Well, our second to last day in Paris is almost over. How did the time go so fast?? I can feel depression setting in already. :(

It's about 5PM and I needed a break so came home to rest for a bit. AnneMarie and I each did our own thing today, and I decided to buy a ticket for the "hop on hop off" tour, which is exactly what it says, so I could just ride around all day and get off wherever, to give my feet a break. I went everywhere - I think I was literally in every arrondissement over the 5 hours I rode it. I met two fun ladies from Australia who are backpacking for 30 days across Europe and then on to New York. They sleep in youth hostels every night and share a bathroom and even a bedroom sometimes with other people. Seriously? Yikes. They said it's the only way they could afford to travel for 30 days, which I understand. Now, I'm way too much of a princess for that, but they seemed to be doing ok with it, so God bless them. We all got off at the same stop, so I wandered around the Marais a bit with them, toured Victor Hugo's home and had lunch in Place des Vosges. That is such a pretty little square, surrounded by windy narrow cobblestone streets that are exactly what you picture when thinking of Paris. Anyway, rode around for a couple more hours and I think I was the only one who spoke English. It was so cool! I could hear Russian, Italian, and some Arabic language. But everyone's reaction to seeing the Eiffel for the first time is the same - awe and smiles and oohs. I guess we are more alike than different.

By 4:00 I'd had enough so got off at the Opera Garnier. I never get tired of this area or this building - it is so ornate and so over the top. Stopped at Galleries LaFayette and Printemps for one last look around. I mean, honestly, they're right there by my metro stop. I just had to stop! These stores are the best. They are huge and have the coolest stuff. And there's so many people you want to open a vein. If you spend enough in one day, you can get back the 12% VAT tax, but you have to go stand in a really long line to do so. They can keep the 12% - my feet hurt too much. :)