Closures modified my plan along the way, but the beauty of the open areas made up for it. I eventually found my way back, after a visit to the neptune fountain, and decided making it in time to climb the stairs of the Eiffel Tower overrode the desire to pay full palace entry simply to see the Hall of Mirrors.

So I walked to the RER, bought a day pass, and rode line C directly to the tower, where I bought a drink and some fig newtons (everyone is always carrying some sort of snack, be it a baggette or something else.) Climbing the tower, I began to appreciate the amount of iron/steel that went into its construction. That and the heigh: unlike mostly all monuments seen until this point, the Eiffel Tower actually looked smaller in photos than real life. What a massive undertaking! Massive and completely elegant.

So I climbed and shot photos and waited in lines, and fully enjoyed the view from the top. What a view.. and so very, very tall.

And that was it. That’s how I ended my time in Europe.

- Well, of course I returned to Fabrice’s to pack my things, and am writing this as I lay awake on the floor in a corner of the airport (I rightfully decided to make the 2hr journey tonight rather than in the morning = early vs. late). But c’est finis; there is nothing left to say at this point… like the sun poking through the parisian clouds over the metropolis below, my time here has been full of special moments and unforgettable memories. When (not if) I return, I can only hope it is with someone I’ll be able to share it with.

One of my last French encounters was with a woman and her daughter on the train as I made my way towards the airport – When asking about my country and city of origin, the mother remarked how her daughter, who was planning on transferring to UBC next year, had been telling her earlier that day about the weather in Vancouver.. when I said our summers are warm, and our beaches are wonderful, she was completely surprised.

An excellent goodbye, and a perfect segue.

Vancouver, Home, here I come.

We metroed around to see one of the 19th century (well, 1900-1904) metro entrances, and lounged in the Montemarte park overlooking the city. Before saying goodbye, we had dinner at Chartiers, as recommended by Rus. I saw so many more things during and after, that I cannot remember them all.. so now I sit on the pedestrian bridge enjoying my 2nd last European sunset. Wow. It sounds so final that way. And I suppose it should.. I cannot stay here forever… but with a blanket, some bread, and a bottle of wine, it sure wouldn’t be hard.

Further down, people were cooling off by dipping their toes in a fountain, while a few waded around in it – which seems to be common around here; when I arrived at the Louvre, after passing some very unique metro stations, people were again playing with their feet in the water.

The Louvre itself was massive. I spent probably 4 hours inside viewing Italian art, Egyptian artifacts, and sculptures of all sorts, and of course the Mona Lisa and others, but that was less than half the museum. But I was tired and my camera was dead, so after a quick stroll through the park, I found myself a bench on the Seine.

Sun reflecting off the water and bouncing off the Musée d’Orsay, through the green leaves of the trees, and blinds my eyes.. yet I am content. Eva Cassidy serenades me with Fields of Gold on my phone, as bikers and runners pass by.

The one single thing that could make this moment better would be having someone to share it with. Paris, over any of the other cities I’ve visited this summer, or perhaps ever, is certainly the most romantic. It has an indescribable beauty, rooted in history, and demonstrated in the buildings and parks; the streets and the river; and everything in between. Simply stunning… I could sit in this spot forever (although relaxing outside the Louvre, waving my hand through the cool water was quite good as well).

As much as I miss home, I now know 3 days was not enough. I will miss you, Paris.

When the bus reached the centre, I still had a few hours before Fabrice (another new couchsurfing friend) would be at home, so I walked up the street and shot the Arch de Triomph from all sides before heading back to find the RER (though not before watching tourists try to run through the traffic to reach the arch.. “woohoo!” they exclaimed, arms high in the air)

A train and bus ride later, Fabrice prepared a quick and simple quiche for us before taking me on a drive through the country in his Peugot convertible. The late sun was in our eyes, but it was a glorious evening so I wasn’t about to complain. He passed through small, old towns, and drove along narrow streets lined with small French mansions, in between sunny stretches of grain fields and hay bales.

Before returning home, we made one final detour to Versailles where he pointed out the Palace, and the gates to the gardens, and one of his favorite parks. What an introduction to Paris.