Paris 25th May 2013

My last day in Paris was one of rather high ambitions: today I would get to the tourist sites I had been neglecting in favor of research.

The plan was only mildly successful, mostly because I made a rookie's travel mistake: never leave everything of one type for one day. If your one day gets rained out, you will miss seeing the Eiffel Tower.

Honestly, I was in Paris and never saw the Eiffel Tower except from afar. Worst tourist ever.

But I console myself in knowing I was here first as a researcher and my efforts on that front have been broadly successful.

I made my way late this morning (a beautiful morning, mind you) to the fountain of St. Michael near Notre Dame where a free three-hour walking tour began at 1:00. Generally I, being the seasoned veteran of nearly a month in Europe now, scoff at such blatantly tourist-y attractions as this tour, but I don't regret starting this walk: the guide was young, funny, knowledgeable and friendly. I learned some very neat curiosities of Parisian and French history.

Unfortunately the weather did not hold. By the time we reached the Louvre a torrential downpour soaked me. I was cold. I told Europe that it had won this day, left the tour, and headed back to my hostel. I have spent today trying to be as productive as I can be here.

Tomorrow my train for Toulouse leaves at 09:42, so I will have to get up fairly early to take the subway to the Gare d'Austerlitz. Tonight I will pack and sleep early!

Another travel day tomorrow! I will update you all from Toulouse where I hope it is a bit more dry (though at least it isn't snowing like it is today in Vermont).

Au revoir, Paris!