s given me a cell phone that accepts incoming calls and text messages so he can find my around town after he gets out of work or school and has given me access to his computer, laundry machine, etc. I’m truely greatful.

I’m currently watching the Queen walk into the House of Lords. Pretty big news I guess. What’s cool is I was just at Parlament where she just walked in. Yesterday was a huge Star Wars premeire. All the stars came out, real storm troopers, and a life size x-wing! It was unbelievable. Tons of stuff going on, including the showing of all the previous Star Wars films.

Here, Cool Ranch Doritos are called Cool Original. In Iceland they are called Cool American. They all taste the same. In Iceland I had Paprika flavored chips, that’s what we might call BBQ.

Jason: I forgot to mention that Iceland hot water smells like rotten eggs aka sulfur since all the hot water comes from geothermal heat vents.

Thursday I’m off to Paris via the Chunnel. It only cost me £29! I believe I got a 50% discount for having a Eurail Pass. Anyways…I’m off for now. Cheers!

Music: Basement Jaxx - Oh My Gosh