Seven Days Left in Paris

I have exactly one week left in Paris, and today marked the last of the intense Arizona in Paris excursions. We’re all exhausted now, and I don’t think anyone will be going out tonight.

We met at the Paris Gare de l’Est at 7:35 a.m., and we went on to take the TGV to Rheims. We got to our destination around 9 a.m., and an annoyed classmate said in all seriousness, “So where’s the champagne?!” In May, we were told that we’d spend the fourth of July at a wine tasting cave, and we soon found out that the wine tasting activity wasn’t nearly as fulfilling as most college students expect it to be. Everyone laughed at the poor guy’s frustration. We’re all just really tired and ready to be done with classroom responsibilities.

After a while, we toured the Notre-Dame-de-Reims cathedral, which I loved. I prefer it to the actual Notre Dame in Paris solely because it’s not so crowded. I felt really at peace at this particular cathedral, and I even lit a 2 Euro candle. I was one of the last people to leave.

Most people were tired today, and we couldn’t fully concentrate on the Palais du Tau. An older employee approached me when she saw me working on my homework assignment. She spoke to me in French, but after a while, she asked if I was from Germany or England. She was really shocked when I said I was American. She’s the fourth person to assume I’m German, I don’t get it. I guess that’s a good thing? I’m ridiculously pale, so maybe they expect Americans to have more color. It was nice to speak to an older French person, I’ve always enjoyed having conversations with really old women and men who have already lived their lives.

We went to a Mumm’s wine tasting event, which was awesome, and most people bought bottles of wine to ship home.

And now, we’re burned out and ready for bed. I’m ready to be done with my classes. Can it be July 11 yet? I want to be in Cannes and Italy, where homework doesn’t cloud my mind.