I need a shower!

Finally, I have free internet! That is the reason I haven't been able to update, but finally here in Rome we have free internet!

So we made it to Paris safe and sound. We understand why it's the off season. It's rainy and cold! Oh well though, we get discount prices on a lot of stuff. We arrive on Tuesday and went to our hostel. I'm traveling with my roommates Amina, Brooke, and Katie. Brooke, Katie and I flew together and we were supposed to meet Amina in our layover in Philly, but both of our planes had delays because of the inauguration, so Amina missed the Paris flight. We did find her Tuesday afternoon though. That night we decided to get out and check out the Eiffel Tower. It was amazing! It was so huge and provided a great view!

Wednesday we decided to take a free walking tour recommended by Jessica Schmitt (thanks Jess). It was awesome. We saw all the big sites, from the outside at least - Notre Dame, Saint Michel Fountaine, Neuf Pont, Seine River, the Louvre and the pyramids in front, the square where the Tour de France ends, Champs Elysee, and Arc de Triumph. Then Brooke and I stopped for dessert at a nice restaurant. I had a custard like yogurt with berry sauce and berries on top. Brooke had a almond and pear pie with caramel ice cream. They crepes here are awesome too! We like the nutella and banana one and holy cow we eat a lot of bread! That night we went with the same tour company on a tour through the red light district. We saw Moulin Rouge, places where Amelie was filmed, Sacre Couer, and apartments were Van Gogh and Picasso lived.

Thursday Brooke, Amina, and I went to Chateau Versailles, where all the kings and queens lived, specifically the King Louis'. It was very rainy and very cold, so we were happy to be inside. It was huge and soooo elaborate. Everything on the walls is decorated! After lunch Brooke and I decided to trek to Marie Antoinette's estate. We walked through gardens that were acres huge! I'd love to come back in the summer! Marie Antoinette apparently liked pink because we saw a lot of pink marble. That night we came home and had a three course meal that we all shared. I tried espargo (bleh) and creme brulee (yum!).

Friday we took the day to look inside Notre Dame and Saint Chappelle, both very very beautiful! Then we went to Musee D'Orsay and saw works of Picasso, Monet, Manet, Renoir and many more. Then after a quick dinner we got into the Lourve for free and saw the Mona Lisa and many other famous works. My fav is a statue of Cupid and Psyche.

Saturday we kinda did our own thing. I headed to Notre Dame for Mass. It was all in French, but I kinda understood it! Then I wandered around that area. We caught an overnight train to Rome yesterday evening and we almost missed it! We hoped on the last car closest to us and the attendant picked up Katie and pulled her on by her backpack. The train started moving 30 seconds later. Then we had to trek down the whole train with all our luggage to the last car. I slept pretty well and we arrived in Rome at 10 this morning. We kinda chilling and then meeting Zach's good friend and a Duluth seminarian, Jeremy at 2:30 at St. Peter's Basilica and we'll go to Mass there tonight. That's all for now!