Bonjour a la Frace.

Paris was a lot different than I expected it to be. I visited the City of Lights eight years ago and it seemed almost more grand then. I think everything seemed a little bit cooler when I was 12 years old than 20 anyway. But, after Madrid, I was struck by the large amout of grandiose government buildings. It seems that everywhere there were state run museums and this-and-that ministry of some sort.
What I think I enjoyed most was all of the art. I spent a whole day in the Louvre! I find the Italian Renaissance paintings to be amazing. The Seine was also beautiful as well. The rain was dissappointing but after loads of rain in Madrid, I was prepared. I was also dissappointed by how much English was spoken, in Paris and now in Lyon. I ask questions in French only to be given a response in English.
The people have been very welcoming and acomodating as well. As much as any other European country I have visited. The rude French stereotype does not seem to be ringing true.
Until next week, Sophie