Backpacking (Western) Europe

We arrived to the Gare du Lyon pretty late. We didn't have a guidebook, nor a map, and the tourist center in the train station had already closed for the night. We decided to wander into the streets and find accommodations nearby.

I started approaching random Parisians with my one known French phrase Parlez vous Englais?. If their reply was oui, I'd proceed to ask them where the nearest hostel was located; If replying with a shake of the head or non, we'd move on to the next source.

We didn't have to wait much further as this pale Frenchman overheard our situation and stepped in to help. He spoke intelligible English and even led us to the Paris subway station, taking us to the heart of Paris and helps us check in at the BVJ hostel.

Alexandre Francois Philippe David, or as we liked to call him le grenouille, was nerdy enough to the point where we trusted him not to kill or take us hostage, and such a sweetheart, which is why we continued hanging out with him the rest of our stay. He had a polite way of responding to your inquiries-- with the formal commentAs you wish-- a reply reserved for a servant to his master. He had this infectious laugh and made you feel like what you just said was the funniest thing in the world. We liked him instantly.

The grenouille took us to a nearby pub, Saus Bock where I had the best Belgium beer. We sat around chatting for a bit about our jobs, relationships, and his travels all over the world. He taught us bad words in French. Before leaving the bar, we exchanged information, or rather he gave us his. We made plans to meet up the next day to have dinner before leaving Paris.

After drinking, Jene and I walked back to the BVJ hostel, climbed up the tiny, spiraling staircase to our creepy, dim and barren room, and fell asleep. We had a long day ahead of us tomorrow.

In the morning, Jene and I awoke and found ourselves quite pleased that Le Louvre was only a block away from our hostel. Alexandre definitely looked out for us and brought us to a prime location.

By the way, did you know that the word louvremeans 'a framed opening'?

After our museum visit, Jene and I decide to walk to the Eiffel Tower. We think, hey, it can't be too far. On the map, it looks only about a five-minute walk from The Louvre.

An hour later, we arrive. The only positive thing we can say about our walk were all the great sights we got to see along the way.

At last, we arrive...

After our excursion at the Eiffel, Jene and I decided to walk to our next stop: L'arc du Triomphe.

We had a quick lunch, saw the arch, strolled down Champs du Elysees, and went on the subway headed for Sacre Couer.

As we head to Sacre Couer, we accidentally get off at the Pigallestop, which brings us right into...the Red Light District! We are delighted.

After our little 'detour', we arrive to our prior destination, climb this steep, long, gruesome staircase, which finally leads us to... The Sacred Heart.

After running around and seeing a gazillion sights in one day, Jene and I headed back to meet Alexandre for some dinner. We left our backpacks at his office and hopped on the subway to Old Paris