Ohhh the Champs Elysees!

Yesterday, I went to an IEA ''youngsters'' dinner party at a co-worker's apartment. I was not extremely excited because the guys who invited Mirko and I were, as Annette says, ''a bit of a drip.'' We went out to lunch with them yesterday, and Mirko and I spent the entire time planning our escape route. However, the girl throwing the dinner party turned out to be American and she was incredibly nice. I so miss American hospitality! It was a potluck so there was loads of good food (finally something more than just bread and cheese!), and I met several really cool people from the IEA.

I stayed at the party for a couple of hours, but left a little early to meet the girls for some chocolate at Laduree, a fancy chocolate shop/restaurant on the Champs Elysees. It was a nice night so I decided to walk the mile from the dinner party to the Champs (don't worry mom, I was on well-light, busy main streets.) My journey included a walk on the Pont de l'Alma bridge over the Seine River. I was looking ahead, admiring the gorgeous view over the river and the beautiful architecture of the buildings on the Champs, and then, all of the sudden, I turned around, and there was the Eiffel Tower. I see the Tower everyday on my way to work (and truthfully, during the day time, I dont see what all the fuss is about). But just as I turned around, the Tower lit up with its 10s of thousands of twinkling lights, casting a glow over the River, and it was there that it finally hit me.... I'm in Paris! I could easily flow into a cheesy metaphor about how the lighting up of the Tower symbolized the awakening of my still in shock mind (cue the music in the background)...but I will refrain. Let's just say it was quite a scene.

So I met the girls at Laduree (where the patrons did not appreciate our loud American chattering), but we paid them no mind as we ate some of Paris' most amazing desserts. I opted for le chocolate chaud, and I must say, it was the BEST hot chocolate I have ever tasted. It was like drinking a melted chocolate bar. Afterwards we went to the fancy Champs McDonalds for some more casual chatting (much to the delight of the French couple sitting next to us at Laduree). I didn't get home until 1 am, so I'm definitely dragging at work today - un cafe s'il vous plait!